Now that we’ve obtained Ok-pop ranked for the yr, 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 sometimes different days if a observe catches my consideration). In comparison with final yr’s glorious slate of music, I discovered J-pop fairly underwhelming total this yr. As with Ok-pop, there are just a few persistent tendencies I’m not notably keen on in the mean time. Nonetheless, whereas compiling this checklist I noticed simply what number of nice tracks got here out in 2024. My checklist feels extra rock-focused than regular, with even most of the pop tracks having sturdy guitar affect. I hope you’ll browse the choices 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 beloved about their music, which means I misplaced main curiosity within the firm this yr. Nonetheless, Hiri Hiri Sasete revives a mid-90’s excessive vitality dance sound that solid one of many company’s most colourful constructing blocks. This fashion of tune 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 hear however simply saved getting higher because the summer season wore on. It’s the proper mid-tempo groove, brass-kissed in all the appropriate 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 evaluation)
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 route I’d hoped, however even this simple 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 sequence of sky excessive energy notes. (full evaluation)
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 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 evaluation)
6. NCT Want – Songbird
The Korean model of this tune 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 evaluation)
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 tune or two I by no means fairly linked with their total sound. +Matter adjustments that in a giant means, going full-on stadium rock with a surplus of emotional resonance. The tune is downright transferring in its scale and execution, feeling like an on the spot traditional the second it premiered.
4. Bullet Practice (Chotokkyu) – Steal A Kiss
Bullet Practice 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 tune in an extended whereas, streamlined but quirky and boasting among the finest choruses of the yr in any music market. It seems like an outdated buddy returning with a brand new lease on life. (full evaluation)
3. Queen Bee – Tremendous Memorial
Queen Bee’s fifteenth yr 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 most effective hidden rave you by no means knew you wanted. Avu-chan stays essentially the most participating vocalist in pop music, bringing grit and tenderness to Tremendous Memorial‘s dancefloor freakout. (full evaluation)
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 tune suite from a musical, transferring from ballad to banger and again once more. Every second builds upon the final in compelling vogue, in the end climaxing in a transferring finale that takes full benefit of the group’s large configuration. Sakurazaka46 had a really sturdy yr and this was their masterpiece.
1. Ryugujo – Deep Wave
No Japanese tune managed to each thrill and confound me in the identical means Deep Wave did. This time final yr, I had a sense Ryugujo is likely to 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 sort of experimental in kind 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 tune’s undulous breakdown segues into an exciting construct that in the end incorporates components as sudden as police sirens to create an amazing collage of sound. It knocked me off my ft in a disconcerting means the primary time by, however pulled me again many times because the yr went on. (full evaluation)
