Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z
In the history of J-pop, countless heartbreak songs have been born.
Japanese listeners in particular tend to favor music that evokes melancholy and poignancy, so songs with heart-wrenching lyrics paired with arrangements that heighten those emotions are cherished as timeless classics across eras.
With that in mind, here we’ll introduce breakup songs sung by male artists, released roughly between 2011 and 2024—the years that likely defined Gen Z’s youth.
We’ve compiled a wide-ranging list that includes songs from a male perspective, those written from a female point of view, and even darker, more macabre takes—so don’t miss it!
Breakup songs sung by male artists that I'd recommend to Gen Z (1–10)
YouNEW!WILD BLUE
Released as their eighth single in March 2026, this song by the boy group WILD BLUE is a medium-tempo ballad written as the theme for the drama “Bad Choice, Good Love.” Its melody blends warmth with poignancy, creating a comforting number that sings about embracing regret and lingering feelings in love while finding the resolve to move forward.
It’s the kind of song many listeners will inevitably relate to their own experiences.
A work we hope you’ll listen to when you want to overcome the pain of heartbreak.
Maybe it didn’t have to be you after all.NEW!yangusukinii
A rock number by Young Skinny that puts into raw words the end of an ambiguous relationship and the self-loathing that crashes over you after a breakup.
The lyrics spun by Kayu speak not in pretty platitudes but carve out the pain of love, likely striking deep in listeners’ hearts.
Included on their major-label 1st EP, “Donna Koto ni Demo Shiawase o Kanji Rukoto ga Dekita Nara,” released in September 2023, it also drew attention as the opening theme for the drama “When the Intercom Rings.” This track rides muddy, swamp-like emotions atop a driving guitar-rock sound, promising to gently stay close to you on nights when your feelings won’t neatly add up.
It’s a must-listen for anyone caught in a restless, unsettling romance or still nursing the wounds of heartbreak.
Cinderella BoySaucy Dog
Saucy Dog is a three-piece rock band that captivates fans with lyrics depicting real, down-to-earth stories and a slightly husky high-tone voice.
The songs on their fifth major mini-album, “Lazy Sunday,” feature lyrics written from a woman’s perspective that really tug at the heartstrings.
Even amid complicated relationships, the lyrics paint scenes where feelings can’t be resisted—if you’ve been through something similar, you may find them overlapping with your own memories.
It’s a nostalgic rock tune whose dramatic arrangement accelerates its sentimental storyline.
wishsumika
A sumika song that paints a bittersweet love against a winter backdrop.
Using snow and cold as symbols, it delicately expresses the anguish and hopes of an unfulfilled love.
Released in December 2019 as part of a double A-side single, it was also chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Ossan’s Love -in the sky-.” Its pop-rock foundation is layered with warm vocals, resulting in a moving, memorable track.
It’s a number that embodies sumika’s characteristic warmth, offering comfort to those who, while burdened by the pain of heartbreak, are trying to look forward.
Blueberry Nightsmakaroni enpitsu
Macaroni Enpitsu, whose delicately crafted songs of wistfulness have won strong support especially among younger listeners, present this track from their 4th mini-album “hope,” which was also selected as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s program “Baguette” in March.
Its relaxed tempo and emotional sound underscore the pain of heartbreak and a sense of loneliness.
Written from a female perspective, the lyrics center on the helplessness of a relationship in which love is cooling and the poignancy of approaching closure, resonating deeply with listeners.
Released in February 2019, this song beautifully captures the bittersweetness and ache of youth—an utterly relatable piece.