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.

2023 Index

2024 Index: Dec 24 – Jan 6 // Jan 7 – Jan 13 // Jan 14 – Jan 20 // Jan 21 – Jan 27 // Jan 28 – Feb 3 // Feb 4 – Feb 10 // Feb 11 – Feb 17 // Feb 18 – Feb 24 // Feb 25 – Mar 2 // Mar 3 – Mar 9 // Mar 10 – Mar 16

THIS WEEK: Mar 17 – Mar 23

Daichi Miura – Error

This is okay, but not one of my favorites from the new album. Where’s the video for Sukinadaki?

Hinata Kashigawa – Odorimasho

This is another win for Hinata Kashiwagi. I love the grittiness of the instrumental.

HONEST BOYZ®︎ – Toy Boy (ft. Dean Fujioka)

I really like the vocal effects and overall groove, but wish there was more melody.

MAZZEL – Ice (ft. Reiko)

I appreciate that they’re not shouting on this song, but this is another MAZZEL track that just isn’t for me. I find it quite dull despite the nice vocals.

Neo Japonism – Kotobuki

Pummeling rock energy, but not very catchy.

Nogizaka46 – Chance Wa Byoudo

Nogizaka46 goes disco! I like this and the video is hypnotic, but it’s not my preferred sound for the group.

Novel Core – I Am The

An unfettered display of his skills as a rapper.

Philosophy no Dance – Love & Loud

Cheerful fun.

Reol – Want U Love It

This is probably my favorite Reol song in awhile. I love the energy and breakneck pace.

Ryugujo – Deep Wave (song of the week!)

I wrote about this here. It’s easily my song of the week. I’m obsessed with it.

Scandal – Fanfare

Anthemic rock.

SennaRin – Reaper

Not one of the most striking SennaRin tracks, but I’ll always love Hiroyuki Sawano’s compositions.

Shiina Natsukawa – Shadow Boxer

Unrelenting energy. I love the punky punchiness of this.

Shuta Sueyoshi – Shampoo

He’s finally back! I hope this means we’re getting a new album. This has a great 80’s alt-rock feel to it.

Takase Toya – Ai°C

Beautiful melodies.

Travis Japan – T.G.I. Friday (song of the week!)

I wrote about this here. I liked it, and it’s already grown on me! I still prefer the Japanese version, though.

to HEROes – Be On Your Side

This is a collab song from TOBE’s artists. It’s better than most of these ballads tend to be, but still could have been less sappy.

TRF – TRy the Future

TRF are celebrating their 30th anniversary, which is awesome! You’re better off listening to their older stuff, though. This is just okay.

WEST. – Fate

This is a new (dramatic) sound for them. It becomes a bit repetitive as it goes on, but I appreciate the experimentalism and theatricality.

Zipang Opera – Rock Out

I like this overall sound, but their earliest songs are still their best.

This week’s old favorite:

Tommy February6 – Je t’aime Je t’aime (2003)

I could have posted any Tommy February6 synth-pop track here because they’re all great, but I think Je t’aime Je t’aime is a particularly nice intro to her oeuvre.