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!

Ken's Ongaku Go For February 2021

With the month of love upon us that means a slew a new artist for us to enjoy. 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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“Encore” by YOASOBI

To be honest, listening to “Encore” changed my view about YOASOBI full turn. I wasn’t a fan of “Yoru ni Kakeru” so vocalist Ikura’s come hither take on this track was something that I really appreciated and finally understood why they were popular. Its lyrics absolutely hit me in a way that just stuck with me especially throughout the Valentine’s Day season. While YOASOBI hasn’t completely sold me like other artists to buy the work that the song is accompanied to, they sure made me look forward to their upcoming releases.

Check out music video for “Encore” below, along with the streaming link for the song here!

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“Suspect” by hololive IDOL PROJECT

Furthering my rabbit hole into the hololive v-tuber project and off the heels of their first live concert Bloom, I had absolutely enjoyed my time with the Floral Circlet series of songs that the company released leading up to the concert. Featuring members roboco-san, Aki Rosenthal, and Ayame Nakiri, this electronic-pop track is brought beautifully with each member’s vocal range. This coupled with famous composer Kyota, “Suspect” became a song that I absolutely fell in love with upon my first listen. With the announcement of the physical album Bouquet dropping in the summer I can’t wait to be lured by the track once again.

Check out the preview for “Suspect”, below along with the track here!

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“ZEAL of proud” by Roselia 

Now I had my ups and down with Roselia since “Fire Bird” back in 2019, but “ZEAL of proud” brought back the reason why I fell in love with them in the first place. With Aina Aiba’s vocals on point in collaboration with other members joining in throughout the song, it ended up becoming one of, if not the top release in 2021 for me. While me still loving the BanG Dream!! project was in question last year, “ZEAL of proud” has cleared any hesitation that I had from here till the end.

Be sure to check out the preview for “ZEAL of proud”, along with the streaming link for the song here!

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“Thinkin about us” by SIRUP

With the Valentine season being this month, the attraction to love songs is second to none and “Thinkin about us” was one of those tracks that for one reason or another I kept in my rotation. The lyrics just speak to the listener and do a great job of telling the story that he has crafted. Also, the more lax composition that is sprinkled throughout the track shows how much of an amazing vocalist SIRUP actually is. While this was released near the end of a monumental 2020 that he had musically, I know that SIRUP won’t be slowing down anytime soon and I can’t wait for the next release.
Check out the audio video for “Thinkin about us” below, along with the track here!

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“Low Key” feat SIRUP by RUNG HYANG

Now this was a new pick up, as RUNG HYANG is a vocalist that just showed up on my radar a couple weeks back. While she’s an amazing vocalist on her own right, her collaboration with SIRUP is what put her on the radar for me. The simple and elegant composition that draws in the listener is just top tier and both vocalist’s smooth and soft spoken style that is sprinkled throughout is just the cherry on top. While this was the majority of a collaborative effort by SIRUP and RUNG HYANG, I can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store for HYANG and she will most definitely be a future Music Corner artist. 

Be sure to watch “Low Key feat. SIRUP” below, along with the streaming link for the song here!

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.

Luna's Ongaku Go For January 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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“Mr.ALIEN” by EMI MARIA

It feels like EMI MARIA hasn’t released a song in quite sometime, to my surprise she was recently featured on a track by ASHURAMIC called “Voice”. Hearing this newly featured track, I went back to all of EMI MARIA’s music and remembered how I love her soulful voice. ”Mr. ALIEN” is one of her many tracks that grabs you and always gravitates towards. The opening beat with her smooth vocals flows right through. When she gets into the chorus, “Mr.ALIEN” immediately catches you and pulls you in. This is such a fun up-beat R&B tune that has a catchy beat and the perfect vocals. Despite coming out in 2010, it feels like it has not aged making for a timeless track that I cannot help but go back too.

Check out “Mr.ALIEN” here along with the music video below!

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“social distance” by Emi Hinouchi

Emi Hinouchi is a singer-songwriter I have been a fan of for quite some time and hearing a new track by her made me smile. “social distance” is a very mellow track with a simple melody and beautiful vocals that walk you through sound by sound. Emi’s voice is music to my ears and she shows off her vocal talent in “social distance” that still leaves you wanting more. This is a perfectly relaxed and encouraging tune that I have needed and wanted.

Check out “social distance” here and the music video below!

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“JIMMY CHOO” by CIMBA

CIMBA is a vocalist who has been around for some time. I always go back to his music every couple years. When I realized he released some new tracks last year, I jumped right on “JIMMY CHOO” and he does not disappoint. CIMBA has a soulful smooth voice that catches your ears with ease. The composition is interesting in how it incoproates its beats with a mid-tempo R&B feel and mixes perfectly with CIMBA’s vocal style. “JIMMY CHOO” is pleasing on the ears making for a nice soothing listen and leaves you wanting more!

Check out “JIMMY CHOO” here and the music video below!

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“Not So Different” by AI

When I first heard “Not So Different” by AI, I was hooked immediately as the lyrics and her soothingly deep vocals pull you in. This track is one that everyone needs right now with everything going on in the world and the lyrics are so meaningful that it easily pushed its way up on my playlist. AI utilizes her bi-lingual skills with using both English and Japanese in “Not So Different” and makes this for the perfect International track as well. The composition and lyrics with AI’s soulful voice show that AI is still one of Japan’s R&B queens.

Check out “Not So Different” here and the music video below!

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“Love is Everywhere” by moumoon

With the news of moumoon not renewing their contract with avex trax, I was a little disheartened, however, I know they will still be sucessful in their future endevours. This brought me back to re-listen to my favorite moumoon tracks. “Love is Everywhere” is an upbeat and fun song that puts you in a great mood and is one that everyone should listen to when they are down. This song has been getting me through the long month that is January with its uplifting and inspiring lyrics. YUKA’s boistuful vocals that are full of cheer and the theme that there is love everywhere. The composition matches YUKA’s cheery vocals, which gives you a good feelings inside.

Check out “Love is Everywhere” here and the music video below!

Ken's Ongaku Go For January 2021

The new year is upon us which means a slew a new artist for us to enjoy. 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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“Warera Houshou Kaizoku-Dan” Jacket Cover

“Ahoy!! 我ら宝鐘海賊団” (Warera Houshou Kaizoku-dan) by Houshou Marine

It was a matter of time before Hololive V-Tubers would appear on my list. I’ve been a fan since our introduction to AZKi a couple years back and being sucked down the rabbit hole with roboco and Marine has been a great start to my year. The high energy that “Ahoy!! Warera Houshou Kazoku-dan” brings is just execrating and brings me to listen to it again and again. While other songs that Hololive Productions have done were just as great, it doesn’t have the one two punch that Ahoy!! has. 

Be sure to check out a video preview of “Ahoy!! Warera Houshou Kazoku-dan” below, along with the track here!

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“Swim In Yours Eyes” Jacket Cover

“Swim in Yours Eyes” by Foi

Just by listening to one verse of this track I was hooked. Foi's vocal strength is just out of this world and couldn’t believe that I never found out about her sooner. The R&B inspire intro just attracts me into its composition and brings me along for the ride. Her vocals was just buttery smooth and is the perfect tone to carry into her melody that I’m happy to have found. To find such an interesting track this early in the year makes me want to explore Foi’s work even more. 

Check out the music video below, along with the song here!

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“That Never Goes Out” Jacket Cover

“That Never Goes Out” by Kimi no Orphee

Continuing the onslaught of female vocalists we have been looking at this past month, “That Never Goes Out” brings out that energy that I wanted from Foi but brings it a step further. While vocally not as strong as Foi, Kimi no Orphee isn’t someone that you should sleep on. Holding a more calming style to her range, Orphee brings the missing piece that I fell in love with. Along with Foi, I can’t wait to see what the future of the industry has in store for the both of them. 

Be sure to check out the music video for “That Never Goes Out” below, along with track here!

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Multiply E.P Jacket Cover

“With You” by AWSM. feat. HarukiD & TŒM

Continuing with the easy going vocalist that “Swim in Yours Eyes” and “That Never Goes Out” did, “With You” is the first duet of the year for me. Its intro piano brings this image of soft but broken feel that is somehow tiring to continue, personally it’s how I felt this past year. The guest vocalist of HarukiD and TŒM really brings out the track on a whole, and while the composition by itself is absolutely amazing, it became a must listen by the duo.  I’m looking forward to the upcoming year of diving into all three of these artist. 

Check out “With You” below, along with the song here!

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IN ANY WAY Jacket Cover

“RESCUE” by Mizuki Ohira

Taking that pacific land flair with its composition, “RESCUE” rounds out the female lead Ongaku Go that I had this month. While not I had originally liked when I first heard her work, her vocal charm had won me over with this track. Manami Nezu of Showmore fame had also helped by bringing a different tone to what she’s used to. Featured in her latest album IN ANY WAY, I look forward to what Ohira has for her fans in the future. 

Check out the music video for “RESCUE” below, along with the song here!