BGM for summer drives: A roundup of songs that feel like summer [2026]

sparklermoon drop

moon drop [Sparkler] Music Video

This song portrays the fleeting, delicate beauty of youthful memories, like fireworks shimmering in the summer night sky.

Released in June 2024 by moon drop, a band from Ise City in Mie Prefecture, it is filled with the ache of unrequited love and a longing for time gone by.

The lyrics evoke scenes of sandy beaches and yukata-clad evenings, resonating deeply with listeners.

With a melody that hints at the end of summer and emotive lyrics that leave a lasting impression, it’s perfect for listening to on a drive.

Recommended for those who want to linger in past memories or cherish the present moment.

Ocean ViewBAD HOP

BAD HOP / Ocean View feat. YZERR, Yellow Pato, Bark & T-Pablow (Official Video)

This work captivates with its dazzling sound, as if it captured the very best moments shared with friends.

Riding a tropical, exhilarating beat, it paints an extraordinary scene of escaping the everyday to enjoy a seaside party.

Each member’s distinctive rap vividly reflects the crew’s lifestyle and strong bonds.

Released in September 2017, the track is included on BAD HOP’s second nationwide release album, “Mobb Life.” Symbolic of the group’s meteoric rise, the album boasts a highly popular music video for this song, which has amassed over 38 million views on YouTube.

It’s the perfect track to elevate your mood for summer drives or beach gatherings.

If you’re looking to create an unforgettable summer with your friends, be sure to give it a listen!

One Love feat. kZmBIM

BIM – One Love feat. kZm

Perfect for those slightly sentimental summer evenings, this collaboration track by BIM and kZm sets the mood just right.

Released digitally in August 2020 and included on the album “Boston Bag” the same month, the song features a tropical, mellow dancehall sound produced by G.RINA.

Centered on the theme of “One Love,” it captures the bittersweetness of a summer romance, wavering emotions, and the pursuit of dreams, with a faintly frustrating, yearning undertone.

The tight back-and-forth between the two—close allies—makes for a key highlight.

In the music video directed by Heiyuu, their expressions convey that sense of pent-up longing.

Give it a listen on a summer drive or during a quiet night alone lost in thought.

Pretenders feat. C.O.S.A. & Yo-SeaSTUTS

STUTS – Pretenders feat. C.O.S.A. & Yo-Sea (Official Music Video)

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.

My Resort¥ellow bucks

¥ellow Bucks – “My Resort” [Official Video]

It’s a captivating track with soothing sounds that make you feel as if you’re on a private beach.

On Tee’s production, ¥ellow Bucks unfolds a world where the sparkle of an extraordinary resort intersects with fleeting scenes from everyday life.

The song is included on his milestone debut album “Jungle,” released in August 2020, and its colorful music video, shot in Okinawa, drew major attention, topping various music video charts in Japan.

It’s guaranteed to lift your spirits on a summer drive or whenever you want to unwind a little.

My Resort Pt. 2¥ellow bucks

¥ellow Bucks – My Resort Pt. 2 [Official Video]

If you’re looking for a moment of calm on a summer evening, this track is highly recommended.

Delivered by ¥ellow Bucks, it wraps you in a relaxed sense of freedom, as if you were spending time at your own private hideaway resort.

As the title “Pt.

2” suggests, it expands a worldview where you can feel the inner changes you discover upon returning to a familiar place, and the deeper layers that emerge from that experience.

Featured on the album “Jungle 2,” released in September 2024, this piece also reflects the fact that ¥ellow Bucks serves as the official ambassador for the mineral water brand “nix.” Its cool, sophisticated beat offers a refreshing sensation that seeps into a body warmed by the summer heat.

It’s perfect for a drive or for unwinding at home—give it a listen.

Even those who don’t usually listen to hip-hop will likely be drawn in by its charm.

Cobalt on a summer afternoonAwesome City Club

Cobalt on a Summer Afternoon / Awesome City Club (MUSIC VIDEO) – Opening theme for the drama “She Was Pretty”

Awesome City Club’s music is known for its urban, sophisticated sound, and the harmonies woven by their male–female twin vocals feel perfect for a drive.

This track is a breezy pop tune that beautifully captures the sparkle of summer sunlight and the thrill of a budding romance.

The lyrics depict the protagonist’s strong resolve to find their true self and move forward as they are, along with a message of dreaming of a radiant future powered by past experiences—sure to give listeners courage.

Released in July 2021, it colored the story as the opening theme for the TV drama “She Was Pretty.” It’s also included on the album “Get Set,” where, among the band’s diverse musical range, this song shines with a particularly catchy charm.

It’s a perfect fit not only for summer afternoon drives, but also as background music when you’re ready to take a new step forward.