[Hidden Gem] Japanese Songs You'll Want to Share with Someone Right Now

teddy bearHamasaki Ayumi

Ayumi Hamasaki – teddy bear (ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2009-2010 A ~Future Classics~)

It’s a song included on Ayumi Hamasaki’s third album “Duty,” released in 2000.

As an original album, it sold about 2.9 million copies and ranked second on the 2000 year-end chart.

The lyrics are said to have been written with thoughts of the father she parted from in her childhood.

carpaimyon

Carp

Koi is a heartbreak song themed around the proverb “the one that got away.” It was included on singer-songwriter Aimyon’s 2019 single Harunohi, a release that cemented her nationwide popularity.

Set to a lively ska-style beat, its acoustic guitar and synth tones ring out.

The lyrics portray the sorrow of not ending up with the one you love, depicting someone facing an unbearable reality alone.

With its rhythmic band arrangement contrasted by her emotional vocals, it’s a hidden gem.

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mutō

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lilacBLANKEY JET CITY

BLANKEY JET CITY / Lilac

Lilac opens with dry, percussive guitar strokes.

It’s a track released by BLANKEY JET CITY in 1993.

The band’s sound, infused with surf rock and blues, offers a flavor distinct from punk that relies on sheer force alone.

While it’s undeniably noisy punk rock, the hard-boiled worldview conveyed in the lyrics and the sound together create a certain adult sophistication.

If you’re drawn to the vibe of a seedy downtown nightlife, this song is sure to hook you.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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MAJICdawgss

MAJIC

If you’re looking for calm, stylish Japanese music, I recommend “MAJIC.” It’s a track by the unit dawgss, composed of bassist-vocalist Sota Morimitsu and drummer Shunsuke Uehara, included on their first album INORI, which was released on CD exclusively at Tower Records in 2023.

You’ll be enchanted by the laid-back band ensemble.

The soothing atmosphere, which even has a touch of healing, feels comfortable, and the lyrics—gently layered over the music—are encouraging.

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KEI

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On the night when the stars disappearedAimer

Aimer 'On the Night the Stars Disappeared'

A song by Aimer, a female singer whose emotional, husky voice has earned high acclaim in Japan and abroad.

It’s included on her 5th single, RE:I AM EP, and was also featured in 2022 as the title track of the compilation album “Hoshi no Kieta Yoru ni” (On the Night the Stars Disappeared).

The transparent, airy ensemble and heartrending melody that evoke the title have a soothing quality that makes you want to keep listening.

With lyrics that seem to stand by you through everyday worries and stress, it’s a dreamy ballad that gently heals the heart.

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Hoshino Takashi

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fingertipsGRAPEVINE

GRAPEVINE – Fingertips

A 2012 track by GRAPEVINE that has captivated rock fans since their debut with a brilliantly original, genius sound.

It’s a slow-tempo rock number with a worldview that departs from conventional rock.

This blues-tinged masterpiece even evokes a sense of seasonality, reminding you that rock isn’t only about speed and glitz.

Poem of HappinessUru

[Official] Uru “Song of Happiness” YouTube ver. - Insert Song for the drama “Frankenstein’s Love”

Speaking of Uru, she’s a singer-songwriter with an irresistibly beautiful, translucent voice.

While the theme songs “Anata ga Iru Koto de” for the drama “Theseus no Fune” and “Prologue” for “Chugakusei Nikki” have been drawing attention, she had wonderful songs even before that.

This particular track was used as an insert song for the 2017 drama “Frankenstein no Koi.” With its notably simple structure and slow-tempo ballad style, it’s a song that really lets you savor the beauty of her voice—her greatest charm.

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Hane Keisuke

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