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
THIS WEEK: June 14 – June 20
Ae! group – Pride
This is actually an old song that finally got released with a music video. It’s better than most of their post-debut stuff, to be honest.
ANGERME – BaBaBa Burning Love
I’m sure this will get dinged for appropriation, but the song itself is pretty fun.
Be-ray – Unbreakable
They changed their “i” into an “e” and returned with a new sound that fits them pretty well. Solid, generic pop.
DeXeultio – Ichimou Dajin
The energy is great and I like the chorus. The whole thing doesn’t quite click for me, but it has potential.
Exile The Second – Same Old
Song is decent. Video is AI slop.
Gang Parade – Gang Parade So Long!!
I love that opening choral bit. The rest of the song is not for me.
Karin Miyamoto – Shanikama
A classic J-pop sound. You can’t go wrong with this.
Kenshi Yonezu – Karasu
This does nothing for me but it’s obviously popular.
Kid Phenomenon – Kids
I really want to like this group more than I do. This feels like a big nothingburger.
Kis-My-Ft2 – King King
No, thank you. Keep this style of song away from Kisumai, please.
Koukai Yamane – Mask Off
This is nothing revolutionary, but I like the easy breezy funk sound.
MYTH & ROID – Ender Ember (ft. TK) (song of the week!)
Very dramatic and cinematic. I really like this!
Naniwa Danshi – Gimme The Day
Something about that title cracks me up. This is a bit different for them, which is refreshing.
PiKi – Twilight Twilight (song of the week!)
Oh, I love the dreamy synth soundscape of this. Retro in the best way.
Shunta Sono & Jyutaro Yamanaka (M!LK) – Maji Destiny
Very silly. Also kind of fun, though.
Starkids – Wallrunner
Unrelenting energy. This feels like a more successful version of what many K-pop songs are trying to do at the moment.
You Dayeon – Dream Rusher
Love the synth in this. The song isn’t much to write home about but the classic J-pop production is very fun.
Yuria Suzuki – Hitomi wo Tojitara (When I Close My Eyes)
This is a cover of an old 90s Eurobeat song so of course I like it!
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