Popular and trending recent Western pop ballads
The ballad—a genre that’s hugely popular in Japan as well.
We often hear the word “ballad,” but I think few people know its strict definition.
That’s because the definition is quite vague, and the way it’s recognized is fairly loose, whether in Japanese or Western music.
This time, we’ve selected Western ballads based on the gentle, general image of a ballad that many of us share.
Many internationally popular artists who are also well-known in Japan appear here, so whether you’re not very familiar with Western music or you listen to it regularly, please relax and enjoy to the end.
Popular and trending latest Western ballads (1–10)
First TimesEd Sheeran
The masterpiece “First Times,” included on Ed Sheeran’s album ‘=’ released in October 2021.
This song features beautifully toned acoustic guitar, and its lyrics recount the first experiences he had with his wife, shaping it into a romantic ballad full of Ed’s signature style.
Ed has said it’s “a song that fans can feel is for them,” and indeed, his gentle vocals and the song’s calm mood bring a sense of comfort.
Be sure to listen to it with your partner or spouse and reminisce about your own memories together.
AM I DREAMING ft. Miley CyrusLil Nas X
If you’re in the mood to sink into a lonely, sentimental vibe, I recommend Lil Nas X’s “AM I DREAMING.” It’s a collaboration with American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus and is included on Lil Nas X’s first album, MONTERO, released in 2021.
The lyrics, which plead “Don’t forget me,” are heartbreakingly sad and leave you with a bittersweet feeling.
It’s a track packed with a new side of Lil Nas X, often called an iconoclast in the hip-hop world, so definitely give it a listen!
SlowlyOlivia Dean
On a moist, mellow night, many people find themselves craving some jazzy piano.
Olivia Dean—also renowned as an R&B artist—released “Slowly” in 2021, a track that warmly wraps around those lonely evenings.
The chorus resonates like a hymn, inviting you to get blissfully lost in it.
Born in the UK, she sang in a gospel choir from a young age and took musical theatre lessons.
Perhaps those experiences shaped her beautiful vocals and the storytelling quality of her sound.
My HeroWestlife
“My Hero,” released in 2021 by Westlife, the five-member vocal group from Ireland, is one of the songs that showcases their beautiful vocals.
The heartfelt lyrics, filled with a longing for a loved one to stay by their side no matter what happens, are deeply moving.
Their music, which appeals to a wide audience, has gained international popularity and charted in various countries.
You can feel both grandeur and warmth throughout the sound—be sure to give this track a listen.
To Be LovedAdele
Adele, a popular singer from the UK, released her album “30” in November 2021, her first in six years.
Among its tracks, the ballad “To Be Loved” showcases Adele’s emotional vocals accompanied by a beautiful piano arrangement.
Adele has said she won’t perform it live because it’s “too emotional,” and she did not sing “To Be Loved” on the TV shows she appeared on to promote the album.
It’s such an exceptional song that even the singer herself hesitates to perform it—definitely worth checking out.
I wanna love you but I don’tBen Platt
Ben Platt, a singer-songwriter from the United States, released “I Wanna Love You But I Don’t” in 2021.
The song is captivating for its grand band sound and nostalgic arrangement.
Its poignant lyrics, where the desire to keep loving someone coexists with the urge to let go, can help heal a heart weighed down by heartbreak.
It’s precisely when you feel yourself slipping into a dark mood that a bright, ballad-like track like this can stay by your side.
Musically, its sound, inspired by 1980s synth-pop, is especially appealing.
Best DaysAlessia Cara
Alessia Cara from Canada released her third album, In The Meantime, in September 2021.
She is a highly skilled singer who performed the ending theme for the Disney film Moana, and Best Days, included on In The Meantime, is a beautiful ballad that lets you fully appreciate Alessia’s captivating voice.
Although she is a vocalist with solid technique, in Best Days she delivers a gentle, heartfelt performance that also showcases her remarkable expressiveness.