Karaoke is all the rage: Must-know recent songs [2025]

Come back homeFUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S

【FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S】「Come back home」MV

Don’t you ever find yourself longing for that simple warmth—the kind that makes you feel at ease the moment you come home? This new release from FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S is a pop ballad that gently wraps the listener’s heart, centered on themes of family renewal and bonds.

Within its heartrending melody lies a steady hope that helps you take a step toward tomorrow—it’s truly encouraging.

The song is included on the single scheduled for release in August 2025 and has been selected as the theme song for the drama “Good Evening, the Asayama Family.” When you’re feeling a bit worn out by daily life or want to express gratitude to someone important, listening to it will help you reconnect with your honest feelings.

wanderingAKASAKI

[AKASAKI] Wandering / HAIKAI (Lyric Video)

This is a track that captivates with its urban worldview, depicting the subtle shifts of the heart swaying through the night city.

Released in April 2025, the song features AKASAKI’s pure vocals vividly expressing the loneliness and love of people living in the city.

Its refined sound and lyrics that reveal fleeting, transient relationships leave a strong impression.

It will likely resonate especially with listeners in their teens and twenties.

Highly recommended as background music for a drive, too.

HOWLAyumu Imazu

Ayumu Imazu – HOWL [Music Video]

A dance number by Ayumu Imazu with a exhilarating sense of speed that feels like tearing through the city at night.

Released in July 2025, the track was written specifically as the opening theme for the TV anime “Karaoke Iko!” It captures the uniquely adolescent swing of emotions—frustration with an uncooperative reality and longing for a more grown-up world—set against a cool track.

I think it’s perfect as background music for a drive!

ROSEHANA

HANA / ROSE -Music Video-

In 2025, it’s no exaggeration to call HANA, a seven-member girls’ group, one of the most talked-about acts.

Produced by Chanmina, their style freely traverses hip-hop and R&B, delivering a world-class level of sonic polish that shocked audiences at home and abroad.

Their debut-defining track, released in April 2025, made a powerful statement of their ability—debuting at No.

1 on the Billboard JAPAN HOT 100 and racking up 11.

63 million streams in its first week on the Oricon Weekly Streaming Ranking.

The song reflects the group’s theme of “blooming beautifully, even with thorns,” embodying inner strength and an unyielding resolve in the face of adversity.

It was also featured in Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s BODYMAINTÉ commercial, resonating widely alongside their image.

When you want to blow off steam, let this track give voice to your feelings—it’s sure to be the perfect stress reliever.

Splitting the distinctive vocal parts among friends and singing along is guaranteed to get the energy up!

Caramel PainHoshimachi Suisei

Caramel Pain / Suisei Hoshimachi (official)

This is a song by Suisei Hoshimachi that delivers a deeply introspective, emotionally stirring message.

Included on the album “Shinsei Mokuroku,” released in January 2025, it expresses our doubts and inner conflicts through her distinctive vocals.

It portrays emotions where life’s sweetness and bitterness intermingle, and, centered on themes like a lack of courage and the difficulty of self-acceptance, creates a worldview that anyone living today can relate to.

Written and composed by Deu of PEOPLE 1, with arrangements co-produced by Hitoshi Taguchi, it was also performed at the “SuperNova” concert at Nippon Budokan in February 2025, captivating the audience.

This piece is perfect for moments of self-reflection or sorting through your feelings.

It’s recommended for those who want to accept who they’ve been and take a new step forward.

Brain Narcotics Remix feat. CHEHON, MAKA, Ku-Jun, POWER WAVE, CIMA & keithRAY

RAY / Brain Narcotics Remix feat. CHEHON, MAKA, Kujun, POWER WAVE, CIMA & keith [Official Music Video]

RAY, a popular reggae singer from Osaka who flies around the country mainly in the Kansai area.

Armed with a distinctive voice you can recognize at once and lyrics that fully showcase his talent as a lyricist, he began venturing into hip-hop and MC battles from 2022, appealing to audiences beyond pure reggae fans.

His remix of the hit 2023 track “Nounai Mayaku” (Brain Narcotics) is set to drop in January 2025 and is making waves thanks in part to its star-studded guest lineup.

Built on a dancehall riddim that’ll get your body moving whether you like it or not, the remix offers a lavish taste of each MC’s skills.

If you take it on at karaoke, don’t go solo—get your crew hyped with you.

Check everyone’s vocal timbre and flow, divvy up the parts, and you’ll take the energy even higher!

Our Canon (VS. Chevon)Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Our Canon (VS. Chevon) / TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA

This is the theme song for the Sunday drama airing in the April 2025 season, “Dame Mane! – Managing a Hopeless Talent –.” As with most dramas, the timing when the theme song kicks in near the end is just perfect, and since this song has no intro, I was moved every time by vocalist Mayu Tanikinu’s gentle voice.

As you listen, the unison one octave below in the chorus really stands out.

This serves as an important foundation in the low end! The way the chorus comes in after the C section with call-and-response is also lovely, so I’d love to line up the timing and sing that part too.

Basically, the harmony is sung one octave below, so it might be too low for some women, but be careful not to strain your throat.