In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in what’s new in J-pop.
With that in mind, here’s where you come in: I’m one person with one set of musical preferences, so please embed any other new J-pop tracks you’ve enjoyed in the comments so we can get a fuller spectrum each week.
*And just like I do with my reviews, I’ll wait until full versions of songs are available before posting them in this round-up. This will mostly apply to Johnny’s groups, who still limit the majority of their YouTube uploads to shorter, edited versions.
2023-2024 Index
2025 Index: Dec 29 – Jan 11 // Jan 12 – Jan 18 // Jan 19 – Jan 25
THIS WEEK: January 26 – February 1
Billy Boo – Gyakkou
I’m including this because I think the artist name is amusing.
BUDDiiS – Iris
This is quite moody for them. It doesn’t do much for me, sadly.
=LOVE – Koibito ijyou Suki miman
Pretty much what you’d expect from them.
HANA – Drop
People are clearly excited about this new girl group, but I don’t hear anything different from other acts who are currently promoting. The song is not for me.
KJRGL – Generation_Cloud
I wrote about this here. I thought it was alright.
Man With A Mission – Reaching For The Sky
Just the other day, I was wondering where MWAM was. It seems they’ve been absent for so long now. I love their music but sadly this isn’t a real highlight in their discography.
Number_i – GOD_i
They still have only one song I love. This is not that song.
One Love One Heart – Template Fashionista, Buttobashite GO!!, Iyanakotonante Futsukadeyamero (song of the week!)
There are a few new b-sides from One Love One Heart’s new album that I’ve really fallen for. They’ve delved into this electro-swing sound I would’ve never chosen for them, but it actually works pretty well.
PG – KANEMOCHI!
If you enjoy child rappers, you’ll enjoy this. If not, it’s probably best to stay clear. The song’s catchy and harmless.
Psychic Fever – What’s Happenin
Their style isn’t really to my taste, but this has some nice throwback elements that remind me of the early-2000’s.
Rainy。- But Nou Love (song of the week!)
I love this effusive house sound. The beat never relents and her vocals sound great.
The Rampage – Spider Web
Not a great Rampage song, sadly. It only makes me miss how incredible their first few albums were.
RealRomantic – Sleepless Lullaby
This feels very K-pop adjacent. It’s not bad. It needs a chorus, though.
ReLit – Hunade Brand New World
Pretty classic idol fare. It won’t appeal to everyone, but the chorus is good and the piratey outfits are funny.
Sard Underground – I Still Believe
Pretty beige as far as this style goes.
SKY-HI – ID (ft. Ryoki, Ryuki, Jimmy, Felip)
Is this just what rap music is now? I find this very loud and monotonous and not fun.
Takahisa Masuda – Kidoairaku
The News singer finally goes solo with his first album. I love him and his voice, but the song is just okay. The a cappella breakdown midway through is very cool, though.
Takanori Iwata – Phone Number
Smooth and funky but a bit dull.
TRENDZ – Bad Enough
I wrote about this here. I didn’t like it.
WEST. – A.H.O
Pretty much what you’d expect from a WEST. song. It’s okay, but nothing that knocks me over.
ZEROBASEONE – Firework, Hana (song of the week!)
I wrote about Firework here and loved it, but I also want to shout out Hana, which continues the group’s run of great rock-influenced ballads.
&TEAM – Extraordinary Day
I swear this group releases new music every week. This is pleasant but definitely inessential.
This week’s old favorite:
Nanase Aikawa – Yumemiru.. (2009)
I’ve written about Nanase Aikawa’s early career on the blog before, but she also released an excellent 2009 album that’s among her best work. This opening track is so fun. It heavily references her debut Yumemiru Shoujo Ja Irarenai but reinvents it with a pummeling dance sheen and new melodies.