Get fired up for the hot season! Summer songs recommended for Gen Z

motion sickness from proximitywanuka

Yori Yoi / Wanuqa [Music Video]

This song is striking for its uniquely Japanese-flavored melody set over a shuffle beat.

It quickly became a hot topic, especially on TikTok, and sparked huge reactions across many platforms, even reaching No.

1 on Spotify’s charts.

Its coined-title—symbolizing emotions heightened by alcohol—is distinctive, and it deftly portrays the inner conflict between feelings usually kept in check and the boldness that comes with being tipsy.

It’s a track that fully showcases Wanuka’s musical style, fusing nostalgia and freshness.

The lyrics, conveying the frustration of being in love and a strong yearning for the other person, resonated with many listeners.

It’s a sweet and bittersweet love song you’ll want to hear on a summer night with a pleasant buzz.

ASOBONiziU

NiziU(니쥬) Digital Single 「ASOBO」 M/V

With a playful spirit, every day becomes more fun—that’s the feeling this NiziU track gives you.

Featuring house music and a Motown-style upbeat rhythm, it’s the kind of song that makes many listeners start moving without even realizing it.

Released in April 2022, it was also used in a Fanta commercial.

Its message, “Let’s enjoy everyday life no matter what,” amplifies that excited summer vacation mood.

It’s perfect for hanging out with friends or as background music for outings, so give it a listen when you want everyone to get hyped!

HOT LIMITT.M.Revolution

T.M.Revolution – HOT LIMIT | Official Music Video

This is a song by T.M.Revolution that was featured as the commercial theme for Asahi Soft Drinks’ Mitsuya Cider.

Its energetic sound and bold lyrics are captivating, evoking the thrill of summer’s arrival.

Released in June 1998, the track conjures vivid images of one’s rational limits slipping away amid the excitement and heat of romantic push-and-pull.

It’s a song that blows away the everyday and gives a boost to anyone who wants to cut loose under the sun.

Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Summer Shadow” Official Music Video

As the end of summer draws near, a sudden mix of loneliness and a racing heart wells up inside.

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s song gently scoops up those hard-to-put-into-words feelings.

The bittersweetness toward a passing season and the faint summer-infused crush that you almost want to blame on the heat resonate in your chest atop a crystal-clear melody.

This track was selected as the CM song for Kirin’s Gogo-no-Kocha, featuring Ren Meguro from Snow Man.

Released in August 2025 as their 20th digital single, it’s packed with both the sparkle and the wistfulness of summers spent with friends.

Use it as the BGM for a short video compiling your fun summer memories, and it’s sure to instantly heighten the emotional vibe.

Naughty SunORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE – Naughty Sun (Reiwa ver. Music Video)

This is a track by ORANGE RANGE, a rock band from Okinawa, which served as the opening theme for the drama “Hana-Kimi: Ikemen Paradise.” Released in July 2007, it’s also included on the album “PANIC FANCY.” The song centers on the impulse of a dangerous love that can’t be stopped even when you know you shouldn’t—like a blazing sun.

It portrays “two people drawn to each other, forgetting reason,” through the passionate vocals of the group’s three singers and a retro-pop sound.

It’s guaranteed to boost your mood when you listen during summer drives or events! Even after its release, it’s continued to be loved as a cross-generational summer classic, with related videos on TikTok reaching the tens of millions.

fireworksaiko

aiko - “Hanabi” music video

It’s one of Aiko’s signature songs that gently cradles those bittersweet summer-night feelings of love.

A hit on TikTok every summer, this was her third single, released in August 1999, peaking at No.

10 on the Oricon charts, and it’s also included on the classic album “Sakura no Ki no Shita.” It beautifully captures that helpless feeling of thinking about the person you like right up until you fall asleep.

Set against summer constellations and the night sky, it portrays a love that swells in your chest and the frustration of it not coming true—cue the heart flutters.

If you listen to it on a night of unrequited love when your feelings for someone are overflowing, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself relating to every word.

Slow & EasyHirai Dai

Dai Hirai / Slow & Easy (Music Video)

This song, distinguished by the gentle sound of the ukulele, is a piece that symbolizes Dai Hirai’s lifestyle.

It’s the title track of the album “Slow & Easy,” released in May 2015, and it was also used in a Sumitomo Forestry commercial.

Over time, it surpassed 100 million total streams in June 2022.

While it might seem like a simple, relaxing summer tune, the piece carries a profound message: happiness isn’t something you create—it’s something you notice.

In the rush of everyday life, do you ever find yourself comparing with others and feeling anxious? This is the kind of song that, when you listen to it at such moments, gives you a gentle pause that lightens your heart.