Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Heart-wrenching masterpiece songs I’d recommend to Gen Z

spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota

Tsumugu / Tota

An overwhelming sense of loss for a cherished person you can no longer meet.

Gently accompanying that aching heart are the works of Totasan, an artist drawing attention as a bedroom creator.

Released in February 2023 and included on the first album “oidaki,” this piece sparked a major reaction, even reaching No.

1 on the USEN HIT SNS rankings.

Its poetic worldview—overlaying delicate, shifting emotions onto natural scenes like the sky and wind—leaves a strong impression.

While wishing for the other person’s happiness, the fierce longing to meet them once more creates a painful inner conflict that tightens your chest just by listening.

Even amid sorrow, the resolve to weave hope for tomorrow is sure to move your heart.

As a personSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “As a Person” LIVE MV

A four-piece rock band, SUPER BEAVER, whose unadorned, piercing messages and straightforward rock sound have won strong support especially among younger listeners.

This track, included on their fifth album “27,” was chosen as the opening theme for the TV drama “Sono ‘Okodawari,’ Watashi ni mo Kure yo!!” Even while acknowledging human nature and diversity, it asks how you yourself want to live.

That message can point you toward a clear path when you’re worn out by relationships or unsure of who you are.

It’s a powerful rock number that gives you strong support when things are so hard you feel like crying.

I miss youRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Aitai

Released in March 2021, this song expresses the feelings held at the 10-year milestone since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Placed at the end of the album “2+0+2+1+3+1+1 = 10 years 10 songs,” it conveys a pure longing to see someone—an emotion only RADWIMPS, who have continued singing for a decade, could capture.

It is a ballad whose quiet, emotive melody seeps into the heart, carrying thoughts for loved ones we can no longer meet.

Beyond being a prayer for those lost in the disaster, it also resonates with the sense of distance and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving voice to the universal ache of “not being able to see someone.” It’s a song that gently stays by your side when you feel the loneliness of being apart from someone dear.

leap day personRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Leap Day Person [Official Music Video]

Written by RADWIMPS in March 2022 as the theme song for the film “The Last 10 Years,” this piece portrays the love of two people confronting a finite life.

In lyrics crafted by Yojiro Noda after thoroughly studying the screenplay, he tenderly conveys how miraculous and irreplaceable a loved one’s presence is.

The heartfelt wish to keep living together—even if it meant giving away half of one’s own life—deeply moves us.

Beginning with a piano melody and gradually unfolding into a gentle orchestral arrangement, the song fills the heart with both wistfulness and warmth.

It is a profoundly resonant love song meant for everyone who holds someone dear.

I’ll forget the taciturn you of October.aratayo

Atarayo - Forgetting You, the Quiet One in October (Music Video)

A story that begins with words of farewell, this song portrays the end of a relationship with a partner who has grown distant and silent.

Released in March 2021 by the emotional rock band Atarayo, it later appeared on the EP Before Dawn and the full album In the Polar Night, the Moon Remains Silent.

Carefully expressing the feelings of two people who couldn’t overcome their stagnation, the track racked up astonishing views on YouTube and helped bring the band into the spotlight.

The male–female vocal interplay in the final section is deeply moving, resonating with listeners through the pain of “If we had never met, I wouldn’t have had to suffer this much.” It’s a song that will gently stay by your side when you’ve gone through a breakup or want to reflect on time spent with someone precious.

tear(s)Marushii

Marcy – Tears (Official Music Video)

A love ballad that portrays the ache of heartbreak in stark contrast to the dazzling summer sun.

It’s a work released in August 2025 by the rock band Marcy, known for down-to-earth lyrics that resonate.

Memories of love told in the past tense and words detailing feelings that will never reach their destination shake the listener’s heart.

Skillful metaphors—like the pain of memories lingering as sensations in the body and a future that was never opened—reflect the protagonist’s earnest emotions and are sure to bring tears.

The song is slated to be included on their third original album, set for release in November 2025, which will also feature Aozora, the theme song for the film “Youth Gestalt Collapse.” It’s a track you’ll want to listen to quietly on nights when you want to immerse yourself in unforgettable memories of love.

rendezvousshaitoopu

rendezvous

Released by Shitope in April 2023, this work is a song that vividly captures the emotions of a man right after a breakup.

With relatable yet distinctive metaphors—like losing his appetite and finding that even cream-filled bread has no taste—it sharply highlights the pain of separation.

The languid, sweet vocals and expansive choral work resonate as if enveloping the bittersweet ache of heartbreak.

It topped Spotify’s Viral Chart and has surpassed 300 million total streams.

It’s a track that deeply comforts those who have just lost someone precious and are not yet ready to accept reality.