In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in what’s new in J-pop.

With that in mind, here’s where you come in: I’m one person with one set of musical preferences, so please embed any other new J-pop tracks you’ve enjoyed in the comments so we can get a fuller spectrum each week.

*And just like I do with my reviews, I’ll wait until full versions of songs are available before posting them in this round-up. This will mostly apply to Johnny’s groups, who still limit the majority of their YouTube uploads to shorter, edited versions.

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2023 Index: Feb 1 – Feb 18 // Feb 19 – 25 // Feb 26 – Mar 3 // Mar 4 – Mar 10 // Mar 11 – Mar 18 // Mar 19 – Mar 25 // Mar 26 – Apr 1 // Apr 2 – Apr 8 // Apr 9 – Apr 15 // Apr 16 – Apr 22 // Apr 23 – Apr 29 // Apr 30 – May 6 // May 7 – May 13 // May 14 – May 20 // May 21 – May 27 // May 29 – Jun 3 // Jun 4 – Jun 10 // Jun 11 – Jun 17 // Jun 18 – Jun 24 // Jun 25 – Jul 1 // Jul 2 – Jul 8 // Jul 9 – Jul 15 // Jul 16 – Jul 22 // Jul 23 – Jul 29 // Jul 30 – Aug 5 // Aug 6 – Aug 12

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THIS WEEK: Aug 13 – Aug 19

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AKB48 – Idol Nankaja Nakattara

Pretty standard AKB48 single. It’s not as strong as their last one, in my opinion.

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BiTE A SHOCK – Tokonatsu Planet

This new group is releasing so many music videos! I like this one. It’s an interesting take on the “summer song.”

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Chanmina – Death Anniversary

I already featured this last week, but thought you might want to know that the video is now out as well.

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Chen (EXO) – Light Of My Life

Chen is very much in his sweet spot with this Japanese release. It’s not really for me, but he sounds great.

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Gen Hoshino – Life

Gen Hoshino is one of those major J-pop artists whose music just doesn’t appeal to me. This new single isn’t changing that.

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ICEx – Candy

This is super cutesy, which isn’t surprising given the group’s age. It’s a solid, retro groove.

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IMP. – Cruisin’ (song of the week!)

I wrote about this here. I liked it, and it’s a “song of the week” for me.

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INI – Moment (song of the week!)

This chorus is so addictive in an understated way. They’re finally utilizing their very strong vocal line. This is another “song of the week.”

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Kamenashi Kazuya (KAT-TUN) – Cross

It’s been awhile since Kamenashi released a solo project. This feels a bit uneven but gets better as it goes. The chorus has that stabbing brass sound I tend to love.

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King & Prince – My Love Song

King & Prince’s first album as a duo is out this week and I… just don’t love this direction they’re going. My Love Song is another dull, saccharine single. It feels like they need to get their mojo back.
Luckily, there are a few tracks on the album that opt for more daring sounds.

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MAZZEL – Lightning

Meh. I’m beginning to suspect SKY-HI and I do not have the same taste when it comes to boy group music because this does absolutely nothing for me.

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≒JOY – Sono Saki Wa Exalto

This has a nice melody and I like the brisk pace of the instrumental.

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Nogizaka46 – Funde Shimatta / Kangaenai You ni Suru / Magucup to Shink

Funde Shimatta: Ooh, this is quite rocky for them! Not my favorite thing they’ve ever released, but I admire the genre switch.
Kangaenai You ni Suru: This is more along the lines I’d expect from the group. I like the surging, strings-assisted energy.
Magucup to Shink: This is pretty. Not much more to say than that!

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One N’ Only – EVOL

This is pretty catchy! I really like the beat.

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Seventeen – Sara Sara

This is a track from Seventeen’s Best (ie: greatest hits) album. It’s crazy that they already have one! It’s a decent b-side. I like the sprightly beat.

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This week’s old favorite:

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Koda Kumi – Last Angel (ft. TVXQ/Tohoshinki) (2007)

An epic song for an epic collaboration. I don’t know why this isn’t talked about more often. It’s so good!