Now that we’ve bought Okay-pop ranked for the 12 months, it’s time to show the weblog’s consideration to different music markets. First up is J-pop — a scene I write about each week on Sundays (and infrequently different days if a monitor catches my consideration). In comparison with final 12 months’s glorious slate of music, I discovered J-pop fairly underwhelming total this 12 months. As with Okay-pop, there are a number of persistent developments I’m not significantly keen on in the meanwhile. Nonetheless, whereas compiling this listing I noticed simply what number of nice tracks got here out in 2024. My listing feels extra rock-focused than regular, with even lots of the pop tracks having sturdy guitar affect. I hope you’ll browse the alternatives and discover one thing new to obsess over!
SONGS 50-31
SONGS 30-11
SONGS 10-1
2024 YEAR-END MASTERPOST
10. A.B.C-Z – Hiri Hiri Sasete
Since their rebranding, Starto Leisure jettisoned most of what I cherished about their music, which means I misplaced main curiosity within the firm this 12 months. Nonetheless, Hiri Hiri Sasete revives a mid-90’s excessive power dance sound that solid one of many company’s most colourful constructing blocks. This type of music is tacky as hell however that’s why I like it. Pump your fists within the air and give up to the high-octane beat.
9. &TEAM – Koegawari
Koegawari sounded nice on first pay attention however simply saved getting higher because the summer time wore on. It’s the right mid-tempo groove, brass-kissed in all the fitting locations and buttressed by a playful melody that’s as rhythmic and addictive because the instrumental. It’s the unlikely pinnacle of &TEAM’s discography thus far. (full evaluate)
8. One Love One Coronary heart – Aise, Shigoku Sanzan na Bokura no Hello wo
One Love One Coronary heart’s music hasn’t veered within the path I’d hoped, however even this easy J-pop idol sound feels greater and bolder with their suite of personality-rich vocalists. The refrain blooms with bursts of aural confetti, kicked off with a collection of sky excessive energy notes. (full evaluate)
7. Hiromitsu Kitayama – COMIC
Hiromitsu Kitayama appears to have stolen all of the oomph from his former group with a solo profession that feels daring and unrestricted by style. COMIC strikes by means of a number of distinct segments, every extra frantically highly effective than the final. In a sea of subdued releases, its bombastic nature stood out in the easiest way. (full evaluate)
6. NCT Want – Songbird
The Korean model of this music may need extra streams, however the Japanese model got here first so that is the countdown it lands on. Regardless of the language, Songbird is a bounding, bountiful marvel. Its dynamic rhythm guitar and thrilling vocal runs body a whopper of a refrain. (full evaluate)
5. ONE OK ROCK – +Matter
I’ve needed to get into ONE OK ROCK’s music for a few years however even when I appreciated a music or two I by no means fairly linked with their total sound. +Matter adjustments that in a giant manner, going full-on stadium rock with a surplus of emotional resonance. The music is downright shifting in its scale and execution, feeling like an on the spot traditional the second it premiered.
4. Bullet Prepare (Chotokkyu) – Steal A Kiss
Bullet Prepare are not any stranger to this countdown, churning out hits for a few years and in a number of distinct group configurations. That is their greatest music in a protracted whereas, streamlined but quirky and boasting the most effective choruses of the 12 months in any music market. It looks like an outdated pal returning with a brand new lease on life. (full evaluate)
3. Queen Bee – Tremendous Memorial
Queen Bee’s fifteenth 12 months was comparatively modest when it got here to new music, however this celebratory single was sufficient to energy my playlist for months. It’s concurrently unhinged and euphoric, like the very best hidden rave you by no means knew you wanted. Avu-chan stays probably the most participating vocalist in pop music, bringing grit and tenderness to Tremendous Memorial‘s dancefloor freakout. (full evaluate)
2. Sakurazaka46 – I Need Tomorrow To Come
The key phrase right here is “ambition.” In an period of two minute TikTok tracks, J-pop is likely one of the few music markets nonetheless churning out mini-epics. I Need Tomorrow To Come unfolds like a music suite from a musical, shifting from ballad to banger and again once more. Every second builds upon the final in compelling trend, finally climaxing in a shifting finale that takes full benefit of the group’s large configuration. Sakurazaka46 had a really sturdy 12 months and this was their masterpiece.
1. Ryugujo – Deep Wave
No Japanese music managed to each thrill and confound me in the identical manner Deep Wave did. This time final 12 months, I had a sense Ryugujo could be a frontrunner for the highest of this countdown. Their charismatic efficiency coupled with Avu-chan’s visionary manufacturing makes for an unstoppable match. Deep Wave is kind of experimental in type and execution, but it’s tied to such a potent pop strategy. This duality makes for my favourite type of music: accessible and enjoyable but unusual and otherworldly. The music’s undulous breakdown segues into an exhilarating construct that finally incorporates parts as surprising as police sirens to create an awesome collage of sound. It knocked me off my toes in a disconcerting manner the primary time by means of, however pulled me again time and again because the 12 months went on. (full evaluate)