New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (August 20, 2023)

In reference to my need to totally sustain with the J-pop trade, 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 it will develop into a one-stop store for anybody fascinated by what’s new in J-pop.

With that in thoughts, right here’s the place you are available in: I’m one particular person 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 evaluations, 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: 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 – Might 6 // Might 7 – Might 13 // Might 14 – Might 20 // Might 21 – Might 27 // Might 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

AKB48 – Idol Nankaja Nakattara

Fairly normal AKB48 single. It’s not as sturdy as their final one, in my view.

BiTE A SHOCK – Tokonatsu Planet

This new group is releasing so many music movies! I like this one. It’s an attention-grabbing tackle the “summer season music.”

Chanmina – Loss of life Anniversary

I already featured this final week, however thought you may need to know that the video is now out as effectively.

Chen (EXO) – Mild Of My Life

Chen may be very a lot in his candy spot with this Japanese launch. It’s probably not for me, however he sounds nice.

Gen Hoshino – Life

Gen Hoshino is a kind of main J-pop artists whose music simply doesn’t attraction to me. This new single isn’t altering that.

ICEx – Sweet

That is tremendous cutesy, which isn’t stunning given the group’s age. It’s a stable, retro groove.

IMP. – Cruisin’ (music of the week!)

I wrote about this right here. I favored it, and it’s a “music of the week” for me.

INI – Second (music of the week!)

This refrain is so addictive in an understated approach. They’re lastly using their very sturdy vocal line. That is one other “music of the week.”

Kamenashi Kazuya (KAT-TUN) – Cross

It’s been awhile since Kamenashi launched a solo venture. This feels a bit uneven however will get higher because it goes. The refrain has that stabbing brass sound I have a tendency to like.

King & Prince – My Love Music

King & Prince’s first album as a duo is out this week and I… simply don’t love this path they’re going. My Love Music is one other boring, saccharine single. It looks like they should get their mojo again.
Fortunately, there are a number of tracks on the album that go for extra daring sounds.

MAZZEL – Lightning

Meh. I’m starting to suspect SKY-HI and I should not have the identical style in relation to boy group music as a result of this does completely nothing for me.

≒JOY – Sono Saki Wa Exalto

This has a pleasant melody and I just like the brisk tempo of the instrumental.

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

Funde Shimatta: Ooh, that is fairly rocky for them! Not my favourite factor they’ve ever launched, however I love the style change.
Kangaenai You ni Suru: That is extra alongside the traces I’d anticipate from the group. I just like the surging, strings-assisted vitality.
Magucup to Shink: That is fairly. Not way more to say than that!

One N’ Solely – EVOL

That is fairly catchy! I actually just like the beat.

Seventeen – Sara Sara

This can be a observe from Seventeen’s Finest (ie: best hits) album. It’s loopy that they have already got one! It’s a good b-side. I just like the sprightly beat.