Mukai Taichi Shows Another Side With Ups And Downs In Latest Video!

Singer-songwriter Mukai Taichi released another version of his latest track “Ups & Downs” on YouTube. This time available in a live version, “Ups & Downs” is a new track produced by mabanua and is included on Mukai’s latest album COLORLESS which was released on April 21! The limited edition of COLORLESS contains a live video of “Ups & Downs” shot in one cut but this other version just released on YouTube features the mechanism included in the video. Check out this alternate spin on “Ups & Downs” below!

Mukai Taichi Loses Color in New Album

Singer-songwriter Mukai Taichi announced he is dropping a brand new album titled Colorless on April 21. This will be Taichi’s fourth album overall and his first physical release in almost two years. The idea behind Colorless is the desire to freely draw the future with one’s own color and to return back to the present, not forgetting that feeling of having no color. Colorless is being released in two editions: a standard CD-only edition and a limited edition which will come with a bonus Blu-ray. The Blu-ray will feature a live performance which was shot for this release along with a making-of documentary. Be sure to check out the full track listing at the bottom of the page. Posted right below are the pre-order links and his song “BABY CAKES”. 

Standard Edition

Limited Edition


Mukai Taichi 「COLORLESS」

CD

01. 僕のままで (Boku No Mamade)

02. Love Is Life

03. Ups & Downs feat.mabanua

04. BABY CAKES

05. Comin' up

06. 悲しまない (Kanashimanai)

07. Get Loud

08. Don't Lie

09. What You Want

10. Sorry Not Sorry

11. Bed

12. Colorless

・We Are(Bonus Track)

Blu-ray Limited Edition Only

01. BABY CAKES

02. 悲しまない (Kanashimanai)

03. Don't Lie

04. Sorry Not Sorry

05. Ups & Downs

06. Documentary of Special Live Video

Gray's Ongaku Go For January 2021

Picking up after Ken and Luna 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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“Paradise” by Rude-α

This is the latest song by one of my favorite rappers and it’s super catchy. I really enjoy the flow and feel of this tune. It is definitely a lot of fun and it is nice to see Rude-α starting off the new year on the right foot.

Check out “Paradise” here along with the official music video below.


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“Get Loud” by Mukai Taichi

This is the very first song I’ve ever heard of his but it’s captivating and different from what I usually listen to. I love his vocals in this song and the overall uplifting feeling. This number is a lot of fun.

Check out “Get Loud” here along with the official music video below.


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“STAY” by Erika Nishi

I really like her R&B style and this particular number is pretty catchy. R&B is a genre I genuinely struggle with but I’ve liked almost every song I’ve heard by Erika Nishi. This song is definitely worth checking out.

Check out “STAY” here along with the official music video below.


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“Nobody’s Fault” by Sakurazaka46

I’ve really missed Keiyakizaka46, so it’s nice for them to come back with this rebranding as Sakurazaka46 even if it is something that is different from the original. “Nobody’s Fault” feels in many ways to me like a classic Keiyakizaka46 song, “Kaze Ni Fukare Temo” in particular. I’m glad to see these girls back and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.

Check out “Nobody’s Fault” here along with the official music video below.


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“Time Is Life” by Da-iCE

Would it be an Ongaku Go without a track by Da-iCE? Probably not, and this one is awesome. What a joy this number is. Super catchy and lots of fun definitely a pick-me-up song that lifts the listener up if they are feeling down.

Check out “Time Is Life” here along with the video below.

Music Corner Week 67: Mukai Taichi

Mukai Taichi is a 28 years old singer, songwriter, and started with his music career in 2010 when he joined the funk band Modio, however, Taichi only stayed with the band for a year before starting out on his own with the record label Miya Terrace as a solo artist. Taichi released his first solo song on SoundCloud, titled “Kimi ni Kiss shite.” On June of 2015, he started to write a blog on the website of one of Japan’s most famous men’s fashion magazines, Men’s Fudge. On March of 2016, he released his first EP, Pool, which featured a total of six songs and was posted on his SoundCloud page. On November of 2016, Taichi released his second EP, 24, which was praised by music critics. This was followed by his performance at the Summer Sonic Festival of 2017. In 2020, he started to garner more mainstream attention by working with more famous artists and groups such as m-flo and Katori Shingo, who is a former member of the Johnny’s boy group SMAP.

Mukai Taichi has a commanding voice that he uses to full effect in his songs. His song compositions tend to feature a wide array of instruments that all come together to create a memorable sound. In his song “Michi” the listener really hears the strength of Taichi’s vocals and the breadth of his compositions. The piano work in “Michi” is also really captivating and expertly done.

Mukai Taichi recently put out his song “Get Loud” on all digital platforms. Be sure to keep up with all the latest news with Taichi by following his Twitter and checking out his website. Lastly, check out the video for “Michi” posted below.

Luna's Ongaku Go For November 2020!

Continuing from Ken’s lead, 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.


“tell me tell me” by m-flo loves Sik-K & eill & Mukai Taichi

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With the limited vinyl release of m-flo’s digital singles “tell me tell me” and “RUNAWAYS” released on November 3rd, I was brought back to “tell me tell me” which originally released digitally back in March. “tell me tell me” is the song that brings back the m-flo loves series from 2008 with a fresh sound and new featured artists. The three featured artists are eill, Sik-K and Mukai Taichi who are all rising stars in the music industry. The opening gives a great throwback to their hit loves series track “miss you” and changes it up with great beats that put you in a dance vibe.

Check out “tell me tell me” here along with the music video below!


“Aitai” by Miliyah Kato

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With the release of Miliyah Kato’s first upcoming cover album, I revisited her powerful ballad “Aitai” in “THE FIRST TAKE” version released in June of this year. Both the original “Aitai” and THE FIRST TAKE version are beautiful. Every time I hear this track I am moved to tears as it is a sad ballad but beautifully done in both composition and vocals. “Aitai” is so well performed that you can hear all of Miliyah’s emotions coming through in each bit and the piano sets the mood of the perfect ballad at the beginning. This is a song that is easy to sing along to and makes me want to learn it on piano.

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


“half-moon” by FAKY

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With the newest digital single release of “little more”, it brought me back to FAKY’s track “half-moon” since I loved it the first moment I heard it. “half-moon” has the most beautiful harmonies and vocals and a magnificent beat. The beat draws you in mid tempo with a feet tapping and head moving style during each verse. When it gets to the chorus, it comes together in the best harmony that makes you sing-a-long with the girls. “half-moon” is a gorgeous track with the composition’s use of piano flowing with each girls vocals especially the last verse. One of the best displays of FAKY’s vocal capabilities.

Check out “half-moon” here and the music video below!


“A・RA・SHI” by ARASHI

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With ARASHI’s release of their latest album “This is ARASHI”, I began going back through their discography and their debut track “A・RA・SHI” has been stuck in my head. It has a catchy pop beat, a mixture of harmonous vocals and good rap, the musical riff in the middle throws you for a spin. This is an amazing debut track for a boy group and sets the mood for ARASHI. I love the chorus and how easy and fun it is to sing along to. Hearing this puts me in a great mood and makes me want to dance. I love how the track ends as they slow down the chorus and show off their talent.

Check out “A・RA・SHI” here and the music video below!


“Freesia” by Uru

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With the release of Uru’s latest single “Break/Furiko”, I doubled back to my favorite song “Freesia”. This track is a beautiful ballad and Uru’s vocals show off and match the composition so well. I first heard this while watching Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans, which “Freesia” serves as the ending theme. “Freesia” fits the show perfectly, being a heart breaking ballad and Uru delivers the emotions through her vocals flawlessly. The orchestra sound as the composition is beautifully done with Uru’s smooth vocals and the chorus is where you feel all the emotions.

You can check out “Freesia” here and the music video below!