It’s a bit bleak over here, ladies and gentlemen. Over the years there have been many times where I’ve been more enamored with the quality of J-pop’s output than K-pop, but 2025 is not one of those years. In fact, there are fewer highlights than I can ever remember at this time of the year — so little that I had to forgo listing “top albums” completely. Of the songs listed below, there are maybe two that I could see conceivably reaching my year-end top ten. In other words, the industry has a lot of catching up to do!
What were your top singles and albums during the first half of 2025?
TOP SINGLES
Ado x Jax Jones – Stay Gold
A meeting of J-pop’s leading voice and a celebrated global DJ, Stay Gold pulls the best from both artists.
Fujii Kaze – Hachiko
Though I’m not as enamored as I was on the first few listens, this groovy, shimmering highlight reinvents Kaze’s music with a satisfying pop sheen. (full review)
Genic – It’s Showtime
A real showstopping burst of thrilling energy delivered by one of Japan’s most reliable co-ed groups. The dynamic vocal performance alone is worth celebrating. (full review)
Kep1er – Yum
A bit fractured in its execution, but when Yum hits it hits hard. Its explosive chorus is such a moment. (full review)
Kis-My-Ft2 – Glory Days
My J-pop favorites finally returned with a song I can fully get behind. This style of anthemic rock fits them like a glove and recalls the many past glories in their discography. (full review)
TWS – Hajimemashite (Nice To See You Again)
I don’t know what the producers put in these melodies to make them so sticky, but like most TWS singles this adheres to your brain for the long run. (full review)
Wild Blue – POP
An effervescent blast of funky pop that suits Wild Blue’s youthful energy so well. There are many songs of this style in both J-pop and K-pop, but this one just works so well.
&TEAM – Deer Hunter
A slinky, sexy sound that became more addictive with each listen. It’s not the style I immediately imagine when thinking of &TEAM, but they pull it off flawlessly. (full review)
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Speaking of japanese releases, did you see my comment under the kard review about the new japanese song & mv from myname called bad bad higher? i won’t comment about it a million times but just want to make sure you know about its existence as i think you’d enjoy it haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I’ll include it in this week’s round-up for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My most played J-pop track so far this year is a b-side, Da-iCE’s FUNTASISTA.
For actual singles, my top 5 would probably be: 1) The Battle – Mamoru Miyano 2) Heartache – Yuma Uchida 3) Glory Days – Kisumai 4) Drops – Maaya Sakamoto 5) Would You Like One? – Travis Japan … but yeah, my list would normally be a Top 15 by this point in the year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love WILD BLUE’s ‘POP’ (song and the entire EP) so much! Both it and ‘Our Magic’ have stayed in my rotation since it dropped. My other faves this year so far:
Kento Nakajima – MONTAGE, Hekireki
Ryosuke Yamada – VELVET
IMP. – Cheek to Cheek (it suddenly grew on me out of nowhere lol)
TWS – BLOOM
King & Prince – I MY ME MINE, LIFE is FUSHIGI
Maozon – Vanishing Vestige
Number_i – Psycho
Da-iCE – FUNTASISTA
LikeLike
I don’t listen to Jpop but these were obvious stand outs for me:
&TEAM – Illumination, Yukiakare, Deer Hunter, Run Wild…basically everything. I love them!!!!
YUTA – Twisted Paradise…love love love this song!!
LikeLike