You my have heard of the K-pop phenomena – but what about the many J-pop groups that are taking over online? The tag "J pop" has had 107.6 million views in TikTok, so it's safe to say it's an internet sensation.
Many of these J-pop groups are formed as “idol groups”, which are a key part of Japanese pop culture. Members of these groups are primarily singers but also have training in acting, dancing, and modelling. Talk about quadruple threats!
Basically, it proves she can do anything.
They span many different sounds, with some groups focusing on electro pop, and others on heavier metal vibes. Either way, they're a pretty big deal and are well worth adding to your playlist to mix things up.
Here are the nine best J-pop bands.
Morning Musume
Forming as the fruits of a Japanese contest in the ‘90s, Morning Musume is like a rotating door of teen talent. Since its creation in 1997, there have been over 40 band members as they are replaced once they hit their twenties. Wild. But get this: the new members are selected by the fans. Talk about being invested in the music! Their sound is very much pop/dance vibes, and their band name translates to “morning daughters”, referring to their young age.
Perfume
Check out this pop trio from Hiroshima whose first nationwide single back in 2003 was called Sweet Donuts. So much fun. Their inspirations include bubblegum pop, techno and house and they're predominantly known for their hypnotic dance routines and futuristic sounds.
BABYMETAL
Want to find out what happens when J-pop meets heavy metal? BABYMETAL is your answer. They reportedly coined the term kawaii-metal, translated as “cute” metal. The main MO is the innocent (but arguably deadly) mixture of heavy metal sounds with sweeter-sounding lyrics, a highlight being their standout track Gimme Chocolate!!.
AKB48
Named after the Akihabara area of Tokyo where their theatre is located. Said theatre is important here, as the band's producer wanted them to be known as “idols you can meet”, so the idea is that they perform regularly at their own theatre where fans can find and interact with them easily. They are the fifth best-selling girl group worldwide.
One OK Rock
These guys are the J-rock side of J-pop – they formed back in their school days, not off the back of a nationwide contest, and started their own agency back in 2021. Partially inspired by Linkin Park, they're a bit of a departure from the electric, bubblegum pop vibes of many J-pop bands. Check them out.
XG
With a name standing as an acronym for Extraordinary Girls, XG are a seven-member girl band standing for and singing about empowerment. The message of their debut track Tippy Toes is to “defy stereotypes and create new power structures”. They jumped straight into the music scene in South Korea, taking K-pop, as well as J-pop by storm. You go, girls.
Yoasobi
Set to perform at this year's Coachella Festival, this duo are really and truly going places. Making their way through the Japanese music scene over the last five years, Yoasobi consists of songwriter Ayase and vocalist Ikura.
They became an overnight hit and social media sensation with their first single Yoru ni Kakeru, which topped both the singles and Billboard Hot 100 chart in Japan. It was also the first Japanese song to hit more than 700 million streams, becoming the country's most streamed song in five years at the time. A big deal.
Nogizaka 46
These guys were formed back in 2011 as the first official rival idol group of AKB48. Can we request a dance off? Much like many of the J-pop bands, they often re-recruit: as of August 2023, Nogizaka46 has had 36 members. They've released 28 singles and five compilation albums and have been the subject of a series of documentaries. Serious star power.
Scandal
This rock quartet were literally discovered on the streets while performing a concert, having formed back in 2006. Just last year, they were even listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest active female rock band with the same members. They've dropped many animé tracks, spanning pop punk, garage rock and alt-rock and pop vibes.
