In reference to my need to completely sustain with the J-pop business, I’m planning on doing a weekly round-up of any new releases which have caught my ear. A few of these might have been lined on the weblog already, however my hope is that this may change into a one-stop store for anybody all in favour of what’s new in J-pop.

With that in thoughts, right here’s the place you are available in: I’m one particular person with one set of musical preferences, so please embed some other new J-pop tracks you’ve loved within the feedback so we will get a fuller spectrum every week.

*And similar to I do with my evaluations, I’ll wait till full variations of songs can be found earlier than posting them on this round-up. This may principally apply to Johnny’s teams, who nonetheless restrict nearly all of their YouTube uploads to shorter, edited variations.

2023 Index

2024 Index: Dec 24 – Jan 6 // Jan 7 – Jan 13 // Jan 14 – Jan 20 // Jan 21 – Jan 27 // Jan 28 – Feb 3 // Feb 4 – Feb 10 // Feb 11 – Feb 17 // Feb 18 – Feb 24 // Feb 25 – Mar 2 // Mar 3 – Mar 9 // Mar 10 – Mar 16 // Mar 17 – Mar 23 // Mar 24 – Mar 30 // Mar 31 – Apr 6

Aile The Shota – Villains (ft. edhiii boi & Novel Core)

I’m unsure what I consider this as a complete, however I like the tempo and the general vibe.

ALI – Professionalism (ft. Hannya)

Right here’s one other one the place the model is extra thrilling than the track itself. I like the complete band sound of it, although.

Ayumi Hamasaki – Bye-Bye

It’s good to listen to her again on this mid-2000’s r&b/dance sound. That is fairly good, truly.

IVE – Will

IVE rating an anime theme! The track’s probably not for me, however I’m blissful for them.

JO1 – Take a look at Drive

That is their new single and could have an mv earlier than too lengthy. I just like the funky sound for them, however it’s a bit cookie cutter in sound.

Kenshi Yonezu – Sayonara, Mata Itsuka!

I don’t often go for these sort of vibey mid-tempos and certain received’t play this typically, however for what it’s I feel the melodies and efficiency are sturdy.

Kis-My-Ft2 – Cherished One

I wrote about this right here. I prefer it, however needed so badly to adore it.

LiSA – Shouted Serenade

It’s precisely what I’d anticipate from a LiSA single, for higher or worse.

Madkid – Futatsu No Kotoba

Very sugary and upbeat from them. It’s okay.

Mrs. Inexperienced Apple – Lilac

I’m blissful to listen to one other upbeat observe from them. Sonically, this feels extra like their debut period however I’m nonetheless begging for one more Magic.

Nana Mizuki – Adrenalized

Pummeling rock depth.

Nogizaka46 – Natsuzakura

Sadly, I’m not feeling any of the promoted songs from their new EP.

Number_i – Blow Your Cowl

Nothing about any post-King & Prince actions has satisfied me the group’s demise was value it. I do know this sort of stuff is in style, however I discover it extremely uninteresting.

One N’ Solely – Domino

This group cycles via plenty of totally different sounds. I’m unsure about this one.

Otoha – The Parade Of Battlers

I’m actually intrigued by this one. I like their voice and the truth that the music is just a little unclassifiable.

Queen Bee – Tremendous Memorial (track of the week!)

Lastly one thing nice! Avu-chan’s pen simply doesn’t miss, and that is one other licensed banger from her band Queen Bee. I like the vitality. It’s excellent for an anniversary observe.

Shota Aoi – Evolve

Normal J-rock. It’s respectable.

STARTO For You – We Are

Charity singles have their coronary heart in the fitting place, however musically this performs issues tremendous secure. When is Starto going to get their mojo again?

Stray Youngsters – Why?

Stray Youngsters’ Japanese materials has been fairly sturdy to date. I just like the driving rock vitality of this observe, however it wants a stronger refrain.

White Scorpion – Satisfaction Graffiti (track of the week!)

Their streak continues. That is one other chugging, emotive dance observe within the vein of Sakamichi Sequence acts however with sufficient edge to make it stand out.

XG & Valorant – Undefeated

The cut-and-paste entice beat feels dated and the track doesn’t boast something distinctive to maintain me coming again for extra. I’m so bored with this cliched lyrical boasting, too.

Fairies – Metropolis (2019)

Very a lot my model of glossy, anthemic dance pop with an enormous refrain and layered vocals. Japan set the template for this sound and I want we heard extra of it in in the present day’s releases.