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 // Jan 18 – Jan 24 // Jan 25 – Jan 31 // Feb 1 – Feb 7 // Feb 8 – Feb 14 // Feb 15 – Feb 21 // Feb 22 – Feb 28 // Mar 1 – Mar 7

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THIS WEEK: March 8 – 14

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aoen – Instant Crush

I wrote about this here. I thought it was pretty good.

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Chanmina – Let You Go (ft. INI’s Hiroto)

This drags, unfortunately.

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CMDM – Leash

The latest in a very long line to meld idol pop with rock. It’s solid, if not particularly memorable.

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GNJB – Nihilism Prism

As always, the music is interesting and overstuffed.

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Hi-Fi Un!corn – Hungry Heart

This plays with different textures than their usual stuff. The chorus is solid but the energy shifts too much for my taste.

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Hyde – Fading Out

Very pensive, atmospheric and slow.

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IMP. – Stranger

I remember when I used to be so excited about this group. There’s nothing bad about this song, but it doesn’t excite me in any way.

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JO1 – Breezy Love

It is indeed breezy! At least the chorus ignites some sparks.

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MAPA – Stay Away Labyrinth

Lots of affected, high-pitched talking. The vocal harmony in the chorus is kind of interesting, though.

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Miyase Ryubi – Flower Chord

Sweet, but pretty throwaway.

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#mooove – Anti Vacuumer

Absolute madness. I’m sure there’s a lid for this pot somewhere. Unfortunately, it’s not me.

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NiziU – Dear…

They’ve really leaned into releasing ballads, haven’t they? This kind of song has very limited appeal to me.

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Novelbright – Caravan

Ah, the Celtic influences that tend to pop up in J-rock songs like this. This is nice, if a bit derivative.

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OCTPATH – Steppin’!!!

I like the energy of this. I wish the chorus was stronger.

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The Right Light – Lights On! (song of the week!)

I have no idea who these guys are but this is the catchiest J-pop song I’ve heard all week for sure. I really like the melodies.

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Tatsuya Kitani – Kasuka na Hana (ft. BABYMETAL)

It’s actually nice to hear BABYMETAL on a softer track.

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Tyrkouaz – CHAKRA

This has a heaviness that’s pretty appealing.

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Wild Blue – You

A plonky mid-tempo. These are a dime a dozen. Nice vocals as usual, though.

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&TEAM – Sakura-iro Yell

I assume this is just a pre-release before we hear the actual single next month since these type of stripped-back ballads aren’t often what &TEAM promotes. It’s pretty, but I’m just not much of a ballad person.