Gray's Onkagu Go For May 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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“Vivid Vice” by Who-ya Extended

At first I wasn’t too crazy about this song but since it served as the second opening to Jujutsu Kaisen. I got to be much more familiar with it over the course of the back half of the season and it really started to grow on me. The first take version is on YouTube and it’s really good as well.

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

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“Kirari” by Fujii Kaze

This was just a delight when it popped up on the Oricon. I’ve had it on repeat ever since. It is songs like this that got me into J-pop. I’m not too sure you would see a song like this do well in America which is really sad because this release is so well done with such a catchy tune. I’ve taken a liking to Fuji Kaze and I’ll definitely be talking about him again in the future.

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

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“Ganbarenaiyo” by JUICE=JUICE

JUICE=JUICE is one of the more consistent idol groups that produce great songs and their latest release is no exception. Sadly “Downtown” has been added to Apple Music but “Ganbarenaiyo” was just as good and I’ve been listening to this on repeat since it dropped. It’s such a beautiful number that really shows off the vocals of the girls.

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

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“Something New” by Johnny’s West

This song is so good it actually made me go out and purchase the single off CDJapan. I’ve never bought anything produced by Johnny’s before and that has been mostly due to the lack of money but this song was so good I just had to have it. It’s such a fun number that is does really well by the boys and Aimyon wrote the song in which it shows real well.

Sadly this song isn’t available on Apple Music but the music video is right below so check it out.

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“Fushigi” by Gen Hoshino

Gen Hoshino can be a real hit and miss with me but this is a release I greatly enjoyed. It’s honestly out of my typical wheelhouse in how laid back the tune is. There is a funkiness to it that I find refreshing.

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

Luna's Ongaku Go for May 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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“Say Yes” by Nissy

“Say Yes” is Nissy’s latest single and from first listen, I fell in love with it. The composition fits perfectly with Nissy’s vocals and style. I love the versatility in the composition as you could dance to it in a club or take dance lessons to it as well. I feel that Nissy hits every point making “Say Yes” very memorable and a treat to listen to. The rap in it gives a nice touch showing that Nissy can do just more than vocals.

Check out “Say Yes” here, and the music video below!

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“Rebellious” by May J.

I’m so happy to hear new music from May J. and “Rebellious” is exactly what I needed. It’s a bit more of a chill track as it has a mixture of pop and R&B. The lyrics sold me immediately as they are so good and really hit home. The composition seems a little off at times but I think it fits with the track very well and May J. does a great job of fitting her vocals to the composition. This track shows off May J.’s vocals but does keep it light, however, I believe given the lyrics it matches very well.

Check out “Rebellious” here, and the lyric video below!

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“checkmate” by milet

I was very surprised upon hearing “checkmate” as it shows a different side of milet that we don’t normally see, a more upbeat track. I love the composition and milet shows that her voice can do these types of tracks. “checkmate” still has your milet flare and her unique vocals always add that special touch. I also love that milet showcases her range and power as well. “checkmate” give you this fun feel and carries a touch of the jazz as well.

Check out “checkmate” here, and the music video below!

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“TARINAI (Matsuwa Remix)” by MIYACHI

With the release of the music video for “TARINAI (Matsuwa Remix)” releasing, I went back and revisited MIYACHI’s GOOD NIGHT TOKYO EP that released back in January of this year. This track is fantastic, MIYACHI’s rap is phenomenal with the perfect balance of cadence, flow, and composition. “TARINAI (Matsuwa Remix")” does have a Western flavor but you can hear the Eastern influence in the composition. MIYACHI’s combination of Western and Eastern styles flow so well and “TARINAI (Matsuwa Remix)” showcases that with the rap being Western and the composition being Eastern.

Check out “TARINAI (Matsuwa Remix)” here, and the music video below!

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“Kimi wa Tomodachi” by JASMINE

“Kimi wa Tomodachi” surprised me as I was not expecting it to be such a chill track with heavy jazz and blues influence. The composition is magnificent and JASMINE’s voice matches with this style so well due to her soulful voice. I’ve had this track on repeat since I first heard it and with the impending release of the music video, I keep going back to it. The piano in here is the perfect touch to “Kimi wa TomodachI” and makes you feel that you are at a music bar session. “Kimi wa Tomodachi” is such a well rounded track due to composition, vocals, and the lyrics and JASMINE pulls it all off flawlessly.

Check out “Kimi wa Tomodachi” here, and the video below!

Ken's Ongaku Go for May 2021!

May is warming us up as we head to the summer season, that means a brand new Ongaku Go is here! 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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“Cry Baby” by official HIGE DANdism

Now this was a big surprise for me. An Official HIGE song was the last on my list of being a song to be on my top 5 this month, I was quite surprised by the finished product. I was fearful when I learned that they will be releasing a song so soon as in the past we admit that they end up sounding very stale in terms of composition to sound like “Pretenders”. However the “Cry Baby’s” composition is a bit jarring and out there for a band like them, but I had enjoyed it 100%. I hope for future releases they can experiment a bit more like they have with this track. 

Be sure to check out the music video for “Cry Baby” below, along with the track here!

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Fushigi by Gen Hoshino

Now I had absolutely loved this song upon first listen 20 seconds in, and I am so happy that he had released a track like this after “Create” back in February. His vocals and the melody just melts into one and entices the listeners on this magical ride that Hoshino is trying to convey. Like I had said prior in other episodes covering him in the past, he’s a type of artist where the miss for a release is a big miss depending on the person and when he creates a hits for a listener, it’s a track that is and absolutely becomes a song of the year contender.  I for one can’t wait for his upcoming release and would like to congratulate him for his marriage to actress Yui Aragaki and wish them a life time of happiness. 

Check out the music video for “Fushigi” below, along with the song in its entirety here!

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“Embrace of light” by RAISE A SUILEN

I’ve said it once and I’ll keep saying it, the B-side tracks for RAISE A SUILEN are probably some of best songs that this band makes if not in the entire BanG Dream!! franchise. As they are not required to stay to their usual persona on the B-side tracks, “Embrace of light” kicks it back to the past with a more power ballad feel with vocalist Raychell’s vocal range on the front stage throughout the song. While holding a minor esscents of electronica mix throughout, overall it sounds like a totally different band. While fans might come for the A-side track “EXIST”, I personally think that everyone should stay for “Embrace of light”.

Be sure to check out “Embrace of light” here!

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“A Kite (feat. Yellow Bucks)” by Kojoe

This is a track that I fell in love with upon first listen, and while I’m kinda hot and cold about Kojoe’s discography overall, “A Kite” brought a more chill and relaxing factor to my already hectic month. While it does have that slight “yo yo yo” feel, its composition is top notch and I can find myself lost in it time and time again. While I had originally thought of skipping his album HALFTIME, if any of the tracks are half as good as “A Kite” I’ll be giving it a listen soon.

Check out “A Kite” on here!

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“MAP For LOVE” by Tomita Lab

While just missing my April Ongaku Go by a couple days, I’d be betraying my Replay 2021 by not including this song on my May list. The absolute wonderment that both Tomita and several of his guest vocalists did for this track is out of this world and had enjoyed every minute of it. The fact that every vocalist made the song their own in the short time they had gives testament to both Tomita as a composer and the vocalist as well. I absolutely loved the rap brake in the middle of the tune and how it was implemented without feeling out of place. I can’t wait for more releases by Tomita Labs as “MAP For LOVE” had shot to my short list of songs of the year and Tomita Lab had instantly gave SIRUP a run for his money for my artist of the year.

Be sure to check out the lyric video for “MAP for LOVE” below, along with the track here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For April 2021

Picking it up after Ken and Luna, we’re another month down in 2021 and we at Ongaku to You would like our readers to know what has been 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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“Watashi” by Haku

Finding this group was a nice surprise. They only have three songs and this is just the latest but it's got a really solid composition. Haku was the winner of a grand-prix and listening to this song is easy to see why they won. 

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

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“ReSTARTING!!” by Aimi

I stumbled across this song while writing articles and I really dug it. It’s got a heavy anime feel which I’ve been in the mood for as of late. “ReSTARTING!!” is a lot fun and it’s full of positivity that I usually enjoy as well.

Check out “ReSTARTING!!” here, along with the official music video below.

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“Kamisama No Itazura” by Spira Spica

This mid-tempo number by Spira Spica was just a delight to discover. Its a bit moody and almost melancholic but there is something about it that I find charming. This was the song that helped me decide to cover them for Music Corner and I’ve had it on repeat all month long.

Check out “Kamisama No Itazura” here, along with the official music video below.

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“Star”by BiSH

This latest release by BiSH is one I absolutely love. It reminds me a lot of their early work, specifically “Spark” and to me this song just has a nostalgic feel to it. It’s a nice mid-temo number with some nice guitar work in it. I’ve had this one on repeat for about a month now.

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

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“Hajimari wa Kimi no Sora” by Liella!

I’m so glad this song did as well as it did on the ORICON. I had a blast the week we covered this number and I’ve been listening to it ever since. I’ve always circled around whether or not I would watch the anime but if the next release is as good as this one is, I’ll probably check it out.

Check out “Hajimari wa Kimi no Sora” here, along with the official music video below.

Luna's Ongaku Go For April 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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“Bijin” by CHANMINA

With the release of CHANMINA’s latest single, “Bijin”, I fell in love with this track as soon as the music video was released. Not only is “Bijin” a catchy track as far as composition goes, but the lyrics are what pulled me in as it talks about the meaning of beauty. This song really hit home for me with it’s subject matter as it deals with many struggles that women go through. CHANMINA did a fantastic job putting the lyrics in “Bijin” and making it an upbeat track that also hits home and is easily relatable too.

Check out “Bijin” here and the music video below.

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“Koko de Iki wo Shite” by eill

This is eill’s latest digital single and it is also being used as the ending theme song for the anime Tokyo Revengers. I was so hyped for “Koko de Iki wo Shite” and it did not let me down. This track encompasses the perfect flavor of jazz, rock, and pop all in one. The opening immediately grabs you with its jazzy feel and eill’s vocals fall right into it before the saxophone picks right up. “Koko de Iki wo Shite” flows so perfectly together in its composition between jazz and rock and eill’s vocal range shows.

Check out “Koko de Iki wo Shite” here and the music video below!

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“Dance In The Rain” by Koda Kumi

With Koda Kumi’s release of MY NAME IS….20th Anniversary tour, I went back to her discography after watching her latest tour. “Dance In The Rain” became a top runner on my playlist as it is an absolutely gorgeous track. The opening with the piano is marvelous, the composition starts out slower and when it gets to the actual chorus, it picks up. I love how Koda Kumi’s deep vocals fit perfectly with the composition from deep and quiet then explodes in the chorus. “Dance In The Rain” is the perfect mid-tempo ballad.

Check out “Dance In The Rain” here and the music video below!

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“Torches” by Aimer

With the release of Aimer’s album Walpurgis, I was brought back to her track “Torches”. I remember when this single was originally released in 2019 and I fell in love with it. Going back and re-listening to it on Walpurgis made me fall in love with it all over again. The composition is beautiful and Aimer’s soft yet powerful voice resonates with you along with the lyrics in “Torches” itself. The mixture of Japanese and English lyrics is incorporated so flawlessly as well. “Torches” has a relaxing and summer night feeling to it that it just can’t help but pull you in.

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

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“Together When…” by Ayumi Hamasaki

As A BALLADS 2 just released this month, it has been a treat to go back and listen to Ayu’s ballads. “Together When…” is still one of the ballads that has me in tears and pulls at my heart strings each time. I love how it starts out slow, then in the chorus when Ayu starts singing “Aishiteru to”, the composition picks up along with her vocals. You can hear all the power and emotion put into this song and it gets to you. The music break in the middle has that orchestra feel that makes it feel like this song is coming to its climax and it does. You can feel every bit of emotion Ayu is portraying and it sticks with you.

Check out “Together When…” here and the music video below!