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.
*And just like I do with my reviews, I’ll wait until full versions of songs are available before posting them in this round-up. This will mostly apply to Starto groups, who still limit the majority of their YouTube uploads to shorter, edited versions.
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
BAND-MAID – What Is Justice?
A good hard-rocker.
Da-iCE – Nonfictions
Continues the jazzier indie sound they’ve been pursuing these past few years.
cosmosy – BabyDon’tCry=BreakingTheLove
I like the classical samples, but that’s about it. Must we always use trap beats in hip-hop/dance music now?
DXTEEN – Change Over (song of the week!)
I still feel like their music is regressing, but I love the energy of this. It’s a great summer track.
Fantastics – Fly With You (song of the week!)
This is their best song in a long time – much better than the recent singles. This high-octane dance sound really works for them.
HANA – Blue Jeans
A good vocal showcase for them, but this just isn’t my kind of song.
IVE – Be Alright
I wrote about this here. I thought it was okay.
Kento Nakajima – Just Kenty
This is cute and catchy. It reminds me of his older solo material.
Let Me Know – Sentimental Night Drive
A wispy, shimmering throwback. Not bad!
Naniwa Danshi – Thrill Drive (song of the week!)
I’d really like to post unit track Devil Or Angel, which has that huge rock-opera-meets-dance sound I’ve missed from Starto groups. It’s my favorite Naniwa Danshi song in quite some time, but is unfortunately still only available on the physical albums. Of the tracks that were released to streaming this week, Thrill Drive is also very good. Great beat, fabulous chorus.
NEXZ – One Bite
As uninspired as much of their Korean work, unfortunately.
Nogizaka46 – Fudou To Kunanatsu
This one’s not doing much for me. It misses those great melodies I associate with the group.
PG – BANABANA
This is very World Cup Anthem, but I’m not mad at it. At least it’s upbeat and fun!
Ryota Katayose – Stay Or Go
Overused instrumental sounds aside, this is sprightly enough to work.
Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Illusion
Upbeat but not particularly engaging for me.
Sekai No Owari – Zukan
Hmm… not one of their better tracks in my opinion. It’s pleasant, though.
Seventeen – Where Love Passed
It’s a ballad. The chorus is enjoyable, though.
SKY-HI – At The Last
He’s so prolific. Unfortunately, I just don’t care for much of his stuff anymore.
TWS – N.O.S.A (song of the week!)
I wrote about this here. I loved it!
Vaundy – Saikai
This has a nice, driving rock energy that’s pretty nostalgic. The second verse is particularly exciting.
xikers – Up All Night (song of the week!)
I wrote about this here. I liked it a lot!
