In reference to my need to totally 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 could have been lined on the weblog already, however my hope is that this can turn out to be a one-stop store for anybody taken with what’s new in J-pop.
With that in thoughts, right here’s the place you are available: I’m one particular person with one set of musical preferences, so please embed another new J-pop tracks you’ve loved within the feedback so we are able to get a fuller spectrum every week.
*And similar to I do with my opinions, I’ll wait till full variations of songs can be found earlier than posting them on this round-up. This can principally apply to Johnny’s teams, who nonetheless restrict nearly all 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
ATARASHII GAKKO! – Otonablue
This tune is definitely from 2020, however they launched a video for it this week. I’m positively feeling the retro freestyle vibe.
Da-iCE – Funky Leaping
I’m unsure if this can finally be promoted with a music video, however I’m posting it now as a result of it’s superb. The rubbery bass jogs my memory of SHINee’s Sherlock in locations.
DreamBoat – Footloose
Okay, the tune itself is unbelievable. However, the muddled mixing of the vocals sabotages it. That’s a disgrace, as a result of all the precise components are right here.
DRIPPIN – Hey Goodbye
I wrote about this right here. I preferred it so much!
Fujifabric × Frederic – Eye Rendezvous
I’m not conversant in Fujifabric, however this has Frederic’s sprightly attraction throughout it. Not one in every of their strongest, however I just like the vitality.
Kalen Anzai – Give Me♡Cease
It’s tremendous attention-grabbing that it is a co-write with the band CHVRCHES. Undoubtedly not a collaboration I’d’ve anticipated. I’m unsure how typically I’d hearken to this, but it surely’s good.
Kep1er – Collectively Eternally (b-side of the week!)
Is that this Kep1er’s greatest tune but? I believe so! Its worst instincts are borrowed straight from Ok-pop, however the propulsive, strings-laden refrain is a complete spotlight.
Kvi Baba – Tombi
I’m so pleased this acquired a music video! I’ve been watching Trigun Stampede this 12 months and Tombi (its opening theme) captivates me each time. I don’t normally use the phrase “languid” as a praise, however Kvi Baba makes use of that vitality to craft such a compelling tone.
Information – A Actual Man / Tick-Tock (single of the week!)
I wrote about A Actual Man right here. I cherished it, and it’s my single of the week!
Tick-Tock can also be superb – particularly when you’re in search of one thing extra rock. I really feel like Information have delivered variations of this refrain many instances up to now, however there’s no sense fixing one thing that’s not damaged.
Nogizaka46 – Kokoro ni mo Nai Koto
I actually like this single. It has such an uplifting, spring-like vitality and the refrain could be very sturdy. It simply buoys your spirits, which is all the time a welcome strategy in the case of pop music.
One Love One Coronary heart – Yell For You
I wrote about this right here. I preferred it so much!
w-inds. – Past (Album)
This album is healthier than I anticipated! And, my expectations for w-inds are fairly excessive to start with. The opening run of 5 songs is especially sturdy. It’s synth-funk bliss. Elements of Discover Me remind me of Beyonce’s Alien Celebrity, whereas Bang Bang (launched as a single late final 12 months) has an early-00’s bounce.
&TEAM – W.O.L.F. (Win Or Lose Struggle)
I’m simply not into HYBE’s Japanese push and the general Ok-popification of the business. This tune is above common, however we’ve heard it 1,000,000 instances in Korea and I don’t actually need it in Japanese too.
Sekai No Owari – Misplaced (ft. Clear Bandit) (2019)
I’m all the time stunned this doesn’t get extra consideration inside Sekai No Owari’s discography. I actually suppose it’s the right pop tune. These builds and payoffs are so, so satisfying.
