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.
2023-2024 Index
2025 Index: Dec 29 – Jan 11 // Jan 12 – Jan 18 // Jan 19 – Jan 25 // Jan 26 – Feb 1 // Feb 2 – Feb 8 // Feb 9 – Feb 15 // Feb 16 – Feb 22 // Feb 23 – Mar 1 // Mar 2 – Mar 8 // Mar 9 – Mar 15 // Mar 16 – Mar 22 // Mar 23 – Mar 29 // Mar 30 – Apr 5 // Apr 6 – Apr 12 // Apr 13 – Apr 19 // Apr 20 – Apr 26 // Apr 27 – May 3 // May 4 – May 10 // May 11 – May 16 // May 17 – May 24 // May 25 – May 31 // Jun 1 – Jun 7 // Jun 8 – Jun 14 // Jun 15 – Jun 21 // Jun 22 – Jun 28 // Jun 29 – Jul 5 // Jul 6 – Jul 12 // Jul 13 – Jul 19 // Jul 20 – Jul 26 // Jul 27 – Aug 2 // Aug 3 – Aug 9 // Aug 10 – Aug 16 // Aug 17 – Aug 23 // Aug 24 – Aug 30 // Aug 31 – Sep 6 // Sep 7 – Sep 13 // Sep 14 – Sep 20 // Sep 21 – Sep 27 // Sep 28 – Oct 4 // Oct 5 – Oct 11 // Oct 12 – Oct 18 // Oct 19 – Oct 25 // Oct 26 – Nov 1 // Nov 2 – Nov 8 // Nov 9 – Nov 15 // Nov 16 – Nov 22 // Nov 23 – Nov 29 // Nov 30 – Dec 6 // Dec 7 – Dec 13 // Dec 14 – Dec 20
THIS WEEK: December 21 – 27
ACEes – Acing Out
This is the first taste of Starto’s reconfigured junior groups. I can’t say I’m very impressed. I remember when the agency used to release good music, sadly.
Ae! group – Again
Their first release without Richard, I think? The song is fine, but I feel like we’ve heard ones just like it a million times before.
ATARASHII GAKKO! – Sailor, Sail On
This is not what I expected from them. It’s much more of an earnest, anthemic track.
Bed In – Dangerous Angel (Kiken na Tenshi)/strong> (song of the week!)
Bed In are back! This is for those of you who love old-school, fist-pumping J-pop. I know I do!
Charisma.com – DAKARADOUSHITA (song of the week!)
This is a ton of fun. It’s exactly the brand of high-energy dance and hip-hop I hope to hear from Charisma.com.
Do As Infinity – Red Re-born
A Kamen Rider theme is always going to be good. I wish the melodies were stronger, though.
DXTEEN – What’s DXTEEN
I love how J-pop has these “introduction” songs that are basically just designed to spotlight each member during concerts.
Fukase – I See You
Love his voice. The song itself is solid.
Genic – Locus (song of the week!)
Genic released their first “best of” album this week and it has one new song that’s pretty good. Locus is a bombastic EDM slammer (but it needs a chorus).
Gre4n BOYZ – OTAKEBI (ft. &TEAM) (song of the week!)
This is an unexpected team-up, but the song itself is actually a ton of fun. A big rock anthem in classic J-pop style, which is where I like &TEAM’s music the best so I’m glad they participated in this.
King & Prince – Theater (song of the week!)
This is really funky. They’ve had a strong 2025 – at least when it comes to singles.
m-flo – You Got This
This has a nice throwback sound. Very mellow if that’s what you’re into.
Miyavi – Sweet Disaster
I don’t think this is one of his better tracks, but it’s Miyavi so of course I still like it.
Noisemaker – North Wind (ft. Gen)
They always release high-quality rock music.
One Love One Heart – Katsu Made Yamenai (song of the week!)
This is quite good and has a nice balance between the female and male voices. I still don’t know why the producers won’t let them sing in unison, though.
@onefive – Magical Irony
This one’s so sprightly and fun. I like it.
Perfume – Fumetsu No Anata
A new Perfume song! Not one of my favorites, though.
The Rampage – Break It Down
I wrote about this last week and now it has an mv. I still don’t think it’s one of their best.
Ryosuke Yamada – Blue Noise
I wish I enjoyed this more. I just don’t like the sound or melody of the chorus.
White Jam – Aitakunare.
I don’t like this as much as their song last week, but it’s nice.
Wooyoung (2PM) – Reason
A dull mid-tempo.
XG – 4 Seasons
I like XG but have absolutely no interest in listening to a song like this. I find it SO boring.
Yuta (NCT) – To Love Someone
A slow, stark piano ballad crossed with a big distorted rocker.