If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan.

Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And I think it’s time to share my carefully curated playlists with the world.

With this in mind, we have a new ongoing Bias List feature – The 90’s J-Pop Roadmap.

I’ll be writing about (and rating!) a number of singles from Japan’s 90’s pop boom, constructing a timeline of the era piece-by-piece.

Whether you’re familiar with these artists or not, I invite you to go on this journey with me and discover new classics you may have never heard before.

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1990 / 1991 / 1992 / 1993 / 1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 1998 / 1999

1990

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1991

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1992

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1993

May 26: Access – Naked Desire

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1994

Jun 22: TRF – Boy Meets Girl

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1995

Oct 11: B’z – Love Phantom

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1996

Feb 21: Pamelah – Kirei Ni Nanka Aisenai

May 22: Masayuki Deguchi – Speed Of Life

July 29: Iceman – Dark Half (Touch Your Darkness) // Iceman – What’s Wrong?

Aug 7: Every Little Thing – Feel My Heart

Sep 16: V6 – Take Me Higher

Oct 7: Nanase Aikawa – Koigokoro

Oct 23: Every Little Thing – Future World

Oct 23: ROmantic Mode – Resolution

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1997

Jul 1: T.M.Revolution – High Pressure

Aug 21: Favorite Blue – True Gate

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1998

Jan 28: Pool Bit Boys – Sunshine

Feb 11: Wands – Brand New Love

April 22: KinKi Kids – Jetcoaster Romance

May 13: m.o.v.e – Rage Your Dream

June 24: T.M.Revolution – Hot Limit

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1999

Feb 3: T.M.Revolution – Wild Rush

July 14: Ayumi Hamasaki – Boys & Girls

Sep 22: Shazna – Aqua

Nov 17: Pool Bit Boys – Ao No Kiseki