About

Half a century into his career, Yamashita has multiple lifetimes worth of songs written, including those for legendary artists like Yumi Matsutoya and Eichii Ohtaki. “Culture, you know, it may have 100 or 200 different entrances, but there is only one exit,” he has said. He approaches the craft of pop music with utmost seriousness; recently, he even destroyed all his demos, ensuring that no one would release any of his half-baked ideas posthumously. It’s hard to complain, though, when he’s still releasing songs like “Cheer Up! The Summer,” suffused in the breezy atmospheres and unbridled joy of his best work. “We can fly away,” he sings, as string arrangements and vocal harmonies lift higher. It’s irresistible because it’s irresistible to Yamashita. Really, all his music is like this: a natural overflow of his boundless love for—and belief in—pop music. - Pitchfork