[A must-listen for high school students!!] A roundup of standout tracks from trending artists

GloriousBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Glorious -Official Audio-

BE:FIRST is a boy group born from an audition program.

The song they created as the support anthem for the 102nd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament is “Glorious.” In addition to SKY-HI, who serves as the producer, member LEO also took part in writing the lyrics for this track.

They’ve successfully expressed the passion of chasing dreams with powerful words.

It’s a song that people dedicated to any pursuit—not just soccer—will surely relate to.

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yamamoto

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MainstreamBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Mainstream -Music Video-

This song, a track by BE:FIRST released in September 2023, is defined by a beat that leaves a deep impression the moment you hear it.

Beyond the commanding presence of the track from the very beginning, the razor-sharp rap and dance are incredibly compelling.

The lyrics declare they have no interest in following trends—they’re going to create them—delivering a powerful message that might be one reason for their popularity.

Although the song maintains a cool, steady progression throughout, it has a distinctive character that, once heard, lingers in your memory.

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Hane Keisuke

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SalviaBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Salvia -Lyric Video- [Netflix Anime BAKI HANMA OST]

BE:FIRST is a boy artist group that emerged from the popular audition program THE FIRST.

Their fans are called BESTY.

The song Salvia is the theme song for the popular manga Baki Hanma: The Father VS Son Saga.

If you listen to the track with the manga in mind, it sounds like a song about parental love; if you don’t know the manga, it comes across as a love song between a man and a woman.

How did it sound to you? Some fans even post the “line distribution” online showing which member sings which part—you can really feel the love for the group!

HollowBIN

hollow – BIN (Official Video)

BIN is a three-piece rock band fronted by yama—now known as a popular singer—performing under the name Yamanoue.

Their single “Hollow,” digitally released on October 18, 2023, is a solid rock tune with a satisfying groove driven by crisp guitar cutting.

The lyrics depict how hiding one’s true feelings to keep relationships smooth can backfire and lead to collapse—something that may prompt many listeners to reflect on their own surroundings.

It’s a stylish number whose emotional vocals make the message feel all the more vivid.

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Hoshino Takashi

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AmaryllisBLUE ENCOUNT

BLUE ENCOUNT 'Amaryllis' Music Video – TV anime 'MIX MEISEI STORY: To the Other Side of the Sky in Our Second Summer' Opening Theme

BLUE ENCOUNT has many message songs that powerfully cheer you on.

Their track Amaryllis is another piece that resonates with anyone striving toward their dreams and future, and it was chosen as the theme song for the anime MIX MEISEI STORY: A Second Summer, Soaring Beyond the Sky, based on Mitsuru Adachi’s original work.

It’s a perfect fit as a theme for a baseball anime, yet its lyrics also feel like an anthem supporting people who give their all every day.

The rock sound is both powerful and refreshing, leaving a lasting impression.

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utatane

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Guilty verdictBLUE ENCOUNT

BLUE ENCOUNT 'Guilty Proclamation' Music Video

“Indictment of Guilt” has also attracted attention as the theme song for the drama Lawyer Sodom.

It’s a track produced by the rock band BLUE ENCOUNT.

Featuring a distinctive, bass-heavy sound centered on the guitar, its lyrics explore the difficulty of judging good and evil.

Its appeal lies in the use of unique wording to convey a dark worldview unlike any other.

Including the title, you’ll come across unfamiliar expressions, so I hope you’ll listen while reflecting on their meanings.

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yamamoto

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Sleep Walking OrchestraBUMP OF CHICKEN

Sleep Walking Orchestra

Formed by childhood friends from kindergarten, BUMP OF CHICKEN is a four-piece rock band whose musical style has had a profound impact on the rock scene within J-POP.

Their 20th digital-only single, “Sleep Walking Orchestra,” was written as the opening theme for the TV anime Delicious in Dungeon.

Its message—teaching the value of living fully in the present even while lost in the relentless flow of time—offers support for hearts that might otherwise halt in the face of hardship.

With a richly layered ensemble that gives you a gentle push forward, it’s a dramatic anthem of encouragement.

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Hoshino Takashi

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