Latest J-Pop Releases [May 2025]
In May 2025, a fresh breeze is sweeping through the music scene.
From electro-pop born out of hololive to heartwarming city pop and message-driven songs that resonate with the soul, an astonishing variety of tracks has emerged.
From addictive numbers that poppily sing about glitches in love to warm songs reflecting on youth, each piece radiates its own unique charm.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the works of these richly individual artists.
You’re sure to find a song that strikes a chord in your heart!
- Latest Vocaloid Releases [May 2025]
- Trending Songs [May 2025]
- Latest J-Pop Releases [June 2025]
- Latest J-Pop Releases [April 2025]
- Latest J-Pop Releases [March 2025]
- Latest Japanese music releases [February 2025]
- Latest J-Pop Releases [July 2025]
- Latest Vocaloid Releases [June 2025]
- Latest Vocaloid Releases [April 2025]
- Latest J-Pop Releases [August 2025]
- Latest J-Pop Releases [January 2025]
- Latest J-Pop Releases [September 2025]
- Latest J-Pop releases [December 2025]
Latest J-Pop Releases [May 2025] (131–140)
You Know What I Mean?NORIKIYO
Released in April 2025 by Kanagawa-born rapper NORIKIYO, this work was recorded before his incarceration yet powerfully conveys hope for the future.
It’s a track where NORIKIYO’s socially conscious lyrics blend exquisitely with the polished beats of his longtime collaborator BACHLOGIC.
A crowdfunding campaign for a solo concert planned after his release is also running until June 23, 2025, with valuable rewards such as his prison diary “Datsugoku no Susume” (A Guide to Breaking Out).
This is a heartfelt piece recommended for those who resonate with the resolve to face modern society’s contradictions while moving forward, and for anyone who wants to experience the essence of Japanese rap.
Adult modePES 、BIM
This track, which brings together rappers from different generations, is a masterful fusion of PES’s melodious lightness and BIM’s refined, contemporary style.
The lyrics exude a mature allure, weaving in themes like everyday struggles and self-affirmation that resonate deeply with listeners.
Released digitally in April 2025, it marks the first official collaboration between the two.
Produced by Rascal, the song shines with a freewheeling musicality that transcends genre boundaries.
Ahead of the release, a two-man live show was held at Shibuya WWW X on April 28, 2025, and the venue was buzzing with excitement.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to feel cross-generational connections in the music scene or is intrigued by the fusion of different rap styles.
Take It BackReiko
REIKO’s new track features an irresistibly groovy beat that reimagines ’90s US R&B for today.
Riding on her supple yet powerful vocals, it delivers a message of freeing yourself from the expectations of society and those around you.
Released in April 2025 and produced by Sam is Ohm, this song marks the beginning of REIKO’s “R&B Trilogy” and stands as a pivotal first chapter.
It’s the kind of song that gently gives you a push when you want to boost your self-esteem.
Everyday (feat. Satoshi Fujiwara)TAIKING
After making his mark as the guitarist for the rock band Suchmos, TAIKING has been turning heads as a solo artist as well.
Featuring Satoshi Fujihara of Official HIGE DANDism as guest vocalist, this track masterfully blends mellow guitar tones with Fujihara’s powerful vocals.
The outro is especially striking, where TAIKING’s guitar and Fujihara’s voice intertwine to deliver a memorable finale.
Included on the EP “Shuffle,” released in April 2025, the song’s music video captures a session set aboard a boat.
With its relaxed vibe, it’s perfect as background music for a calm day or as a smooth soundtrack for a drive.
It’s a track packed with the distinctive charm that only TAIKING’s diverse musicality can offer.
paraisoTele
The music of Tele, the solo project by Kitaro Taniguchi, captivates with a unique world that blends literary lyrics and a free-spirited sound.
This track appears as the closing song on the album released in April 2025, titled “How to Love Afterimages, or On the Several Unmoored Days We Spend to Accept the Distortions in Ourselves Born Therefrom.” While grounded in J-pop, its delicate melodies—infused with elements of electronica and rock—resonate deeply, making it a culmination of his musical curiosity and expressive power.
It’s a work especially recommended for those interested in nuanced wordplay and emotional expression, as well as listeners seeking new music unconstrained by genre.
How could I possibly know?Vaundy
An emotionally stirring track where a seemingly elusive yet profoundly probing lyrical world intertwines with a grand, dramatic soundscape.
Written as the theme song for the drama “PJ: Air Rescue Wing,” this piece perfectly complements the story depicting Japan Air Self-Defense Force rescue operations, starring Masayo Uchino.
Vaundy’s overwhelming expressive power—his true forte—and his deeply emotive vocals resonate with the heart.
Released digitally in April 2025, this track stands out among the songs he unveiled in quick succession that year.
The lyrics, centered on the mysterious certainties of life and a sense of mission, will gently encourage anyone facing a major challenge or searching for their path.
PAPER MOONA-ko
Singer-songwriter Aco from Hyogo draws listeners into a dreamlike realm with her delicate vocals and ethereal soundscapes.
Released in April 2025, this work opens with an intro that highlights her signature whispery voice, unfolding a unique world as if wandering through a dream.
Its distinctive sound, fusing a variety of genres, carries the same allure found throughout her previous releases.
The must-see music video, created by her creative team “londog,” features a striking illustration of the red-haired girl that has become her trademark.
Perfect for quiet nights or reflective moments, this piece is an ideal pick for those with a delicate sensibility.