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!
Playlist
| Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Cinderella BoySaucy Dog | play_arrow | Saucy Dog’s husky-voiced, true-to-life love |
| 2east | wishsumika | play_arrow | A winter song that portrays a heartrending love, resonating in the heart. |
| 3east | Blueberry Nightsmakaroni enpitsu | play_arrow | A classic hit by Macaroni Empitsu that captures the bittersweetness of youth. |
| 4east | asking for the moonKANA-BOON | play_arrow | KANA-BOON’s signature song that depicts a heartrending love. |
| 5east | I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci | play_arrow | A popular song by wacci that portrays a wistful, unrequited love |
| 6east | evening primroseNovelbright | play_arrow | A heartrending love song: Novelbright’s ballad with 100 million plays |
| 7east | PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism | play_arrow | A bittersweet song of unrequited love, a masterpiece that resonates with the heart |
| 8east | bookmarkkuriipuhaipe | play_arrow | A poignant cherry blossom song that symbolically expresses the emotion of parting. |
| 9east | MetronomeYonezu Kenshi | play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s poignant breakup masterpiece |
| 10east | Dried flowersYuuri | play_arrow | A song that portrays the heartrending emotions of a breakup from a female perspective |
| 11east | Happy Endingback number | play_arrow | A bittersweet love song by back number |
| 12north_east | catDISH// | play_arrow | A timeless, soul-stirring masterpiece that portrays the pain of heartbreak |
| 13south_east | Stars are falling.Senchimirimentaru | play_arrow | A heartbreaking winter ballad that sings of unrequited love |
| 14east | a May flyRADWIMPS | play_arrow | RADWIMPS's raw, emotion-baring songs |
| 15east | PerfumeEito | play_arrow | Eito’s heartbreak song that sings about memories of perfume |
| 16east | periodIshizaki Hyuui | play_arrow | A heart-resonating song by Huey Ishizaki that sings of the pain of heartbreak |
| 17east | Passing smiles, a goodbye kissA.B.C-Z | play_arrow | A poignant love song by LEGO BIG MORL |
| 18east | one grainwacci | play_arrow | A poignant ballad depicting heartbreak, tears, and emotions |
| 19east | The taste of loveneguse. | play_arrow | A heartwarming song that looks back on past love |
| 20east | NO MORE YOUA.B.C-Z | play_arrow | A song for the heart to overcome heartbreak and face forward |
| 21east | rendezvousshaitoopu | play_arrow | A heartrending song portraying the pain of heartbreak, 300 million streams |
| 22east | Pink Strawberry Chocolate FridayNumber_i | play_arrow | Bittersweet memories and scenes of a past love |
| 23east | Even though she won’t be my girlfriend anymorewacci | play_arrow | Deep empathy and deep emotion with wacci’s breakup song |
| 24east | casual speechpirafu seijin | play_arrow | Heart-touching breakup songs popular among Gen Z |
| 25east | JELLYNumber_i | play_arrow | A song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of love at the end of summer |
| 26east | Like the beginningRen | play_arrow | Singing of the end of a relationship and the bewilderment toward kindness |
| 27north_east | All My Fault Prod. Xanseiedhiii boi | play_arrow | A song that portrays the pain of heartbreak in an emotional way |
| 28south_east | You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS | play_arrow | A ballad about the pain of heartbreak |
| 29east | somedaySaucy Dog | play_arrow | A love song that portrays heartbreak and memories |
| 30east | Rainy Amusement ParkSasuke | play_arrow | A ballad depicting memories of an amusement park date and a breakup |
| 31east | Hide-and-seekYuuri | play_arrow | A ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in partner to a game of hide-and-seek |
| 32east | for a whilerikon densetsu | play_arrow | A warm ballad that comforts the pain of a broken heart |
| 33east | Winter and Springback number | play_arrow | A song by back number about getting over a broken heart |


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