In reference to my want to completely 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 coated on the weblog already, however my hope is that this can turn into 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 every other 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 largely 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 preserve ready for them to duplicate that sound. The punchy 80’s synths that body this monitor almost do it, however total the tune doesn’t actually work for me.
Chemistry x Da-iCE – Sparrows
A reasonably uninteresting mid-tempo/ballad, however this pairing deserves consideration. There’s quite a lot of expertise packed into this monitor.
ExWHYZ – Secret Secret (b-side of the week!)
ExWHYZ re-released their 2022 debut album with further vocals from member midoriko who had been on hiatus. I nonetheless suppose a lot of the album is a bit undercooked, however there are a few tracks composed by manufacturing staff Jazzin’ Park (certainly one of my favorites). This contains new tune Secret Secret, which is well my favourite ExWHYZ monitor but. It’s funky, high-octane lady group pop and I hope they advertise with an mv!
Johnny’s West – Energy (Album)
Johnny’s West’s new album got here out this week and it’s a blended bag. However at over twenty tracks, it’s a really massive bag so there’s quite a bit to select from. The title monitor is mid-grade Johnny’s West: tremendous pleasing 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 Listing favourite Takuya Watanabe, who additionally wrote Attractive Zone’s Run (Responsible could be very a lot in the identical vein).
NiziU – Paradise
NiziU by no means actually caught on for me, from each a tune 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 pretty much as good as Acquired That Increase once more!
SG5 – Firetruck
I don’t like this in any respect, however I believed 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 preferred it quite a bit!
STU48 – Iki wo Suru Kokoro
These 48/46 lady teams pull off this particular type so nicely. I actually love the melodies on this one and the orchestral swell that pushes them alongside. The sound captures a sense of prancing via a meadow in spring (not that I’d know the way that feels! …Or would I?).
SUPER★DRAGON – Mirror (Album)
SUPER★DRAGON’s new album is out and it’s first rate. I’ve grown to get pleasure from Revolution greater than I did final week, however my favourite b-side might be Fairly Lady. It’s received that lighthearted, punchy energy pop vitality I are inclined to get pleasure from.
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 vitality regardless of myself. Sakura Furefure is a ton of catchy enjoyable so long as you understand what you’re getting your self in for!
Ayumi Hamasaki – Fly Excessive (2000)
I really feel like Fly Excessive lives in Boys & Ladies‘ immense shadow, however I play it simply as usually (if no more!). That refrain — with its upstretched notes — is whole euphoria.
