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.

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 // Mar 8 – Mar 14 // Mar 15 – Mar 21 // Mar 22 – Mar 28 // Mar 29 – Apr 4 // Apr 5 – Apr 11 // Apr 12 – Apr 18 // Apr 19 – Apr 25 // Apr 26 – May 2 // May 3 – May 9

THIS WEEK: May 10 – May 16

Ado – Haru Ni Mau

A much lighter sound for her.

Ae! group – DEKOBOKO LIFE

I think it’s probably time to just concede that this group isn’t for me.

BREIMEN – Men Do It Up!

That song title! Haha

Chotokkyu (Bullet Train) – GACHI MUCHU!

My least favorite direction their music goes, tbh. I feel like it’s a joke I’m not in on.

Genic – The Times

Hmm… my favorite J-pop groups seem to be struggling right now. This never really gets off the ground for me.

Hinatazaka46 – Empty (song of the week!)

This is nice. The arrangement and melodies feel quite theatrical.

Kana Nishino – Love Beat (ft. NiziU)

Upbeat and fun. The vocals are a mixed bag.

Naniwa Danshi – Be My Baby

Meh. Diminishing returns, yet again.

PEOPLE 1 – Masterpiece

A decent, driving rock track.

Perfume – Cold Sleep (song of the week!)

There’s such a 90s groove to this that feels new for them.

REIKO – Check

We’ve heard this kind of percussion sooo many times over the past few years. It takes a really strong song to overcome it. Sadly, that’s not the case here.