These Enka singers are masters of gruff, nostalgic Japanese folk ballads. What they all share is an ability to milk the melancholy out of every syllable they sing, persevering but wounded. Traditionally, men such as Jiro Kanmuri and Ikuzo Yoshi sang over guitar plucks and string swells. But the likes of JERO—who merges traditional woodwinds with skippy beats—have updated the style.