Following Luna, we at OTY would like our readers to know what was filling our ears for the past month. Each track is available across all digital music streaming platforms, with Apple Music featured on this site.

FOREVER by SIRUP & Shin Sakiura

Honestly this was a very solid and much needed back to basic release for SIRUP. While I don’t mind his current style of smooth R&B, the vocal and rap power of SIRUP has been missed. The amazing composition that is set up from Shin Sakiura is absolutely breathtaking and I would love a standalone instrumental version of this release as well. I have no doubt that SIRUP will have a quiet 2022, but if his subsequent releases are anything like “FOREVER”, then we are all in for a treat.

Be sure to check out the music video for “FOREVER” along with the track here!

“See you again” by Asian Kung-fu Generation

I was caught by surprise with the release of Planet Folks as I had missed the initial release of it, but overall a very solid album. The one track that had me going back to it’s penultimate song is “See you again” and upon first listen is classic AJIKAN which I had very much missed during their usual breaks that they take. Gotoh’s vocals as always were on point with this haunting composition that I had preferred be the final song on the album, as it gave this lasting impression on the listeners a tad more then “Be Alright”. While I don’t expect anti other releases done by Asian Kung-fu Generation this year, with tracks like “See you again” still having the same energy and flair as AJIKAN did during the peak of their career, I have no doubt in my mind they are still here to stay.

Be sure to check out the song here!

“Comedy” by Gen Hoshino

While not far from the more emotional style of releases that Hoshino did last year, “Comedy” is still a track that needs a listen. Its flair and Hoshinoisms that I absolutely love is on full blast and is such and enjoyable tune that I couldnt help but add this into my rotation within the first 20 secs upon first listen. While I don’t think all of Hoshino’s release will be similar (thank goodness), I can appreciate that he tries to do a release that feels right to him and not what a label says. I can’t wait to see what he is cooking up for the rest of the year.

Check out the zany music video below with the song here!

“No Reason” by Daichi Yamamoto & Qunimune

Yamamoto is one of those artist that keeps surprising me upon every release. As every time I try to put him in a box to label, in he just comes out with songs like “No Reason” that makes me rethink how I should label him. This is a more smooth and luxurious style of vocal range that Yamamoto puts on the forefront and I absolutely love it and the way it just melts with the composition; it is masterful work in it of itself. While I don’t know if he’ll be continuing this style as I think he feels more natural as a fast pace lyricist, I sure will be looking forward to more styles like “No Reason”.

Be sure to check out the song here!

“Bitter!” By LUCKY TAPES

I had really missed LUCKY TAPES and “Bitter!” had really gave me that goodness that I had needed. One of the things that really pulled me into adding this into my rotation is the out of this world composition that kept on having me just get lost into its beats. While I’m not sure what 2022 has in store for LUCKY TAPES, I for one can’t wait to hear every release.

Check out lyric video below along with the song here!

Latest Ongaku Gos!