I’m fairly obsessive about this checklist of singles and albums. I’ve been a J-pop fan for nearly a decade now, however this 12 months I’ve made a concerted effort to essentially dive deeply into the business. A part of this initiative consists of weekly J-pop round-ups which might be posted each Sunday on this weblog.

My efforts have been rewarded at each flip, with many highlights rising to this point this 12 months. Listed here are fifteen of them — greater than sufficient for a super-strong “prime ten” though the 12 months is just midway over!

What had been your favourite singles and albums throughout the first half of 2023?

Aina The Finish – Crimson:birthmark

An emotional epic, delivered with searing energy and symphonic drama. (full overview)

Fantastics – Panorama Jet

Fantastics are so persistently nice, and this EDM anthem is one other burst of pleasure. (full overview)

Genic – Taste

Taste is definitely my most-played music of the 12 months to this point, and with a refrain this sturdy it’s simple to see why. (full overview)

Man With A Misson x Milet – Kizuna no Kiseki

Pure anime rock goodness from two of the very best within the biz.

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Magic

A hovering celebration, anchored by a full-throated vocal efficiency and limitless provide of sweeping melodies. (full overview)

Information – A Actual Man

YouTube’s brief model doesn’t do that mini-musical justice. Twenty years in, and Information are nonetheless reinventing themselves to superb impact. (full overview)

Nogizaka46 – Kokoro ni mo Nai Koto

The second Kokoro ni mo Nai Koto‘s hovering refrain enters the combination, I’m putty in Nogizaka’s fingers.

Queen Bee – Violence

Avu-chan is a power of nature, and Violence echoes her depth with ferocious guitar. (full overview)

The Rampage – No Gravity

A euphoric EDM anthem that climaxes in a surging refrain value getting misplaced in. (full overview)

ReLIT – “Challenger” Theme

I’ll all the time be ready to help an underrated idol act, particularly after they ship one thing this bombastic. (full overview)

Ryugujo – Mr.FORTUNE

I’m obsessive about Ryugujo’s punky, alt-pop imaginative and prescient. That is immaculately produced and delivered with an endearing snarl. (full overview)

Attractive Zone – Purple Rain

Attractive Zone show themselves masters at emotional synthwave, releasing one more club-ready basic. (full overview)

Snow Man – Tapestry

Tapestry is all about construct and payoff, expertly weaving its melodies for optimum impact. (full overview)

Travis Japan – Sweet Kiss

Throwback 80’s funk pop at its finest, with sturdy Michael Jackson influences driving its groove. (full overview)

XY – Loopy Love

I nonetheless haven’t written a full overview (I’ll accomplish that as soon as they mv is out), however I’m hooked on XY’s sturdy melodies and theatrical association. The lead vocal is elegant.

KAT-TUN – Fantasia

A victory lap by way of eras and sounds of the previous, whereas conserving one eye on the long run. It’s their strongest album in years.

Nogizaka46 – Hito wa Yume wo Nido Miru

Not technically an album, however Nogizaka46’s singles are filled with sufficient tracks to depend. That is good, buoyantly springtime pop.

One Love One Coronary heart – LOVE1

I completely adore this album, and since its launch in December Glory Dayz has gone on to turn out to be my favourite J-pop single of 2022. So far as I’m involved, LOVE1 is filled with classics. (full album overview)

The Rampage – Spherical & Spherical

Spherical & Spherical collects a bunch of nice Rampage singles, however the brand new tracks aren’t any slouch both.

Attractive Zone – Chapter II

Lots of my favourite 2023 are a part of this album. The actual fact they’ve been capable of match (even enhance?) upon the success of final 12 months’s The Spotlight is so spectacular. Bump, Message, Take A New Step, Make You Mine and Saikai no Aizu are all superb b-sides.

Snow Man – i DO ME

This can be a super-strong assortment of songs, together with a various set of unit tracks that add nice taste to the album

(Album sampler accessible right here)