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 // 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 // May 10 – May 16 // May 17 – May 23 // May 24 – May 30 // May 31 – Jun 6 // Jun 7 – Jun 13 // Jun 14 – Jun 20 // Jun 21 – Jun 27 // Jun 28 – Jul 4 // Jul 5 – Jul 11 // Jul 12 – Jul 18

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THIS WEEK: July 19 – July 25

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aespa – Kiss N Tell

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

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aoen – Hajimari Color

I wrote about this earlier this summer but now it has a mv. The song still doesn’t do much for me.

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ATARASHII GAKKO! – Oi AG! (song of the week!)

It feels like it’s been awhile since we’ve heard from them, or maybe I just haven’t been paying attention. In this case, it’s a welcome return because this is super catchy. I love the retro vibes.

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DXTEEN – Idol (song of the week!)

For those missing new music from The Wind, both of DXTEEN’s new b-sides are written their old production team. This is the kind of upbeat, buoyant pop that I love – especially during the summer months.

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JO1 – Whatcha Doin

This is the first track from their big U.S. debut produced by Dem Jointz. It has its good moments and its bad moments. On the whole, I’d call it a very mild success but the verses and pre-chorus are pretty mind-numbing.

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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – KURU KURU HARAJUKU

Song is a bit monotonous even with the instrumental switch-ups.

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MADKID – Bombbalaman

Well… at least it has energy!

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NAQT Vane – Breathe

This is fine, but not nearly as strong as their best work.

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Nogizaka46 – Inochinoiro

A decent ballad.

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The Rampage x Fantastics x Ballistik Boyz x Psychic Fever – Dystopian Paradise

For as much talent as is involved here, this song should be much better.

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ROIROM – Ghost House

Why on earth didn’t they release this in October?? Missed opportunity.

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STARGLOW – Drivin’ My Life

Feels kind of like a filler release.

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Takase Toya × Suzuki Suzuki – Highlight

Meh.

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Takuya Kimura – Black Denim

Meh pt.2.

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Tomohiro Kamiyama (WEST.) – Tokyo

Meh pt.3.

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Tokyo Gegegay – Okame Groove

I so badly want him to create something as epic as 2023’s Break The Romance album again but this is just “okay” once more. Sigh.

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Wednesday Campanella – Strawberry Got it (ft. Peanuts-Kun)

Songs recorded with giant peanut mascots are rarely for me, and this one’s no different.

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Wild Blue – Ego

Typical mid-tempo boy group track.

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Yuta (NCT) – Dreams Never Sleep

Typical rock ballad. Awful choice of font on the single cover.