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 // Jan 11 – Jan 17

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THIS WEEK: January 18 – 24

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Ae! group – Again

Wow, I feel like I’ve heard this song a million times before. It’s not bad, just very familiar.

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Ako – Turn It Up

The soft, whispery delivery is really working for me here. This is a nice indie rock song.

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Ayumu Imazu – Magical

Light and breezy.

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Bestted – Turning Up

This continues the throwback sound of their last single but I don’t think it’s quite as strong. It’s still fun, though.

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DISH// – One More Time, One More Chance

This has a very dramatic sound for a slower-paced piece.

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Dreams Come True – Beacon

This is one of those legendary J-pop groups I’ve just never been able to get into. I guess they’re just a bit too chill for me. This is… fine.

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Fruits Zipper – Eyes On You

Look, I know they’re incredibly popular. I just don’t really get it. I can’t get past the vocals, but I’m happy the music is so cheerful.

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GNJB – Now

Sprightly with some nice electronic touches.

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Gummy – Kori no Ketsumatsu

This really reminds me of 90s J-rock.

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HANA – Cold Night (song of the week!)

Okay, this is the first song I actually like from them. Even the chanting is well done.

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HONEST BOYZ®︎ – Midnight (ft. claquepot) (song of the week!)

Oh, this is a groove.

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Kento Nakajima – Kesshou (song of the week!)

This has some real heft to it. I love it! It’s easily the best solo work he’s released in awhile. I hope it gets promoted with a video.

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Mr.Children – Again

This is another absolutely legendary J-pop group that I have no real connection to. This song is pleasant, though.

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SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] – Provant (ft. Jean-Ken Johnny & Takuma)

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

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SCANDAL – Girl Is Ghost

I like the central guitar riff and the verses are very catchy.

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SPYAIR – Kill The Noise

A typical high-octane rock theme for an anime. It’s well-performed. Not really into the screaming.

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STARGLOW – Star Wish (song of the week!)

I wrote about this here. I really liked it! It’s a shame the b-sides are all awful, though…

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WEST. – Aishuu

I love when they go in a rockier direction but this song doesn’t do much for me. We just hear so many tracks like this these days. They’ve kind of lost their novelty.

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XG – Hypnotize + Take My Breath (song of the week!)

I wrote about Hypnotize here. I liked it! I also really like album track Take My Breath, which has a great pop/dance sound.