Luna's Ongaku Go for May 2023!

With Spring coming to an end and Summer heating up fast, it's that time of the month for May’s Ongaku Go! 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.

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“CANDY CANDY (Moe Shop Remix)” by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

I have had the KPP’s “CANDY CANDY" (Moe Shop Remix)” stuck in my head since its release and was lucky enough to be able to see Moe Shop do this remix live AND see Kyary Pamyu Pamyu sing “CANDY CANDY” live, all in one day. This track oozes with energy both from Kyary’s sweet vocals and adds Moe Shop’s EDM flare to it. The high energy this track brings makes me want to get up and dance to it - that jump around, fun type of dance. This has one of the catchiest chorus’ making it easy to sing-a-long to.

Check out “CANDY CANDY (Moe Shop) Remix” here and the video below!

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“Sunflower” by CHANMINA

With the release of CHANMINA’s new album Naked, immediately upon hearing “Sunflower”, I fell in love with this track. CHANMINA’s vocals are perfect for it showcasing the power and emotion behind the lyrics of “Sunflower”. The composition gives easy listening vibes, but it could always be easily remixed and played in a club to jam out to. The chorus is catchy and flows perfectly with each versus, also making it an easy track to sing along to. If the composition doesn’t pull you in, the lyrics absolutely will.

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

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“Game Over” by CREAM

CREAM is back with their third digital single of 2023 and I couldn’t be happier. “Game Over” starts out with a more poppy tune and Minami’s vocals are as smooth as ever. The chorus and composition are very catchy, making you want to dance and sing with CREAM. The lyrics are about a break-up; I like this take on a break-up song giving it an up beat sound makes it a break-up song to make you feel better than those sappy ballad ones. Staxx-T’s rap is more minimal in this track but fits perfectly with ‘Game Over”. CREAM really slapped with this one, making it such a memorable track when it comes to the lyrics and composition.

Check out “Game Over” here and the video below!

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“WORK” by millenium parade & Shiina Ringo

I rarely watch any new anime while it airs, but a friend convinced me to watch Hell’s Paradise (Jigokuraku) and I heard the opening track “WORK” and became instantly hooked. The opening of this song pulls you in immediately. Shiina’s vocals match the composition and the rap millennium parade provides just flows together with ease. The guitar riff in the midst of “WORK” is odd yet works with the style this track represents. I love the use of Shiina’s vocals in “WORK” more than anything as that is what originally pulled me in.

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

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“Like a Tattoo” by BONNIE PINK

I’ve been a BONNIE PINK fan for a long time, hearing her begin to release new music again has made my heart happy. “Like a Tattoo” is a fantastic way for BONNIE PINK to start off 2023 with. BONNIE PINK’s vocals are still as great as ever and the composition has a modern flare that sounds different from BONNIE PINK’s music I grew up listening to. She makes it fit by bringing her own style to it. The lyrics, vocals, composition just pull you in, making it an easy listening track that you take in and enjoy. I just love the ending lyrics as they stick with you like a tattoo.

Check out “Like a Tattoo” here and the music video below!

Ongaku To You's Songs, Artists, and New Artists of the Year for 2021!

2021 was a very interesting year for the Japanese music industry and we at Ongaku to You would like to praise the songs and artists that helped us traverse this amazing year. Each member broke down the year in three categories; Song of the Year, New Artist We Discovered in 2021, and lastly our Artist of the Year. We hope that 2022 will bring many surprises to the Japanese music industry like we received in 2021!

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Luna’s Top Song and Artists of 2021!

Song of the Year: “JOYRIDE” by Miliyah Kato

When I first heard 'JOYRIDE', I was immediately pulled in by the lyrics as they are sad, emotional, and make a tremendous impact. Miliyah's vocals fit 'JOYRIDE' perfect in every aspect; she knows how to hit each note matching with the melody of the song. Miliyah's vocals, lyrics, the melody all come together making it a song that makes an impact. 'JOYRIDE' has personally made that impact moving me to tears and it has made its way onto my playlist on repeat.

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New Artist of the Year: BRIDEAR

BRIDEAR was a pleasant surprise finding out about this year. They were recommended to me by several people in the JME music group and also popped up on my Apple Music recommendations. I started listening to their Baryte album, which pulled me into checking out more of their music. The tracks "Ghoul" and "Mirror" made the biggest impacts on me. I enjoy metal but I don't listen to it as often, however, when I do, BRIDEAR is the type of band I enjoy listening too. Vocals, compositions, lyrics - all the members blend so good together when creating music. Ever since I did MC on them, I've add them in my rotation.

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Artist of the Year: CREAM

This year, I dived deep into the Hip-Hop/R&B fusiion scene and CREAM became a huge part of my playlist this year. In 2019, "Banana" got me into the group, my MC got me further. This year, I took a turn of going through their whole discography again and appreciating it to no end. CREAM has four songs and all four are in my top 10 on Apple Music Replay for most played. On top of that, I've listened to CREAM the most this year. Not only has CREAM released several new digital singles this year that are on many of my playlists but their older songs such as "Change", "Wonderland", "Playboy", "Girl LIke Me", "Banana", and "#nofilter" have been the most played for me. 2021 has consisted of CREAM and Yayoi Daimon, however, CREAM has reigned supreme.

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Gray’s Top Song and Artists of 2021

Song of the Year: “Ame ga Hajimari no Aizu” by 7ORDER

I love this song and while I've technically listened to "Seiyaku No Toushi" more, "Ame Ga Hajimari No Aizu" has my heart. I just love the melody and song composition. Everything works so well together. The vocal work at play here is super good. Every member does a standout job and the harmonization in the chorus is just spectacular.

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New Artist of the Year: White Jam

I've been obsessed with White Jam since I covered them for MC and I know I talked about them all the time on the show. I love Shirose and Niki's vocals plus you have Gashima's rap which is always done super well. White Jam doesn't release too often, but when they do they really make it something. Can't wait to see what these guys do next.

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Artist of the Year: Da-ICE

Becoming my consecutive artist of the year, Da-ICE started off the year really strong and stayed consistent throughout. Their latest release is their "CaITRUS" first take which is just phenomenal. Also I'm eagarly anticipating the release of their song "Live Devil" which is being used for the excellent Kamen Rider Revice. I know I haven't talking about them too much on the show but I'm still carrying the torch for these guys and I can't wait to see what they do next.

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Ken’s Top Song and Artist of 2021

Song of the Year: “Fushigi” by Gen Hoshino

This was one of the songs that upon first listen I knew that would be a part of my top songs of the year. However, to becoming number 1 is something of a surprise due to the fact that i didn’t know how much I would absolutely love it. While Hoshino might not be an artist that I’m a total fan of, I do respect the range of styles this man does. As the release before this “Create” was to my dismay, a track that did capture me like the mass have, but “Fushigi” more focus on Hoshino’s vocals with its slow to mid-tempo composition absolutely encompassed me like “Pop Virus” had years ago. While I might not like all of Hoshino’s releases, I cannot deny the influence “Fushigi” did to me throughout the year.

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New Artist of the Year: Rung Hyang

Rung Hyang is the breakout star for me in 2021 as she brings a unique taste as a "soul" writer who continues to evolve with an "omnivorous" style. They incorporate various genres such as Jazz, Hip Hop, Soul, and folk, with realistic lyric styles that anyone can relate to. Hyang is sure to have a work that fans can always jam to throughout her amazing and varied discography. While her solo work is phenomenal, her collaboration work is some of the best work I heard of in the pandemic era. 

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Artist of the Year: TENDRE

What more can I say about TENDRE that I haven’t said before in my prior Music Corners. I shall reiterate that I was really afraid of his signing to EMI RECORDS of Universal Music Japan, his style, while not bad per say, is very difficult to garner an audience in which studio tampering could happen. So to my present surprise, TENDRE’s style is still there and doesn’t skip a beat. While this major label debut was the biggest thing this year for him, it was also what he did behind the scenes as a composer and produces that proved more then enough to become my artist of the year for 2021.

CREAM Gets "Lovey Dovey" In Latest Release!

Hip-hop and R&B duo CREAM released their latest digital single, “lovey dovey”, on May 21. It is available across all digital platforms! A short version of the music video premiered on YouTube on May 17. “lovey dovey” is CREAM’s latest release since their digital single “Independence Day, Vol. 1 - Single” which dropped in December of last year. “lovey dovey” was written and composed by CREAM and produced by T’Z BEATZ (aka Staxx-T). The track is a chill R&B/hip-hop flavored one that showcases what CREAM does best: fun lyrics, Minami’s smooth vocals, and Staxx-T’s perfect cadence that makes for a great summer jam. Check out the short version of “lovey dovey” below.

Luna's Ongaku Go For February 2021!

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.

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“CRAZY OUTSIDE” by MIYACHI & Thelma Aoyama

MIYACHI has been on my radar since I heard him featured on the m-flo track “Sheeza”, and I have been a Thelma Aoyama fan since “Soba ni Iru yo”; so “CRAZY OUTSIDE” is a dream track for me. Thelma’s vocals are perfect for this track as she has an alluring and sultry vibe while MIYACHI’s rap flows perfectly with Thelma’s vocals. The back and fourth between both artists show the chemistry they have together in this song as it matches perfectly. MIYACHI and Thelma bring the perfect Western meets Eastern mixture to “CRAZY OUTSIDE” which is one of the reasons why I enjoy this track so much, with the lyrical style and rap being Western and the composition mixing the Eastern flavor in. Forewarning, there are explicit lyrics in this track.

Check out “CRAZY OUTSIDE” here, along with the music video below!

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“WASURENA” by Awesome City Club

After Gray’s Music Corner of Awesome City Club, I have been anticipating their newest album release of Grower and was not disappointed. The lead track of Grower, WASURENA immediately caught my ear with its relaxing beats and smooth vocals by both PORIN and Morishi making for the perfect blend. The composition of this powerful resonating track picks up in the chorus, chiming in with drums, guitar, and violins in full force, showing the extent of how Awesome City Club brings talent and vision.

Check out “WASURENA” here, along with the music video below!

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“Hajimari no Toki” by Ms. OOJA

Ms. OOJA is celebrating her 10th Anniversary this year and she has been off to a fantastic start. In December she released covers of Heisei era songs, and in February she streamed her 10th Anniversary Tour as well as releasing her latest single “Hajimari no Toki”, which is a powerful ballad. When I first heard this amazing song, I was blown away with Ms. OOJA’s powerful yet smooth vocals alongside a beautiful composition. “Hajimari no Toki” is a track that is easily enjoyable over and over with the meaningful lyrics and soft melody mixed with the soulful vocals Ms. OOJA carries. This track has stayed with me throughout the month.

Check out “Hajimari no Uta” here, along with the music video below!

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“Boss” by CREAM

CREAM recently released the music video for “Boss”, which was a part of their newest digital single “Independence Day Vol 1” that released in December 2020. This music video release brought me back to this track as I initially wrote it off, but upon watching the video I realized how much I enjoyed it and added it to my rotation for the month. “Boss” is more of a chill R&B-hip-hop track with its laid back composition. MINAMI delivers great vocals with the perfect laid-back feel and Staxx-T’s delivers a rap that matches the vibe the song portrays. Forewarning, this track does have explicit lyrics.

Check out “Boss” here, along with the music video below!

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“Chronometry” by TEARS OF TRAGEDY

Hot off my Music Corner is TEARS OF TRAGEDY; many of their tracks still have an impact on me. “Chronometry” is one of those tracks that stays with you due to its unique composition. There are so many transitions and music going on in this song that each time I feel something new. Plus I absolutely love how HARUKA’s vocals emulate the heaviness the composition displays in certain parts. “Chronometry” had an effect on me I did not expect and has continued to stay with me throughout the month.

Check out “Chronometry” here, along with the music video below!

CREAM is Going Peaches in Latest Video!

Japanese R&B/hip-hop duo CREAM just dropped a special remix video of their popular digital single “Go Peaches”. This video features rappers KOWICHI and Merry Delo bringing an extra hip-hop vibe to their track. “Go Peaches Remix” takes place in a club with CREAM and the rappers partying it up. This remix brings a great promotion to their latest digital album LOVE + PARTY which dropped December 25, 2019. Check out “Go Peach Remix featuring KOWICHI, Merry Delo” below! Also, make sure to check out their latest album on digital platforms Spotify, AppleMusic, and iTunes!