In reference to my want 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 lined on the weblog already, however my hope is that this can develop into a one-stop store for anybody involved in 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 every other new J-pop tracks you’ve loved within the feedback so we will get a fuller spectrum every week.

*And similar to I do with my critiques, I’ll wait till full variations of songs can be found earlier than posting them on this round-up. It will principally 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

A.B.C-Z – It Has To Be You

Starto Leisure proceed their irritating method of reducing out the second verse on their YouTube uploads, however the full model of this tune is accessible on streaming platforms. The music is simply okay, however I dig the retro video.

ATARASHII GAKKO! – Fly Excessive

I actually just like the beat, however I nonetheless discover it troublesome to get behind this group as a result of it at all times appears like they’re making an attempt to be a comedy act and I’m simply not charmed by that branding.

CRAVITY – Present Off

I just like the refrain, however why do the verses need to decelerate a lot?

East Of Eden – Chasing The Moon

Fairly good. As typical, I just like the violin.

ExWHYZ – Candy And Bitter

I benefit from the symphonic components on this. It feels extra fleshed out than most of their materials.

Ken Miyake – Haunted

At simply over two minutes, this tune is out and in earlier than it. The indie rock sound is an effective alternative for Miyake, although.

Kimura Takuya – New Begin

The legend is again! I can’t say I like this type of music, however kudos to him for sticking to his weapons.

Lead – Don’t Keep

It’s at all times a pleasant shock when Lead releases a brand new single. They’ve had such an extended profession. This one doesn’t do a lot for me, although.

NCT Dream – Moonlight (tune of the week!)

I wrote about this right here. I appreciated it quite a bit!

Sakurazaka46 – Jigoujitoku

The instrumental intro go me so excited. It feels like a cool reinvention of late-90’s electronica and feels very contemporary. Sadly, the tune reverts to a really commonplace Sakamichi sound and the melodies aren’t hitting as onerous as they need to. However man, I like a few of these manufacturing decisions.

STARTO For You – We Are

Worthy trigger. Sappy tune. Sappy music video.

STU48 – Ai No Omosa (tune of the week!)

A really anticipated sound for them, however satisfying nonetheless. I’ll at all times love that electrical guitar and surging beat. This can be a nice instance of sticking to a formulation and making it work. It’s in all probability the most effective model of this sound I’ve heard all yr.

Tomohisa Yamashita – Excellent Day (ft. Taehyun of TXT)

I’m seeing a development of HYBE artists collaborating with established J-pop stars. It’s fascinating, to say the least. This tune is healthier than the ballads Yamapi has been releasing these days, however it nonetheless feels prefer it’s lacking one thing.

XY – YG (tune of the week!)

I wrote about this right here. I appreciated it quite a bit!

MAX – Seventies (1996)

Most likely my favourite single from MAX’s preliminary Eurobeat blast. This debut album is so humorous to me as a result of each single tune kicks into the identical high-pitched synth sound a couple of seconds in. I’m not complaining, although!