[Ballads] Hidden gems of Japanese music. Songs that really hit you.

LetterSHE’S

SHE’S – Letter【MV】

This is a moving song that portrays conflict and growth in human relationships through a dialogue with oneself.

Its deep melody, where poignancy and warmth coexist, and its lyrics that delicately weave subtle emotions resonate deeply with listeners.

SHE’S released the track as a digital single in October 2019, and it is also included on their album Tragicomedy.

In 2020, it was featured as the commercial song for Nintendo’s game Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the Nintendo Switch Lite.

It’s a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who wants to face the many emotions of life or who is struggling with relationships with loved ones.

hugiri

iri – hug (Music Video)

Set against a snowy world, this song captures the emotions of looking back on past memories.

Released in January 2024, it was written as the campaign song for JR SKISKI 2023–2024.

iri’s uniquely resonant voice beautifully colors the musical landscape.

The lyrics depict lost days, connections on the verge of breaking, and a heart that keeps waiting across time, showcasing iri’s poetic expressiveness.

Known for works like the album “Groove it,” iri brings a distinctive style that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

It’s a perfect track for sinking into a wistful mood or revisiting memories with someone special.

Hide-and-seekYuuri

Yuuri “Kakurenbo” Official Music Video

Yuri’s debut work, which likens a heartrending unrequited love to a game of hide-and-seek, is a soul-stirring ballad that delicately portrays loneliness and the pain of parting.

In a room left behind after his live-in girlfriend has gone, the man’s feelings—surrounded by objects that still evoke her presence—are woven together by a gentle, translucent voice.

Released in December 2019, the piece is a labor of love born from street performances following the breakup of the rock band THE BUGZY.

The warm timbre of the acoustic guitar closely follows the man’s earnest emotions.

It’s a song recommended for those who wish to soothe the pain of heartbreak—perfect for a nighttime drive or for quietly sipping a drink alone at home.