Ken’s Ongaku Go for July 2020

As we pass the first half of a rather depressing 2020, the rise of digital releases and artists make this year an unforgettable one for the music industry. We at Ongaku to You would like our readers 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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“Fire Bird” by Roselia 

With the release of Roselia’s second album ‘Wahl’, one the best songs of 2019 for me has been creeping back up again. The high energy drum compositions and overall theme of the song is arguably the best that the band has ever produced, and shows that Roselia will still be the main pillar in the BanG Dream!! franchise. While buying the collector’s edition for the album helps push the urge on being in my heavy rotation, it’s hard to argue that Roseila will fall anytime soon. 

Be sure to check out “Fire Bird” here


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“Float Away” by I Saw You Yesterday

When I had initially reported on this track, I was awestruck by how different this band was compared to the recent bands we covered for Music Corner. With its mesmerizing rhythm that draws you into vocalist’s unforgettable style, “Float Away” is one of those tracks that even if you listen to other great songs done by the band you’ll always be drawn back to it. 

Check out “Float Away” here


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“HOPELESS ROMANTIC” by SIRUP

This was a highly anticipated release by an artist that I absolutely love, and for me this song was an absolute daily listen for me throughout the month. The lyrics and composition just spoke to me and stopped my hands from pushing pause. “HOPELESS ROMANTIC” shows just how talented SIRUP really is, and while other tracks on the list I might listen to once or twice throughout the day, “HOPELESS ROMANTIC” always kept me going back every single time. 

Be sure to check out “HOPELESS ROMANTIC” here along with the music video below!


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“Precious Love” by EXILE ATSUSHI

This was actually a late edition throughout the month as I had covered an article about ATSUSHI, and as I was writing that article my absolute favorite song by him popped into my head and drew me to play it over and over again. ATSUSHI’s vocals and composition are picture perfect and delivers everything I would want in a ballad. While EXILE might be famous for the impressive dance choreography and high energy compositions, their ballads are what I look forward to the most by them. 

Check out “Precious Love” here along with the music video below!


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“On My Way” by in-d

While looking forward to his newest EP Outdoors, in-d was a pleasant surprise to be introduced to this past month. One of the stand out hits came from his last EP Indoors “On My Way”, which when I had first heard it, absolutely fell in love with. A lot of that love came from the simple yet enticing composition produced by VaVa that just brings you in and makes the listener forget about everything except the beat. While still young in his career, in-d is an artist that will only get better with his craft and rise to the top of the charts soon enough. 

Check out “On My Way” here along with the music video below!

Music Corner 50: I Saw You Yesterday

I Saw You Yesterday is a four-member pop-rock band that formed back in 2015. Inspired by US indies sound and style, the band hits a cord to alternative bands of the ’90s and made accessible to the generation that didn’t grow up with it. With this concept in mind, a majority of their tracks are fully sung in English and have the feel and style of that iconic indies feeling of the late 90’s through the early 00’s. This style makes them relatable to both the domestic and international market. 

A lot of that feeling comes from lead vocalist and guitarist Hidemasa Shimoda’s unique vocal style that lures the listeners to everything that this band has to offer. Their tracks “Wonder” and “White Out” are the perfect examples as listeners are lost in that majestic sound that the band’s composition and Shimoda’s vocals hit their signature and nail their trademark. While critics of the genre might call it noise, the band’s mastery of this composition and style for each track is a love letter to the indies while also an alternative style of the ’90s.

I Saw You Yesterday has released two albums. DOVE in 2017 and Calm days in 2019, with a plethora of digital singles and EPs across all streaming platforms, and their latest single “Float Away” being released a couple of weeks ago. Be sure to check out the band’s Official Website, their official Twitter and Instagram, along with their latest music video for their track “Wonder” below!

I Saw You Yesterday Stars

Hideshima Shimoda (Vocals, Guitar)

Kai Murakami (Guitar)

Kazushige Suzuki (Bass)

Yu Uchijyou (Drums)