Please Note: I will be referring to English translations of Japanese lyrics. They will not be perfect translations, but I will do my best to be as accurate to their Japanese meanings as possible.
From Western-influenced Pop, to traditional Japanese folk, to alternative rock, Japanese pop music — commonly denoted as J-Pop — is known for its diversity of musical styles. Hitsujibungaku and their new album Don’t Laugh It Off is a prime example of J-pop’s vibrant blend of genres. An earthy mix of soft rock, the album explores the theme of strength through suffering with undertones of longing and grief.
Don’t Laugh It Off has long been in the works, some songs first being released in early 2024. The album itself was released on October 8th, 2025. Despite being a small three person band, Hitsujibungaku manages to create pieces that fill the ears with an instrumental storm. The album is very vulnerable, each song using a variety of emotional metaphors consistent with the poetic lyrical style of many J-pop artists.
Known for their song ‘More Than Words,’ played during the end credits of anime Jujutsu Kaisen, the band adds another iconic pop media song to their discography with ‘Burning.’ The song is used during the season two end credits of popular show Oshi No Ko. However, ‘Burning’ is by far not the only standout song on the tracklist.
‘Haru no Arashi’ carries hard hitting expressions of loneliness and dissatisfaction. Repeating “itai” or “it hurts” over and over again, the lyrics refer to periods of time that trigger thoughts dwelling on the past. Near the end of the song, the singer says, “Thinking I’ve moved on/but deep down, quietly, it’s still there … I’ll hold it tight and say ‘thank you’/and start living again from there.” The song takes on a melancholiness born from a lack of closure, but the singer also expresses gratitude for her emotions and past experience.
One of my personal favorites, ‘Mirai Chizu 2025’ is a song full of optimism. The artist sings “Your scars will become your wings/let your pain stay pure/staying true to yourself,” emphasizing the importance of accepting discomfort to build a map for one’s future. The song is a whole six minutes long, but the piano and rain-like percussion layer on differing levels of intensity that keep the listener hooked.
In the song ‘Itooshii Hibi,’ through lines like “The grass across the fence smells sweet/but when I taste it, it’s bitter” and “Another empty day drifts past/yet somehow ties me to tomorrow,” Hitsujibungaku pulls from the mundane to express ideas of loss and love.
Meanwhile, the lyrics of ‘Koe’ grieve a past relationship and focus on gaining confidence in hoping for the future. Lines like “The days I can never return to/Are guiding me forward” illustrate how the singer is using words from a broken connection to forge a new life.
Don’t Laugh It Off grieves lost relationships in a healthy and nostalgic way, communicating the voice of someone running towards the future backed by memories of the past. The various styles and vocals had me hooked through the entire thing and I love how the topics of grief could be generalized to process any sort of relationship that has come to an end. It is an uplifting album, one that has me tirelessly listening on repeat.
