[March 2026] The latest J-pop releases. Check out the buzzworthy new tracks!

Planetary CityHALVES

Planetary City / HALVES (Music Video)

HALVES is a creative unit gaining attention mainly on social media for their unique worldview that fuses music and art.

Their single released in January 2026 is a comfortable number featuring synthesizers with a near-futuristic sound.

The lyrics, depicting emotions swaying between dreams and reality, linger in your ears along with the looping melody.

This work is also known for having been created as the members’ university graduation project, and its deep linkage of sound and visuals makes it a must-hear.

Following the hit of their past track “Iyaya,” their pop sensibility shines, delivering an emotional pop tune perfect for immersing yourself on a solitary night.

Nemophila feat. yamaAkiyama Kiiro

Kiro Akiyama “Nemophila feat. yama”

This work brings together singer-songwriter Kiro Akiyama and yama, an artist with a one-of-a-kind voice.

Released digitally in January 2026, the track features composition by Kiro Akiyama and lyrics by yama.

The project began when Akiyama came across yama’s writing on social media, was drawn to that sensibility, and asked yama to handle the lyrics.

The words, which convey a sense of comfort in the closeness of happiness and unhappiness as well as delicate, painful emotions, truly resonate.

Layered over an emotional band sound, yama’s earnest vocals make for a powerful blend.

It’s a perfect listen for moments when you want to face the feelings deep in your heart, or for quiet nights when you want to sink into the world of music alone.

Rose-colored Moonfantomu shiitaa

Phantom Theta “Rose-Colored Moon” (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Phantom Theta, a retro-horror idol group produced by Ado.

Their digital single “Rose-Colored Moon,” released in January 2026, was specially written by the creator unit Pochi.

The ensemble shifts dizzyingly from jazz to rock ’n’ roll and even to waltz, offering a thrill like watching a musical.

The theme—rejecting a passionless future and choosing the dangerous path on purpose—also leaves a strong impression.

Its ever-changing sound and expressively rich vocals create a world that’s perfect for immersing yourself in a story-driven work.

It’s a dramatic number that reveals a new side of the group.

5TELLAFLOW

5TELLA

FLOW is a five-member mixture rock band with a fervent global following.

Released in January 2026 and chosen as the theme song for the arcade card game Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base WAVECHOES, this track shines with a finely tuned interplay between twin vocalists that mirrors the game’s 5-on-5 battle system, stirring a sense of camaraderie that really fires you up.

It’s also surprising to learn that it was produced around the world—in places like Chicago and London—squeezed in between stops on their overseas tour, as if the heat of the journey was poured directly into the music.

The synth-driven, high-velocity sound is sure to steel your resolve before a make-or-break moment.

It’s an energetic rock tune that gives a powerful push to players heading into battle.

InochikezuriGero

Inochikezuri / Gero

Not only active as a singer but also popular as a YouTuber, Gero has released this work in January 2026, written as the ending theme for the MBS/TBS Drama-ism series “Matori to Kyouken,” starring Daigo Nishihata.

Its thrilling lyrical world, swaying between justice and evil, intertwines exquisitely with the exhilarating rock sound crafted by Yuki Tsujimura and others, powerfully shaking the listener’s heart.

Gero’s overwhelming vocals—re-recorded in every take in pursuit of an even more urgent expression—further heighten the story’s taut tension.

It’s a powerful number you’ll want to listen to when you need the courage to face a reality that refuses to be simply black or white.