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In reference to my need to totally 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 could have been coated on the weblog already, however my hope is that this can turn out to be a one-stop store for anybody keen on what’s new in J-pop.
With that in thoughts, right here’s the place you are available in: I’m one particular person with one set of musical preferences, so please embed another 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 evaluations, I’ll wait till full variations of songs can be found earlier than posting them on this round-up. This may largely apply to Johnny’s teams, who nonetheless restrict the vast majority 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 hold ready for them to copy that sound. The punchy 80’s synths that body this observe practically do it, however total the track 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 observe.
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 well my favourite ExWHYZ observe but. It’s funky, high-octane lady 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 massive bag so there’s loads to select from. The title observe is mid-grade Johnny’s West: tremendous gratifying however nothing revelatory. Among the many album tracks, I 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 Record favourite Takuya Watanabe, who additionally wrote Sexy 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 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 Got That Boom once more!
SG5 – Firetruck
I don’t like this in any respect, however I believed others would possibly. And since they’re co-managed by LDH, SG5 at the very least deserve a point out.
Snow Man – W (single of the week!)
I wrote about this here. I preferred it loads!
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 by means of 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 respectable. I’ve grown to get pleasure from Revolution more than I did last week, however my favourite b-side might be Fairly Woman. It’s obtained that lighthearted, punchy energy pop vitality I are likely 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 recognize what you’re getting your self in for!
Ayumi Hamasaki – Fly Excessive (2000)
I really feel like Fly Excessive lives in Boys & Girls‘ immense shadow, however I play it simply as usually (if no more!). That refrain — with its upstretched notes — is whole euphoria.
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