Latest J-Pop Releases [May 2025]

Summer of LoveHirai Dai

Hirai Dai / Summer of Love (Lyric Video)

DAI Hirai’s new release, heralding the refreshing arrival of summer, is the ultimate summer track featuring a bold infusion of up-tempo guitar sounds.

Dropped as a digital single on May 14, 2025, it’s the third installment in a series of four consecutive releases timed with his beach festival, “HIRAIDAI presents THE BEACH TRIP 2025.” Perfect for a breezy seaside drive or as the soundtrack to a beach party, this song is tailor-made for music fans who love pop rock and J-pop.

flutteringYuya Tegoshi

fluttering

A captivating track that blends lightness with deep emotion, rooted in pop while incorporating elements of R&B and electronica for a hybrid sound.

Yuya Tegoshi’s expressive vocals beautifully convey both fragility and hope.

Released in May 2025, this ambitious work ventures beyond genre boundaries and has drawn attention as the theme song of a popular drama.

The refined sound—born from collaborations with renowned producers both in Japan and abroad—clearly showcases his musical growth.

Balancing wistfulness and optimism, this piece, with its soul-stirring vocals, is perfect for anyone looking to add a splash of color to their everyday life.

German irisHinatazaka46

Hinatazaka46 “German Iris” Music Video

Set against the backdrop of a school bathed in shades of blue, this mid-tempo number by Hinatazaka46’s 5th generation uses a beautiful flower—symbolizing hope and new beginnings—as its central motif.

Accompanied by each member’s delicate vocals, the fleeting yet beautiful performance resonates deeply.

Released early on May 14, 2025, and officially included on the album “Love yourself!” on May 21, the track showcases the fresh charm of the 5th generation, centered around Manami Ōno as the lead.

With an accessible, pop-infused melody and styling and staging that leave a poignant impression, the song carries a seasonal feel from spring into early summer, offering warm encouragement for anyone embarking on a new chapter in life.

Flashbang and halationNatsuko Nisshoku

Natsuko Daisuke – “Flare and Halation” Official Music Video

Nisshoku Natsuko is known for a commanding band sound conjured from a single piano and her powerful vocals.

Though her setup is just piano and drums, she has steadily grown her fan base with a unique musical style that weaves in diverse elements like jazz, rock, and funk.

This work is the lead track from the album “Ginka,” released in May 2025, vividly portraying a protagonist brimming with urgency and fighting spirit.

In the music video directed by Yuka Ueda, the fierce passion residing behind Nisshoku’s calm gaze is expressed with striking visual beauty.

It’s a song that delivers a genuine emotional impact to listeners who continue to engage earnestly with music.

StardustSeiko Matsuda

Seiko Matsuda / Stardust

In celebration of her 45th anniversary, a lavish collaborative work by Seiko Matsuda and Yumi Matsutoya was released in May 2025.

Featuring a gentle melodic line and a comfortable rhythm, the piece is rooted in pop while blending with Matsutoya’s delicate lyrical world to create a more profound ballad.

It offers an exquisite musical experience woven by two legends of the Japanese music scene—irresistible for fans.

The track is also included on the album “Eternal Idol, Eternal Youth, Seiko Matsuda.

~45th Anniversary Ultimate All-Time Best~,” set for release in June, where it can be enjoyed alongside her signature songs.

It’s a perfect tune for moments when you want to sink into music with a calm heart or revisit precious memories.

mild daysHitsuji Bungaku

Hitsujibungaku – mild days (Official Music Video) [TV Anime “Silent Witch: The Magical Record of a Silenced Wizard” Ending Theme Song]

A gently expressive song capturing the quiet joys of everyday life was released by Hitsujibungaku in May 2025.

Moeka Shiotsuka’s delicate vocals and the band’s soft, woven sound resonate as if tenderly wrapping around the listener’s heart.

The track serves as the ending theme for the TV anime “Silent Witch: The Secret of the Silent Witch.” In the music video, which features footage from their West Coast U.

S.

tour held in April 2025, you can feel the warm moments they experienced along the journey.

It’s a song that reflects the musical maturity the band has cultivated through releases like “our hope” and “12 hugs (like butterflies).” Perfect for conversations with friends or those times when you want to relax and unwind.

unread and ignoredANAIS

ANAIS – Ignoring Unread Messages [Official Music Video]

While rooted in hip-hop and R&B, this captivating party tune fuses the sophistication of Western music with the pop sensibilities of J‑pop.

ANAIS’s distinctive multilingual expression and powerhouse vocals shine, and the message—liberation from control and obsession, and a rebuilding of self-esteem—leaves a strong impression.

Overall production was handled by LUNA, with sound production by Joe Ogawa and Marcello Jonno, who have also worked on tracks for NiziU and SixTONES.

Released by JCC TOKYO in May 2025, this song marks the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Recommended for anyone who wants to explore living authentically, accompanied by bold, glamorous music.