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!
- Gospel singers of the world. Masterpieces of gospel music, recommended popular songs.
- [Hymns] Famous hymns and sacred songs. Recommended hymns and sacred songs.
- Japanese gospel: recommended Japanese songs with a gospel-like style
- A popular song sung by a male Western music group
- Il Divo’s famous and popular songs
- [Arpeggio] Beautiful masterpieces of Western music. Exquisite guitar sounds.
- Pentatonix Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- [2026] Iconic musical numbers: from the latest releases to timeless classics!
- Masterpieces of Celtic music. Recommended Irish music.
- Ranking of popular songs by Libera, a British soprano unit
- [2026] Let's Sing at the Chorus Competition! A Roundup of Recommended Western Songs
- [2026] A Guide to Country Music: From the Latest Hits to Classic Favorites
- [Irish Folk Songs] Surprisingly Familiar Masterpieces and Standards of Ethnic Music
A cappella masterpieces: Recommended songs featuring standout beautiful harmonies [Western & Japanese] (51–60)
Hamabe no utaKraja
Kraja is a four-woman a cappella group from Sweden.
Most of their songs are in Swedish, but since they perform in Japan, they sing part of this song in Japanese.
It’s “Hamabe no Uta.” Even if you don’t understand the Swedish lyrics, their clear, angelic voices and gentle harmonies are deeply moving.
They will be performing in Japan again this year.
AfricaPerpetuum Jazzile
Perpetuum Jazzile is a long-standing choral group founded in Slovenia in 1983.
Their setup features a cappella vocals and vocal percussion.
This song is a classic by the American rock band TOTO, but it is also known for being filled with ambiguous expressions, making the lyrics difficult to interpret.
He Is ChristmasTake 6
This is a song by the American six-member a cappella group Take 6.
As Black artists, they have a distinctive sound with gospel and jazz flavors.
Their vocal ability is outstanding—cool and powerful, yet also gentle and warm—truly wonderful.
They showcase a wide range of vocal expressions.
Personally, I like them a lot.
They’re a highly accomplished, veteran group with multiple Grammy wins and have even been invited to perform at the White House.
Alone Again(Naturally)West Coast All Stars
It is an a cappella group formed by four members including former TOTO’s Bobby Kimball.
They basically do not use instruments and attempt covers of famous songs with four-part vocals.
This song is a hit by the Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan.
Don’t Worry Be HappyBobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin is an American jazz singer.
Alongside artists like Al Jarreau, he is known for his instrumental-style vocal techniques.
He sometimes adds variation to his singing by tapping his chest or cheeks while performing.
This song was created by overdubbing all parts—including rhythm and bass—using only his voice, and it reached number one on the U.S.
charts.
A Sky Full Of StarsClub For Five
This is a song by Club For Five (often abbreviated as CFF or CF5), a Finnish mixed-gender a cappella group formed in 2001.
They sing both Finnish- and English-language songs.
It’s intriguing how their music feels contemporary while also carrying a traditional vibe.
Their harmonies are exquisite.
While they are mainly active in Finland, they also perform concerts in Europe and Asia, so I think there’s a chance they may come to Japan someday.
Make Love (Sempre con te)Neri Per Caso
This is a song by an Italian male a cappella group formed in 1991.
Since many of the lyrics are in Italian, there are parts I don’t understand, but it has a fresh, bright, and fun atmosphere that somehow matches the image of Italy.
The gentle vocals and harmonies—so quintessentially a cappella—feel great.
The rhythm, which seems to play with rhyme, is also pleasing.
town/cityPermanent Fish
They are a Japanese male a cappella group based in Kobe.
Their name is said to mean “fish that keep swimming forever through the sea of voices.” Centered on a cappella, they have a wide repertoire and musicality spanning AOR-focused Western songs, Japanese covers, originals, and even songs in Korean.
GoneSmooth Ace
This is the debut single by Smooth Ace, a Japanese a cappella group formed from a Waseda University club.
It really has a ’90s vibe.
Even among songs from the ’90s, the chorus feels particularly solid.
When the original group was formed in 1991, Murakami from The Gospellers was also a member.
They were a quartet, but now the group has been reduced to two members: Okamura and Shigezumi.
OperatorThe Manhattan Transfer
This is the debut work by The Manhattan Transfer, a mixed a cappella group from the United States with two men and two women.
They’re a group that has won the Grammy Awards many times.
Formed in 1969 and re-formed in 1973, they’re true veterans.
Their sound feels jazzy yet pop, powerful and energetic, and it lifts your spirits with brightness.
The sense of rhythm is great, and once you hear it, it sticks in your ears.