Kenshi Yonezu Is Unstoppable in 2026: From "KICK BACK" and "Shunrai" to "Gloomy," The Timeless Gems You’ll Want to Belt Out at Karaoke

Spring 2026 has arrived, and the streets are buzzing with the energy of new beginnings, but in the music world, Kenshi Yonezu still stands strong. It feels like there hasn’t been a single day this year without one of his tracks playing somewhere. Especially now, as so many people are starting fresh, certain songs are hitting home all over again.

The other day, I went to a karaoke box with friends for the first time in a while. We were on the booking screen, picking the "no guide vocal" option, getting hyped about who would sing what. The first name thrown out was "Shunrai." You know the one—that track is pure adrenaline with its unique, cinematic world. When you sing it, it’s not just about hitting the notes; you almost want to step into the world of the drama MIU404. The rush you feel after finishing it is like nothing else. Looking around, I saw plenty of people picking "KICK BACK" too, using that Chainsaw Man energy to blow off some steam. It’s basically the norm now.

And of course, the classic "Lemon" is still a karaoke staple. Every time, I challenge myself to see how much of that heart-wrenching emotion I can convey. We even have these friendly competitions to see who can hold that long, unforgettable chorus in one breath. With Yonezu’s songs, just listening is an experience, but when you actually sing them, you feel their depth on a whole new level.

And just recently, there’s a new way to enjoy his music. Last month, the karaoke version of "Gloomy"—the theme song for the new Studio Ghibli film The Boy and the Heron—dropped on all the major karaoke services. You know, the one listed as "Gloomy (Karaoke) [Original Artist: Kenshi Yonezu]." And let me tell you, it’s a total rabbit hole, way more than I expected.

For this song, I realized how crucial it is to find your own way to express that grand, yet somehow warmly nostalgic, feeling of the original. Of course, the imagery of the film comes to mind, but each lyric feels like it’s speaking directly to your own life's journey. The challenge isn't just about hitting the notes; it’s about how you infuse it with emotion. That’s what really matters. I’m sure more and more people will be using this song as a way to express themselves.

Beyond Time, Beyond Generations

What’s truly incredible about Kenshi Yonezu as an artist is how each of these songs feels like a scene from a completely different genre of movie, each with its own distinct personality.

• "Shunrai": That sleek, modern urban tempo, mixed with the subtle, almost dangerously raw nuances of human emotion.
• "KICK BACK": The pure, reckless, white-hot energy—sometimes even destructive—that you find in the best shonen manga.
• "Lemon": The quiet strength to face a sense of loss that never truly heals, something everyone has felt at some point.
• "Gloomy": The weight of life, and the universal hope to keep moving forward despite it all.

The fact that one person created all of this still amazes me, every time. And it’s not like these are just "hits" that fade away. His performances on the annual New Year’s Eve tradition, Kōhaku Uta Gassen, are basically works of art at this point. And then you have a track like "Looking at the Moon," created for a major video game collaboration, which shows a completely different side of his artistry.

This year, we’ve also seen more of his older tracks climbing back up the charts. There’s no special campaign behind it; they just naturally find their way back into people’s ears. And that’s simply because they resonate so perfectly with whatever stage of life the listener is in. For someone feeling anxious about a new chapter, "Lemon" might offer comfort. For someone charging toward a new goal, "KICK BACK" might give them that extra push, or even remind them that it’s okay to pause once in a while.

While it’s a blast to go wild with friends at karaoke, lately, a quiet little obsession of mine has been practicing "Gloomy" on my own. That song is genuinely hard to master. But that’s exactly why I want to keep trying. Savoring each lyric, painting a world with my own voice. I find myself thinking, this is the kind of priceless experience Kenshi Yonezu gives us.

By the time we hit the halfway point of the year, who knows what new moves he’ll make. Concert tickets are still as impossible to get as ever—like winning the lottery. But still, his music is always there for us. Maybe that, in itself, is the ultimate music experience in Japan right now. So, how about you? Whether it’s "Shunrai" or "Gloomy," let one of these songs move you today.