The American-born J-pop singer-songwriter AI will be celebrating her 20th anniversary in music this November, and is getting a head start on the festivities with a new single called “Summer Magic.”
AI collaborated with the L.A. music production duo The Rascals on the upbeat R&B tune that she describes as being “a happy summer song that makes you want to sing along” with a “sound and melody line that isn’t like anything I’ve ever done before.”
Two versions of the single, one in English and the other in Japanese, were released together digitally Friday (May 17). Hear them both below. The Japanese version is being featured in the new commercials for Amazon Echo depicting the interaction via Alexa between a grown son and his mother.
AI has also announced a series of concerts coming up in November to mark her 20th anniversary year, with shows in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo, featuring a gospel choir.