Cool songs to listen to in summer: a roundup of music to help you cool down
What kind of songs do you feel like listening to when summer comes?
When we think of summer songs, the usual image is bright, heated themes like the blazing sun, the sea, and romance.
But since summer brings a string of hot days, some of you might be thinking, “I want to listen to songs that make me feel even a little cooler…”
So in this article, I’ll introduce songs—based on their sound, lyrics, and overall vibe—that feel refreshing and can cool you down a bit!
I’ve selected a wide range of tracks, so please try listening to a variety of them.
Cool, refreshing songs for summer: a roundup of music to help you cool down (1–10)
GlintHY
This is an exhilarating uptempo track that conjures up shining scenes of summer sun, the sea, and fireworks.
Released in June 2022 and later included on the album “Kafuu,” it was written as the campaign song for Lawson’s “Cooling Sweets.” The refreshing feeling of eating a sweet treat perfectly links with the excitement of summer; just listening makes your heart feel lighter and inspires you to head outside.
It’s recommended for when you want to start something new or refresh your mood.
graduallyKing&Prince
A song with a pleasantly nostalgic sound that depicts scenes of a bygone summer and the shifting nature of memory.
Performed by King & Prince, it was included on the album “STARRING,” released in December 2025.
Written and composed by Ryoto Kohara of Tempalay, its lyrics delicately trace changing seasons and emotions, resonating deeply.
It’s a gentle, mid-tempo number you’ll want to savor alone at dusk.
Only for you, clear skiesYorushika
A song that seems perfect for the time from late afternoon into night, as the sun starts to set.
The handclaps in the chorus are sure to get everyone going together at festivals and live shows! Sui’s pleasantly relaxed vocal delivery adds a touch of wistfulness to the mood.
The word “summer” appears repeatedly in the lyrics, but rather than evoking a blazing hot summer, it feels more like a track that shines on a humid, overcast day that leaves you slightly sweaty.
PicnicSato Hiroshi
This is a track by city pop maestro Hiroshi Sato, featuring soothing, floating synths and steel pan-like tones.
Urban and sophisticated yet somehow nostalgic, its melody feels like a calm moment spent in early-summer dappled sunlight.
The song was released in June 1988 as the B-side of the single “Seat For Two,” and it’s also included on the 1988 album “AQUA.” Doesn’t it express, with gentle sound, the tenderness of those ordinary moments spent with someone special?
Coastline CiderKetsumeishi
A melody reminiscent of the sound of waves brings back memories of summers gone by.
It’s a track from Ketsumeishi’s digital single released in June 2025, chosen as the theme song for ABC-MART’s “SUPER SUMMER SALE” commercial.
Set to a comfortable rap, it vividly portrays the bittersweet memories of youth.
Within it lies the mindset of a protagonist who, while immersed in reminiscence, strives to look ahead.
Listening to it while driving along the coastline at dusk might just put you in a nostalgic mood.
Pretenders feat. C.O.S.A. & Yo-SeaSTUTS
A perfect BGM to soak in on a summer night is this track where the talents of STUTS, C.O.S.A., and Yo-Sea blend seamlessly.
Set over a mellow beat that makes you forget the bustle of the city, it paints a bittersweet yet beautiful scene of people wearing masks, hiding their true feelings, and surrendering themselves to a fleeting night.
It may well draw listeners into a pleasantly extraordinary world.
The song is included on the album “Orbit,” released in October 2022, and it also has a music video featuring striking night views of Chatan, Okinawa.
Give this refined sound a spin during a drive or while relaxing at home—it’s sure to enrich your summer nights.
Summer Dreamin’Hirai Dai
An emotional power-pop tune that rivals the midsummer sun colors the passing season in vivid hues.
It’s a song by Dai Hirai, a popular singer-songwriter known for his comfortable, surf music–influenced sound.
This piece is the title track of a digital EP released in July 2024.
The bittersweet yet uplifting lyrics are like a spell that makes limited time with someone special shine.
Listen to it on a summer drive, and together with the breeze streaming in through the window, it will help create unforgettable memories.