Another month down from 2020 and we at Ongaku to You 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 being featured on this site.

“Clover Wish” by ChamJam

With the new season of anime underway in Fall 2020, I brought myself back to anime that I had watched and “Clover Wish” had butted its head in. While a simple and by the number idol track, it brings me that nostalgic feeling that I had when I was obsessed with the genre. With everything going on it was good to have that base to go back to and be able to think of the good memories from the past. Although it was a very late addition to my list, I had gone back to it almost every day. 

Be sure to check out the anime preview for “Clover Wish” along with the track here!

“Horizontal Oath” by RONDO

Continuing on the anime trend, with the premiere of the D4DJ First Mix this month and with the anticipating release of the upcoming app, I had went back in-depth with Bushiorad’s latest multimedia franchise. Out of all the groups that were available, RONDO had stood out to me the most as it had one of the more rare member line ups by including a guitarist in the mix. While it it might sounds like an overflow of the senses at first, I had fallen in love with it at first listen and while their cover of “Killing Me” from SiM is absolutely amazing, “Horizontal Oath” is their best original track. Riho Kato’s vocals with the mixture of Haurna Momono’s harmonization is something that has to be heard. DJ Tsunko’s composition and Sae Otsuka’s guitar work takes it to eleven. This was something that I was missing as of late and while I’m a fan of Bushiroad’s franchises, D4DJ with the help of RONDO jumped up to my second of all time. 

Check out the live performance for “Horizontal Oath” along with the song here!

“A Stinging Spica” by Polkadot Stingray

With the announcement of their new album coming out later in the year, I had finally gone back to an earlier release done by the band. Originally released on their Shinseiki EP back in January, at first listen I had instantly fell in love with the track as vocalist Shuzuka made an impact on to me with her amazing vocals. Guitarist Harushi enticed me even more to listen to the track to the point that it was all I would listen to for the day. By summer, “A Stinging Spica” was already in the running for my #1 song of the year and with their album Nanimono on the horizon, it will absolutely be a top lock for the year. 

Check out the music video for “A Stinging Spica” along with the track here!

“Haruka” by Scandal

With our semi review of Scandal’s latest album Kiss from the darkness, I had the sudden urge to go through my top songs done by the band and “Haruka” instantly came into my rotation again. A soft but simple vocal composition by lead singer Haruna entices me to fall in love with everything about the track, and when the transition to the second verse happens, the alluring range of the bassist Tomomi encapsulates me even more. One thing that also stands out is the usage of a mid-tempo composition throughout the song and while listeners might think that a more ballad style would match the theme of the love much more. Scandal goes above and beyond to make everything work. While the recent singles and album done by the band haven’t met the same heights done by “Haruka”, I highly anticipate the next release. 

Be sure to check out the “Haruka” here!

“MR. CLEVER” by I Don’t Like Mondays. 

 What’s very interesting about IDLM is the genre changes MR. CLEVER brought going in and out since signing with avex. The track takes on a more R&B style of composition. Vocalist Yu makes an impressive showing by not only proving he can hang with the heavy hitters of the genre but at times goes above and beyond. Living up to their motto on “BE PLAY BOY”, the tune keeps the party going and is one that will be difficult for me to leave my rotation in the future. 

Check out “MR. CLEVER” along with the song here!