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.
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Cool, refreshing songs for summer: a roundup of music to help you cool down (1–10)
half moonHirai Dai
A romantic medium-tempo ballad that likens unrequited feelings to a waning moon.
Released by Dai Hirai in May 2025, it’s the fourth installment in a series of four consecutive digital singles produced to coincide with his beach festival, THE BEACH TRIP 2025.
The lyrics were co-written with EIGO, and the composition and arrangement were a collaboration with Haruto Nishi.
It’s a perfect track for a summer night drive.
everything; the whole lot; lock, stock, and barrelKREVA
A healing summer song by KREVA that blends the languid feel of a hot afternoon with a refreshing breeze.
You dream of a resort, yet end up relaxing at home after all.
It conjures up an unpretentious snapshot of summer.
And maybe being with someone special is enough to make you happy, even without anything extraordinary—that’s the kind of love-filled touch KREVA brings to this track.
Released in June 2005, it was also used as a TV show ending theme.
Its comfortable beat and smooth rap make it a perfect number for summer drives or moments of quiet reflection.
MINTSuchmos
A cool number that brings a pleasant breeze to a languid summer afternoon.
This track by the Kanagawa-born band Suchmos is the lead song from their EP “MINT CONDITION,” released in July 2016.
Its airy sound, infused with jazz and soul, is like a sudden shower that cools the heat radiating off the asphalt.
The music video, a collaboration with the jeans brand Levi’s, won Best New Artist Video (Japan) at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2016.
It’s a perfect pick for anyone looking to drift away from the hustle of city life and savor a stylish summer moment.
Cool songs to listen to in summer: a roundup of music to help you cool down (11–20)
Amber-Hued City, Morning of Shanghai Crabskururi
A comfortable number that brings an urban, stylish summer mood.
Created by Quruli, a Kyoto-born band, in July 2016 to mark their 20th anniversary, it features an innovative sound that leans into R&B and hip-hop.
Many listeners have likely been hooked by the contrast between its chic sound and unconventional lyrics.
The catchy chorus refrain is the kind that, once you hear it, you can’t help but hum along.
It’s a stylish track that fits perfectly with a summer drive or a slightly sentimental night.
Summer MemoriesKetsumeishi
Ketsumeishi creates a truly unique sound through the contrast between their striking tracks and melodic rap.
Released in July 2003, their 10th single has become a beloved summer staple in J-pop.
It resonates with a bittersweet longing for the end of joyful times, paired with a refreshing spirit that looks toward tomorrow.
The song was featured in a Vodafone commercial and included on the acclaimed album Ketsuno Police 3.
With its emotional, memorable chorus, it’s a pop tune perfect for late-summer drives or time spent with friends.
Summer DreamBikkeburanka
An urban, mellow-sounding number that feels wonderfully smooth.
It’s a work by singer-songwriter Vickeblanka, and his signature delicate falsetto accentuates the fragility of summer nights.
The theme is the memory of a fleeting summer romance, and its charm lies in the coexistence of a dreamlike weightlessness and a heart-tightening wistfulness.
This track is one of the double A-side single “Natsu no Yume/WALK,” released in August 2018.
It’s the perfect song for anyone who wants to sink into a slightly sentimental mood at summer’s end.
The Long and Short FestivalShiina Ringo
I want to sink into a slightly mature, stylish mood that suits a summer night.
For times like that, I recommend this song by Ringo Sheena.
It conveys a strong sentiment: “A woman’s most dazzling, glamorous moment is as fleeting and brief as a scorching summer festival, and that’s exactly why we should savor the present with all our might.” Riding a passionate, samba-like rhythm, she trades sultry lines in a duet with Tokyo Jihen’s guitarist Ukigumo, creating an unforgettable, addictive track after just one listen.
Released in August 2015 as the title track of the double A-side single ‘Nagaku Mijikai Matsuri / Kamisama, Hotokesama,’ it was also used in Coca-Cola’s summer campaign commercial.
It’s a number that coolly sets the mood for a muggy summer night drive.