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.
2023-2025 Index
2026 Index: Dec 28 – Jan 3 // Jan 4 – Jan 10 // Jan 11 – Jan 17 // Jan 18 – Jan 24 // Jan 25 – Jan 31 // Feb 1 – Feb 7 // Feb 8 – Feb 14 // Feb 15 – Feb 21 // Feb 22 – Feb 28 // Mar 1 – Mar 7 // Mar 8 – Mar 14 // Mar 15 – Mar 21 // Mar 22 – Mar 28 // Mar 29 – Apr 4 // Apr 5 – Apr 11 // Apr 12 – Apr 18 // Apr 19 – Apr 25 // Apr 26 – May 2 // May 3 – May 9 // May 10 – May 16 // May 17 – May 23 // May 24 – May 30 // May 31 – Jun 6 // Jun 7 – Jun 13 // Jun 14 – Jun 20 // Jun 21 – Jun 27 // Jun 28 – Jul 4 // Jul 5 – Jul 11 // Jul 12 – Jul 18 // Jul 19 – Jul 25 // Jul 26 – Aug 1 // Aug 2 – Aug 8 // Aug 9 – Aug 15 // Aug 16 – Aug 22
THIS WEEK: August 23 – August 29
ENJIN – Sweet Slow Motion
This group often punches above their weight class. This song is nothing special or new, but it’s quite enjoyable.
Femme Fatale – Helter Skelter
I could see some people loving this. It’s not quite for me, even with its Lovelyz-esque touches.
FictionJunction – Kanata
Very cinematic and well-suited to an OST.
INI – You Know What To Do
INI have been on a roll lately. This is fine, but definitely not as fantastic as All 4 U was. It’s too generic.
The Jet Boy Bangerz – Budding
This is a nice sound for them.
Man With A Mission – One (song of the week!)
New music from them always feels like an event to me. I like this a lot, even if it’s just them doing what they always do.
Motoki Ohmori – Gray
This has real gravitas to it. I’m not sure when I’d be compelled to listen, but I like it.
NOCTARISM – Chase In The Night
Band names are getting so crazy. Sadly, this song left no impression on me.
n.SSign – Look At Me Now
Kind of an annoying hook, but at least this is upbeat.
One Love One Heart – Ups&Downs (song of the week!)
This song has grown on me a lot since I first covered it in this feature. It’s very addicting! That’s one cheap mv, though…
ONE OR EIGHT – Invincible
Trying their hand at a softer mid-tempo. Not bad at all.
RIIZE – Sunburst (song of the week!)
I wrote about this here. I liked it!
Rock Hyeon (100%) – First Love
A sweet, sentimental sound. Vocals are on point as always.
Snow Man – Showtime
Woah… the AI at the beginning of this mv was certainly a shock. The song is standard Starto swing/big band music. I’ve never really loved when the agency heads in this musical direction. This is no different.
SPEED – Body & Soul (Badly in Love Remix by TeddyLoid) (song of the week!)
This is kind of cheating since it’s just a remix of an old song, but I love Body & Soul and I love Teddyloid so this is an easy winner.
SPYAIR – We Are One
A good cheering song.
TAKARA – Akarui yume
Way too downbeat for me.
TRENDZ – Which Way Is Love?
Basically a theme song from a BL drama. Is it a theme song for a BL drama??
VOKSY DAYS – Blooming
Generic J-pop sound.
White Jam – I Miss You 2026
This group loves remaking their old songs.
XG – O.R.B (Obviously Reads Bro)
I’m not really convinced by the pop-punk sound on them, tbh.
X8EE – Now We Begin
Boilerplate bright boy group fare.