Songs to Listen to in September: Popular J-POP Tracks That Capture the End of Summer and Early Autumn
The heat has eased, and it’s becoming a more comfortable season.
September is a somewhat contemplative time, where the lingering traces of summer intersect with the beginning of autumn.
I’d like to introduce some songs that are perfect for September.
From memories of summer and bittersweet love songs to tracks that capture the changing seasons, each one resonates deeply with the heart.
For an end-of-summer drive or a leisurely walk, you’re sure to find the perfect song for you.
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[Songs to Listen to in September] Popular J-POP Tracks That Evoke the End of Summer and Early Autumn (71–80)
bubble; foam; ephemeral (as in something short-lived)wanuka
As the clamor of summer fades and a hint of loneliness settles in, Wanuka’s songs resonate deeply.
Like bubbles that rise to the water’s surface and vanish at once, they seem to sing of fleeting summer romances and memories.
Beneath the wish to be beautiful lies an inescapable emptiness and bittersweet ache, carried on delicate, subtly Japanese-tinged melodies that press upon the heart.
This work was released in February 2022 and is also included on the first album Aonizai, released the same year.
It’s the perfect track for a late-summer dusk, when the night breeze turns a little chilly and you want to be alone with your thoughts.
It will gently stay by your side as you reflect on the season that has passed.
Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako
A piano ballad that lets you sink into a wistful mood, as if longing for the summer that has passed.
The singer is Hanako Oku, a singer-songwriter often praised as someone whose “voice alone can move you to tears.” This work centers on the irreplaceable nature of everyday life and feelings that never fade, even as time goes by.
Its message—yearning to reach someone you may never meet again, transcending time and distance—truly strikes the heart.
Included on the single “Garnet,” released in July 2006, it served as an insert song in the feature-length animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, heightening the emotion of its climactic scenes.
It’s a number you’ll want to listen to on a slightly chilly evening at dusk, as you look back on your summer memories.
Summeringjin
A song that captures the end of summer, where transience and brilliance intersect.
Jin’s blend of electronic tones and rock elements is beautifully balanced, evoking freshness and melancholy at once.
Visual and auditory images—like towering summer clouds and a husky voice—vividly revive memories of summer.
The repeated farewell phrases are especially moving.
Released in October 2024, this work portrays the fleeting beauty of youth and a sense of regret, stirring universal feelings that anyone can relate to.
It’s perfect for listening at summer’s end or during the change of seasons.
[Songs to Listen to in September] Popular J-Pop Tracks That Evoke the End of Summer and Early Autumn (81–90)
morning moonFujita Maiko
Maiko Fujita’s new song, which evokes the arrival of autumn, beautifully depicts the scene of gazing up at the moon in the stillness of night while thinking of a loved one.
With lyrics that express emotion through autumn imagery—like the chirping of crickets—it reads almost like a short novel.
Included on the album “Color,” released in May 2023, this track is perfect for anyone feeling the ache of unrequited love.
Fujita has long been supported by many fans, drawing 8,000 attendees to a solo piano concert at the Nippon Budokan in 2013.
Listening to this song—filled with deep feelings for the one you love, along with the swirling anxieties and hopes in your heart—you might just feel an autumn breeze sweep through your own heart as well.
Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, known for popular songs like “Lilac” and “Dancehall,” released a perfect end-of-summer track in August 2025.
It’s their first summer-themed song in about seven years since “Ao to Natsu.” The lyrics capture an indescribable, sentimental feeling that comes with the changing seasons.
There’s a bittersweetness in the way the protagonist blames their pounding heart and hesitation on the summer heat and the lengthening shadows.
Give it a listen as you savor the passing days of summer.
WeakendsDef Tech
Some of you may be feeling a little sad that summer is coming to an end.
If so, I recommend listening to “Weakends.” It’s a track released by the reggae duo Def Tech.
Set to the gentle sound of a ukulele, it portrays the end of summer and a longing to stay together even after summer is over.
The song has a warm overall feel, so it’s relaxing to listen to and may even blow away those blues.
By the way, the title is a coined word that combines “weekends” and “weak.”
Septemberaiko
If you’re looking for a love song that captures the feeling of early autumn, “September” is a great pick.
Beloved across generations, singer-songwriter aiko included it on her 2001 album Natsufuku.
Its jazzy piano tones evoke autumn scenery, and many will relate to the cute lyrics that make you keep thinking about someone you like.
It’s a song that stays close to the feeling of “I fell in love in summer and can’t forget them even as autumn comes.” Why not let her voice, which wraps your worries and loneliness in warmth, soothe you?
