New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (February 2, 2025)

In reference to my want to completely 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 grow to be a one-stop store for anybody excited 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 will get a fuller spectrum every week.

*And similar 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 may principally apply to Johnny’s teams, who nonetheless restrict the vast majority of their YouTube uploads to shorter, edited variations.

2023-2024 Index

2025 Index: Dec 29 – Jan 11 // Jan 12 – Jan 18 // Jan 19 – Jan 25

Billy Boo – Gyakkou

I’m together with this as a result of I believe the artist title is amusing.

BUDDiiS – Iris

That is fairly moody for them. It doesn’t do a lot for me, sadly.

=LOVE – Koibito ijyou Suki miman

Just about what you’d anticipate from them.

HANA – Drop

Individuals are clearly enthusiastic about this new lady group, however I don’t hear something completely different from different acts who’re at the moment selling. The track shouldn’t be for me.

KJRGL – Generation_Cloud

I wrote about this right here. I believed it was alright.

Man With A Mission – Reaching For The Sky

Simply the opposite day, I used to be questioning the place MWAM was. It appears they’ve been absent for thus lengthy now. I really like their music however sadly this isn’t an actual spotlight of their discography.

Number_i – GOD_i

They nonetheless have just one track I really like. This isn’t that track.

One Love One Coronary heart – Template Fashionista, Buttobashite GO!!, Iyanakotonante Futsukadeyamero (track of the week!)

There are just a few new b-sides from One Love One Coronary heart’s new album that I’ve actually fallen for. They’ve delved into this electro-swing sound I might’ve by no means chosen for them, but it surely truly works fairly effectively.

PG – KANEMOCHI!

In the event you take pleasure in baby rappers, you’ll take pleasure in this. If not, it’s most likely finest to remain clear. The track’s catchy and innocent.

Psychic Fever – What’s Happenin

Their model isn’t actually to my style, however this has some good throwback parts that remind me of the early-2000’s.

Wet。- However Nou Love (track of the week!)

I really like this effusive home sound. The beat by no means relents and her vocals sound nice.

The Rampage – Spider Net

Not an incredible Rampage track, sadly. It solely makes me miss how unimaginable their first few albums had been.

RealRomantic – Sleepless Lullaby

This feels very Okay-pop adjoining. It’s not unhealthy. It wants a refrain, although.

ReLit – Hunade Model New World

Fairly traditional idol fare. It received’t attraction to everybody, however the refrain is nice and the piratey outfits are humorous.

Sard Underground – I Nonetheless Consider

Fairly beige so far as this model goes.

SKY-HI – ID (ft. Ryoki, Ryuki, Jimmy, Felip)

Is that this simply what rap music is now? I discover this very loud and monotonous and never enjoyable.

Takahisa Masuda – Kidoairaku

The Information singer lastly goes solo along with his first album. I really like him and his voice, however the track is simply okay. The a cappella breakdown halfway by way of could be very cool, although.

Takanori Iwata – Cellphone Quantity

Easy and funky however a bit uninteresting.

TRENDZ – Unhealthy Sufficient

I wrote about this right here. I didn’t prefer it.

WEST. – A.H.O

Just about what you’d anticipate from a WEST. track. It’s okay, however nothing that knocks me over.

ZEROBASEONE – Firework, Hana (track of the week!)

I wrote about Firework right here and beloved it, however I additionally wish to shout out Hana, which continues the group’s run of nice rock-influenced ballads.

&TEAM – Extraordinary Day

I swear this group releases new music each week. That is nice however undoubtedly inessential.

Nanase Aikawa – Yumemiru.. (2009)

I’ve written about Nanase Aikawa’s early profession on the weblog earlier than, however she additionally launched a wonderful 2009 album that’s amongst her finest work. This opening monitor is so enjoyable. It closely references her debut Yumemiru Shoujo Ja Irarenai however reinvents it with a pummeling dance sheen and new melodies.