I want to hear more than just the classics! Hidden gems of winter songs

Winter TaleNEW!Ketsumeishi

Ketsumeishi “Winter Story”

It’s a four-on-the-floor dance number by Ketsumeishi that lets you feel both the exhilaration of snowboarding and the wistfulness of winter at the same time.

Released as a single in November 2007, it made waves as their first winter-themed song.

Also included on the album Ketsunopolis 6, this track’s comfortable beat heightens the thrill of the glide.

The lyrics layer images of falling snow over memories of a past love, and RYOJI’s melodies sink deep into the heart.

It’s not just sad—there’s a warm sense of hope that makes it truly lovely.

Perfect for gazing at snowy scenery from the lift or carving down the slope in rhythm.

Give it a listen as BGM to color your memories on the slopes.

SNOW SOUNDNEW![Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – SNOW SOUND (MV)

A winter song that turns the season’s chill into instant heat, fusing a sense of speed with dazzling digital sounds.

[Alexandros]’s signature piercing high-tone vocals ring warmly through the cold air.

Widely praised as one of the band’s finest love songs, it captivates with a bittersweet yet romantic worldview.

Released in February 2017 as their 14th single, it drew major attention as the theme for JR East’s “JR SKISKI” commercial.

Perfect for winter drives or gliding across snow-covered slopes.

If you ride the rhythmic groove while you ski, you’re in for an exhilarating rush.

BreathNEW!Laputa

Breath – Laputa

Laputa, a flagship band of the Nagoya-kei subgenre that steadfastly upheld its own aesthetics in the ’90s visual kei scene.

The winter scenery they depict goes beyond a mere seasonal song, coexisting with taut tension and beauty.

Released as a single in January 1999, this work also reached living rooms as the opening theme of the TV program “Rank Kingdom.” True to its title, within a worldview where even “breath” seems to freeze white, the interplay of aki’s heartrending, piercing vocals and Kouichi’s meticulous guitar work can only be described as art.

Also included on the album “Sho ~Kakera~ Hadaka,” it remains beloved by fans as a signature number from the band’s later period.

It’s a winter masterpiece that lingers in the history of ’90s visual kei, the kind you’ll want to listen to alone on a frigid winter night, sinking into the silence and its profound afterglow.

Winter TaleNEW!Murashita Kōzō

Winter Tale

A hidden gem by Kozo Murashita that lyrically captures the chill felt on a late autumn street corner and the void left by a love that has ended.

It’s a ballad included as the B-side to the single “Odoriko,” released in August 1983, and also featured on that year’s acclaimed album “Hatsukoi ~Asaki Yume Mishi~.” Though it never had a notable tie-in, the lyrics—evoking images like a clock tower and fallen leaves—and Murashita’s warm vocals quietly settle into the listener’s heart.

Eschewing flashy production in favor of an acoustic resonance that seeps in, this piece is perfect for a cold winter night when you want to sit alone with your memories.

Its bittersweet yet beautiful story may gently wrap your chilled heart in warmth.

Whispers of WinterGusokumuzu

Gusokumuzu – Winter's Whisper (Official Music Video)

Gusokumuzu is a four-piece rock band based in Kichijoji, Tokyo.

They’ve been drawing a lot of attention, including being selected for the 2022 CD Shop Awards.

From their second album, “Cheerful Holiday,” I’d like to introduce the song “Whisper of Winter.” It depicts the scene of a beautiful snowy night and the bittersweet drama of lovers.

Its hallmark is a mellow melody paired with soulful vocals.

Pay attention to the meaning of the title as you listen.

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My Desire ～Beyond Winter～NEW!Sing Like Talking

My Desire ~Beyond Winter~

A single by SING LIKE TALKING, a band that carved out a unique place with a sophisticated AOR sound.

With powerful lyrics that feel like pushing through the winter cold and a vibrant, popping rhythm, this song is also known as a tribute to TOTO’s legendary drummer, Jeff Porcaro.

Released in 1992, it became widely known as the theme for Nissan’s Largo commercial.

It’s included on the acclaimed album ENCOUNTER, which topped the Oricon charts, and can be considered a number that symbolizes the band’s golden era.

It carries a soaring warmth that thaws even the iciest season, making it perfect for winter drives.

Chikuzen Sato’s expansive vocals are sure to give you the courage to turn even the cold wind into an ally.

Almost to the parkNEW!THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS

Koen e Ato Sukoshi

This is a winter classic by THE MAD CAPSULE MARKET’S, pioneers of punk and loud rock who have earned high acclaim overseas.

Featured on their masterpiece PARK, released in October 1994, the song offers a lyrically rich worldview that contrasts with their intense image.

Its waltz-like 3/4 rhythm and singing, melodic bass line are striking, vividly evoking the frozen air of a winter morning, white breath, and misty landscapes.

Though not released as a single, it was later included on the best-of album 1990-1996 and has continued to be cherished by fans as an important early track.

If you listen to it while strolling through a park in the cold wind, you might find yourself wrapped in a unique blend of nostalgia and bittersweet emotion.