Top 10 J-Pop Bands You Should Be Listening To

Groups formed through competition shows have a well-deserved leg-up in the industry. They’re not only talented but also popular, and on the business side of things, wonderfully marketable. However, JO1, created on the inaugural season of “Produce 101 Japan”, has consistently proved they have what it takes to make a lasting impact. JO1’s success has exceeded the buzz of reality TV as the group has made waves across charts, sweeping awards and selling out concerts. Their brand of pop is modern and versatile and the members boast incredible chemistry, making stage performances even more attractive. Plus, you get solo projects aplenty! If you’re looking to explore the wondrous world of J-Pop, there’s no better gateway than JO1.

One of the OG pillars of J-Pop, Momusu has been reigning supreme in fans’ hearts since 1997. Producer Tsunku decided to take a chance on them all those years back and today, they’re one of the highest-selling Japanese girl groups ever. Despite the ever-changing lineup of members, Morning Musume has maintained the bubbly musical aesthetic and cheery dance style that they’re loved for to this day. They’ve also paved the way for numerous spinoff acts under the Hello! Project banner who went on to make their own names in the industry. Morning Musume’s presence, influence, and relevance in the J-Pop scene will always be indelible.

It hasn’t been long since this group put their hat in the ring for global stardom and they’re already killing it. Before making their foray into the international digital market, Snow Man focused primarily on physical releases and was selective about YouTube content. Call it exclusivity or gatekeeping, nothing could stop the rise of Snow Man. Their groovy tunes reached listeners worldwide through their hit anime soundtracks for “Blue Lock” and “Black Clover”. As their popularity skyrocketed, fans fell in love with their energetic tracks and intricate choreography. Member Ren Meguro’s acting career soared, Daisuke Sakuma shone as a voice actor and Raul broke into modeling. Other members are also earning praise for their solo endeavors. Needless to say, Snow Man is destined for greatness.

Who knew a group of middle school friends from Japan would make the world cry like babies one day? Radwimps, the band behind the iconic “Your Name” OST and several other Makoto Shinkai movie soundtracks, has a discography chock full of more where that came from. Drawing from his lived experiences, lead vocalist Yojiro Noda pens almost all of the band’s music himself. The sincerity of Radwimps’ lyrics, the swelling melodies, and Noda’s magical voice have united the world in love and appreciation for the band. If you’re yet to immerse yourself in their music, now’s a better time than ever to jump on the bandwagon.

This pop duo is easily one of the most interesting acts in J-Pop right now. Members Ayase and Ikura started off making music inspired by content posted on the creative writing platform Monogatary.com. Now, they score some of the biggest anime out there. We’re talking “Oshi no Ko”, “Beastars”, “Frieren: Beyond Journey's End”, and more. Besides, you’ll always find their music trending on social media. Remember that viral Japanese bop that sounds eerily upbeat for its dark lyrics and took TikTok by storm? That’s “Racing into the Night” by Yoasobi! Clearly, they have a knack for captivating their listeners with intrigue, chill beats, and angelic vocals.

If there’s any group that represents the beating heart of new-gen J-Pop and its burgeoning global potential, it is this one. The Atarashii Gakko! members, donning their sailor uniforms, reject the very essence of Japanese beauty standards and toxic societal norms. They’re not bothered about having an ‘idol-like’ appearance or sporting the latest fashion. All they care about is having fun. With the credo of shunning anything boring, AG! makes music worth headbanging to but also tackles issues like the objectification of women and pressures on youngsters. Similarly, the group’s choreography – expressive and instinctual – is a style of their own. Dig deep into their work and you’ll find it as intellectually stimulating as it is catchy.

All hail the legendary heavyweights of J-Pop! Sandaime J Soul Brothers represents the best of Japanese boy bands. From their inception in 2010, this group has devoted tireless time and effort to reinventing themselves for every comeback. As a result, you get smooth R&B and soul in one album, and bratty electro-pop in another. There are passionate love songs for the boo’d up and trap beats for singles to party the night away. No matter the mood, 3JSB has something for you. It’s almost like having your favorite playlist on shuffle. You might not know what you’ll get next but best believe, it’s going to be a banger.

Ever wished your favorite vocaloids were real people? Meet Perfume – the J-Pop girl band who put the electronic in electronic dance music. Despite their songs being autotune-heavy, the Perfume members boast a global fandom. In fact, their stylized vocals, which often use vocoders, are exactly what propelled them to major commercial success. In combination with their crisp, often angular choreography, Perfume’s music matches their futuristic visuals and gives the band a clear identity. Any Perfume song can instantly kickstart a rave. So, it is no surprise that their concerts are always lit!

Calling them just a J-Pop band would be a disservice. AKB48 is a phenomenon, albeit a double-edged one. They put J-Pop girl groups on the map, thanks to the novelty of their rotating member system and the sheer magnitude of their stellar performances. This concept became so popular, that it birthed sister groups across Asia. However, they also raised concerns about the manufactured image of idols, the toxic rules they must abide by to keep up the perfect facade, and parasocial relationships with fans. Zooming in on the music alone, AKB48 is the group you can go to for a pick-me-up. The members are sunshine personified and their music and choreography are equally bright without lacking emotional depth. They’ll never not cheer you up!




Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

These Fan-Favorite Darlings Are Dominating Charts


XG
This All-Japanese Pop Group Is Truly Global

They’re Building on Their Virality to Create Something Bigger

They’re the Future of J-Pop

Whoever thought it would be a good idea to make preteens scream their heads off in a metal band couldn’t possibly have known it would be such a genius one. It was an unprecedented and possibly risky creative move at the time but you know what they say – high risk, high reward. Babymetal ended up inventing a genre, aptly called kawaii metal, and their artistic innovation made them a household name even outside the J-Pop fandom. However, their uniqueness wasn’t the only key to their success. Members, Su-metal, Moametal, and Momometal as well as former member Yuimetal, are prodigiously talented and have honed their craft beyond perfection. They make music that matters and have an adorably edgy aesthetic setting them apart. What’s not to love?



Which J-Pop band has the best discography according to you? Sound off in the comments down below!