Picking up after Ken with another month down from 2021, 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.

“PLAYBACK” by JUJU

With the release of JUJU’s newest single “KotaeAwase” coming out this month, I went back and listened to her whole discography. “PLAYBACK” has been my song of the month as it reminds me of summer memories and brings back the good days. “PLAYBACK” is an uptempo song that immediately grabs you with its beat and JUJU’s fun playful vocals. It gives you the swing feel vibe and is a track that makes you want to get up and dance. It’s catchy tune, upbeat pop tempo infused with jazz gives it a nice flair.

Check out “PLAYBACK” here and the music video below!

“My Dear” by BoA

“My Dear” is BoA’s 20th Anniversary Digital Single and I absolutely love it. BoA has come so far in the industry and this track shows off BoA’s new style of music. “My Dear” is a more R&B-pop track as it has the western feel in the composition, however, her vocal’s are still nice on the ears. The versus and chorus flow perfectly with the composition. “My Dear” is a mid-tempo track with beautifully smooth vocals that showcase BoA’s talent and versatility.

Check out “My Dear” here and the official audio video below!

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“stay with me” by Thelma Aoyama

Thelma Aoyama released her newest album Scorpion Moon in October last month and “stay with me” immediately caught my ear. I absolutely love Thelma’s ballads and “stay with me” hits everything I want in a ballad. The piano throughout the song is beautiful, Thelma’s vocals are smooth, strong, and soft right where they need to be. The lyrics are moving, making it the perfect ballad as the composition matches it perfectly. I love that Thelma is able to showcase her vocal range in “stay with me” and keeps it a simple and lovely ballad.

Check out “stay with me” here and the music video below!

“BETELGEUSE” by Yuuri

Music Corner alumni Yuuri has been an artist I have been following since his hit “Dry Flower” and has been continously releasing fanastic tracks, “BETELGEUSE” is no exception to that. I fell in love with this track on the first listen and have had it on repeat almost all month. Yuuri’s powerful vocals fit perfectly with his folk rock style that I adore. “BETELGEUSE” pulls you in with its beautiful arrangement and Yuuri’s powerful vocals and leads you through the track like a story. Its such a nice tune to listen and sing-a-long to as it has that easy listening style of music.

Check out “BETELGEUSE” here and the music video below!

“Natsugasumi” (THE FIRST TAKE) By Atarayo

I was not able to be on the episode featuring Music Corner alumni Atarayo, however, I absolutely fell in love with them. “Natsugasumi” is an absolutely beautiful track and THE FIRST TAKE version was what I heard first and was blown away by their vocals and music. The guitar, drums, and vocals all fit together perfectly. It’s the perfect pop-rock song as it has the touch of sadness which you hear in both Hitomi and MaaShii’s vocals as well as the lyrics themselves. The emotions that Atarayo express in their music seeps into your soul and that is exactly what “Natsugasumi” did to me.

Check out “Natsugasumi” here and the music video below!