Masterpieces to listen to at noon: recommended popular songs

LOOPSIRUP

SIRUP – LOOP (Official Music Video)

Here’s a track by singer-songwriter SIRUP, known for his polished sound.

It’s included on his August 2018 EP, “SIRUP EP2,” and features smooth vocals and a comfortable beat.

The lyrics portray a bittersweet feeling, replaying memories of a love that can never return over and over in one’s mind.

With its laid-back groove, it’s perfect for focused work sessions.

At the same time, the story woven into the lyrics gently accompanies quiet nights when you want to be alone with your thoughts.

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.

Love and a Machine GunFlipper’s Guitar

Flipper’s Guitar – Love and Machine Gun (Young, Alive, In Love)

A breezy number by Flipper’s Guitar, the legendary duo of two geniuses, Kenji Ozawa and Keigo Oyamada.

Even after they broke up, it was used in a car commercial, so I think many people remember it.

It’s perfect for a relaxed afternoon, and more than that, it somehow makes your heart skip with excitement.

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.

The lotus blooms.never young beach

never young beach – Lotus Blooms (Has ha saku) (Official Audio)

It’s a warm song that quietly lifts your spirits.

It’s by the popular band never young beach—known for a sound that blends nostalgia and freshness—and is included on their album “Arigatou,” released in June 2023.

The track features a country-tinged sound led by pedal steel guitar that feels like a gentle breeze.

Yuma Abe’s soft, conversational vocals gently nestle close to hearts weighed down by anxiety or loneliness, helping you feel more positive.

Try listening to it like a little talisman when you want to reset your mood while staying relaxed.

freedomtofubeats

tofubeats – Freedom

Created by tofubeats, a Kobe-born music producer highly trusted by fellow musicians, this piece gently lightens the heart.

The track was chosen as the theme song for the short film “Mukachi no Kachika” and was released in May 2023.

Its comfortable beat and transparent sound foster a gentle mood, and the message in the lyrics—“It’s okay to be more free”—helps release the heart from everyday constraints.

It’s a work that gives you the courage to take a step forward.