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 Johnny’s groups, who still limit the majority of their YouTube uploads to shorter, edited versions.

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2023 Index: Feb 1 – Feb 18 // Feb 19 – 25 // Feb 26 – Mar 3 // Mar 4 – Mar 10 // Mar 11 – Mar 18 // Mar 19 – Mar 25 // Mar 26 – Apr 1 // Apr 2 – Apr 8 // Apr 9 – Apr 15 // Apr 16 – Apr 22 // Apr 23 – Apr 29 // Apr 30 – May 6 // May 7 – May 13 // May 14 – May 20 // May 21 – May 27 // May 29 – Jun 3 // Jun 4 – Jun 10 // Jun 11 – Jun 17 // Jun 18 – Jun 24 // Jun 25 – Jul 1 // Jul 2 – Jul 8 // Jul 9 – Jul 15 // Jul 16 – Jul 22 // Jul 23 – Jul 29 // Jul 30 – Aug 5 // Aug 6 – Aug 12 // Aug 13 – Aug 19 // Aug 20 – Aug 26 // Aug 27 – Sep 2 // Sep 3 – Sep 9 // Sep 10 – Sep 16 // Sep 17 – Sep 23 // Sep 24 – Sep 30 // Oct 1 – Oct 7 // Oct 8 – Oct 14 // Oct 15 – Oct 21 // Oct 22 – Oct 28 // Oct 29 – Nov 3

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THIS WEEK: Nov 4 – Nov 11

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BE:FIRST – Glorious

Their steady stream of singles continues. This one’s pretty, but I’ve never been a huge fan of ballads.

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BiTE A SHOCK – Canopus

Another slower track, this time from a group who isn’t associated with this energy. It’s fine.

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fripSide – Infinite Resonance 2 (Album) (song of the week!)

I really like this new album. I’m happy there’s an act somewhere on Earth still making music like Invisible Wings, and the rework of early single Save Me Again is pure electronic bliss. Both these songs are easy songs of the week.

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J Soul Brothers – Awakening Light

J Soul Brothers’ EDM tracks are usually some of their strongest. This one’s fun but could be catchier.

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Kep1er – Grand Prix

I wrote about this here. I didn’t care for it.

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King & Prince – Magic Word

The short music video for Magic Word was uploaded a couple weeks back, but now the full version is out. This is the first single from their new two-member configuration that I’ve enjoyed. It’s still nowhere near their best work, but the synth is really nice.

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L (Kim Myungsoo) – Melody

My strong Infinite bias should have necessitated a full review, but this song is just okay for me. I’m glad to hear him stick with rock ballads, though.

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Novel Core – No Way Back

Speaking of rock, this one blends guitars with electronic elements to galvanizing effect. I really like this.

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Ryugujo – SHORYU (song of the week!)

This is the ending theme to their currently-airing vampire drama (which I happen to be subbing in English). It’s a bit more theatrical than their already-theatrical sound and I like that a lot. It’s a song of the week, which isn’t shocking at all. I love this group!

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Sho Hendrix – Rose

“Sho Hendrix” is the new moniker of Exile-mainstay Shokichi, reflecting a swerve toward funk music. This is good, if a little laid back for my taste.

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Shota Aoi – Freestyle Lover

An unending blast of energy.

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Superfly – Ashes

Superfly released some great 2022 highlights. So far, this track comes closest to recapturing that energy. I think it’ll be a grower.

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Tokyo Gegegay – SEX shiyouyo

Tokyo Gegegay released one of my favorite albums of the year, but I prefer when he sets the tempo a little higher. This is groovy and nice, but not necessarily the direction I like for him.

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10-FEET – Re Houteishiki

10-FEET have had a huge 2023 and look to build on it with this new soundtrack song. I love the boisterous energy and pummeling guitars.

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This week’s old favorite:

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Namie Amuro – What A Feeling (2008)

I haven’t featured a Namie Amuro track yet, so why not start with one of my favorites? This still bangs.