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

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 // Mar 17 – Mar 23 // Mar 24 – Mar 30 // Mar 31 – Apr 6 // Apr 7 – Apr 13 // Apr 14 – Apr 20 // Apr 21 – Apr 27 // Apr 28 – May 4 // May 5 – May 11 // May 12 – May 18 // May 19 – May 25

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THIS WEEK: May 26 – June 1

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Ado – Mirror

Ado continues to do Ado. This feels a bit predictable, but if you’re a big fan you’ll probably like it.

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BRADIO – Stepper’s Fight

This band has some bangers in their arsenal. This one’s a bit more reserved. It’s… fine.

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Break Time Girls – Addict

Even though this is their third mini album, I’d never heard of this group before. The song is nothing to write home about, but I hear potential.

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e5 – Paradigm (ft. Cyber Rui & Kotonohouse)

This is a bit different. I really like that scuzzy instrumental.

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Fantastics – Break Line

I usually enjoy when LDH groups go rock, and I love Fantastics’ music. This one isn’t really hitting for me, though.

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Glay x Jay (ENHYPEN) – whodunit (song of the week!)

What a strange collaboration! The pairing is more interesting than the music, but this is worth a listen if you enjoy either artist. It’s probably the strongest track in this very underwhelming week.

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IMP. – Ninnin Jack

Sigh. At this point, this style of song just depresses me. It’s awful.

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IVVY – Runners

A straightforward cheering song. Could be bigger and bolder, especially during the verses.

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Kenshi Yonezu – Every Day

This is super popular already. It’s not really my thing, but I appreciate the upbeat tempo.

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Morisaki Win – U

Another upbeat track. I like the instrumental, but the melodies could be stickier.

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Number_i – BON

Yeah… I’m not their target audience anymore. I guess I’m happy they’re making the music they want, but I’m not a fan.

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Show Chick Boy – I Wanna Be Your Lover (ft. SKRYU)

I’ll always enjoy a new jack swing beat.

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SixTONES – Gong

This isn’t the full song, but there’s enough here to render a verdict. I love the energy but I’m not quite sold on the track overall. It may grow on me, though.

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Zipang Opera – Bangin’

Has potential if they weren’t shouting their way through so much of it.

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This week’s old favorite:

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MAA – Ghost Enemy (2010)

A little-known artist from that great 2010’s-era EDM pop boom. She’s got some solid material that I can imagine second-gen K-pop fans really enjoying.