Michael Franti creates music that’s meant to inspire his listeners. Whether it’s to political action, to personal reflection, or to take it easy and enjoy the sunshine, Franti has a way of telling people things. His music has always enjoyed a fluid relationship with varied genres and the reggae-pop of 2010’s The Sound of Sunshine has a sound that’s pure summer. The title track, “Shake It,” featuring Lady Shaw, and “Hey Hey Hey” are as free-spirited an opening trio as could be imagined. The love songs wrap their longings in whistles and joyous outbursts that hide the frustration. But “Anytime You Need Me” and “Only Thing Missing Was You” are clearly upset at their core. After all, there’s a party going on elsewhere on this tropical island. “The Thing That Helps Me Get Through” is a full band assault and much harder than the breezy gaits preceding it. “Gloria,” with Cherine Anderson, is another tune that could’ve been played with Hawaiian mainstay Jack Johnson. “Headphones” and “The Sound of Sunshine Going Down” close out the album around the campfire. Another day in paradise complete.