COVERCHORD CULTURE

Summer Playlist: Recommendations from Creators
SUMMER TRACKS 2024

SUMMER as envisioned by the creators.
Five summer tracks selected by leading creators from various fields.

Music is inseparable from creation.
What songs are those trending creators listening to this summer?
At COVERCHORD, we asked creators from various fields to share their top 5 summer tracks.

From a dance floor frenzy to chill time on the terrace, or a solo drive with no interruptions, each playlist reflects a unique take on summer.

No two summers are the same. Make this summer unforgettable with some great music.

DJ, Model, and Artist
Yuka Mizuhara

1_Coconuts High / Izumi Kobayashi
2_Waterlest Pool /Tomoko Aran
3_In the Sand / I Level
4_Summertime Breeze / Larry Heard
5_Get that happy feeling / Lemuria

1. Ever since I discovered this record, it has been my favorite summer listen every year. The happy vocals, uplifting samba rhythms, and island vibes make me wish I could spend my time in such a tropical world.

2. Her cool vocals over the heated performance make this the pinnacle of city pop. It's sensational and refreshing, like a breeze that stirs up feelings of love.

3. I want to dance endlessly under the bright blue sea light, feeling the beautiful, perfect summer day.

4. This spring, I had the chance to experience Larry Heard's full DJ set at "OPPA-LA" in Enoshima for the first time. I was completely drawn in by his steady hands and soothing rhythms. Every time I listen to "Summertime Breeze," it brings back vivid memories of the sunset over Enoshima.

5. I want to enjoy summer moments, eating shaved ice and soaking up the lively atmosphere of the festival, all while being enveloped by rhythmic and happy melodies♪

Yuka Mizuhara
is an artist based in LA and Japan. She serves as the resident for NTS "Wave Flower." Encouraged by Towa Tei, she delved into records and began DJing at the party "Records" @Montoak in 2016. She also sings with her sister Kiko as the Mizuhara Sisters and has appeared on stage with Yukihiro Takahashi's unit METAFIVE and Haruomi Hosono. Currently, she is passionately working on creating an album with LA-based BENEDEK.

Instagram_@ashley_yuka

DJ
DJ KOCO aka SHIMOKITA

1_Summertime / DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
2_Summer In The City / Quincy Jones
3_Summer Breeze / The Main Ingredient
4_Summer Madness / Kool & The Gang
5_Summer In The City / Justice System

Inspired by the theme of summer, I selected these tracks while reminiscing about the golden age of '90s hip-hop. These five titles, which straightforwardly include "Summer," remain timeless summer anthems.

DJ KOCO aka SHIMOKITA
Based in Tokyo's Shimokitazawa, this hip-hop DJ has garnered worldwide attention for his unique DJ sets using 7-inch records. With refined skills and an innate sense for vinyl digging, he captivates hip-hop and music fans across the globe with his exceptional track selection.
Expanding his reach year by year, he has successfully completed multiple European tours, a Brazil tour in 2023, and an Australia tour in 2024.

Instagram_@djkocoakashimokita

Sisi Joia
Cécile Wallon

1_Samuraï (feat. Stevie Wonder) / Djavan, Stevie Wonder
2_In Private / Dusty Springfield
3_Weekend / Earth & Fire
4_Parfum de rêve / Jo Lemaire
5_Mi chi / Joey Yung

1_A very warm love song, with the incredibly catchy harmonica from Stevie Wonder, makes we wish I could sing the lyrics in brazilian portuguese.

2_Dusty Springfield was over 50 when she sang that absolute hit, and I can feel the maturity. Also it’s produced by Pet Shop Boys and it makes me want to dance immediately.

3_A heartbreak song with powerful lyrics, it sound to me like the end of a warm evening night filled with melancholy.

4_A very cool song in French I can sing along with friends when having aperitif on the terrace.

5_A summer dream to me, in cantonese, which makes my imagination run even further (I listened to the english version too much when I was young!)

Cécile Wallon
Founder of Sisi Joia. She makes jewelry with vintage beads in her atelier in Paris, surrounded by friends.

Instagram_ @cécilelechevallier

thisisneverthat
Naina

1_Destination / Roni Size, Reprazent
2_Black Jesus / 9 Lazy 9
3_Stuck in the middle / Greentea Peng
4_Summer Madness / Khruangbin
5_Help / HYUKOH

This playlist is perfect for driving on a summer night after the rain has stopped.

Naina
Co-founder and director of **thisisneverthat**, launched in 2010. He is currently also involved in design direction for new brands such as Khakis and Tenui.

Instagram_@naina_kr

Model・Musician
mei

1_Sunshower / Dr.Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band
2_Losing You / Solange
3_I’m Still in Love with You (feat. Sasha) / Sean Paul, Sasha, Jeremy Harding, Murray Elias
4_Luxurious / Gwen Stefani
5_Flowers-Sunship Edit / Sweet Female Attitude

In the peak of summer, I want to listen to music that lifts my spirits while still offering a sense of coolness. I've also captured the nostalgic feelings that come with this time of year in these five tracks.

mei
Born and raised in San Francisco. Active as a fashion and advertising model, and also a member of the music unit MIRRROR.

Instagram_@iemmmei

DJ,Mitsuki Director
Toyoyuki Yamada (YAMARCHY)

1_Sunny Hills / Bobby Caldwell
2. Blue Pierce / Odotte Bakari no Kuni
3_Darlin’ / The Beach Boys
4. The Paled Room / Yumi Arai
5_Sunshine Reggae / Laid Back

1. In August 2023, after a Sweet Soul party in Nagoya's "Kalakuta" with P-yan, we listened to this aftersong at TAIHEI's place with the fan spinning.

2. My favorite youthful and emotional summer song by Shimotsu. Listen to this in the peak of summer, and by the end of it, don't miss "Summer Madness" by SHIMOTSU KOJI x AKIM from OVER DOVE.

3. This nostalgic track was part of the Avalanches' mix that played endlessly in the select shop "CANNABIS" when I joined in 2011. I also played it in Enoshima.

4. A chaotic black history track from the COVID-19 pandemic. During a night run at OPPA-LA in late summer 2020, YELLOW UHURU dropped this 7-inch as the last song, as if to offer advice.

5. This timeless summer classic has persistently graced the ending of MITSUKI countless times. No explanation needed.

Toyoyuki Yamada (YAMARCHY)
Since the opening of Tokyo club MITSUKI in 2019, Toyoyuki Yamada, known as YAMARCHY, has been the resident DJ and booking director. He receives continuous offers from both domestic and international locations. He has performed at "FESTIVAL de FRUE" in 2020 and 2023, "Rainbow Disco Club" in 2022 and 2024, and "Wonderfruit" in Thailand in 2023.

Instagram_@yamarchy

HOLIDAY
Noriko Kikuchi

1. "Yakusoku wa Iranai" / Maaya Sakamoto From "The Vision of Escaflowne"
2. “Akari” / Soushi Sakiyama From "Jujutsu Kaisen" (Hidden Inventory / Premature Death)
3. "Sora kara Koboreta STORY" / Da Capo From "Sherlock Hound"
4. "The Tower" / Angela (Vo. Alisa) From "Carole & Tuesday"
5. "STILL LOVE HER (Ushinawareta Fūkei)" / TM NETWORK From "City Hunter 2"

Driving alone in the peak of summer with the windows up and the AC on, I immerse myself in scenes from my favorite anime and the ambiance of that era. This personal dream time is all the more calming with the contrast to reality. I recommend listening in the morning before work.

Noriko Kikuchi
After working with a men's brand for 10 years, Noriko Kikuchi became a freelancer in 2012. Since the fall/winter of 2017, she has been the director of HOLIDAY. Starting this year, she has launched the sale of (nicknamed) "Oshi-katsu" goods, collaborating with her own icon, the "Choibusu Keyholder."

Instagram_@norikokikuchi

Illustration_蔡云逸 Clarice

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