[Latest/Trending] A roundup of popular Japanese songs among teens and people in their 20s

Secret GardenBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Secret Garden -Music Video-

This track, rooted in 2010s R&B and marked by a groovy, sophisticated sound, is a song by BE:FIRST produced by SKY-HI.

Created together with renowned LA producers, it seems to portray secret moments with someone special, but in fact it sings of their deep love for music itself.

The lyrics, which express respect for music through the metaphor of romance, are sure to spark the listener’s imagination.

Released in August 2025, it was also featured in a Unilever campaign.

The song is included on the single “Sora” and their first best-of album “BE:ST.” It’s an urban, mellow number that’s perfect for when you want to feel just a bit more grown-up.

Blue JeansHANA

HANA / Blue Jeans -Music Video-

Produced by Chanmina, HANA is one of today’s most talked-about girl groups.

When their debut single “ROSE” was released in April 2025, it topped the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100.

Among HANA’s songs, the one I especially recommend is their second single—the group’s first mid-tempo ballad love song.

The highlight of this track is, above all, its lyrical world.

You want to stay true to yourself like a pair of well-worn jeans, yet in front of the person you like, your confidence falters and jealousy creeps in.

It paints a picture of those bittersweet late-night feelings of love.

Many listeners will likely relate to the anxious thought of not knowing when you’ll see each other next.

It’s a stylish and emotional piece that also features a collaboration with the casual brand DIESEL.

shameless; indecentchanmina

CHANMINA – Shameless (Dance Performance Video) –

Chanmina, who draws popularity with a diverse musicality rooted in hip-hop, is an artist known for her powerful, straightforward expression.

Among her works, the title track of the acclaimed album “Harenchi” stands out for its stylish, pleasantly smooth sound.

The song portrays the instinctive exhilaration and danger of love within a languid, ennui-tinged atmosphere.

The delicate emotions hidden beneath the direct wording are sure to resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in September 2021, it was also chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s dating show “Tonari no Koi wa Aoku Mieru 3.” Draped in a sophisticated, café-ready mood, it’s the perfect track for moments when you want to feel just a bit more grown-up.

IRIS OUTYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – IRIS OUT

This is a track whose overwhelming sense of speed and dramatic development will hit you right in the heart.

Written by Kenshi Yonezu as the theme song for the film “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc,” it will be released to coincide with the movie’s premiere in September 2025.

It marks their second collaboration, following the anime’s theme song “KICK BACK.” Yonezu has shared in production anecdotes that he composed while constantly looking at the manga pages featuring Reze, which really conveys his deep affection for the character.

The powerful rhythms that color the intense battle scenes and the sound that heightens the thrilling story are especially striking.

Highly recommended for those who want to get hyped before watching the movie or for fans of anime songs.

The Story of the Wind and MeAdo

The Story of the Wind and Me [Ado]

This is a newly written track created as the theme song for the film The Silent Service: Great Battle in the Arctic Ocean, released in September 2025.

The lyrics and composition are by Hiroji Miyamoto, with arrangement by Mafumafu.

It also drew attention as Miyamoto’s first time providing a song to a female artist.

Inspired by Ado’s love of taking walks, the lyrics—paired with a lyrical sound—evoke a story woven by a gentle breeze.

From a quiet opening, the arrangement expands grandly, and her expressively rich vocals match it perfectly, conveying the preciousness of human connections.

It’s a moving ballad that deeply resonates with the epic worldview of the film.