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A ranking and review of the top 100! View the Substack version of this piece here! A few things to note first:
#100: LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE, NEOMATIC For those who love LIL LEAGUE’s uncontainable enthusiasm, “Wonder Island” is the song for them; it is a top-of-lungs celebration with the energy of a “Grand Opening” ceremony. More universally palatable is the fast-paced, dance-themed “Youth Spark.” Other boisterous options include “Beat Loud,” with excessive R-rolling and drumming; and the laser-sound-filled, electro-industrial “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo.” Those seeking a chiller groove will find “Homeboys” and “Forever Young ~Soranoshita~” to be more their style. The rest of the songs prove that LIL LEAGUE’s word choices are just as off-the-walls as their soundscapes... Read more here! #99: BAND-MAID, ENERGETIC As usual, this J-rock band skips the buildup and jumps right to the climax! They fire on all cylinders right away, and their lyrics remain true to form as aggressive pep talks… Read more here! #98: YOON SAN-HA, NO REASON YOON SAN-HA needs less than fifteen minutes to make his clear and convincing — not to mention catchy! — case that not only should no one else define him, but no one else can. … He starts out by breezing and bounding through pop sub-genres, and he keeps his carefree nature in the last few songs via lyrics. … Overall, YOON SAN-HA successfully embodies the confidence that comes from the willingness to keep one’s self-identification flexible. Read more here! #97: FLARE U, YOUTH ERROR Plucky and perky sounds are the name of this duo’s game, and each song shamelessly externalizes eagerness and embarrassment! … What makes YOUTH ERROR more than just a cheerful pop project are its broad applications… Read more here! #96: NCT JNJM, BOTH SIDES There are three keys to making a duality-based comeback work: entertainment value that injects new life into the been-there-done-that premise, a plot beyond just duality for duality’s sake, and at least one collectively connective component. In other words, if the theme is going to be “duality,” the era needs to avoid dullness, reductiveness, and a lack of an actual rhyme or reason for its perceived randomness. By this rubric, NCT JNJM pass the test! Whether acting or just singing, their charisma is the unwavering variable, and the predictability stops there… Read more here! #95: Big Ocean, THE GREATEST BATTLE
While this K-pop boy band has been making waves (pun intended!) for being the first one in which each member is hard-of-hearing, THE GREATEST BATTLE proves they deserve to represent more than change-makers. Their artistry has improved by leaps and bounds; the musical and performance growth is evident… Read more here! #94: FIFTY FIFTY, Imperfect-I’mperfect Among the many ways this girl group could have depicted inner peace, they have chosen one of the most whimsical options! They cheerfully sing about floating through life like bubbles and traveling wherever the wind takes them, and smooth, synth-pop satisfaction stays the name of the game on the B-sides… Read more here! #93: QWER, CEREMONY Although this group has sung about an “upside-down” world before (most overtly in “FAKE IDOL,” which has a music video in which haters become fans and insults are taken as compliments), they have excitingly expanded the bounds of their world of whimsy! CEREMONY provides a suitable soundtrack for this world, with triumphant tracks about embracing the strange and the surprising… Read more here! #92: ITZY, Motto This ITZY era sends a few related messages, one being that they have solid individual and collective identities. … The album itself represents both a collective mindset (through the empowering group tracks) and ITZY’s individual personalities… Read more here! #91: Ssup, Love and Breakup This rapper reaps the rewards of seeing potential in a stereotype-straying, softer side of hip-hop. These rhythmic and romantic odes change their tunes instrumentally far more often than metaphorically, with fantastic string, guitar, and piano arrangements that sync up well with both Ssup’s raps and his collaborators’ voices… Read more here! #90: ASH ISLAND, BURN PART.2 BURN PART.2 serves up succinct satisfaction. Across four tracks, this cross-genre singer/rapper says what he feels needs to be said, nothing more, nothing less. He picks up where he left off with the last track on BURN PART.1, “FIRE,” by beginning BURN PART.2 with “WATER”... Read more here! #89: Klozer, Klozer This producer skillfully uses this album as a springboard for showing off the best that the stacked lineup has to offer… Read more here! #88: AND2BLE, Sequence 01: Curiosity Sequence 01: Curiosity walks the line well between AND2BLE coming across as total rookies versus overconfident idols. This reconfiguration of the globally-successful boy band ZEROBASEONE tries on many different hats but deploys the members’ already-honed singing skills and stage presences to prevent those hats from looking like floundering attempts to find new footing… Read more here! #87: Apink, RE : LOVE While one can easily picture a rookie group doing well with these songs, they benefit from coming from more experienced performers. These songs’ flavors are enriched by age, satisfying a thirst for nostalgia (especially the EXID-esque “Fizzy Soda”) and going to the next level thanks to the vocal compatibility honed through practice… Read more here! #86: STU48, Sukisugite Naku Special Edition These bright and beautiful J-pop songs are romantic and resolute… Read more here! #85: xikers, ROUTE ZERO : The ORA xikers are turning the page regarding their music video lore but still telling tales of humorous and haunted-house-set hijinks. This era’s batch of kooky and spooky delights includes distorted dance-pop within dark hip-hop/trap layers, and the synth-heavy bulk of the project is briskly swapped out for a pop-rock finish (with “Outsider”). It’s a fast frenzy that has a strong supply of xikers’ signature strange swagger… Read more here! #84: IS:SUE, QUARTET This cute and cohesive collection of songs is a great primer for new IS:SUE fans and a solid soundtrack for those who already love this J-pop group. The brand-new and older songs alike embrace synth-pop that comes with earworm elements… Read more here! #83: NMIXX, Heavy Serenade The songs on Heavy Serenade suit the theme of loud and convention-ignoring relationships, with fickle tempos and filter choices, purposeful clashes between certain vocal and instrumental tones and volumes, and the equivalent of clumsiness in the form of details like gasps and exclamations of shock (like “Oh!”). Heavy Serenade carries on NMIXX’s tradition of bobbing and weaving in ways that sound like jarring whiplash to some listeners and like admirable experiments to others. Their visuals also remain ambitious... Read more here! #82: ATEEZ, GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5 This ATEEZ era checks off a long list of boxes. After leaning further than ever into Latin and hip-hop influences on “BAD” and “MAMACITA,” they satisfy with a smooth R&B intermission courtesy of “TOXIN” and then go for broke with bold genre-mixing and a new extent to their lyrical maturity in the rest of the EP… Read more here! #81: adieu, adieu 5 This down-to-earth diary hits close to home for anyone and everyone with love on the brain. … This EP is about moving on, but more importantly and cathartically, it’s about why that is so hard to do. Read more here! #80: Hinatazaka46, Kind of love (Special Edition) Kind of love (Special Edition) expands on the amusing outlook of its pre-released title track. “Kind of love” laments the “dopamine shouting” at Hinatazaka46 and compares signaling interest in their crushes to using turn signals! Now, the B-sides channel relatable anxiety and exasperation — both self-directed and not — into silly similes and metaphors that still hit the nail on the head! Read more here! #79: HANA, HANA This girl group’s name means “rose” in Japanese, and sure enough, this self-titled album shows them blossoming. … The new 2026 songs meaningfully reinforce HANA’s mantra of self-worth, pride, and finding their inner power that makes them immune to external influences. These messages continue to be reaffirmed in versatile ways… Read more here! #78: Ayumu Imazu, CLASSIC Ayumu Imazu proves to have effortlessly transferable swagger! His upbeat pop sound emphasizes bouncy basslines and synth grooves, both livened up further with mobile guitar presences and constant tweaks in vocal volume and tone… Read more here! #77: MISAMO, PLAY This talented trio tops off their trilogy on a high, concluding the “art about art itself” eras with one last hurrah. While the Masterpiece and HAUTE COUTURE eras focused on static art forms, PLAY focuses on the performing arts… Read more here! #76: Mika Nakashima, STAGE -THE MUSICAL IN MY HEAD- [NEW REVIEW!] Rooted in the concept of a live theater performance, STAGE -THE MUSICAL IN MY HEAD- introduces Mika Nakashima to both a daytime and nighttime crowd. Disc one is the “Matinee” version of her show, with a “backstage” look at her musical story courtesy of re-released singles. Disc two is the “Soirée” version, the main event in which she dutifully "plays a part” for each brand-new song. Like a good theater performance, audiences are left entertained, eager to come back for more, and curious what the variations might be between the matinee and prime-time shows! Those variations are significant, with not much in common except for broad categories: slow and emotional beginnings and endings (on disc one, “SYMPHONIA” and “Shiritaikoto Shiritakunaikoto;” on disc two, “Deep Down” and “The Moment”), dance-ready numbers (disc one’s “We are all stars;” disc two’s surprisingly upbeat “Murder”!), mid-tempo grooves (disc one’s “Beyond;” disc two’s “Rule”), one-of-a-kind theatrical offerings (disc one’s “MIRAGE;” disc two’s “Winner”), and more. Even if neither of Mika’s “shows” turns out to be one’s cup of tea, “Wish” and “Look in my Eyes” are objectively commendable and the strongest examples of her voice’s and “stage” presence’s irreplicability! #75: LUCY, Childish LUCY’s desire to keep the past close at hand is reiterated through the tracklist, which includes songs from several past EPs alongside five new songs. Some of the new ones would fit right in on older LUCY projects… Read more here! #74: sumika, Honto This rock band fully embraces a “seize the day” mentality, encouraging people to make opportunities where they see none and to recognize they are often subconsciously the ones standing in their own ways. Furthermore, they show the positive ripple effects of manifesting a good time for all… Read more here! #73: KUN, KUN While this is KUN’s first all-English full-length album, permission to musically explore clearly takes precedence over mass appeal. KUN shows disinterest in a digestible demeanor, instead keeping his lyrics and sound raw and even periodically graphic. … The songs are atmosphere-setting more than scene-setting, suiting the premise of discovering his signature sound in real time… Read more here! #72: XG, THE CORE - 核 THE CORE - 核 has continuous genre and mood crossovers. There are melodic raps (like “TAKE MY BREATH”), runway-ready house and pop songs (“GALA,” “HYPNOTIZE,” “UP NOW”), brags about being in high demand and high-maintenance (“ROCK THE BOAT,” “NO GOOD”), and a soft curveball (the acoustic-guitar-led “4 SEASONS”). The other tracks speak to XG’s specific story, one that involves fictional, superhuman characters who have a human sisterhood (celebrated on an emo ode to “brothers from another mother,” “O.R.B (Obviously Reads Bro)”) and space to shine both individually and together… Read more here! #71: Jinyoung (aka PARK JINYOUNG), Said & Done Much of the past can become irrelevant, but one aspect of it that never does is love, which lies at the core of each song on Said & Done. Jinyoung starts with “And Now,” in which he sings, “I learned from my mistakes… I wanted to know / If I [could] finally face the truth / And show you what I’ve become / Now, I’m learning how to heal.” Love for others is what allows him to heal, and the other songs express his expanded capacity for loving thanks to empathy… Read more here! #70: KiiiKiii, Delulu Pack KiiiKiii’s aesthetic amalgamation brings to mind the internet culture of the aughts and of the 2020s at the same time. … Harmonies and house beats abound, as do ad libs and repetitive phrases, making this “pack” of songs cohesive yet somewhat cobbled-together. … Overall, sonically and sentiment-wise, Delulu Pack is both a time capsule and very of-the-moment. Read more here! #69: Ketsumeishi, KETSUNOPOLIS 14 [NEW REVIEW!] Everything from Ketsumeishi’s mantras to melodies contains a contagiously carefree quality. Listeners are in for a guaranteed good time, whether the ideal positive vibe is primed for an acoustic jam session (“One step,” “Wagamonotaichiyo,” “Guzenmitayuuhi,” “Egao no otonatachi”), a higher-energy celebration (“Doshiyomonaiguraini,” “HIGH JUMP,” “Power of voice”), or a resurgence of hope and light after dark times (“Naitemo Waratte,” “Kuyashiiyona”). The music proves the presence of Ketsumeishi’s inner light, and the lyrics explain what big-picture outlook keeps that light alive. They hold out hope for a more peaceful and harmonious world (“Wanokokoro”), try to take each day simply as it comes (“One step”), and choose radical acceptance regarding the speed of time (which allows them to grow from young people, aka “Wagamonotachiyo,” into “smiling adults,” aka “Egao no otonatachi”). By letting chips fall where they may, they live sans expectations. Therefore, when things go right, they see it as a pleasant surprise! These surprises include happening to catch a sunset at the ideal moment (“Guzenmitayuuhi”), getting a dopamine boost from music (“Kimito Reggaeni Tequirarete”), and addressing a snowballing emotional state with a “What are you gonna do?” attitude (“Doshiyomonaiguraini”)! This hip-hop-meets-pop act has ever-present amiability and a “just roll with it” mentality that make visiting “KETSUNOPOLIS” eternally enticing! #68: Boramiyu, clover #4 [NEW REVIEW!] The insights on clover #4 are best appreciated in the context of the preceding EPs. The songs on clover #1 address no one in particular: “Love Punch,” “Way of Love,” and so on. The EP lacks a clear sense of identity genre-wise, too, with a pop-rock first half before a slow, acoustic second half. clover #2 is ballad-inclined and emotional, as she talks to “you,” the audience: “Wish You Luck,” “Go For A Walk,” and so on. clover #3 has laid-back pop leanings, expressing contentment as she emphasizes “we” and “us” in the memories for which she is grateful: “Between Us,” “The Beautiful Story We Had,” and so on. Now, clover #4 combines the genre choices of the three previous chapters, and the focus is on “I” and “me.” The musical variety matches the message that Boramiyu is done hiding any side of herself; she is ready to use her truest voice both literally and figuratively. “Because I had to be loved / I felt like I had to be a little less of me,” she admits in “Myself vs I.” She has finally gained “the courage to be disliked,” and in “A Rare Kind of World,” she realizes the world might not be as excessively judgmental as she has convinced herself it is: “Every once in a while, the world will suddenly be kind / Filling up the love you’ve lost for so long… There was never a day when we were alone.” When she sings “I’m looking for a place to stay forever” in “Finding me,” it comes across as being less about waiting to find a “place” to feel “at home” with who she is and more about waiting to come across a “place” where she no longer feels lost. She comes to realize that “place” might actually be public, or at least not require her to hide herself out of self-consciousness. The world looks brighter as it looks less scary, and this mindset adjustment is one with which she can credit herself. The more frequently she intentionally looks for slivers of times she feels like she “sparkles” (as she puts it in “Finding me”), the higher the number of times it occurs. It seems purposeful for Boramiyu to finish this clover series with a fourth EP; her extensive introspection has led to her feeling luckier and worthier of finding a four-leaf clover! #67: AxMxP, Amplify My Way Amplify My Way is like three EPs in one. The first part follows up instrumental aggression (with the metalcore and phonk “PASS”) with verbal assertiveness (with “Too Much,” about haters only motivating the group to push themselves more). The second part includes crush-themed songs… The third part of Amplify My Way shows a sharp contrast between post-breakup outrage (“Bittersweet”) and sorrowful yearning (“Be yours”). The music videos offer another contrast… Read more here! #66: AYANE, H.E.A.R With commendable consistency and care, she presents a portrait of someone in pain yet persevering. … H.E.A.R is an intimate EP with an indie sensibility that doesn’t oversell its goal of offering confessions and comfort in those confessions’ resonance. Read more here! #65: YENA, LOVE CATCHER While it is hard to top the quirkiness of “Catch Catch,” the B-sides give it their best shots! Read more here! #64: Ha Hyun Sang, New Boat New Boat is a clear and chronological telling of Ha Hyun Sang’s recent journey. He recalls what his life has been like in recent years, and his lived experiences and seasoned voice keep the story out of the realm of the generic and forgettable. He talks about his journey using an array of approaches… Read more here! #63: Tomatomat, TOMATOMAT DOSIRAK For those who love an extra-quirky ensemble, this girl group is a winner! Their album stays true to the theme of tossed-together sounds, each song filled with different flavors and toppings! The bits and pieces are some of the best parts, from sonic textures in an interesting friction with dainty harmony layers, to sporadic piano notes and digital distortions adding to the vivid scene-setting, to the snaps of fingers and onomatopoeia that add fun frivolity onto an already-fun and PC-game-approved foundation! Read more here! #62: Karencici, Loser. Every shift — between Mandarin and English lyrics, between singing and rapping, between pop and rock inclinations, and between telling it like she sees it and telling it as she wants it to be — feels natural and spontaneous. There is a flippancy to her sonic switches that makes her natural ear for when those switches should occur all the more seemingly intuitive and impressive… Read more here! #61: Novelbright, PYRAMID With a primarily sunny disposition and a firm commitment to keeping the faith — in themselves, in their loved ones, in their futures — this rock band has something important for people from all walks of life to hear. … PYRAMID combines older and brand-new songs to show how hindsight has insights for the future, and they glean those insights through an accessible caravan metaphor. Read more here! #60: RUNG HYANG, Legassic Combining the words “Legacy” and “Classic,” this EP indeed delivers timeless appeal. This Japanese R&B artist serenades listeners with gentle rhythms and soft guitars and pianos… Read more here! #59: m-flo, SUPERLIMINAL This trio brings their sprightly nature to dance, hip-hop, and R&B genre-jumping on this 25-year anniversary project that makes the “going on a journey” premise overt… Read more here! #58: gongwon, 0 This aching indie-rock EP sustains the strengths that gongwon showed off in her previous releases. She continues to hone a personal musical path, picking up new ideas as she goes without leaving any of them entirely behind. Her always-grounded sensibility keeps her emotional state as raw as ever, and as a result, the songs have an inherent intimacy… Read more here! #57: Luli Lee, Brave New World Many musicians talk about projects that show “the real them,” but Brave New World shows the real Luli Lee to a daring and disarming degree (represented especially well during the EP’s most metal-inspired moments). This is an unflinching self-assessment that is striking in the speed with which it exposes just how surface-level one’s assertive persona can be… Read more here! #56: SOTA HANAMURA, ASCEEENSION This J-pop album channels the word “bursts” with every celebratory chorus, of which there are ample! Songs go big during the verses, too; ASCEEENSION might have an extra “E” for how energetic SOTA HANAMURA stays! The in-your-face jams are not overbearing, though, with a very fun and extreme bending and breaking of synthesizers’ and basslines’ expectations… Read more here! #55: Catch The Young, EVOLVE EVOLVE’s thematic territory — desire, hope, determination — is not new, but the band’s delivery is, and a genuine passion and sense of wonder keep listeners invested. Plus, the fact the band composed and wrote all 14 tracks themselves is worth applauding! Read more here! #54: Sakurazaka46, The growing up train (Special Edition) Offbeat analogies remain the name of this J-pop group’s game! … The group also unconventionally expresses a sense of detachment from the world around them and a related struggle to learn who they really are. … As much as The growing up train (Special Edition) stays in Sakurazaka46’s wheelhouse, there are aspects of each song that reveal evolved emotional states, ones that leave more space for ambivalence… Read more here! #53: CiON, Katsubo This band once again pairs the sounds of a live brass band with the aesthetics of a J-pop idol group. It works especially well this time, with the eclectic instrumental mix and distinct vocal flair perfectly matching the vibe of the title track, which doubles as the ending theme song for That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime! The B-sides might be less melodramatic lyrically, but instrumentally, the mentality remains “The gang’s all here”! Read more here! #52: tripleS, <LOVE&POP> pt.1 While the comparisons only go so far, <LOVE&POP> pt.1 makes a more convincing case than ever that LOONA fans ought to check out tripleS. Both groups embrace a mix of modest mood-setting and bright and glitchy digi-pop goodness, and both have music videos that span a handful of cities and scenarios and send layered messages of sisterhood and solidarity… Read more here! #51: CORTIS, GREENGREEN GREENGREEN proves the group’s point that new creative avenues are closer at hand than one thinks. A musician does not have to reinvent the wheel to make a memorable statement — as long as that artist has talent! The members of CORTIS certainly do, pulling off an image that roams somewhere between ragtag and polished. They still have the look and sound of indie artists with off-the-cuff instincts, traits that belie their A-list industry backing and glossy expectations… Read more here! Stay tuned for the rest of the countdown!
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