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
AKB48 – Oh My Pumpkin!
“Oh My Pumpkin!” is a very funny thing to say and I’m not sure what context I would ever use it in, but the phrase fits the upbeat nature of this track. It’s cute, if a bit cloying.
Charisma.com x Maeshima Soshi – Christmas.com
A Christmas song in Charisma.com’s ultra-quirky style.
Domoto – Ai No Katamari (song of the week!)
This is a remake of their own 2001 hit with updated production. The original is a fantastic song, so of course this is as well. I’m not sure it was needed, but if it gets people to check out KinKi Kids’ early material I guess that’s a positive!
Fantastics – Zutto Zutto
I’m really not interested in ballads from them, sadly. This one’s fine.
GLAY – Dead Or Alive
A new track by this classic rock band. I really like the guitar riffs.
HANA – Non Stop
Sigh. I wish I liked this group but I haven’t enjoyed anything they’ve released. I just really don’t enjoy this sound.
HIM – Heartbeat Snow ~Silent Winter
The 90s dance troupe deliver a wintry synth banger.
Miss Mercy – Boogie Boogie Lovely Buddy (song of the week!)
This is very fun and upbeat! I hope it gets a music video.
Number_i – LAVALAVA
I find the performance super affected and that keeps me from enjoying this.
OCTPATH – Starlight Rendezvous
This follows the super-busy, swing-adjacent production style J-pop is currently obsessed with and does very little for me.
Official HIGE DANdism – Sanitizer
A mellow track from them. It’s fine.
SixTONES – Amazing!!!!!!
This song is almost a decade old now but the guys have filmed a special mv for their sixth anniversary. It’s a fun time capsule.
Takane No Nadeshiko – Hana wa Chikai o Wasurenai
I like this style of surging girl group track and this is a very solid example.
Travis Japan – Welcome To Our Show (song of the week!)
This is them doing their razzle dazzle musical thing. I love musicals, but find this too cheesy.
