[J-Pop] A Compilation of Songs with Awesome Drums [2026]
When you listen to music, what do you focus on?
Many people pay close attention to the melody, the lyrics, or the vocalist’s delivery, but if you’ve played drums before, don’t you naturally find your ears drawn to the drum sounds?
So in this article, for those of you who can’t help but follow the drums, we’ll spotlight tracks from the latest Japanese music where the drumming really stands out.
Of course, “cool drumming” can mean many things: songs with great groove, tracks featuring flashy fills and phrases, or pieces that seem understated but showcase subtle, refined technique.
We’ve picked out cool songs from a variety of angles, so be sure to listen with a special focus on the drum performance.
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[J-Pop] A Collection of Songs with Awesome Drums [2026] (1–10)
Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
A signature song by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, it stands out for its lively, exuberant vibe.
One notable hallmark of the band is Takao Suzuki’s drumming, which precisely weaves in technical phrases.
While the bass line often grabs attention for moving around like a lead instrument, I’d like you to focus on Suzuki’s drumming: even while fulfilling the role of a rhythm instrument, he unleashes an extraordinary number of strokes—and plays them with an infectious sense of joy.
Shine in a commonplace waykessoku bando
Despite being a fictional band born from an anime, Kessoku Band has become hugely popular, drawing in both Japanese and Western rock listeners.
Written as the opening theme for the first part of the film Bocchi the Rock! Re:—the theatrical compilation released in June 2024—this track delivers an energetic, rock-forward sound.
The lyrics leave a strong impression, portraying the complex mix of self-denial and self-affirmation while inspiring the courage to face adversity.
With a driving sound reminiscent of 2000s Japanese rock, Osamu Hidai’s drumming is especially cool—supporting the busy guitar and bass while adding dynamic contrast throughout.
The tight, detailed rhythm section provides a solid foundation for the entire track, bringing out the band’s full appeal.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to feel the struggles of youth and a burning passion for music.
early springchakura
Chakura is a four-piece band formed in 2022 that calls themselves a “recklessly headstrong rookie girls’ band.” Their candid yet sometimes heartrending lyrics told from a Gen Z perspective, paired with a straight-ahead guitar sound, have earned them a following.
Their song “Miharu,” released in February 2025, was written and composed by bassist and backing vocalist Ruru Wakita.
Each line is a complex yet encouraging message to a cherished person who left for Tokyo after graduation, making it a moving masterpiece that tugs at the heartstrings.
The sound, which evokes 2000s girls’ rock, is simple yet tightly arranged like a model example, and drummer Haya’s performance—expressing a bittersweet sense of speed with intricate touches like closed rimshots—also deserves attention.
[J-Pop] A Collection of Songs with Awesome Drums [2026] (11–20)
Without putting it into wordsSIX LOUNGE
SIX LOUNGE, a trio from Oita, continue to project a singular presence in Japan’s music scene with their unwavering, hard-edged rock sound, lyrics that exude a unique poetic sensibility, and sultry vocals.
It’s still fresh in our minds that in 2023, the song Rika, which Aiko introduced on a TV program, went viral.
Drummer Shintaro Nagamatsu, who forms one-third of this rock trio, is also known for writing the band’s lyrics.
As a CANOPUS endorser, Nagamatsu shines in arrangements tailored to a trio format, and a prime example is Kotoba ni Sezudomo, released in 2024 and used as the opening theme for the TV anime BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Conflict Arc.
Centered on a tight 8-beat, his playing is packed with tasteful, intricate fills throughout.
In particular, the fill that leads from the second verse’s B section into the chorus is a true showcase of his chops—definitely worth a listen.
Vermillionsumika
Overcoming the tragedy of guitarist Junnosuke Kuroda’s sudden passing in 2023, sumika is now energetically active as a trio.
They’re one of the indispensable groups in Japan’s mainstream music scene since the late 2010s, and it’s the eldest member, drummer Tomoyuki Arai, who underpins the band’s wide-ranging sound.
Known as a highly skilled drummer, Arai shines on the 2025 release Vermillion—a characteristically radiant pop song from sumika—by weaving in aggressive drum work throughout, creating a thrilling sense of momentum.
He delivers phrases more intense than those of many rock bands, so rock drummers should definitely take note!
one-trick ponyRyokushokushakai
Ryokuoushoku Shakai, a hugely popular band that made their major debut in the late 2010s and has been taking the scene by storm since 2020, is known for meticulously crafted ensembles backed by high-level musicianship, even when delivering accessible pop songs.
Interestingly, they’re a drumless band without a full-time drummer.
While Osamu Hidai, formerly of School Food Punishment, is often known as their support drummer, the drums on the track we’re introducing today, “Baka no Hitotsu Oboe,” are played by Hiroshi Kido.
From the intro, a technical, slap-heavy bassline explodes, and the song’s rapidly shifting structure is woven into an ensemble that’s quintessentially them.
Kido’s drumming firmly supports the overall architecture of the track while sprinkling in advanced techniques throughout, all the while generating an undeniably danceable groove—truly impressive.
Dreams!!!!NEK
Quoting their band name from the net slang “neki,” derived from “aneki” meaning a dependable older-sister figure, NEK! advocates a genre they call “slang rock.” Their debut EP EXCLAMAT!ON, released just six months after the band formed in 2024, has generated buzz, and the group is drawing attention as a new-generation girls’ rock band known for each member’s high-level musicianship.
Released in March 2025, the track Dreams!!!! is a killer tune that blends catchiness with bittersweet emotion—an instant classic that you can easily imagine igniting a live crowd and wouldn’t feel out of place as an anime theme.
Cocoro’s drumming, which uses plenty of syncopation to create a sense of speed, underpins the song with precise playing while sprinkling standout phrases throughout, such as the tight drum roll showcased in the second verse’s B section.
Drummers looking to take a step beyond a straightforward 8-beat should definitely study her approach.