Masterpieces to listen to at noon: recommended popular songs

SUNHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – SUN (Live at Saitama Super Arena 2017)

A pop tune crafted with care to center on gentle feelings for a beloved partner—upbeat and excitement-inducing by design.

With a funky rhythm and masterful, signature sound craftsmanship he’s known for, it’s an outstanding track that’s distinctly his.

A Place in the SunMISIA

MISIA – A Place in the Sun (Official HD Music Video)

One of MISIA’s signature songs from shortly after her debut, and her vocal performance—hard to believe she was in her early twenties—is truly striking.

Back then, there were many female artists doing programmed R&B, but in the end, only someone with her level of talent has really endured.

It’s a song I want to listen to under bright sunshine.

low-altitude flightNeighbors Complain

Neighbors Complain – “Low Altitude Flight” [Official Music Video]

Neighbors Complain is an R&B band based in Osaka, known for their impressive musicianship and groove honed on the streets.

Featured on their December 2020 album Destruction, this track captivates with a mellow sound that suits the city at night.

It portrays a protagonist enduring difficult days yet quietly holding onto hope that someday they’ll rise above the clouds.

The song was also used in a commercial for the apparel brand ANTIQUA, which drew attention.

Its restrained beat and soothing keyboard tones make it perfect background music for nights when your heart feels weary.

Give it a listen when you want to be wrapped in a gentle groove!

Full-Power BoySukima Suichi

Sukima Switch – “Zenryoku Shonen” Music Video : SUKIMASWITCH / Zenryoku Shonen Music Video

Of course it’s popular with fans, and since it was performed at the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it’s a song many people have heard.

It’s an encouraging song that makes you feel positive when you listen to it during tough times, so it’s definitely a good choice for lunchtime as well.

strangeEasycome

Easycome 「strange」

This is a song by Easycome, an Osaka-based band known for their refreshingly nostalgic sound.

It’s included on their mini-album “Otenki Deshita,” released in August 2017.

With its bittersweet melody and Chiikama’s clear, expansive vocals, it beautifully evokes the days of youth gone by.

The lyrics portray a delicate emotional landscape where a touch of loneliness at taking a new step mingles with anticipation for the future.

It’s a perfect number for an evening drive or a relaxed moment at home.

MOONLIGHTLucky Kilimanjaro

Lucky Kilimanjaro – MOONLIGHT [Official Music Video]

A track by Lucky Kilimanjaro that feels like the curtain rising on a musical.

The glamorous strings lift your spirits, while the medium-tempo beat lays down an endlessly comfortable groove—the contrast is fantastic.

The lyrics gently affirm loneliness and tears, turning them into light, buoyant steps, giving you a gentle push forward.

Released in January 2021, the song appears on the album “DAILY BOP” and was used as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s “Netapare.” It’s the perfect number for settling your mind at the end of the day.

Luv(sic) feat.Shing02Nujabes

Nujabes – Luv(sic) feat.Shing02 [Official Audio]

This is a work by the globally acclaimed music producer Nujabes.

Created together with rapper Shing02, this track was produced under the concept of “a letter to the goddess of music.” A deep love for the creative process is poetically expressed over a jazzy, soothing beat.

It’s a piece that gently accompanies you—perfect as background music for focused work or as a companion at the end of the day.