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

MOONHimuro Kyosuke

KYOSUKE HIMURO 『MOON』（TOUR 1993 “L’ EGOISTE”）

It’s included on the 1991 album “Higher Self.” Born in 1950, a singer-songwriter from Gunma Prefecture.

With a melancholy melody like walking under the moonlight and piano tones that could make you cry in the background, Himuro’s emotional singing pierces deep into your heart and won’t let go.

Forget-me-notOzaki Yutaka

Yutaka Ozaki – Forget-me-not (Official Music Video)

It’s included on the 1985 album “From the Broken Door.” Born in 1965, a singer-songwriter from Tokyo.

The melody that fades in with the intro and quietly leads into the chorus eventually bursts into flame at the hook.

The lyrics, which sing of love with her, are filled with words quintessentially Ozaki, and they sink deep into the heart.

Still love her (Lost Scenery)TM NETWORK

TM NETWORK / 「Still Love Her（from LIVE Blu-ray / DVD TM NETWORK 30th 1984〜 QUIT 30 HUGE DATA）」

It’s included on the 1988 album “CAROL ~A DAY IN A GIRL’S LIFE 1991~.” It was used as the ending theme for the anime City Hunter 2.

The group is a three-member music unit from Tokyo formed in 1983.

The melody flows by like passing scenery; it’s a beautiful song that, while you listen, somehow leaves you with a sense of loss.

belovedRyokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai / Sweetheart

Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s “Omoibito” is marked by a gentle piano intro.

Released in 2019 as the theme song for the film “Love’s Lost Time,” it’s a masterpiece that delicately captures their emotions.

Every word woven into the lyrics carries deep affection, and its soothing warmth strikes a chord with listeners.

Continuing to move many hearts through live performances as well, this song will surely keep spreading as one of Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s signature ballads.

Haruko Nagaya’s soaring, radiant vocals blend with Issei Kobayashi’s delicate yet powerful guitar work, wrapping listeners in kindness.

A song of gratitude to someone you love, it may prompt you to reaffirm your feelings for the person who matters most to you.

equalOfisharu Higedan Dism

equal

Official HIGE DANDism is a beloved national band known for their refreshing, emotionally resonant songs.

Their track “Equal,” included on the 2017 mini-album “Report,” captivates listeners and won’t let go.

While delving deeply into people’s values and ways of life, it conveys the message that everyone is equally important.

Satoshi Fujihara’s soul-stirring vocals and delicate piano melodies work like magic on the listener’s emotions.

The choral work in this piece carries a wish for happiness and celebrates the value of equality.

Overflowing with warmth, this song seems to bring calm to our restless daily lives, and as a pre-major-debut work, I consider it a hidden gem.

I recommend listening to it on a long, quiet night in a peaceful room when you’re seeking comfort.

verbal promiseiScream

iScream “Verbal Promise” (Music Video)

With its unforgettable melody and heartfelt lyrics, iScream’s “Kuchiyakusoku” grips listeners’ emotions.

As the lead track on their second album “Selfie,” released January 17, 2024, it speaks for women’s delicate sensitivity while portraying a sincere, slightly bittersweet love in a ballad.

The acoustic production stands out, shaping the song into a narrative-driven piece.

Among the 14 tracks on the album, it’s especially moving, and the music video—featuring a performance by RUI—also deserves attention.

Be sure to take your time and savor iScream’s warm, emotive ballad.

indigoSukima Suichi

Sukima Switch “Indigo” Live at Asylum Chapel (South London) / SUKIMASWITCH Ai Live at Asylum Chapel (South London)

Starting with a wistful guitar phrase in the intro, “Ai (Indigo)” is a signature ballad by Sukima Switch that portrays the frustration and heartache of love.

Behind its creation lay the struggle of an incredible ten rewrites.

Even long after its 2006 release, the song hasn’t faded with time, continuing to captivate listeners.

While it has long been a fan favorite, a 2023 re-arranged version by Seiji Kameda also drew attention.

The lyrics delicately put into words a tangle of complex emotions, vividly conveying the conflicts of love that almost everyone experiences at least once.

The title is also a clever wordplay on “ai” meaning both “love” and “indigo,” a hallmark of Sukima Switch’s refined sensibility.

It’s a song you’ll want by your side on nights weighed down by sadness and loneliness.