Now that we’ve bought Ok-pop ranked for the 12 months, it’s time to show the weblog’s consideration to different music markets. First up is J-pop — a scene I write about each week on Sundays (and infrequently different days if a observe catches my consideration). In comparison with final 12 months’s wonderful slate of music, I discovered J-pop fairly underwhelming total this 12 months. As with Ok-pop, there are a number of persistent traits I’m not notably keen on in the mean time. Nevertheless, whereas compiling this record I spotted simply what number of nice tracks got here out in 2024. My record feels extra rock-focused than regular, with even most of the pop tracks having robust guitar affect. I hope you’ll browse the choices and discover one thing new to obsess over!
SONGS 50-31
SONGS 30-11
SONGS 10-1
2024 YEAR-END MASTERPOST
10. A.B.C-Z – Hiri Hiri Sasete
Since their rebranding, Starto Leisure jettisoned most of what I liked about their music, that means I misplaced main curiosity within the firm this 12 months. Nevertheless, Hiri Hiri Sasete revives a mid-90’s excessive vitality dance sound that cast one of many company’s most colourful constructing blocks. This model of track is tacky as hell however that’s why I am keen on it. Pump your fists within the air and give up to the high-octane beat.
9. &TEAM – Koegawari
Koegawari sounded nice on first pay attention however simply saved getting higher because the summer season wore on. It’s the proper mid-tempo groove, brass-kissed in all the proper locations and buttressed by a playful melody that’s as rhythmic and addictive because the instrumental. It’s the unlikely pinnacle of &TEAM’s discography up to now. (full assessment)
8. One Love One Coronary heart – Aise, Shigoku Sanzan na Bokura no Hello wo
One Love One Coronary heart’s music hasn’t veered within the course I’d hoped, however even this simple J-pop idol sound feels larger and bolder with their suite of personality-rich vocalists. The refrain blooms with bursts of aural confetti, kicked off with a sequence of sky excessive energy notes. (full assessment)
7. Hiromitsu Kitayama – COMIC
Hiromitsu Kitayama appears to have stolen all of the oomph from his former group with a solo profession that feels daring and unrestricted by style. COMIC strikes by way of a number of distinct segments, every extra frantically highly effective than the final. In a sea of subdued releases, its bombastic nature stood out in one of the best ways. (full assessment)
6. NCT Want – Songbird
The Korean model of this track might need extra streams, however the Japanese model got here first so that is the countdown it lands on. Regardless of the language, Songbird is a bounding, bountiful marvel. Its dynamic rhythm guitar and thrilling vocal runs body a whopper of a refrain. (full assessment)
5. ONE OK ROCK – +Matter
I’ve wished to get into ONE OK ROCK’s music for a few years however even when I preferred a track or two I by no means fairly related with their total sound. +Matter modifications that in an enormous manner, going full-on stadium rock with a surplus of emotional resonance. The track is downright transferring in its scale and execution, feeling like an immediate basic the second it premiered.
4. Bullet Practice (Chotokkyu) – Steal A Kiss
Bullet Practice aren’t any stranger to this countdown, churning out hits for a few years and in a number of distinct group configurations. That is their greatest track in an extended whereas, streamlined but quirky and boasting the most effective choruses of the 12 months in any music market. It seems like an outdated buddy returning with a brand new lease on life. (full assessment)
3. Queen Bee – Tremendous Memorial
Queen Bee’s fifteenth 12 months was comparatively modest when it got here to new music, however this celebratory single was sufficient to energy my playlist for months. It’s concurrently unhinged and euphoric, like the very best hidden rave you by no means knew you wanted. Avu-chan stays essentially the most partaking vocalist in pop music, bringing grit and tenderness to Tremendous Memorial‘s dancefloor freakout. (full assessment)
2. Sakurazaka46 – I Need Tomorrow To Come
The key phrase right here is “ambition.” In an period of two minute TikTok tracks, J-pop is likely one of the few music markets nonetheless churning out mini-epics. I Need Tomorrow To Come unfolds like a track suite from a musical, transferring from ballad to banger and again once more. Every second builds upon the final in compelling trend, in the end climaxing in a transferring finale that takes full benefit of the group’s large configuration. Sakurazaka46 had a really robust 12 months and this was their masterpiece.
1. Ryugujo – Deep Wave
No Japanese track managed to each thrill and confound me in the identical manner Deep Wave did. This time final 12 months, I had a sense Ryugujo is perhaps a frontrunner for the highest of this countdown. Their charismatic efficiency coupled with Avu-chan’s visionary manufacturing makes for an unstoppable match. Deep Wave is kind of experimental in kind and execution, but it’s tied to such a potent pop strategy. This duality makes for my favourite sort of music: accessible and enjoyable but unusual and otherworldly. The track’s undulous breakdown segues into an exciting construct that in the end incorporates parts as surprising as police sirens to create an amazing collage of sound. It knocked me off my toes in a disconcerting manner the primary time by way of, however pulled me again time and again because the 12 months went on. (full assessment)
