Latest J-Pop Releases [May 2025]

heart-shaped tail finRubens

Rubens – Heart Tailfin (Music Video)

A song that exquisitely fuses summer-like freshness with autumn’s bittersweetness.

While incorporating elements of alternative rock, it maintains the approachable charm of J-pop in a perfectly balanced way.

Serena’s emotionally rich vocals gently weave narrative-driven lyrics, beautifully elevated by Etsu’s guitar work.

Released in April 2025, the track’s music video premiered on YouTube on April 27, drawing a large audience.

Like a fish swimming through the sea, it portrays a heart drifting amid waves of emotion, gently encouraging those trying to accept the end of a romance or take a brave new step forward.

Alcohol, movies, and nutsTaiga Kyomoto

Taiga Kyomoto – Sake, Movies, and Nuts (Illustration Music Video)

This track, which blends a unique jazz-inflected sound with wistfulness and addictive appeal, is a gem written and composed by Taiga Kyomoto himself.

The lyrics, delivered with an overwhelming rush of words that ride the rhythm, showcase a superb fusion of his literary sensibility and musical talent.

Included on his solo album PROT.

30, set for release on April 23, 2025, the song is an ambitious work marking his 30th birthday milestone.

The album also features tracks like Prelude and WONDER LAND, which carry the influence of 1990s rock.

It’s a passionate piece that expresses, through music, the loneliness and poignancy felt in everyday life—and the hope that overcomes them.

Highly recommended for those who want to savor the comfort of jazz and piano, and for listeners drawn to delicate emotional expression.

Karmic Retribution AntinomyThe cause lies with me.

Causality retribution antinomy | The cause lies within myself. [GNJB]

A dance-pop track that fuses electronic and rock has emerged from Genjō wa Jibun ni Aru.

Pre-released in April 2025, this work offers a cynical portrayal of the contradictions and paradoxes of modern society.

It features a heavy beat and an addictive melody, with a tutting dance synced to the chorus’s “an-an-aaan” phrase trending on social media as the #AntinomieChallenge.

The song serves as the lead track from the album Core-Trigger Innovation, released on April 23, which also includes “Mania,” the opening theme for the Yomiuri TV drama Secret Alliance.

It’s a highly recommended track for those who want to enjoy catchy music while feeling the contradictions and conflicts of society.

CHOIYAMAKeiichiro Koyama

Keiichiro Koyama – CHOIYAMA [Official Music Video]

Characterized by irresistibly catchy phrases and a polished electronic sound, this work is an ambitious piece that offers a glimpse of a new side of Keiichiro Koyama.

The device of repeating the phrase “CHOI” more than 100 times leaves a strong impression, making it stick in your head after just one listen.

Released as a digital single in April 2025, it has generated a huge response, surpassing 25 million views on TikTok.

Positioned as part of the “CHOIYAMA Project,” which Koyama himself helped plan and structure, it also commemorates the 25th anniversary of his entertainment career.

It’s highly recommended not only for fans of electronic music, but also for NEWS fans looking to discover a fresh appeal.

Tower of the flameSawao Yamanaka

Sawao Yamanaka / Tower of the Flame

This track fuses the heavy guitar riffs of alternative rock with emotional vocals to convey a burning passion.

It opens the album “Where Do Those Flowers Bloom?” released on April 23, 2025, and drew attention as the first solo work unveiled by Sawao Yamanaka after the breakup of the pillows.

It’s a powerful song that portrays the resolve to start anew and the inner conflicts that come with it.

The music video is also available on the official website and social media, visually expressing the song’s energy.

Highly recommended not only for alternative rock fans, but especially for anyone about to take a new step in life.

Blooming at nightHoshimachi Suisei

Blooming at night

A track colored by a fantastical melody and EDM beats suddenly appeared as the insert song in episode 3 of the TV anime “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX,” captivating viewers.

Suisei Hoshimachi’s transparent, crystalline vocals beautifully capture the world of the series.

Evoking the stillness of night and the beauty of blooming flowers, this piece is perfect for a nighttime drive when you want lingering feelings to stay with you, for moments when you wish to step a little away from everyday life and drift into thought, and of course for fans of the same anime.

UrusirenUmeda Cipher

Umeda Cypher – Urusiren (Prod. Cosaqu) [Official Music Video] (TV Anime “Fire Force” Season 3 Cour 1 Ending Theme)

The Osaka Umeda-based hip-hop collective Umeda Cypher has been chosen to provide the ending theme for the first cour of the TV anime Fire Force Season 3, drawing widespread attention.

Members peko, KOPERU, T-AK, KennyDoes, and ILL SWAG GAGA—known for their distinctive rap styles and flows—participate on the track, powerfully expressing the challenges of self-expression in modern society and resistance to being boxed in.

After an advance digital release on April 4, 2025, the CD came out on the 23rd of the same month.

The coupling track “1%” has also been selected as the theme song for ABC’s 2025 professional baseball broadcasts.

It’s a must-listen not only for anime fans but also for anyone who loves energetic beats and unique rap.