Gray's Ongaku Go For June 2021

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

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“Emotion” by Jang Keun Suk

This is one of the best songs I’ve listened to in 2021. It’s so catchy and it came out of left field as well. Both me and Luna had never heard of Jang Keun Suk but this one single has turned me into a fan. All three tracks on his latest album are stellar but “Emotion” is still my favorite. Do yourself a favor and check this one out. This will more than likely be in my top 5 for the end of the year. 

Check out “Emotion” here, and the music video below.

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“Till I Know What Love Is (I’m Never Gonna Die)” by Aimyon

To me this is an instant classic song for Aimyon. It has all the tropes that make a really good Aimyon number. Delivers nice guitar work with a really catchy melody. It has an honest feeling to it that draws the listener in. This is her best release in a while and I’ve had it on repeat since we covered it on the show.

Check out “Till I Know What Love Is (I’m Never Gonna Die)” here, and the music video below.

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“Kimi Shika Katan” by Hintazaka46

This has been a guilty pleasure since it dropped. It’s traditional idol flair but it’s got this fun upbeat melody that I just can’t get enough of. Hinatazaka46 has been pretty consistent since they debuted and I’m always excited to hear what they have next.

Check out “Kimi Shika Katan” here, and the music video below.

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“I Remember You (feat. AK-69)” by Ms. OOJA

I owe Luna a lot for introducing me to Ms. OOJA. This was the first song I heard by her and it’s so satisfying. The percussion really thumps in this number that is guaranteed to get the listener’s head to bob. AK-69 has a fantastic rap in it as well. This single left an impression on me and I can’t get enough.

Check out “I Remember You (feat. AK-69)” here, and the music video below.

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“Scarlet Lips” by Touken Danshi team Shinsengumi with Hachisuka Kotetsu

The last Touken Danshi is still in my top five for the year and I feel like my expectations were just a bit too high but I’ve gone back to “Scarlet Lips” several times since then and this track grows on me each time I listen to it. It has a great big band feeling to it and it’s super fun overall. I might be turning into a Touken Danshi fan since their last two singles have really surprised me. 

Check out “Scarlet Lips” here, and the music video 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!

Ms. OOJA Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Releases!

Singer-songwriter Ms. OOJA is celebrating the anniversary of her debut in the music industry in several ways. She released the live video “Hajimari no Toki” from her Ms. OOJA BIRTHDAY TOUR 2020 on YouTube in preparation for the release, which will officially drop February 16! In celebration of “Hajimari no Toki” there will be a YouTube livestream held to celebrate its release on Ms. OOJA’s tenth anniversary! “Hajimari no Toki” is a collaboration between producer Ryosuke “Dr” Sakai and singer-songwriter Rung Hyang. Rung Hyang is known for his work on Eito’s hit track “Kousui” and Ryosuke “Dr” Sakai has worked with artists such as KIRA and CHANMINA, to name a few. “Hajimari no Toki” is a powerful track about determination to survive during difficult times. Check out “Hajimari no Toki” below and stay tuned for more on how Ms. OOJA is ringing in her tenth anniversary!