Emotional songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters.
When you think of summer, what kind of image comes to mind?
It’s a season that’s hot and liberating, with lots of fun events, right?
But alongside that glamorous image, don’t you sometimes feel a vague sense of wistfulness—something a bit emo?
In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of emo songs you’ll want to listen to in summer, the kind that resonate with those feelings.
From band tracks to singer-songwriter pieces, we’ve gathered many songs across eras and genres, so be sure to take your time listening while reading the lyrics.
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Emotional songs to listen to in summer: Classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters (71–80)
Chasing summer againatarayo
From the intro, where a wistful guitar riff rings out, this track feels perfect for the end of summer.
The lyrical lines that mourn an unforgettable summer and the end of a romance blend with Hitomi’s emotional, delicate vocals, sinking deep into your heart.
For anyone who’s experienced those irreplaceable, sparkling moments or a faint, fleeting summer love, these lyrics are deeply relatable—just what you’d expect from Atarayo, the band whose tagline is “a group that grows by eating sadness.” Let yourself soak in its urbane, tranquil atmosphere and listen slowly.
summer hazeatarayo
Atarayo is a three-piece band gaining popularity with the tagline “a band that grows by feeding on sorrow.” They drew sudden attention after performing “October, I Forget Your Quietness” and “Natsugasumi” on the popular YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.
Among these, “Natsugasumi,” released in 2021, is an emotional number that conveys the bittersweet feeling of summer.
It’s especially recommended for moments when you want to sink into a bit of sentimentality, such as at the end of summer.
Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi
Elephant Kashimashi is a four-piece rock band that has released numerous classic songs with powerful, message-driven lyrics and a one-of-a-kind vocal style that no one can imitate.
Their 15th single, “Koyō no Tsuki no Yō ni” (Like Tonight’s Moon), written as the theme song for the TV drama “Because It’s a Night When the Moon Shines,” is widely known across generations as one of Elephant Kashimashi’s signature tracks.
Its lyrics depicting the summer night sky and its lyrical, emotive melody conjure vivid scenes in your mind just by listening.
It’s a quintessential 1990s masterpiece whose dramatic worldview resonates deeply with the heart.
Summer Speed feat. OkiishiNatsunose
Starting in 2021 as a Vocaloid producer, Natsunose is a composer known for evocative, nostalgic imagery.
Their 2022 release “Natsusoku” ranked 17th on Spotify’s Viral Chart and became a hot topic, especially on TikTok.
With a striking piano tone and a driving sound that is said to capture the speed of summer, the track gained momentum.
Tokiwa, a mysterious TikToker who’s been generating buzz, used “Natsusoku” in their own posts, repeatedly creating trending content.
Transparent, Far Too Transparent feat. Shoka MizutoNatsunose
Composer Natsunose, known for their wistful, nostalgic soundscapes, released “Transparent, All Too Transparent” in May 2023.
The vocals are by Shoka Mito.
It’s a summer song that beautifully blends freshness and longing, and the lyrics—singing about “you, a presence that gradually invades the protagonist’s world”—leave a strong impression.
The sound carries a hint of summer’s end that really resonates, making this a highly recommended track from Natsunose.
Be sure to give it a listen!
August nightyangusukinii
Young Skinny is a four-piece rock band that made their major-label debut in 2023 after their indie-era release “Hontou wa ne,” drew attention.
“August Night,” included on their first indie mini-album “Uso Darake no Nichijou no Naka de,” kicks off with the chorus and features a driving beat that really lifts your energy.
The lyrics, which depict the bittersweet emotions of being in love, are something many listeners will likely see themselves in.
It’s a straightforward rock tune that evokes summer through the contrast between its sentimental storyline and lyrical melody.
left-right confusionYorushika
Summer is a season filled with a variety of events, when we accumulate more and more memories.
Among those memories, there may be not only happy ones but also sad ones, like heartbreak.
This song by Yorushika portrays the emotional shifts that come with such heartbreak, the way memories blur over time, and the unsteady state of mind where even left and right feel unclear.
Within a gentle, primarily acoustic sound, it incorporates noises reminiscent of everyday life, which makes the song’s world feel close and familiar.
Although it depicts the breakup of lovers, its refreshing atmosphere is striking, evoking an image of someone moving forward while carrying a quiet loneliness.
