[2026] Latest and Noteworthy J-Pop R&B Tracks

When you hear Japanese R&B, what kinds of artists or bands come to mind?

While many people know them through J-pop hits, there have actually been artists since the Showa era who possess genuine R&B skills, with outstanding vocals and melodic sensibilities.

Even now in the 2020s, artists who transcend the boundaries between Japanese and Western music are creating amazing tracks, while staying connected to the latest overseas R&B scene.

In this article, we’ve rounded up must-check new songs to help you get to know the latest Japanese R&B scene in a broad sense.

We hope not only fans of Japanese music but also fans of Western music will give them a listen!

Playlist

[2026] Latest and Noteworthy J-Pop R&B Tracks
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	25eill		eill showcases her expressive power with the new song “25,” which depicts the feelings of being 25 years old.
2	hugiri		iri's winter piano ballad
3	BodyMaliya		MALIYA releases new song “Body”
4	Take It BackReiko		REIKO’s new song, a message to free yourself
5	undergroundidom		Idom’s multifaceted talents and music are generating buzz
6	PSYCHOFurui Riho		Furui Riho’s dark psychological R&B dance track
7	LOVE DEEPER (Prod. m.c.A•T)Reiko		An innovative R&B track by REIKO
8	ROCK THE BOATXG		XG’s exquisite grooves that bring ’90s R&B back to life today
9	Chosen Oneaimi		An ambitious EP released by aimi in February 2022
10	Priorityaimi & EMI MARIA		Heartfelt songs by aimi and EMI MARIA
11	Let It FlowNao Yoshioka		Introduction to Nao Yoshioka’s new song “Let It Flow”
12	“Zawawa” (feat. Yo-Sea)Leonald		The music and life philosophy of Okinawan rapper Leonald
13	Your eyes, your voicetonun		An R&B that expresses tonun’s love and farewell
14	24/7 YOU…LANA		LANA “24/7 YOU”: A New Direction in Love Songs
15	A flower of no colorUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s new song is creating a huge buzz as a TV drama theme song
16	Through The RAINSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		A song of resolve to face hardship and move forward
17	Star Cafékiki vivi lily		Kiki Vivi Lily’s representative work, Star Café
18	Cherry Blossom Bloom DeclarationAile The Shota		Aile The Shota Reconstructs New Jack Swing in His Latest Work
19	FriendsFurui Riho		Furui Riho presents on the theme of friendship
20	Shut It DownMukai Taichi		Taichi Mukai’s Diverse Musicality and Courageous Message
21	Ma LifeKvi Baba		Kvi Baba’s melodic rap is getting buzz
22	Sounds good.Ide Ayaka		Ayaka Ide's first new R&B song in six years
23	Without youAYANE		An R&B song that depicts Ayane's heartrending feelings of love.
24	UMAMISIRUP, The Crane & whoosh		An international collaborative song on the theme of love by three artists
25	Pixelated WorldMiura Daichi		A proposition to modern society in a track from Daichi Miura’s first album in seven years
26	When You Were MineNissy(Nishijima Takahiro)		Nissy releases an R&B dance track in English
27	Secret GardenBE:FIRST		BE:FIRST's soothing music fills the heart.
28	Say SomethingTHE JET BOY BANGERZ		An urban dance tune exuding mature allure
29	WowHayashi Kazuki		Kazuya Hayashi's R&B solo debut work
30	UNDERCOVER feat. Ayumu ImazuSIRUP		SIRUP and Ayumu released an R&B song
31	EKO EKOm-flo loves ZICO,eill		m-flo's near-futuristic international collaboration track
32	KIRA KIRASIRUP		SIRUP’s new track, brimming with a sense of speed, shines in the city night.
33	CUBEiri		A famous song by iri that sings of love on a summer night
34	HeroineAoyama Mitsuki		Mitsunori Aoyama’s heartrending love song stirs the heart
35	Get-go!EXILE		EXILE’s moving and refreshing 52nd single
36	addictedArche		A dark R&B track that depicts Arche’s codependent love
37	Don’t Beyouen kingyo		Expressing an R&B song through hip-hop
38	PremaFuji Kaze		‘Prema,’ the masterful English-lyric song depicting Fujii Kaze’s supreme love
39	unread and ignoredANAIS		An innovative song that expresses self-affirmation in multiple languages
40	TorieBillyrrom		A soothing track with a refined, urban sound
41	Negotiationyouen kingyo		A powerful track by an alluring goldfish that conveys the soul through hip-hop
42	RUNWAYTENDRE		TENDRE’s refreshing new spring song resonates with the heart.
43	riveriri		Music that colors a sentimental drive
44	Ms.Sunshinekiki vivi lily		A mellow track that accompanies a night drive
45	Brand New EyesKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s songs that are perfect for a relaxing drive
46	tonightSIRUP		Urban songs that feel good for a night drive
47	Take It slowMeteor		Meteor’s exquisite R&B track resonates with the heart
48	Seasoniri		An R&B track packed with iri’s charm
49	Silent MidnightISSEI		R&B Rising from ISSEI’s Failure
50	Reckless LoveIMP.		Expressing a burning passion and a poignant, aching feeling
51	Ikebukuro SunshineWHITE JAM		A bittersweet love painted in Ikebukuro, a song of emotions that stir the heart
52	Judgement?m-flo loves Suzuki Mamiko		A soothing lovers rock that questions your true self
53	RENDEZVOUS (feat. hard life)SIRUP		A collaborative heartbreak R&B song with Hard life
54	MILLION PLACESXG		A moving song that colors XG’s world tour
55	BLACK DOLLЯu-a		A sophisticated musical world of diverse genre fusion
56	LimelightDeNeel		DeNeel is a new kayōkyoku band originating from Osaka.
57	7%Hikaru Iwamoto		An electronic track that depicts the city at night
58	The WaterJUJU		JUJU’s new song: the fluctuations of life, likened to water
59	LOOPSIRUP		An R&B love song by SIRUP. Depicts everyday life in a café with detailed descriptions.
60	RIRIum-hum		um-hum is a progressive R&B band
61	WE AREeill		eill, a theme song of self-acceptance and courage
62	Not Drunkyouen kingyo		Yoen Kingyo’s new song portrays the club and melancholy
63	TomorrowME:I		A song that gives you courage with hopeful lyrics and a bright melody
64	I can’t say it.Furui Riho		Furui Riho’s new song is an R&B ballad with a mature romance theme