Music transforms from background noise to a companion as nightfall passes over the UAE’s expansive roadways and glittering skylines. Japanese music provides an intriguing retreat whether you’re driving through the arid roads of Al Ain or navigating Dubai Marina. These five Japanese songs, which range from cheerful pop-rock to sombre lo-fi, are ideal for any evening mood:
1. RADWIMPS’ “Nandemonaiya”
Mood: A nostalgic, bittersweet feeling
This song from the popular anime Your Name combines orchestral beauty with unadulterated passion, making it ideal for peaceful nighttime rides that captivate you.
2. Mariya Takeuchi’s album “Plastic Love”
Feelings of a retro city
This smooth beat, a city-pop classic from the 1980s, encapsulates the neon-lit loneliness of a solo trip across Abu Dhabi’s Corniche or a late-night gas station stop in Sharjah.
3. YOASOBI’s “Kaibutsu”
Mood: serene on the outside, storm inside
With its intense lyrics and layered synths, this song gives voice to your loudest feelings while keeping you grounded—a sonic match for moody evenings under golden UAE skies.
4. “Blue Bird” by Ikimono Gakari: Optimistic and motivated
This upbeat rock song, a favourite of Naruto anime fans, gives a sense of purpose and movement and is perfect for late-day trips towards Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah.
5. Goose House’s “Hikaru Nara” Mood: Luminous and restorative
Reminding you that even the darkest paths lead to light, this cheerful acoustic song (from Your Lie in April) is the ideal way to get your spirits up on contemplative evenings.
Why It Works: As UAE listeners traverse the silent intensity of desert nights, individual dreams, and rapidly shifting skylines, Japanese music, with its emotive storytelling and varied soundscapes, strikes a profound chord. Put these tunes in your playlist, then let them take the lead.
