7 Recommended Songs for YOASOBI Newcomers
If you’re new to YOASOBI, rather than just playing their most famous songs at random, it’s better to listen to their tracks in order, as each one has a different vibe. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of seven recommended songs that are perfect for beginners, along with a summary of each song’s atmosphere and key listening points.
If you're not yet familiar with J-POP, you should start by reading the article 10 Recommended Artists for J-POP Beginners and then give YOASOBI a listen on its own—that will make it easier to get a feel for the genre. In this post, I'll focus on the sound, vocals, rhythm, and emotional tone rather than quoting lyrics.
Hanip Summary
| Recommended Songs | First, why it’s a pleasure to listen to | Recommended Situations |
|---|---|---|
| Idol (アイドル) | This is the fastest way to experience YOASOBI’s vibrant pop sensibility. | Beginners who need to make a strong first impression |
| Running Through the Night (夜に駆ける) | It perfectly captures the signature melodic style of YOASOBI’s early days. | When you want to listen to their hit songs one by one |
| Monster | The combination of the dark atmosphere and fast-paced plot creates a great sense of tension. | When You Like Anime Theme Song Styles |
| Ultramarine | Its bright energy and the thrilling climax are particularly impressive. | When you need a song that sounds like a cheer song |
What kind of music does YOASOBI make?
YOASOBI is a Japanese music duo centered around composer Ayase and vocalist ikura. They have a distinct concept that begins with a story and expands into a song, and are known for their catchy melodies and intricate arrangements.
At first listen, the synth sounds may seem bright and flashy, but if you listen closely, you’ll notice that the emotional tone varies quite a bit from song to song. Some tracks push forward with the intensity of an anime opening theme, while others center on the vocalist’s subtle delivery.
Recommendation Criteria
- A song with a chorus and melody that are easy to remember, even for first-time listeners
- A song that perfectly showcases YOASOBI's signature sound
- A collection that offers a well-rounded mix of upbeat, dark, and emotional tracks
- A song that's relatively easy to find on official YouTube channels and music streaming platforms
7 Recommended Songs for YOASOBI Beginners
1. Idol (アイドル)
One-line description: This is the perfect introductory track to experience YOASOBI’s brilliance, energy, and unique style.
"Idol" is the perfect song to recommend to someone hearing YOASOBI for the first time. It has a powerful energy right from the intro, the vocal delivery shifts rapidly, and the chorus is so distinct that it leaves a lasting impression after just one listen.
- Highlights: Set to a fast beat, ikura’s vocals convey both brightness and tension at the same time.
- Recommended for: People who like anime theme songs, upbeat pop music, and catchy choruses
- Situations where this works well: When you want to quickly get a sense of YOASOBI's current image
At first, the song's rhythm might seem a little complicated. But after listening to it a few times, you'll come to appreciate how the vocal melody, chorus, and beat intertwine—that's what makes YOASOBI so appealing.
2. Running Through the Night (夜に駆ける)
One-line description: If you want to know where YOASOBI got their start, this is a must-listen hit song.
"Running Through the Night" is the song that brought YOASOBI widespread recognition; it combines a bright-sounding melody with a subtly cool atmosphere. At first, it sounds like a refreshing pop song, but as you listen to it repeatedly, the tension within the track becomes more apparent.
- Highlights: As the piano and synth rhythms drive the song forward at a fast pace, the vocals come through clearly.
- Recommended for: For those who want to learn about YOASOBI's signature style first
- Situations where this works well: When you want to listen to their hit songs one by one
If “Idol” is a song that makes a strong first impression, “Running Through the Night” can be heard as a track that’s closer to YOASOBI’s original sound. Listening to the two songs back-to-back, you can naturally sense the group’s evolution.
3. Monster
One-line description: This song is captivating with its dark tension and sharp plot twists.
"Monster" is a song that leaves a different impression on listeners who were used to thinking of YOASOBI as a bright and refreshing act. The entire track has a sense of urgency, and the rhythm pushes forward with such force that it’s a pleasure to listen to, much like an anime opening theme.
- Highlights: The subdued atmosphere and fast vocal lines create a sense of tension in the song.
- Recommended for: People who like dark J-POP, fast-paced songs, and strong beats
- Situations where this works well: When you want to listen to an energetic song rather than a lighthearted one
When listening with earphones, you may feel like the bass and treble are coming through at the same time. Instead of turning the volume up too high, keep it at a moderate level and follow the rhythm and the vocals—you’ll find it more comfortable to listen to that way.
4. Ultramarine
One-line description: This song really captures its bright energy and surging emotions.
"Guncheong" is one of YOASOBI's songs that conveys a particularly strong sense of positive energy. It starts off simply, but as the song progresses, the vocals and chorus overlap, creating a sense of the sound gradually expanding.
- Highlights: As the vocal, chorus, and band-style arrangements build up, the sense of momentum grows in the latter half.
- Recommended for: People who love cheer songs, a youthful vibe, and uplifting melodies
- Situations where this works well: When you want to lift your spirits or focus before getting to work
"Guncheong" is a song that’s easy to get into, even for first-time listeners. If YOASOBI’s upbeat tracks feel a little too complex, this song is a great way to switch things up.
5. Blessing
One-line description: This song pairs perfectly with the fast-paced storyline and sci-fi anime-like atmosphere.
"Blessing" is a song that carries a sense of momentum throughout. The synth sounds are crisp, and the chorus gives the impression that your field of vision suddenly widens, allowing you to fully appreciate the grandeur of YOASOBI.
- Highlights: The sparkling high-frequency sound and fast rhythm drive the song forward.
- Recommended for: People who like anime opening sequences, sci-fi vibes, and cool pop-rock sounds
- Situations where this works well: When you need an upbeat song while commuting or going for a walk
You can hear the finer details of this song better with earphones or headphones than with speakers. However, it may sound slightly sharp on earphones with strong high frequencies, so it’s best to adjust the volume accordingly.
6. Hero
One-line description: This song is captivating with its calm opening and gradually intensifying emotional arc.
"Hero" isn't a song that hits you hard right from the start, like an idol track or a monster song. Instead, its structure feels as though the story unfolds gradually, making it a great way to experience YOASOBI's narrative side.
- Highlights: It begins with understated vocals, and the emotional range broadens as the song progresses.
- Recommended for: People who enjoy calm yet gradually building songs, a fantasy atmosphere, and lyrical J-POP
- Situations where this works well: When you want to listen to it quietly at night or add it to the middle of a playlist
"Hero" is a song that reveals more of its charm the more you listen to it. Rather than just focusing on the powerful chorus, it’s best to listen to it while following the flow of the entire song.
7. The Gentle Comet (優しい彗星)
One-line description: This song showcases YOASOBI's delicate and calm side.
"Gentle Comet" feels much softer than the songs introduced earlier. Rather than focusing on a fast beat or a flashy chorus, it centers on the emotional depth of the vocals and the song’s lingering resonance, showcasing another side of YOASOBI’s charm.
- Highlights: Without going overboard, the song is driven by the vocalist’s subtle expression and a sense of space.
- Recommended for: People looking for mellow J-POP, emotional vocals, and music that’s perfect for listening to at night
- Situations where this works well: When you want to listen to a song to wrap things up after listening to some upbeat tracks
This song shows that YOASOBI isn't just a band that makes fast, flashy music. Adding it to the end of a beginner's playlist wraps up the entire playlist smoothly.
Recommended Order for First-Time Listeners
If this is your first time listening to YOASOBI, I recommend playing their songs in the order listed below. The playlist starts with energetic tracks, moves on to their most famous songs, and ends with more emotional ones, so it’s an easy listen.
- Idol (アイドル)
- Running Through the Night (夜に駆ける)
- Monster
- Ultramarine
- Blessing
- Hero
- The Gentle Comet
If you listen to the entire album from the beginning, the different musical styles might pass by a little too quickly. It’s best to start by listening to the seven songs listed above to find a style you like, and then branch out to songs with a similar vibe.
How to Choose Music Based on Your Preferences
- If you like flashy songs: Idol, Blessing
- If you want to listen mainly to their hit songs: Running Through the Night (夜に駆ける), Ultramarine (群青)
- If you like a dark atmosphere: Monster
- If you like mellow songs: Hero, The Gentle Comet
Things to Look Out for When Listening to YOASOBI
YOASOBI’s songs often feature vocals, synths, piano, and drum rhythms arranged in a dense, layered pattern. So when you listen to them for the first time, rather than just following the melody, it’s more fun to pay attention to which sounds overlap in the chorus.
In particular, ikura’s vocals are clear and crisp, so they may sound a bit sharp on earphones with strong high frequencies. Conversely, on earphones with too much bass, the vocals may get pushed into the background.
- Earphones: Products with clear vocals tend to pair well with YOASOBI songs.
- Headphones: If you have a product with a spacious soundstage, “Guncheong” and “Gentle Comet” are great tracks to listen to.
- Speaker: It's a great song to play—like "Idol" or "Blessing"—that’s full of energy.
- EQ Adjustment: If you boost frequencies above 8 kHz too much, the high frequencies can become tiring, so it's best to adjust them gradually.
If you're using an EQ program like FxSound, rather than boosting the bass significantly, it's safer to make only very slight adjustments to the 2 kHz–4 kHz range when the vocals sound muffled. It's helpful to think of EQ not as a "right answer," but as a tool for fine-tuning the sound to your personal taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which YOASOBI song is the best place to start?
If you’re only going to choose one song to start with, I recommend “Idol.” However, if you want to understand YOASOBI’s origins and core style, I suggest listening to “Running Through the Night” as well.
Is YOASOBI an anime song artist?
While many of their songs are well-known as anime theme songs, YOASOBI’s musical range is too broad to be viewed solely as an anime song artist. Pop, electronic, band sounds, and ballad-like sensibilities are blended in different ways in each song.
If I like high-energy songs like those by idols, what should I listen to next?
If you liked “Idol,” be sure to check out “Monster” and “Blessing” next. These tracks are a great fit for anyone who enjoys fast-paced songs, catchy choruses, and powerful arrangements.
Are there any mellow YOASOBI songs?
Here they are. “Gentle Comet” and “Hero” are relatively mellow, easy-listening tracks. If fast-paced songs feel overwhelming, you might want to start with these.
Where is the safest place to watch official music videos?
The safest way to watch the official music video is on YOASOBI's official YouTube channel. We recommend listening to the song on legitimate music streaming platforms like Spotify.
| YOAYOASOBI Official Website | ||
|---|---|---|
| YOASOBI Official YouTube | YOASOBI Spotify | YOASOBI Instagram |
