New enka single release [March 2025]

hourglassKosuke Matsuzaki

Kosuke Matsuzaki 'Hourglass' MUSIC VIDEO

This is a soul-stirring enka that likens the heartbreak everyone experiences at least once to an hourglass.

Released by Nippon Crown in February 2025, it’s a song by Kousuke Matsuzaki.

His lustrous vocals richly convey the poignant struggle to erase memories.

Written and composed by Junichiro, it beautifully portrays memories and feelings fading with the passage of time.

It’s a song that stays by your side when you want to heal your heart or when you find yourself thinking of someone dear.

night-flowering jasmineMidori Oka

Oka Midori “Yakanran” Music Video

A gemlike love song released in February 2025 that richly portrays the sweetness and ache of first love.

Carried by a gentle, companionable melody, the fragility and sorrow of love are delicately woven together.

Celebrating Midori Oka’s 20th anniversary since her debut, this work beautifully harmonizes Reiji Mizuki’s lyrics with Masato Sugimoto’s composition to sensitively express a woman’s heart swayed by love.

Like soap bubbles, a fleeting romance and the anxious feelings blown by the wind are tenderly sung in a clear, transparent voice.

A recommended track for those who want to empathize with tender yet bittersweet emotions.

Wind cherry blossomAkemi Sato

Akemi Sato “Kaze Zakura (Wind Cherry Blossoms)” Official Music Video

This is a distinctly Japanese lyrical song that portrays ways of living through contrasts.

Akemi Sato’s clear, translucent voice deftly conveys the song’s delicate emotions.

Created by the renowned duo of lyricist Takahiro Maeda and composer Shunichi Makaino, the piece was released in February 2025.

While celebrating the importance of living true to oneself, it movingly captures the profound expressive power of depicting life’s opposing emotions—joy and sorrow.

It’s a perfect track for moments when you want to pause in your daily life and reflect on yourself.

The graceful melody, harmonizing the tones of traditional Japanese instruments with modern arrangements, is also part of its charm.

I am most delighted.Mai Kitazawa

Mai Kitazawa “So Delightful” MV [Official]

A pure love song wrapped in kindness, expressing the feelings of unrequited love with the classical word “ito.” It’s a work by Mai Kitazawa, released by Tokuma Japan Communications in February 2025.

The song celebrates the timeless beauty of love that doesn’t change with age, conveying a warm message that simply caring for someone is itself a source of happiness.

With its calm vocals and emotionally rich arrangement that resonate deeply, this is her third single since moving to Tokuma Japan.

The worldview woven from archaic language and a modern melody will gently accompany anyone who holds dear feelings for someone special.

Husband-and-wife sugorokuMachiko Kitano

Machiko Kitano “Husband and Wife Sugoroku” Music Video

This is a heartwarming enka song that likens a married couple’s journey through life to a sugoroku board game.

Sung with rich expressiveness by Machiko Kitano, the piece portrays the joys and trials of life with deep emotion.

Within its unhurried tempo lies a moving resolve to keep walking forward while building a life of love together.

Released in February 2025 by King Records, the song was composed by Hiroshi Tokuhisa with lyrics by Takashi Manjo.

It’s a perfect choice for celebrating a wedding anniversary or for peaceful moments spent together as a couple.

The resonant vocals and warm lyrics will surely deepen the bond with someone dear.

Naniwa SpiritFuyumi Sakamoto

Naniwadamashii

Its powerful sound, reminiscent of the debut single “Abare Daiko,” blends beautifully with her lustrous vocals.

Released in March 2025, this work is the first song in which Ms.

Sakamoto, who hails from Kansai, sings with Osaka as its theme.

Created by an all-star team, it reunites Yo Yashiro after 20 years and Chiaki Oka after 9 years.

It vividly portrays, with deep emotion, the importance of facing forward and moving on precisely when you hit a wall.

It truly feels like a song that stays close to the hearts of those striving to overcome difficult times in life.

potato flowersYudai Koyama

potato flowers

This is a song that brings a swell of gratitude for one’s mother.

Set for release in March 2025, it’s by Yudai Koyama, an enka singer from Hokkaido.

With a powerful voice honed by winning folk song competitions, he vividly portrays the vast northern landscapes and his feelings for his mother.

Featuring lyrics by Suzuko Sawada and music by Tetsuya Gen, this work weaves a love story that resonates with anyone who cherishes their parents.