Sometimes you just can’t sleep. Whether it’s due to stress, heartbreak, or just plain old insomnia, there’s nothing quite like the solitude of the world at 4 a.m. For those nights when sleep evades you, we here at The Kraze handpicked some of our late-night favorites to help you while away the time when the rest of the world is asleep.

“4AM” - Eric Nam

Released as the B-side off Eric Nam’s 2017 Hold Me single, “4AM” is a sultry R&B ballad about loneliness. The bluesy guitar that runs throughout the track is the perfect instrumental to a lonesome night. Much of Eric’s more recent releases have been on the listener-friendly end of the pop spectrum in favor of showing off his vocals, but his voice in this track is honestly incredible. His crooning in the chorus will resonate with any lonely heart.

“Insomnia” - The Rose

For those kept up late by a broken heart, The Rose released their track “Insomnia” on their Dawn EP in 2018. Though the band has a penchant for emotionally-charged lyrics, the desperation in the vocals of “Insomnia” takes it one step further. Woosung and Dojoon’s pleas for sleep to come are almost as heartbreaking as heartbreak itself.

“4AM” - IU

Rather than losing sleep at the thought of a lost love, IU’s “4AM” takes things the literal route with Korea’s sweetheart simply singing about the inability to fall asleep. Chances are if you’re up at four in the morning, it’s not because you intended to be, and IU’s jazzy take on insomnia is twinged with just the right amount of bitterness for a sleepless night. The track comes off the singer’s 2011 album Last Fantasy and is actually a collaboration between IU and her own personal idol, Corinne Bailey Rae. 

“새벽 4시 4:00 a.m.” - 10cm

Off their 2010 debut EP The 1st, indie duo 10cm serenaded their way into fans’ hearts with “4:00 a.m.” The song is a bright acoustic track reflecting on the youth of past love and tells the story of fond memories of an old romance. Unlike the other songs on this list, 10cm’s take on 4 a.m. is a pleasant one, and it makes for the perfect background music to any nostalgic night.