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 // May 26 – Jun 1 // Jun 2 – Jun 8 // Jun 9 – Jun 15 // Jun 16 – Jun 22 // Jun 23 – Jun 29 // Jun 30 – Jul 6 // Jul 7 – Jul 13 // Jul 14 – Jul 20 // Jul 21 – Jul 27 // Jul 28 – Aug 3 // Aug 4 – Aug 10 // Aug 11 – Aug 17 // Aug 18 – Aug 24 // Aug 25 – Aug 31 // Sep 1 – Sep 7 // Sep 8 – Sep 14 // Sep 15 – Sep 21 // Sep 22 – Sep 28 // Sep 29 – Oct 5

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THIS WEEK: October 6 – October 12

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CNBLUE – Countdown (ft. TAKUYA∞ from UVERworld)

Pleasant but unmemorable.

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Da-iCE – Take It Back

It’s been awhile since I’ve really gotten into a Da-iCE song. This won’t be the one to change that pattern, sadly.

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DreamNote – Joyful Green

I almost forgot about DreamNote! Unfortunately, this song is neither here nor there.

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fripSide – Unbroken Resolve

I just love that groups like fripSide continue to exist, unburdened by trends, delivering the same classic J-pop sound they’ve always delivered. I’m not always in the mood for it, but when I am the music hits hard.

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Glay – Sayonara wa yasashiku

Kind of went in one ear and out the other, unfortunately.

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imase – Dried Flower

I was so excited when the intro music started for this, only to realize it was just a soundtrack before the actual song kicked off. The chorus is pretty good, but I wish the verses spawned more energy.

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INI – Break Of Dawn

It’s nice to hear a showcase for the group’s vocalists, but the song itself is pretty dull.

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JO1 – Icy

Doesn’t do much for me.

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Kameleo – Fuyuichigotokasougenjitsu

The devil horns are taking me out.

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Little Glee Monster – Break Out Of Your Bubble

Beautiful vocals as always, but the song is generic self-empowerment fare.

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Madkid – Chaser

It’s an unspken rule that every song called Chaser has to be good. This is no different. I like its intensity.

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MAZZEL – Mazquerade

The music video’s great for Halloween. The song is just okay.

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Misamo – New Look 

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

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Miyavi – Find A Way (song of the week!)

I don’t think this collaboration with YANMAR Japan is available for streaming yet, but it’s another fantastic track from Miyavi. I love when he goes totally anthemic.

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n.SSign – Everblue

A very by-the-numbers idol pop song.

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One N’ Only – Free Hug

Kis-My-Ft2 did free hugs better.

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The Rampage – Endless Happy-Ending (song of the week!)

This is their strongest single in awhile. It doesn’t match their best material, but I’m happy to hear them dive back into a harder-edged rock sound.

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Stray Kids – Night

Of the two new Japanese Stray Kids songs released this week, I think this is my favorite. Both are solid rock-influenced tracks but neither feel essential to their discography.

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Taiyo to Odore. Tsukiyo ni Utae. – Plastic Showcase (song of the week!)

This is pure retro goodness — an authentic burst of 80’s pop. I like it a lot!

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Wolf Howl Harmony – Rollin’ Stones

I like the rollicking rock energy. Their vocals are a nice match for this genre.

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XG – IYKYK

I wrote about this here. I liked it a lot!

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Yu Serizawa – Rock Me Kiss Me (ft. MOTSU)

The MF Ghost series is legendary in Eurobeat circles, and this is a new theme to add to the collection. Unfortunately, it’s nowhere near as good as I’d expected and the vocal is quite rough in places.

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ZEROBASEONE – Only One Story

I’m always surprised how far their J-pop work leans into classic Japanese idol sounds.

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This week’s old favorite:

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Yellow Generation – Kitakaze To Taiyo (2002)

This early-2000’s hit from the little-known Yellow Generation (unfortunate band name) has a great chorus.