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.
Ryosuke Yamada – Venom
Yawn. Same old, same old song trying to be “dark” and “tough” without much melody backing up the vibe.
Yuta (NCT) – Play Back
He gets another proper rock banger with this Kamen Rider theme.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Genic – The Times / This sounded promising, but I agree it seems half-baked.
Hinatazaka46 – Empty / Doesn’t really grab me, but I’ll put it in TBD for now.
Kana Nishino – Love Beat / I like it! 7.5
Naniwa Danshi – Be My Baby / Not bad. Pretty comfy. I’ll give it another shot later.
Perfume – Cold Sleep / Not super memorable I guess, but I love this sound. 7.75
REIKO – Check / I like this sound, but the song is kinda boring and simplistic otherwise. 7
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Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora – FUNKY SUMMER
Hina Aoki – Howling
moon drop – Eyeliner
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I like “Love Beat” but I think I’d prefer it with just Kana. It’s a little uncanny how at least one of the NiziU singers sounds like her. I think it will grow on me.
The Jet Boy Bangerz released “Snaps” this week as a promo single for their upcoming album. It’s pleasant but not especially exciting. Not sure what your tolerance is for remixes, but I’m kind of obsessed with the “Unbreakable” remix from their Heads Up single. I hadn’t heard the original version before and the remix is a little more fun while also less busy production-wise. I think the remix genre is Eurodance but I might be wrong.
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