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 // Aug 23 – Aug 29 // Aug 30 – Sep 5

THIS WEEK: September 6 – 12

Ballistik Boyz – Too Good To End

A pleasant, uplifting sound.

EBiDAN Next – We Go On

Every once and awhile one of these kid trainee EBiDAN groups will release a banger like this and it feels weird enjoying it because they’re literally children.

E`sekai – Trigger

A nice jolt of attitude-fueled punk rock.

Hinatazaka46 – Kazenikinmokusei

I like the galloping pace of this. This song itself is pleasant but nothing particularly striking.

I Don’t Like Mondays. – 1989 (ft. GAN)

A song called “1989” that’s primarily driven by trap beats and autotune is a weird concept to me. I like the strings, though!

Joe Nishizawa (Genic) – OK!

Love Joe but not feeling this song.

JO1 – Ignite (song of the week!)

Not the strongest idol-rock track I’ve ever heard, but much better than most of their recent output.

MA55IVE THE RAMPAGE – Sunshine (ft. Han-Kun)

Follows nicely along the lines of last week’s release with its more melodic structure.

M!LK – Toki Koete Universe

In line with their recent sound which seems to be resonating with the Japanese public, so what do I know?

Neo Japonism – Kyou Mo

Pretty anthemic and I like the distorted guitars.

One Love One Heart – Aisaretaimajide

I hated this on first listen but then I watched the music video, remembered how much I love this group, and suddenly it clicked. It’s not their best, but I like how strange it is and how everyone gets plenty of chances to sing.