A song by a rock band bursting with exhilarating energy and a sense of speed that you want to listen to in the summer.
Every summer, countless music festivals are held all over the country, and I imagine many rock band fans feel that summer is the season of music.
In fact, many Japanese rock songs are themed around summer, so you could say rock and summer are inseparable! In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of Japanese rock tracks that are perfect for the summer, all in one go.
From fiery, hype-inducing tunes to refreshingly exhilarating tracks, we’ve picked songs to match whatever situation you want to listen in—so find the perfect track for your mood.
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Songs full of exhilarating, fast-paced energy from rock bands you’ll want to listen to in summer (181–190)
BUBBLE-GUM MAGICKEYTALK
A 2019 release from KEYTALK that you can’t help but sway to—set to a four-on-the-floor beat against an all-pink backdrop, unfolding in a danceable groove.
The contrast between the two vocalists is intriguing, and it makes you want to surrender to the rhythm section and listen while dancing.
The sexy music video is insanely cool too—this track is crafted for serious dancing.
Summer VenusKEYTALK
KEYTALK is a four-piece rock band made up of men.
They’re artists from Shimokitazawa who pioneered a genre known as “danceable rock.” Summer Venus is a track included on their 2017 album PARADISE.
It’s a high-energy summer song that overflows with the fun of the season.
The rush of the chorus is exceptional and leaves you feeling refreshed.
With call-and-response shouts and EDM-like elements, it’s full of playful touches.
Be sure to enjoy it along with the music video that captures the feeling of summer.
Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
It’s a quintessentially L’Arc~en~Ciel up-tempo, fast-paced track that always gets the crowd going at live shows.
Just like its title suggests, it consistently ranks high on lists of songs people want to listen to while driving.
It’s a hot summer tune perfect for a drive.
ChangeONE OK ROCK
Released just before the summer of 2018, this song has been generating buzz for the group’s leap forward in their sound.
With an upbeat rock vibe that could easily be mistaken for Western music, it’s a track you’ll want to ride into the hot summer with.
It’s sure to energize Japan’s summer festivals this year.
ONION!ONE OK ROCK
A track from the “Emotion Effect” collection that gets crowds hyped at hot summer festivals.
It’s a rare song that isn’t often heard on stage these days, but this masterpiece made a comeback during the tour for their eighth album, “Ambitions.” Highly recommended for hot days.
Summer-patterned catOfisharu Higedan Dism
Since their 2018 debut, Official HIGE DANDism quickly became a household-hero presence.
They’re a four-member male band.
“Natsumoyou no Neko” is a summer song built around the piano.
Summer isn’t just vaguely fun—it can also make you emotional when you witness things you can only see in that season.
This track invites you to sink into exactly those feelings.
Just listening to it conjures up beautiful summer scenes.
It’s also a song where you can revel in the expressive power of the vocalist, Satoshi Fujihara.
The lingering afterglow when the song ends is wonderfully pleasant.
Summer IllusionOmoinotake
Omoinotake is a three-piece band that captivates fans with songs influenced by Black music such as soul, R&B, and hip-hop.
Their sixth digital-only single, “Natsu no Maboroshi” (Summer Illusion), was chosen as the theme song for the film Cherry Magic! THE MOVIE: The Magic Continues.
The contrast between the delicate, lingering piano-driven ensemble and the emotional vocals evokes the bittersweet atmosphere of summer.
It’s a sentimental summer song that gently colors the passing season.
