“The 18th CD Shop Awards 2026” has released its nominee list for 2025! The albums were chosen by CD shop staff from across Japan to highlight releases that caught their discerning ears. The albums nominated were released between 12/1/24 – 11/30/25.
In March, the awards will be given out. There will be two main awards. The first will be the “red” award, which goes a to “god-level” album that can be listened to again and again. The second will be the “blue” award, which goes to an album by a new artist that is highly recommended to customers.
Check out the nominated albums below!
Red Award
Aoba Ichiko – Luminescent Creatures
Creepy Nuts – LEGION
Southern All Stars – THANK YOU SO MUCH
TOMOO – DEAR MYSTERIES
Hi-STANDARD – Screaming Newborn Baby
Perfume – Nebula Romance Part II
B’z – FYOP
Yumi Matsutoya – Wormhole / Yumi AraI
RADWIMPS – Anew
Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Channel U
ONE OK ROCK – DETOX
Blue Award
kurayamisaka – kurayamisaka yori ai wo komete
Chappo – a one & a two
jo0ji – Aeka
Suzuki Mikikozu – Abara
tuki. – 15
NEE – Saisei Kanou
Nikon – fragile Report
Hammer Head Shark – 27℃
Paledusk – PALEDUSK
Voodoo Club – 暴動遊戯
muque – DOPE!
