Masterpieces to Listen to in January: New Year-Themed, New Year-Ready, and Winter Songs

New YearRepezen Chikyuu

Repezen Chikyu – 56th Single「Happy New Year」

When New Year’s comes around, don’t you go visit your grandparents or get together with relatives? And the best part of those gatherings is—you know what I’m talking about—otoshidama (New Year’s money).

This song humorously and outrageously sings about the desire to get lots of otoshidama, and it’s called “Oshōgatsu” by the rambunctious DJ group Repezen Chikyū.

It’s the kind of track that might pump you up from the very start of the year.

STARTJUN SKY WALKER(S)

JUN SKY WALKER(S) – START

When we welcome a new year, we’re filled with a fresh mindset and energy, aren’t we? Some couples may take this opportunity to set new goals.

For those two, I’d like to recommend JUN SKY WALKER(S)’s “START.” It’s a guiding song that gives a supportive push to couples who want to try something different from last year or step into a new life stage as the new year begins.

It’s a punk number that fuels you with the power to charge ahead without wavering!

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Kado(guchi) Shichigatsu

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Do you want to build a snowman?Ana to Yuki no Joou

Do you want to build a snowman?

“Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” is, as everyone knows, a song from Frozen.

The scene where Anna invites her sister Elsa to come play was imitated by many children.

Since the lyrics follow the story, the latter part is actually a bit melancholy.

Even when you’re with family, your feelings can be out of sync, right? It’s a song that encourages you in those moments.

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Tani Satoko

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Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN "Snow Smile"

Speaking of BUMP OF CHICKEN’s winter songs, this is one you mustn’t forget! Just like in the lyrics, I bet many guys have put her left hand into their right pocket before.

Plus, January often means spending long hours outdoors for things like New Year shrine visits, so it might be the perfect season to copy what the song describes.

The scenes of walking together also overlap with the lyrics, which is why this is a song you want to listen to in this season.

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Hane Keisuke

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White Winter Love。haji→

Hajime → White Winter Love.

Hajime’s third single, “White Winter Love,” is a winter song about the pain of unrequited love.

It’s a male-perspective ballad that layers his feelings over the falling snow.

Keeping unspoken feelings inside is painful, isn’t it? This is a love song that speaks to those unforgettable romances that resurface in unguarded moments.

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Tani Satoko

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milk teaFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – milk tea (Full ver.)

When the season turns sharply cold and you long to hear a warm, gentle voice, I recommend this song.

It’s great for those mornings when it’s hard to get out of bed, or for chilly nights when the covers just won’t warm up, listening in a dark room.

And of course, it’s also perfect to listen to together with someone special.

New Year’s gift (money given to children)yunikōn

UNICON “New Year’s Gift (Otoshidama)”

A Unicorn track that gently captures the excitement of the New Year.

It was included as the B-side to the single “Yuki ga Furu Machi,” released in December 1992, and its warm melody—imbued with prayers for the coming year—strikingly contrasts with the A-side’s year-end scenes.

The lyrics softly express the New Year’s unique sense of sanctity and the wish for a good year, evoking peaceful images of ringing in the year.

The refreshing arrangement—featuring a variety of instruments like accordion and banjo—feels especially pleasant.