Languages

English
日本語

Anime / Kawaii / Vocaloid Music  City Pop / Shibuya-kei / Contemporary J-Pop

Introducing Songs by YOASOBI, ZUTOMAYO, Yorushika, and

Other Bands (Ayase, Miku Hatsune, 100kaiouto, n-buna,
Sangatsu no Phantasia, supercell, and Nagi Yanagi)! |
“Racing into the Night (English Ver.),” Yakousei / Yakosei
/ Yoru-kei, J-Pop

In recent years, the Japanese bands “YOASOBI,” “ZUTOMAYO,” and “Yorushika” enjoy
enormous popularity among people in their teens and twenties. Those music listeners
are characterized as “Yakousei” (or night-loving), and consequently, those bands and
tracks are called “yoru-kei” (or night-oriented), because the names of those bands have
the word “night” (“yo” in Japanese) in them. This classification may be appropriate in the
sense that they all share emotive lyrics, songs, and anime music videos that remind us of
night or shade.

However, there is a more fundamental similarity. Ayase (who is the arranger and
composer of YOASOBI), 100kaiouto (who helps arrange songs for ACAne, who is the
vocalist, composer, and lyricist of ZUTOMAYO), and n-buna (who is the arranger and
composer of Yorushka); all are VOCALOID producers (aka VOCALO-Ps). That is, they
edit voice data stocked using voice synthesis software (sound sources such as Miku
Hatsune) and make the computer “sing” songs. Because they don’t need to have
connections with singers or pay for recording fees, they have been able to produce
music at their own pace and express their talent to the fullest. In this article, we shall
focus on Ayase, 100kaiouto, and n-buna, the arrangers and composers who have been
VOCALOID producers, and shall introduce “yoru-kei” music and related songs.

YOASOBI / Ayase

YOASOBI - 群青 / THE FIRST TAKE


Languages

English
1. YOASOBI “Gunjo”
日本語

With the help of vocalist Rira Ikuta’s soft but clear voice and the chorus by the members
of PLUSONICA, to which she belonged before the formation of YOASOBI, Ayase’s talent
as a melody maker and keyboardist overflows and overwhelms the listener. This is a
song that must be repeated.

2. YOASOBI “Racing into the Night”

Appendix A. YOASOBI “Racing into the Night (English Ver.)”

This is the first single by YOASOBI, which is not only immensely popular in Hong Kong,
Japan, Singapore, and other parts of Asia but also has worldwide appeal. The English
version of “Racing into the Night”—the translation of which is superb—is also available!
This song is representative of the “yoru-kei” music. The strumming keyboard sounds
pleasant.

【Rainych ft A V I A N D】 YOASOBI - Yoru ni Kakeru 『夜に駆ける』 (co


Languages

English
日本語

Appendix B. Rainych ft A V I A N D “Racing into the Night”

This movie is Indonesian YouTuber Rainych’s cover of “Racing into the Night.”

Rainych is also mentioned in the following article. Please take a look.

Doja Cat’s “Say So” and “Kiss Me More” and Asian

Musicians (Rainych Ran, Ikkubaru, Kizuna AI, Mariya
Takeuchi, tofubeats) | Plastic Love, Indonesia, J-Pop, City
Pop
There is a music video with Japanese lyrics that is not famous among Japanese people but
appeals to the global audience. 1. Rainych “SAY SO” This’s a cover of the hit song “Say So” by
American singer Doja Cat, sung by Indonesian YouTuber Rainych Ran, with Japanese lyrics!
But why … Continue reading

フィクションブルー / 初音ミク

3. Miku Hatsune “Fiction Blue”

One of Ayase’s most popular songs before YOASOBI’s debut. This tune has a
melancholic tone that shows a glimpse of the future YOASOBI’s style. Generally, the
arrangement by Ayase is characterized by the lively keyboard accompaniment, and that
song is no exception.

シネマ / 初音ミク


Languages

English
日本語

4. Miku Hatsune “Cinema”

One of Ayase’s most popular songs after YOASOBI’s debut and the release of its first
album. His talent shines through in this song and dramatizes the plain melody line and
drums by the technical obbligato, composition, and arrangement.

ZUTOMAYO / ACAne / 100kaiouto

ずっと真夜中でいいのに。『胸の煙』MV（ZUTOMAYO - One's Mind)

5. ZUTOMAYO “One’s Mind”

That piece is composed and sung by ACAne aka ZUTOMAYO and arranged by
100kaiouto. The vocalist’s sentimental singing, the rushing rhythm section, and the string
orchestration are all emotive to the utmost. This is the first song on ZUTOMAYO’s
second album, “Gusare,” which draws the audience in and keeps them going for the rest
of the songs.

ずっと真夜中でいいのに。『お勉強しといてよ』MV（ZUTOMAYO - ST

6. ZUTOMAYO “STUDY ME” 

Languages
This song, as well as that mentioned above, is arranged by 100kaiouto and composed by
ACAne from ZUTOMAYO. The melodious vocals, dynamic bass, and piano solo in the
English
interlude all evoke an emotional atmosphere.
日本語

NANIMONOにも成れないよ／100回嘔吐(SelfCover)

Appendix C. 100kaiouto “NANIMONO Nimo Narenaiyo”

Vocals, arrangement, composition, and lyrics by 100kaiouto. Despite the shocking artist
name (“100-time vomits”) and piercing lyrics, his delicate voice and arrangement are
optimistic. His music is catchy enough to support the super-popular soloist ZUTOMAYO.
What kind of mindset does he have when he sings such a two-sided song?

Yorushika / n-buna

ヨルシカ - だから僕は音楽を辞めた (Music Video)

7. Yorushika “That’s Why I Gave Up on Music”

The steady, rather than dynamic, singing and band sound of Yorushka has the potential
to captivate all the J-pop fandom. “That’s Why I Gave Up on Music” is one of the most
accessible songs by Yorushka, which is composed by n-buna.

三月のパンタシア 『青春なんていらないわ』

Languages

English
日本語

Appendix D. Sangatsu no Phantasia “Seishunnante Iranaiwa”

This song by “Sangatsu no Phantasia” is arranged, composed, and written by n-buna

from Yorushka. It has the nostalgic feel pertinent to n-buna.

Sangatsu no Phantasia / supercell

三月のパンタシア 『三月がずっと続けばいい』

8. Sangatsu no Phantasia “Sangatsu Ga Zutto Tsuzukebaii”

From the beginning of this article, I have introduced the numbers by YOASOBI,
ZUTOMAYO, and Yorushika. From now on, we’d like to suggest related or similar songs
that the “yoru-kei” listeners may like. Now, this song is also by Sangatsu no Phantasia,
which was introduced just before. The arrangement, composition, and lyrics are not by n-
buna but by Akita Horie aka kemu, another VOCALOID producer. By utilizing a plain
vocal style and the contrast between sounds and silence, the song successfully
expresses the slight naïveté of adolescents’ minds.

ryo (supercell) × やなぎなぎ　メルト 10th ANNIVERSARY MIX


Languages
9. Nagi Yanagi “Melt”
English
日本語
This song is a self-mix of the immortal VOCALOID masterpiece “Melt” by a pioneering
VOCALOID producer “ryo” of “supercell.”

#Love feat. Ann, gaku

10. Ann and gaku “#Love”

After having played a role as the originator of the VOCALOID boom for 10 years,
supercell produced that immensely emotive track.

In the first half of this article, we presented “yoru-kei” music of “YOASOBI,”

“ZUTOMAYO,” and “Yorushika.” In the second half, we featured songs of a similar nature
that “Yakousei” listeners might like. It should be emphasized that VOCALOID producers
are no longer underground as they were around 2010. They are rather captivating a
myriad of young listeners.

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