In reference to my need to completely sustain with the J-pop business, I’m planning on doing a weekly round-up of any new releases which have caught my ear. A few of these might have been coated on the weblog already, however my hope is that this can turn into a one-stop store for anybody excited about what’s new in J-pop.
With that in thoughts, right here’s the place you are available in: I’m one individual with one set of musical preferences, so please embed some other new J-pop tracks you’ve loved within the feedback so we are able to get a fuller spectrum every week.
*And identical to I do with my evaluations, I’ll wait till full variations of songs can be found earlier than posting them on this round-up. It will largely apply to Johnny’s teams, who nonetheless restrict the vast majority of their YouTube uploads to shorter, edited variations.
2023 Index
2024 Index: Dec 24 – Jan 6 // Jan 7 – Jan 13 // Jan 14 – Jan 20 // Jan 21 – Jan 27 // Jan 28 – Feb 3 // Feb 4 – Feb 10 // Feb 11 – Feb 17 // Feb 18 – Feb 24 // Feb 25 – Mar 2 // Mar 3 – Mar 9 // Mar 10 – Mar 16 // Mar 17 – Mar 23 // Mar 24 – Mar 30 // Mar 31 – Apr 6 // Apr 7 – Apr 13 // Apr 14 – Apr 20 // Apr 21 – Apr 27 // Apr 28 – Could 4 // Could 5 – Could 11 // Could 12 – Could 18 // Could 19 – Could 25 // Could 26 – Jun 1 // Jun 2 – Jun 8 // Jun 9 – Jun 15 // Jun 16 – Jun 22 // Jun 23 – Jun 29 // Jun 30 – Jul 6 // Jul 7 – Jul 13 // Jul 14 – Jul 20 // Jul 21 – Jul 27 // Jul 28 – Aug 3 // Aug 4 – Aug 10 // Aug 11 – Aug 17 // Aug 18 – Aug 24 // Aug 25 – Aug 31 // Sep 1 – Sep 7 // Sep 8 – Sep 14 // Sep 15 – Sep 21 // Sep 22 – Sep 28 // Sep 29 – Oct 5
CNBLUE – Countdown (ft. TAKUYA∞ from UVERworld)
Nice however unmemorable.
Da-iCE – Take It Again
It’s been awhile since I’ve actually gotten right into a Da-iCE track. This received’t be the one to vary that sample, sadly.
DreamNote – Joyful Inexperienced
I nearly forgot about DreamNote! Sadly, this track is neither right here nor there.
fripSide – Unbroken Resolve
I simply love that teams like fripSide live on, unburdened by traits, delivering the identical traditional J-pop sound they’ve all the time delivered. I’m not all the time within the temper for it, however when I’m the music hits laborious.
Glay – Sayonara wa yasashiku
Form of went in a single ear and out the opposite, sadly.
imase – Dried Flower
I used to be so excited when the intro music began for this, solely to comprehend it was only a soundtrack earlier than the precise track kicked off. The refrain is fairly good, however I want the verses spawned extra vitality.
INI – Break Of Daybreak
It’s good to listen to a showcase for the group’s vocalists, however the track itself is fairly uninteresting.
JO1 – Icy
Doesn’t do a lot for me.
Kameleo – Fuyuichigotokasougenjitsu
The satan horns are taking me out.
Little Glee Monster – Break Out Of Your Bubble
Stunning vocals as all the time, however the track is generic self-empowerment fare.
Madkid – Chaser
It’s an unspken rule that each track referred to as Chaser must be good. That is no completely different. I like its depth.
MAZZEL – Mazquerade
The music video’s nice for Halloween. The track is simply okay.
Misamo – New Look
I wrote about this right here. I didn’t take care of it.
Miyavi – Discover A Manner (track of the week!)
I don’t assume this collaboration with YANMAR Japan is on the market for streaming but, but it surely’s one other implausible monitor from Miyavi. I really like when he goes completely anthemic.
n.SSign – Everblue
A really by-the-numbers idol pop track.
One N’ Solely – Free Hug
Kis-My-Ft2 did free hugs higher.
The Rampage – Countless Pleased-Ending (track of the week!)
That is their strongest single in awhile. It doesn’t match their finest materials, however I’m comfortable to listen to them dive again right into a harder-edged rock sound.
Stray Youngsters – Night time
Of the 2 new Japanese Stray Youngsters songs launched this week, I believe that is my favourite. Each are stable rock-influenced tracks however neither really feel important to their discography.
Taiyo to Odore. Tsukiyo ni Utae. – Plastic Showcase (track of the week!)
That is pure retro goodness — an genuine burst of 80’s pop. I prefer it lots!
Wolf Howl Concord – Rollin’ Stones
I just like the rollicking rock vitality. Their vocals are a pleasant match for this style.
XG – IYKYK
I wrote about this right here. I preferred it lots!
Yu Serizawa – Rock Me Kiss Me (ft. MOTSU)
The MF Ghost sequence is famous in Eurobeat circles, and this can be a new theme so as to add to the gathering. Sadly, it’s nowhere close to pretty much as good as I’d anticipated and the vocal is sort of tough in locations.
ZEROBASEONE – Solely One Story
I’m all the time stunned how far their J-pop work leans into traditional Japanese idol sounds.
Yellow Technology – Kitakaze To Taiyo (2002)
This early-2000’s hit from the little-known Yellow Technology (unlucky band identify) has an awesome refrain.