It’s a bit bleak over right here, girls and gents. Through the years there have been many instances the place I’ve been extra enamored with the standard of J-pop’s output than Ok-pop, however 2025 is just not a kind of years. In truth, there are fewer highlights than I can ever bear in mind at the moment of the 12 months — so little that I needed to forgo itemizing “high albums” utterly. Of the songs listed under, there are possibly two that I might see conceivably reaching my year-end high ten. In different phrases, the trade has quite a lot of catching as much as do!
What have been your high singles and albums through the first half of 2025?
Ado x Jax Jones – Keep Gold
A gathering of J-pop’s main voice and a celebrated international DJ, Keep Gold pulls the perfect from each artists.
Fujii Kaze – Hachiko
Although I’m not as enamored as I used to be on the primary few listens, this groovy, shimmering spotlight reinvents Kaze’s music with a satisfying pop sheen. (full evaluation)
Genic – It’s Showtime
An actual showstopping burst of thrilling power delivered by one in every of Japan’s most dependable co-ed teams. The dynamic vocal efficiency alone is price celebrating. (full evaluation)
Kep1er – Yum
A bit fractured in its execution, however when Yum hits it hits exhausting. Its explosive refrain is such a second. (full evaluation)
Kis-My-Ft2 – Glory Days
My J-pop favorites lastly returned with a track I can absolutely get behind. This type of anthemic rock matches them like a glove and recollects the numerous previous glories of their discography. (full evaluation)
TWS – Hajimemashite (Good To See You Once more)
I don’t know what the producers put in these melodies to make them so sticky, however like most TWS singles this adheres to your mind for the long term. (full evaluation)
Wild Blue – POP
An effervescent blast of funky pop that fits Wild Blue’s youthful power so nicely. There are various songs of this type in each J-pop and Ok-pop, however this one simply works so nicely.
&TEAM – Deer Hunter
A slinky, horny sound that grew to become extra addictive with every pay attention. It’s not the type I instantly think about when considering of &TEAM, however they pull it off flawlessly. (full evaluation)