Yami songs recommended for men
Men also have plenty of times when they feel broken—whether from heartbreak or setbacks at work.
This time, I’ve selected lots of Japanese “emo” songs for you to listen to in those moments.
When things are tough or frustrating, listen to these tracks and get through it.
Recommended “yami” songs for men (1–10)
Supporting Actress Syndromeback number
It’s a song that vividly portrays a hopeless love—one where the narrator, fully aware they’ll never be “the one,” continues a relationship in which they’re called on only when convenient.
Released as the B-side to back number’s 2012 single Aoi Haru and later included on the album blues, it depicts a protagonist who sarcastically acknowledges settling for an ambiguous relationship yet can’t stop the feelings that grow with every time they sleep together.
The fear that putting it into words would break everything keeps them swallowing the decisive confession, a detail that feels painfully real.
The groovy sound—highlighted by what Iyori Shimizu has called the standout bass line before the second chorus—is another draw, and the song became so beloved by fans that it even spawned a sequel, Supporting Actress Syndrome 2.
Kagerou Daysjin (shizen no teki P)
A song by Jin that carries a heartrending yet overwhelming worldview.
Within the unique setting of a time loop, its tragic story deeply shakes the listener’s heart.
Upon its release on Niconico in May 2011, it immediately sparked a huge response, garnering over 1.8 million views.
It was later included on the albums Mekakucity Days and Mekakucity Records, and has been beloved by many as one of Jin’s signature works.
This is a track I want you to hear if you feel stuck in life.
It will gently nudge you forward, reminding you that there is always hope in this world.
A self-destructive, self-centered (adolescent), self-reliant boyRADWIMPS
These lyrics show a different side from the current RADWIMPS.
In that moratorium period of changing from a child to an adult, you feel like straying from society, and you can sense the desperate feelings of young people who don’t want to be ordinary.
Give it a listen when you’re feeling self-destructive.
I don’t need friends—die.Shinsei Kamattechan
Shinsei Kamattechan is a troublemaking band that’s caused all kinds of commotion.
But their sense for songwriting is really great.
For some reason, when you try out one of their tracks, they make you feel like listening a bit more.
It’s as if they’re speaking for impulses we normally can’t put into words.
moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro
Isn’t this song one of the more well-known depressive tracks? Chihiro Onitsuka, the singer, was in the news for a while—reports of her experiencing domestic violence, suddenly wearing striking makeup, and getting tattoos.
Her nearly bare-faced makeup from this period is beautiful, too.
YukikoMidori
This is the song I listen to when I want to go wild and lose my mind! It’s perfect for when you want to scream, break things, and let loose the emotions you usually keep bottled up.
The vocalist, Goto, wears a sailor-style school uniform, but they are not a minor.
It’s hard rock/punk rock.
seamUeno Daiki
When we confront the uncertainty of memory, how much anxiety do we carry? Written by Daiju Ueno for the drama “Unmet: A Neurosurgeon’s Diary,” this piece overlaps with the struggles of a protagonist living with memory impairment.
It features a mysterious sound marked by lingering strings, and Ueno says he “challenged a kind of topline melody I wouldn’t normally use.” The lyrics carefully trace the blurry borders of the memories we all possess, the unease toward time that has vanished, and the surges of emotion we long to reclaim.
When you want to reconnect your past self with who you are now, this song will quietly stay by your side.