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 // 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 // Jul 19 – Jul 25 // Jul 26 – Aug 1 // Aug 2 – Aug 8 // Aug 9 – Aug 15 // Aug 16 – Aug 22

THIS WEEK: August 23 – August 29

ENJIN – Sweet Slow Motion

This group often punches above their weight class. This song is nothing special or new, but it’s quite enjoyable.

Femme Fatale – Helter Skelter

I could see some people loving this. It’s not quite for me, even with its Lovelyz-esque touches.

FictionJunction – Kanata

Very cinematic and well-suited to an OST.

INI – You Know What To Do

INI have been on a roll lately. This is fine, but definitely not as fantastic as All 4 U was. It’s too generic.

The Jet Boy Bangerz – Budding

This is a nice sound for them.

Man With A Mission – One (song of the week!)

New music from them always feels like an event to me. I like this a lot, even if it’s just them doing what they always do.

Motoki Ohmori – Gray

This has real gravitas to it. I’m not sure when I’d be compelled to listen, but I like it.

NOCTARISM – Chase In The Night

Band names are getting so crazy. Sadly, this song left no impression on me.

n.SSign – Look At Me Now

Kind of an annoying hook, but at least this is upbeat.

One Love One Heart – Ups&Downs (song of the week!)

This song has grown on me a lot since I first covered it in this feature. It’s very addicting! That’s one cheap mv, though…

ONE OR EIGHT – Invincible

Trying their hand at a softer mid-tempo. Not bad at all.

RIIZE – Sunburst (song of the week!)

I wrote about this here. I liked it!

Rock Hyeon (100%) – First Love

A sweet, sentimental sound. Vocals are on point as always.

Snow Man – Showtime

Woah… the AI at the beginning of this mv was certainly a shock. The song is standard Starto swing/big band music. I’ve never really loved when the agency heads in this musical direction. This is no different.