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)
SUMMER ENDiri

If you want to savor that unique late-summer wistfulness with a mellow sound, iri’s tracks are just right.
They weave together the frustrating feelings of a summer romance nearing its end and the changing seasons, portraying a heart swaying between the lingering desire not to wake from a sweet dream and the pull of reality.
iri’s signature husky vocals and comfortable groove gently embrace those fleeting emotions.
Released in September 2019 following the album “Shade,” this song also drew attention as the theme for a romance reality show.
On nights when you find yourself reminiscing about summers past, why not immerse yourself in the bittersweet beauty of this piece’s world?
Chasing summer againaratayo

Atrayor’s summer ballad that stays close to the feeling of longing for the passing summer.
The nostalgic piano melody and Hitomi’s delicate, emotional vocals leave a strong impression.
The entire song exudes a sweet yet bittersweet atmosphere, portraying joyful summer memories with an unforgettable person and the loneliness of their end.
Rather than wishing “let’s meet again next year,” some may relate to the aching desire to chase after the summer that’s already gone.
Released as a single in August 2022, this work follows the album “In the Polar Night, the Moon Remains Silent.” It’s a song that gently wraps you in your sentimental mood—perfect for an end-of-summer drive or a quiet night alone lost in thought.
Summer EndKoresawa

The end of summer somehow feels a little lonely and makes you long for someone, doesn’t it? That’s when Koresawa’s track gently stays by your side.
You can almost see the scenes where the fleeting summer is overlapped with the “you” who’s no longer here.
It’s a mellow ballad that tenderly captures that helpless, aching feeling of a summer, a love, and a dream that never came true, carried by her smooth, wistful vocals.
This song is included on the mini-album “Summer Love,” released in August 2022, closing out an album packed with summer memories.
Listen to it on a late-summer drive or on your solitary walk home lost in thought, and you’ll feel a surge of affection for the season that has slipped away.
Summer FeverNatsunose

The track I find myself wanting to hear in that faintly wistful season when summer fades and autumn begins to stir is a song composed by Natsunose.
It sings of the loneliness of summer’s heat gradually turning transparent, and of memories that refuse to disappear.
The scene of cicadas’ frantic cries receding into the distance and the sudden pangs of loss are rendered with delicate clarity by vocalist Sumi’s refreshing voice—it really hits you in the chest.
Released in August 2023, the piece came about through a creator matching project sparked by Sumi’s 9th-place finish in the UtaKore 2022 Spring Top 100.
It’s perfect for a late-summer walk or drive—a number that gently keeps you company as you reminisce about days gone by.
Crimson-colored sunsetFujifaburikku

The autumn-tinted evening sky has a way of stirring a certain wistful sadness, doesn’t it? A perfect match for such a scene is a classic ballad by the rock band Fujifabric.
It captures the loneliness of being far from home, and yet the glimmers of hope one still manages to find, resonating with a lyrical melody.
It’s not merely sorrowful—there’s a curious strength to it that lets you look forward just a little, even as you reflect on the past.
After first appearing as a demo on their indie-era mini album “a la mold,” the song was released as a single in September 2005.
It was also used as the ending theme for the TV Kanagawa program “saku saku.” It’s a track you’ll want to listen to on nights when you want to bask in summer memories, or when you wish to quietly sink into your thoughts alone.



