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.

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2023-2025 Index

2026 Index: Dec 28 – Jan 3 // Jan 4 – Jan 10

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THIS WEEK: January 11 – 17

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*Unfortunately, these pages tend to have errors on many devices if more than twenty YouTube videos are uploaded and this was a VERY heavy week for new J-pop, so I’ve replaced some of the tracks I’m already reviewed with Spotify links and included the option to click intp the YouTube video.

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ano – Picaresque hero

A very aggressive sound and not in a way I enjoy.

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Chanmina – Test Me

This style is interesting for her. I don’t really care for the song, though.

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Da-iCE – Terminal (song of the week!)

Definitely an improvement from their recent work. I like the chunky electro beat.

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Doona – Don’t Judge Me

A scrappy little track that blends rap and rock in a fun way. I love the energy.

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East Of Eden – The Weight Of Choice

Something much more subdued from them.

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Fujii Kaze – It Ain’t Over

Way too drowsy for me.

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Hi-Fi Un!corn – Super Duper (song of the week!)

One of their best song yet, I think. That synth riff is addictive.

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Hinatazaka46 – Kimi to ikiru

Yeah… this is the kind of song I usually skip from these groups.

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ILLIT – Sunday Morning

I wrote about this here. I thought it was okay.
(link to video)

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KAJA – Future Calling

From what I can gather, this group is a re-branding of the horribly-named KJRGL. Whatever the case, the song’s bubbly and fun.

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Kento Nakajima – XTC

I feel like this needs much stronger melodies, but the sound is more along the lines of what I hoped he’d pursue as a soloist. It’s almost there.

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King Gnu – AIZO

I wrote about this last week and now it has a music video.

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Klang Ruler – RUN!

This is a bit dancier than their normal stuff. I like it (but was the random trap breakdown really necessary?).

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Misamo – Confetti

I wrote about this here. I didn’t really care for it.
(link to video)

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Mrs. GREEN APPLE – lulu.

The grip this band has on Japan…
Seriously, I’ve gone from enjoying them to finding their music insufferable. Maybe some time away would help.

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Naniwa Danshi – Hard Work

Ugh. I appreciate the (very) slight change in sound but this listen was… hard work.

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NAZE – Baby Boo

I’m curious if the drama these groups spawn from will be subbed by anyone or any platform because I’m very curious to watch it. I assume this is another “band” within the series. The song’s fun.

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NCT Wish – Hello Mellow

I wrote about this here. I thought it was okay.
(link to video)

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Official HIGE DANdism – Make Me Wonder (song of the week!)

I wrote about this a couple weeks ago and now it has a music video. It’s still good.

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Queen Bee – Personal

Sigh. I’m just not really connecting with their recent stuff the way I would like to.

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RealRomantic – Gira Gira

This is quite good, actually! I think K-pop fans would love this.

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Toma Ikuta – Super Romance

This has a fun, punchy energy that’s very enjoyable.

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Tsuru and Kame – Love 2000

I’m getting shades of Seishun Amigo here but the song’s not nearly as strong. It’s still fun, though.

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Wild Blue – Glitch

Nice vocals as usual but this sound isn’t my thing. I’ve never enjoyed the lurching glitchiness that goes along with this style of production.

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Yoasobi – Baby

Upbeat and nice to listen to, but ultimately it just sounds like another Yoasobi song to me.