From the first washboard-like güiro strokes in Shintaro Sakamoto‘s new song, “In A Phantom Mood,” it’s obvious where the tune is headed: to the beach! After 20 years and mainstream Japanese success with Yura Yura Teikoku, Sakamoto has headed out on his own, and from the sound of it he’s drinking Mai Tais all the way. This song, off of the recently released How To Live With A Phantom, is one of the chillest songs in recent memory, built purely for lounging in the shade and sipping on something cold while a sea breeze gently wafts by. There are echoes of French pop, lightly strummed guitars, and a cool, relaxing groove that’s perfect for finger-tapping on the armrest of a rattan beach chair.

How To Live With A Phantom is out now via Other Music Recordings.

STREAM: Shintaro Sakamoto – “In A Phantom Mood”