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 may turn out to be a one-stop store for anybody thinking about what’s new in J-pop.
With that in thoughts, right here’s the place you are available: I’m one individual with one set of musical preferences, so please embed some other new J-pop tracks you’ve loved within the feedback so we are able to get a fuller spectrum every week.
*And identical 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. 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
Beyooooonds! – Yume Sae Egakenai Yozora ni wa
I LOVE Beyooooonds’ The Japanese DNA from 2019 and maintain ready for them to duplicate that sound. The punchy 80’s synths that body this monitor practically do it, however general the track doesn’t actually work for me.
Chemistry x Da-iCE – Sparrows
A reasonably boring mid-tempo/ballad, however this pairing deserves consideration. There’s loads of expertise packed into this monitor.
ExWHYZ – Secret Secret (b-side of the week!)
ExWHYZ re-released their 2022 debut album with extra vocals from member midoriko who had been on hiatus. I nonetheless assume many of the album is a bit undercooked, however there are a few tracks composed by manufacturing crew Jazzin’ Park (considered one of my favorites). This contains new track Secret Secret, which is definitely my favourite ExWHYZ monitor but. It’s funky, high-octane woman group pop and I hope they put it up for sale with an mv!
Johnny’s West – Energy (Album)
Johnny’s West’s new album got here out this week and it’s a combined bag. However at over twenty tracks, it’s a really huge bag so there’s lots to select from. The title monitor is mid-grade Johnny’s West: tremendous satisfying however nothing revelatory. Among the many album tracks, I really like the pummeling rock of Strike A Blow, the retro dance of Rewind It Again, and the anthemic Responsible. That final one was composed by Bias Checklist favourite Takuya Watanabe, who additionally wrote Horny Zone’s Run (Responsible may be very a lot in the identical vein).
NiziU – Paradise
NiziU by no means actually caught on for me, from each a track and execution standpoint. This new one is fairly subdued. It’s good, however not one thing I’m drawn to. I just like the video, although.
Secret Quantity – Like It Like It
Boilerplate “Ok-pop goes J-pop” with out a lot that stands out to me. I’m nonetheless ready for one thing nearly as good as Received That Growth once more!
SG5 – Firetruck
I don’t like this in any respect, however I assumed others may. And since they’re co-managed by LDH, SG5 not less than deserve a point out.
Snow Man – W (single of the week!)
I wrote about this right here. I favored it lots!
STU48 – Iki wo Suru Kokoro
These 48/46 woman teams pull off this particular fashion so properly. I actually love the melodies on this one and the orchestral swell that pushes them alongside. The sound captures a sense of prancing by way of a meadow in spring (not that I’d understand how that feels! …Or would I?).
SUPER★DRAGON – Mirror (Album)
SUPER★DRAGON’s new album is out and it’s respectable. I’ve grown to take pleasure in Revolution greater than I did final week, however my favourite b-side might be Fairly Woman. It’s obtained that lighthearted, punchy energy pop power I are inclined to take pleasure in.
The Tremendous Fruit – Sakura Furefure
Whereas I initially discovered them a bit too cloying, repeated publicity to The Tremendous Fruit’s final single helped me embrace their upbeat power despite myself. Sakura Furefure is a ton of catchy enjoyable so long as you already know what you’re getting your self in for!
Ayumi Hamasaki – Fly Excessive (2000)
I really feel like Fly Excessive lives in Boys & Women‘ immense shadow, however I play it simply as typically (if no more!). That refrain — with its upstretched notes — is whole euphoria.
