[J-Pop] A compilation of popular songs with irresistible guitar cutting [2026]
Cutting is a guitar technique that mixes rests and brushing within the strum to produce a crisp, snappy sound.
That chaka-chaka tone feels great, doesn’t it?
If you’re into guitar, you’ve probably tried it at least once.
In this article, we’ve put together a list of popular Japanese songs that feature cutting!
From the latest buzzworthy tracks to classic hits, we’ve selected a wide range of Japanese music across various genres—funk tunes, city pop, pop, and even gritty garage rock.
Guitarists, this is a must-check!
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[J-Pop] A Collection of Popular Songs with Irresistible Guitar Cutting [2026] (21–30)
Baby who doesn’t danceodoru! disuko muromachi
A track by Odoru! Disco Muromachi, a six-piece funk band from Kyoto that’s been drawing attention with funky songs rooted in Black music and a band sound that emphasizes live instrumentation.
The light, 16-beat–driven ensemble and soulful vocals are cool, aren’t they? The guitar’s rhythmic comping, which stands out despite the sparse note count, showcases a different kind of guitar appeal than flashy technique.
Paired with a soulful solo, it’s an emotional funk number that lets you savor the guitar sound.
ASAYAKECASIOPEA
A four-piece band, CASIOPEA, which has been a driving force in Japan’s jazz-fusion scene since their formation in 1977.
This track is included on their second album, “Super Flight,” and is known as one of the band’s signature numbers.
The catchy guitar cutting lingers in your ears and creates a refreshing feel to the song.
With a sound that can be perceived as both backing and melody, it’s a pleasant piece that lets you appreciate the depth of the cutting technique.
[J-Pop] A Compilation of Popular Songs with Irresistible Guitar Cutting [2026] (31–40)
To be happyFLYING KIDS
The debut single by FLYING KIDS, a nine-member funk band formed in the band circle at Tokyo Zokei University that went on to release numerous smash hits.
The song—both their debut and signature track—won the Best Song Award and the Jury’s Special Award at the public event “Kagayaku! Nihon Ikaten Taisho,” a spin-off of the popular variety show segment “Miyake Yuji’s Ikasu Band Tengoku” on Heisei Meibutsu TV.
Its emotionally charged arrangement evokes soul music, with crisp, seamlessly blended guitar comping that feels so good.
It’s a standout number featuring funky yet soulful guitar tones—an ageless sound that lingers in your ears even as the years go by.
Waitress, Waitress![Alexandros]
![Waitress, Waitress![Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HKWWZKKzRQ4/sddefault.jpg)
An early [Alexandros] track whose opening section pushes acoustic guitar cutting prominently to the forefront, evoking a distinctly South American passion.
The guitar work is highly rhythmic, and the interplay with the drums and bass is fascinating.
The electric guitar parts are technical and brimming with ideas and techniques, featuring arrangements that set it apart from conventional Japanese rock.
FrisbeeBRADIO
A three-piece rock band, BRADIO, whose name is a coined word formed from the initials of an English phrase meaning “Add images of wonderful time and space to the everyday world to bring positive change.” This track was used as the opening theme for the music show Buzz Rhythm 02 and is included on the album THE VOLCANOES – EP -.
The arrangement shows influences from Black music, and the single-note guitar cutting—occasionally intertwined with a wah—sounds cool.
It’s a funky number with a comfortable backing that supports the soulful vocals, letting you enjoy a stylish guitar sound.
Get WildTM NETWORK
This is the 10th single by TM NETWORK, a three-member music unit that dominated the J-POP scene from the 1980s to the 1990s with a stylish pop sound centered on then-rare synthesizers and samplers.
Written specifically as the ending theme for the TV anime City Hunter, the song’s driving, urban arrangement became a massive hit alongside the series.
The light, snappy cutting phrase played in the B section stands out with a clear presence, even within an ensemble led by synthesizers.
It’s a classic that reaffirms the unique sounds only a guitar can express.
I hold a grudge.Zainichi Fanku
A seven-piece funk band, Zainichi Funk, is on a mission to reappraise the funk sound that traces back to James Brown—known by nicknames like “The Godfather of Soul.” This track, used in the Bathclin “Incent Scalp Gnocchi” commercial, is included on their third album, Warau na.
While the comedic lyrics and catchy melody may steal your attention, the funky guitar chopping heard throughout injects both drive and tension into the ensemble.
It’s a track whose powerful impact becomes addictive, letting you truly feel the cool essence of funk.