[Yutori Generation] Stylish, Youthful Anthems You'll Want to Listen To
For those born between 1987 and 2004—the so-called Yutori generation—music is synonymous with youth.
As listening habits shifted from CDs to streaming, iconic J-rock and J-pop songs helped shape a uniquely stylish culture through the streets, cafes, and social media.
Do you remember that song tied to your memories from back then? In this article, we’ll introduce tracks the Yutori generation encountered during their formative years—songs that still exude a chic vibe and continue to be loved today.
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- It cleanses the soul… Great J-pop songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Bittersweet feelings come rushing back! Recommended love songs for the Yutori generation
- Masterpieces that color the hot season! Summer songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Recommended for the Yutori generation! Tear-jerking masterpieces from the J-pop scene
- Memories come flooding back! Graduation songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Songs that move you to tears from the Yutori generation: Japanese music that shakes the soul
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- Just by listening, you’ll feel braver! Cheer songs recommended for the Yutori generation
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[Yutori Generation] Stylish, Youthful Classics You’ll Want to Listen To (11–20)
PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism
A masterpiece that will go down in J-pop history, its lyrics grippingly portray the inner conflict of “I’m not worthy” in love and the unfulfilled wish that perhaps, in another timeline, they might have ended up together.
This song catapulted Official HIGE DANDism to stardom and was released as their second single in May 2019.
Written as the theme song for the film The Confidence Man JP, it also drew attention for its worldview, said to be inspired by Satoshi Fujihara’s favorite anime, STEINS;GATE.
Its bittersweet yet beautiful piano melody can lend a dramatic, stylish touch to a sunset drive or a quiet café moment alone.
Immerse yourself in the vocals that affirm the pain of unrequited love as a form of beauty.
Theory of evolutionRADIO FISH
This is a hidden gem by RADIO FISH, a dance and vocal unit formed around the comedy duo Oriental Radio.
Using biological survival competition as a motif, the lyrics pierce the heart with a call for resolve and self-reinvention to survive in today’s harsh society.
The electro beat and exhilarating, fast-paced sound will have your body moving before you know it.
Released as a single in April 2017, the track also aired in households nationwide as the song for Lotte’s ACUO commercial.
If you listen to it in moments when you want to break through your current situation or change yourself, it will surely give you strong courage.
It’s perfect for recharging your energy—reset your mind and start running again when you’re stuck at work or studying.
Tokyo FlashVaundy
An early masterpiece by Vaundy that stylishly captures the loneliness hidden in the bustle of the city and the fleeting nature of relationships.
The fact that the music video surpassed one million views just two months after its release in November 2019 speaks to the impact it had at the time.
Featured as an insert song in ABEMA’s “Koisuru ♥ Shūmatsu Homestay” 2021 Spring Tokyo, it was also included on the album “strobo,” and continues to captivate many listeners today.
Lyrics that struggle to gauge the distance between two people and metaphors hinting at dire situations seem to reflect both the light and shadow of urban life in the listener’s heart.
Its groovy sound is perfect for night drives and walks—an ideal track for when you want to sink into a sentimental mood.
I want to see you.iri
Singer-songwriter iri, who distills jazz and hip-hop through her own unique sensibility.
Nurtured since before her debut, this track—featured on her November 2017 EP “life ep”—is a love song that truly represents her.
Based on a true story, the lyrics vividly portray lingering feelings and heartache after a breakup, and if you listen alone late at night, they’re sure to sink deep into your heart.
The mellow beat and her husky vocals perfectly match the urban nighttime atmosphere.
On a sleepless night, why not soak in its stylish, bittersweet afterglow?
Night of Osmanthuskinoko teikoku
On an autumn night, when a sweet floral scent drifts by and vividly revives a once-precious first love—have you ever felt that? This song by Kinoko Teikoku beautifully captures that uniquely bittersweet seasonal atmosphere with its dreamy soundscapes and Chiaki Sato’s crystal-clear vocals.
Included on their September 2018 album Time Lapse, it paints a world where tenderness for time gone by coexists with a faint ache—tightening the listener’s chest while gently enveloping them.
Let yourself be carried by the stylish, sophisticated melody, and sink into the bittersweet memories of your youth.
In conclusion
The stylish songs that the Yutori generation grew up with during their youth are still brimming with a timeless charm when we listen back today.
The melodies etched in our hearts along with the atmosphere of that era continue to shine with a special brilliance even as time passes.
I hope that as you rediscover nostalgic tracks, you’ll also come across a new favorite song.