New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (February 16, 2025)

I Promise You Media

5 months ago

In reference to my need 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 might have been coated on the weblog already, however my hope is that this may change into a one-stop store for anybody enthusiastic 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 evaluations, I’ll wait till full variations of songs can be found earlier than posting them on this round-up. It will 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 // Jan 26 – Feb 1 // Feb 2 – Feb 8

Ano – Simply The Two Of Us In This World

It’ll probably enchantment to her followers. It’s a bit too subdued for me.

ASCA – By no means Let It Go

She at all times brings the drama. This one takes a bit to get going however ends in a satisfying place.

Boyfriend – Time Restrict

I wrote about this right here. I assumed it was okay.

CRAVITY – Jelly Bean

Just about a continuation of a few their lighter, brighter Okay-pop singles. It’s not as memorable, although.

Eunhyuk – Like This / Consideration / E-M-O (tune of the week!)

Like This does nothing for me however I’m giving b-sides Consideration and E-M-O “tune of the week” standing as a result of they’re fairly nice! I ought to hate all the pieces about Consideration, however I really like the guitar-fueled beat and silly hook. In the meantime, E-M-O‘s funk disco sound is correct up my alley.

Fruits Zipper – Click on The Like

This group is getting fairly massive and I actually ought to function them extra typically. The cutesy sound isn’t actually for me, however that is nice sufficient.

HANA – Drop

I wrote about this final week however now it has a music video. It’s nonetheless not for me.

ILLIT – Almond Chocolate

I wrote about this right here. I assumed it was okay.

INI – Breath

The opposite unit tune (Howlin’) is terrible however this isn’t unhealthy.

Ken Miyake – Taxi

This new materials matches his distinctive voice however I discover this fashion of music fairly uninteresting.

Nogizaka46 – Natsukasisanosaki

Fairly fairly, however they’ve so many songs like this which can be higher.

Psychic Fever – Surprise Girl

It looks as if they’re simply releasing new music each week!

The Rampage – Burn

One among today I’ll love The Rampage’s music once more. Bear in mind how superior their songs was? That is simply noisy and ugly and predictable.

Ryosuke Yamada – Snow Moon

He’s received a full album on the best way. I actually hope I find yourself liking among the music as a result of that is the second strikeout for me. It’s simply not that fascinating as a tune.

Sakurazaka46 – Nothing Particular

This tune opens with a ton of promise however its vitality degree type of stays stagnant all through. I actually just like the costumes, although!

Sato Triplets – Change My Life

You don’t see a pop group made from triplets fairly often! That’s all I’ve received for this one.

SixTONES – Banger

It’ll be a banger for a lot of. It kinda goes in a single ear and out the opposite for me.

WEST. – Shhhhhhh!!

One other Starto tune I received’t bear in mind in per week’s time.

KAT-TUN – Consider In Myself (2014)

With KAT-TUN’s impending disbandment (Noooooo!!!), Starto should put their full catalog on streaming so their music endures. They had been one of many teams who received me into J-pop within the first place and I genuinely adore an enormous chunk of their discography. Right here’s a private spotlight from the mid-2010’s. The filtered guitar riffs are pure catnip to my ears.