[Make Your Summer Pop] A High-Energy J-POP Playlist to Boost Your Mood! [2026]

The Fateful Summertatsumi yūto

Yuto Tatsumi “Fateful Summer” Music Video

Released in January 2025 as Yuto Tatsumi’s ninth single, this work is an uptempo pop tune that straightforwardly captures the flutter of a passionate romance sparked on a midsummer beach under the blazing sun.

The protagonist, captivated by a fated encounter and vowing to etch this love forever, conveys single-minded feelings that make your heart skip a beat just by listening.

With lyrics by Masao Urino, music by Kohei Sachi, and arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita—an all-star creative team—the single debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Enka/Kayō Singles Chart (February 2025).

It’s perfect BGM for active scenes like summer drives or barbecues with friends, sure to elevate the mood on the spot.

Hot summerTHE JET BOY BANGERZ

Hot summer

A track from THE JET BOY BANGERZ bursting with dazzling, high-voltage energy that pierces the summer sky.

The group’s first summer-themed song delivers a poppy, danceable sound that instantly grabs the listener’s heart.

Like a scene from a Y2K-era TV drama, it vividly captures the everyday moments spent with friends and the refreshing summer memories that sparkle like fizzy soda.

Included on the EP “I Never Thought I’d Cry,” released in May 2025, the record also features a mid-tempo ballad that served as the theme song for the TV Tokyo drama “Missing Persons Search Unit: The Vanished Truth.” Perfect for summer drives, backyard BBQs with friends, or beach parties—play it in any active setting and the fun will multiply!

Summer Love AdvisorySHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Summer Love Advisory”

It’s a refreshingly exhilarating track from SHISHAMO that truly heralds the arrival of summer.

The protagonist is a girl who’s become a little timid about love.

Even as she stays cautious because of past experiences, her unstoppable feelings build, portrayed over an up-tempo sound.

It’s a number that captures that uniquely summery flutter—an exciting mix of a racing heart and a touch of bittersweet emotion.

Released in June 2023, marking the 10th anniversary of SHISHAMO’s CD debut, the single is also included on the album SHISHAMO 8 from the same year.

It was featured as the CM song for JTB’s “Kokoro Odoru Natsutabi” (Heart-Dancing Summer Trip) campaign, boosting the thrill of summer travel.

Listen to it during a summer drive or a lively BBQ with friends, and it just might multiply the fun many times over.

Summer has come.≠ME

≠ME (Not Equal Me) / 9th Single 'Because Summer Has Come' [MV full]

Isn’t this the one ≠ME track whose sound seems to symbolize a Japanese summer, perfectly suited to dazzling sunshine and blue skies? Showcasing producer Rino Sashihara’s deft touch, the song beautifully captures the flutter of summer crushes, the bittersweetness of youth, and a soaring sense of excitement.

The smiles from center Nanaka Tomita and the others at Cape Ashizuri are truly captivating! The phrase “Natsu ga natsu ga natsu ga kita kara” is incredibly catchy, too.

Released in August 2024 as their ninth single, it was first unveiled as a surprise at the Yokohama Arena tour finale in July of the same year, sending fans into a frenzy.

Ideal for summer drives, lively times with friends, or those sentimental twilight moments, this track sets the perfect mood.

It’s a must-have burst of summer energy that’s sure to lift anyone’s spirits!

I’ll end up hating you.Kaneyori Masaru

Kaneyori Masaru [You’ll Make Me Hate You] Music Video

Kaneyori Masaru is a three-piece girls’ rock band from Osaka that resonates with young listeners through down-to-earth lyrics and pop melodies.

Released in July 2024, this track is a passionate yet faintly bittersweet rock number, like the summer sun.

Brimming with feelings for someone they love, the song captures the flutter and sting of romance that makes you want to shout, “I’m going to end up hating you!” from anxiety and impatience, all set to a driving, exhilarating sound.

Vocalist and guitarist Mina Chitose’s powerful voice further fans the flames of summer excitement, seizing the listener’s heart and refusing to let go.

In 2023, the band made their major-label debut with the album “Watashi no Nocturne.” This new song will color your summer memories—perfect for a summer drive and as a sweet-and-sour anthem cheering on your love.

Somewhere in the summerWANIMA

WANIMA "Somewhere in the Summer" OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

It’s a song brimming with WANIMA’s positive energy, perfect for kicking off a refreshing summer.

It portrays the determination to keep moving forward despite hesitation and the desire to cast off sorrow and shine like the sun, all carried by a powerful sound.

Included on the single “Summer Trap!!” released in July 2019, it was also featured as the CM song for Asahi Soft Drinks’ “Mitsuya Cider 2019.” Together with a music video that evokes scenes of summer festivals, the track is embraced as an uplifting anthem that gives you a push at the start of summer.

Highly recommended for anyone about to take on something new.

Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya

Where Our Blue Is / Tatsuya Kitani

This song paints memories of youth that are as refreshing and bittersweet as a summer sky.

Tatsuya Kitani released it in July 2023.

It was chosen as the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen and received a Special Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards.

The cool, refreshing melody and lyrics that weave together the pure relationships unique to adolescence, along with regret and a sense of loss, vividly awaken memories everyone has experienced.

It’s a perfect song to sing in an air-conditioned karaoke room on a hot summer day while reminiscing about the past.