A cappella masterpieces: Recommended songs where beautiful harmonies shine (Western and Japanese music)
A cappella that highlights beautiful harmonies.
Do you have any favorite a cappella groups or songs?
Overseas, there are various groups like Pentatonix at the forefront, as well as Home Free and VoicePlay.
In Japan, there are The Gospellers and Little Glee Monster, who have collaborated with Pentatonix.
One of the charms of a cappella is enjoying that perfectly synchronized, almost telepathic breathing and timing!
A cappella that can move you or lift your spirits.
I’ll be introducing some outstanding a cappella masterpieces from both Japan and abroad!
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A cappella masterpieces: recommended songs that highlight beautiful harmony [Western and Japanese] (21–30)
ForeverGosuperāzu
This is a song by The Gospellers, a Japanese a cappella group known to everyone.
Formed out of an a cappella club at Waseda University, The Gospellers really stand out within J-Pop.
Above all, their vocal prowess is incredible.
The harmonies in their beautiful ballads resonate in your chest.
Their smooth, soaring vocals are wonderful.
They seem to be beloved by a wide range of generations.
The First NoelPentatonix
Many of you may already know the original song, which comes from the traditional English Christmas carol “The First Nowell / The First Noel.” Pentatonix focuses on a cappella harmonies, making both the lead melody and the harmony parts easy to hear, and their singing seems to flow straight into the heart.
Some of you might be practicing a cappella for the Christmas season, right? Since a cappella relies on singing in perfect sync, I think it’s best to memorize the lyrics completely.
Of course, singing it solo at karaoke also creates a great atmosphere! Rather than singing it in a flowing manner, if you deliver each phrase carefully and with feeling, it becomes a very compelling piece—so sing it with confidence!
Daft PunkPentatonix
This is a song by the American a cappella group Pentatonix.
They’ve even toured Japan, so they’re probably well-known here too.
As the title suggests, it has a punk-ish vibe.
It’s a 2013 track by a young group formed in 2011, and it feels very modern and distinctly American.
I imagine they’re hugely popular with young people around the world.
What’s amazing about Pentatonix is their beats—you can’t help but wonder, “Are they really producing all of this with just human voices?” Their mixed-gender vocals are another hallmark.
The vocal range within a single song is wide, making it hard to imitate, and the level of quality that only Pentatonix can achieve is truly impressive.
Over The RainbowVOX ONE
This is Vox One, a mixed a cappella group from the United States.
The alto is Yumiko Matsuoka from Japan, and she formed the group with her colleagues at Berklee College of Music.
The song is the classic “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.
They’re a powerhouse ensemble led by people who teach at their alma mater.
Their vocal ability is remarkable, and it reminds me again how amazing humans are to be able to express a piece like this without using instruments.
Disney MedleyAlex G & Peter Hollens
Both Alex G and Peter Hollens are American singer-songwriters.
This medley features a succession of beloved Disney classics, starting with the theme song from The Lion King.
Remarkably, no instruments are used at all; everything besides the lead vocals—chorus and percussion alike—is performed entirely with their two voices.
DannyBoyVOX ONE
They are an American a cappella group.
All five members are graduates of Berklee College of Music, and they are said to be actively involved in mentoring the next generation, including teaching at their alma mater.
This song is an Irish folk ballad that poignantly expresses a parent’s feelings for a son going off to war, and it has been covered by artists across many genres.
Happy GateLittle Glee Monster
This is a song by Little Glee Monster (aka “Littleguri”), a Japanese female a cappella group well-known from Sony Sonpo’s commercials.
I love this song too, but the lyrics from the Sony Sonpo ads are what stick in my head.
It has a bright, fun, pop vibe that makes you feel like you want to jump right in.
The beauty of the female harmonies really shines through even in a pop context.
While their path is a bit different from typical idol groups, it’s hard to deny there are idol-like elements in Japan.