Luna's Ongaku Go For August 2022!

Picking up where Ken left off, with the summer in its final month and fall getting ready to begin. 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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“Summer Time” feat. KENYA by KAHOH

With the anticipation of KAHOH’s Ice Cream EP, I added “Summer Time” feat KENYA to my summer playlist and its been my jam. This is the perfect summer song, nice R&B melody you can nodd your head too. KAHOH and KENYA have such great chemistry vocal wise, both of them having a smooth sytle that meshes flawlessly together. “Summer Time” has such a fluid flow to it that once its over, you want to listen to it again. On KAHOH’s Ice Cream EP, that just released, an Acoustic version is included and it is not to be missed, although, I love the original version a bit more due to its R&B feel.

Check out “Summer Time” feat. KENYA here and the music video below!

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“Suki” by eill

Whenever I see eill release a new track I always get excited and “Suki” is one that you will fall in love with. It has a nice composition that brings out eill’s voice and encompassing the feelings that she is bringing across. “Suki” is the perfect summer love song with its light airy feel, cute and sentimental lyrics, and a catchy chorus. When listening to “Suki”, I feel a nice warm feeling that makes me just want to go for a walk or relax with the person I love.

Check out “Suki” here and the lyric video below!

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“Summer Breeze” feat. Alina Saito & Hideshi Takatani) by uruwashi

Ken had picked uruwashi as his Music Corner alumni some time back and I was drawn to the unique style of uruwashi as a track maker and boy does he excell in that field. “Summer Breeze” is breathe of fresh air that you need in the summer with its relaxing composition and Alina Saito’s vocals are a pleasure on the ears. I love his choice of instruments as it starts of with a trumpet and brings in the guitar and piano, making for a nice touch. I could listen to this track all day relaxing in a hammock. How uruwashi created this track is amazing, with its flow and unique blend of sounds.

Check out “Summer Breeze” here and the music video below!

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“White Rain (Shiroi Rain)” by Little Black Dress

In July, we released our Music Corner Round Up and that got me to go back and listen to some great artists. Little Black Dress is one of those. “White Rain” is absolutely fabulous with its uplifiting rhythm that gives you a theatric feel. Little Black Dress’s vocals are powerful and smooth which blends perfectly with the melody of this song. I love how “White Rain” starts off a little slower, then picks up for the chorus. The flow “White Rain” has with how it takes you on a journey, keeps your ears mesmirized the whole time.

Check out “White Rain” here and the music video below!

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“Sure Shot” by Koda Kumi

With the impending release of Koda Kumi’s newest live tour, I went back to her heart album that released in March of this year. “Sure shot” is a perfect song to listen to this time of year. It’s a higher energy track that gets you pumped up and of course has Koda Kumi’s flare in it. “Sure shot” has a catchy beat that gets you up and moving, whether it be dancing or working out. It has Koda Kumi’s usual vocals for the type of track it is and with its poppy beat, her vocals fit perfectly. “Sure Shot” is a nice way to round out the summer playlist and keep you energized.

Check out “Sure Shot” here and the music video below!

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Ken's Ongaku Go For August 2022!

With the summer fill days of 2022 behind us and the cool fall winds upon us that means a brand new Ongaku Go is also with us. 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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“Kimi To Dokomademo” by Shin Aoyama

I'm sad that I didn’t find out about Aoyama sooner as I had absolutely loved his style and cadence and is a worthy successor to the young Enka name. While I'm somewhat new to the male Enka artist pool as Midori Oka had originally turned me on to the genre beforehand, Aoyama has this grip that really left an impression on me that no older male artist had before. The way he holds notes entices me to listen to more of his work. Although he has no traditional albums yet in his young career, I can't wait to see what the future has in store for him.

Be sure to check out the lyric video below along with the track here!

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“Low Pressure” by Natsu Summer and ryosenkei

I had missed my time with Natsu Summer, especially throughout this year of releases, but I soon rectified that with the SUN KISSED LADY collaboration album done by her and the band ryusenkei. While this is the first time I had listened to work done by the band, they really had brought out the full range of Summer and really made me fall in love with her all over again. Low Pressure Boy was one of the tracks that really had stood out to me the most out of the whole album as it has this child like delight of its outlook of summer beats and just took me on a ride that i can never forget. The keyboard on this piece in particular is absolutely fantastic and should be noted upon. While this is a collaborative effort on both parties, Low Pressure Boy made me love Natsu Summer even more and turned me into a fan of ryusenkei as well.

Check out the extended trailer for SUN KISSED LADY below along with track here!

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“HAVE A NICE DAY” by TENDRE

While 2022 has been a slow year for one of my favorite artist, TENDRE's latest release of “HAVE A NICE DAY” had really reconfirmed why I ended up becoming a fan of him in the first place. Out of this world composition with honestly the best use of sax done by him since “LIFE” back in 2020. The way that TENDRE is able to implement his vocals in this piece is also something of note as it just blends at all the right moments and gives the listeners the ability to just drift away in his work. Overall, if we don't get too much released by TENDRE for the rest of 2022, I'll be happy to just plug “HAVE A NICE DAY” into my Top 5 for the year easily.

Be sure to check out the music video for “HAVE A NICE DAY” below, along with the song here!

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“Shower” by chilldspot

Speaking of tracks that listeners are able to get lost too, chilldspot is just one of those rare bands that I just keep finding that scratches that itch for me. Vocalist Hiyune is an absolute amazing vocalist and I honestly can't wait to see what this band has in store for the future. The composition is one that I'll never forget and I just had to put into my rotations because of it. The 80's style of guitar pedal that they were using was fantastic and would love to hear this in a lot more tracks.

Check out the music video for “Shower” below, along with the track here!

“Whiskey” by AVOCADO BOYS

This band is something of an enigma to me as they really bring that old style funk with a Japanese flair. A majority of their songs are done in English, and has that uniqueness of just being like a large swing/funk band. While purist might think they are not doing anything new per-say, the building blocks to other artists in that similar genre is there, and that’s one of thing that I absolutely love that you can be able from them to branch into new and amazing things that some listeners might not be able to before. “Whiskey” really brings that zest that you hear in songs similar in the genre and makes it more appealing to the broader audience which is a good thing overall. While I do hope to do a full blown Music Corner about them soon enough, this little taste is all I need to be high on them.

Check out the lyric video below along with the track here!

Luna's Ongaku Go For July 2022!

Picking up where Ken and Gray left off, with the heat of summer ramping up, that means it’s a summer filled edition of Ongaku Go! 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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“Gimme Some” by Crystal Kay & Daichi Yamamoto

As soon as I saw Crystal Kay had a new song release, I was excited upon seeing it was a collaboration with Daichi Yamamoto got me even more excited. “Gimme Some” lived up to my expectations and even more with its sick beats, Crystal Kay and Daichi Yamamoto’s rap, and a catchy chorus. To say “Gimme More” is a banger is an understatement as this track hits hard with its beats in the opening; this is a full club banger but its a song you also want to blast in your car and hear that base. Crystal Kay is a phenomenal rapper and you don’t hear her rap very often, which is one of the reasons I loved this. She showcases her skills in both rap and smooth vocals. Daichi Yamamoto is an amazing rapper and in his versus, he goes all out with his skills. Crystal Kay and Daichi Yamamoto are the perfect combination you want in a collaboration. “Gimme Some” is a western influenced track with its hip-hop and R&B style. This has been my summer banger!

Check out “Gimme Some” here and the music video below!

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“Summer Again” by Ayumi Hamasaki

Ayumi Hamasaki is back with an upbeat summer hit that brings the heat with its fiery energy, catchy composition, and cooling vocals. “Summer again” is here for the season as it delivers everything you want in a summer track. It has a poppy dance vibe going for it, especially in its musical break that brings you back to Ayu’s Feel the love era of music. “Summer again” brings this nice feeling as it reminds me of several of Ayu’s sounds throughout her career but also brings a mix of freshness that pairs with her vocals perfectly. “Summer again” also has a bold and sexy vibe to it with the beats it gives off, especially at the beginning. I’ve had this song on repeat since release as it is the perfect track to dance to in the summer heat and its giving me a fiery energy without the actual heat.

Check out “Summer again” here and the music video below!

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“BE MY BABY” feat. Yo-Sea by Miliyah Kato

The first time I heard “BE MY BABY”, I was mesmirized by Yo-Sea’s smooth vocals and how well they mixed with Miliyah’s. “BE MY BABY” is such a beautiful love song from the composition to the lyrics to the utilization of both artists vocals. Miliyah and Yo-Sea have the perfect chemistry to pull this track off as which each versus, you feel the emotion oozing out as they each sings this toward each other. The composition is along the lines of R&B pop as Miliyah and Yo-Sea have the smooth R&B vocal style with a relaxed compostion, however, “BE MY BABY” still can feel a bit poppy in some instances. This is a track that I enjoy just sitting in a hammock or sun bathing while soaking in all its glory that it brings to my ears.

Check out “BE MY BABY” here and the lyric video below!

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“Bloom” by miwa

This has been a great year for miwa as she released her album Sparkle earlier this year and has kicked off the summer with two new singles, with “Bloom” being one of them. Immediately after hearing “Bloom”, I was drawn in with its poppy feel, miwa’s strong vocals, and memorable lyrics. Even though “Bloom” isn’t quite a summer track, its a great inbetween summer and spring track, however, I have been enjoying it through these summer months as it feels very refreshing and uplifting. Its a nice track to keep you cool on a hot day as it gives you a lighthearted sound with its poppy tune.

Check out “Bloom” here and the video below!

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“Takara Sagashi” by BONNIE PINK

It’s been years since BONNIE PINK has release a new song and I am absolutely estatic. “Takara Sagashi” is a beautiful song with BONNIE PINK’s smooth vocals and simple composition. I love that this is in her usual sytle, the girl with the guitar but it also has a hint of folk rock, which is the reason I love BONNIE PINK. “Takara Sagashi” is the perfect easy listening type of song that you follow along with it as it goes, this track leads you through making you want it to never end. This is the perfect relaxing summer track where you kick back on a beach, by a pool, and let it take your ears on a peaceful ride like a summer breeze.

Check out “Takara Sagashi” here and the video below!

Gray's Ongaku Go For July 2022

With another month down for 2022 these are some of my favorite tracks from the last month. Every song can be found on Apple Music.

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“Last Dance Ni Bye Bye” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE

This has to be my favorite track of 2022 so far. I have such a blast listening to this amazing track. I’ve been a fan of this group since they debuted and to see how they have grown into one of the best junior groups for EXILE TRIBE has been very exciting. 

Check out “Last Dance Ni Bye Bye” here and the music video below!

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“Blue Daisy” By IVVY

IVVY I’ve been following for a few years now and “Blue Daisy” is their latest release. While “Let It Go” is a bit of a mess, “Blue Daisy” is classic IVVY with great vocals, a wonderful melody, and fantastic rap. I love these guys and I’m always excited to see what they put out next.

Check out “Blue Daisy” here and the music video below!

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“Escape” by FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE

“Escape” is a lovely little number by FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE that focuses on their fantastic vocals, pun intended. I wish the group would put out more songs like this because they knock it out every time they do. A great addition to their discography. 

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

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“Perfect” by OCTPATH

“Perfect” is a fun, infectious song that really gets stuck in your head. This is OCTPATH’s second release and it’s a marked step up from “IT’S A BOP,” which wasn’t nearly as good. I’m excited to see where this group is going to go after this release.

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

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“PAJAMA PARTY” by Genki Iwahashi

This song is just so fun and cute that I’m having a hard time putting it down. I keep coming back and listening to it but I understand this release may not be for everyone

Check out “PAJAMA PARTY” here and the music video below!

Ken's Ongaku Go for July 2022

With the heat of summer ramping up, that means it’s a summer filled edition of Ongaku Go! 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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HOPE for US (feat. Isono Kun, AAAMYYY, TENDRE, Sara Yoshida and Ryohu) by Tomita Lab

I was surprised with the announcement of Tomita Lab’s album 7+, but by goodness it didn’t disappoint. The fact that Tomita would be able to make an amazing track like this with so many guest collaborators is nothing more then impressive. While the intro might be a little off-putting for some, once the song gets into high gear with all vocalists going at it, it is a thing of beauty. While I might not expect any other releases done by Tomita Lab after this album, I hope that he has a very successful 2022.

Be sure to check out a live recording version of “HOPE for US” below, along with the track here!

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“FOG” by ego apartment

On a whim I decided to check out this group with their self titled album being released this past month, and I honestly love that decision. While other songs such as “mayonnaise” and “Sensation” might be taking the spotlight a bit more, the track “FOG” has me ensnared. Its simplistic composition and vocals takes the listeners on a ride that they will never forget. This is still a fairly new band on the market and I can’t wait to see what else they have cooking up for the future.

Be sure to check out the song here!

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“My first love is crying” by Aimyon

While I was a tad critical about this song upon its debut on the Oricon, I actually ended up love the track. While the Aimyonism is still there and might be a huge sticking point for some, I personally love it. I equate it to likes of Aiko where I kinda know what I’m getting but the thing that I’m getting is still as good as the first. Do I wish sometimes she changes it up? Yes. For right now, “My first love is crying” is something that I need this moment and it had filled that void right up. While I’m not sure what this year has in store for Aimyon, I’ll still be looking forward to any of her upcoming work.

Check out the music video for “My first love is crying” below, along with the track here!

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“Benibana Koiuta” by Midori Oka,

I’m so excited that Midori Oka’s song are now available and while the release is tied as the EP for Yuki Kagero, I ended up loving Benibana Koiuta as much. When you say traditional Enka, it will always be Oka and Hikawa in the forefront for me. The way specifically Oka is able to keep it fresh and interesting is something that I honestly hope the new generation can appreciate. Oka’s vocal skills will still always get me and make me fall in love every time, every listen. The mixture of both the electric guitar as well gives it that more modern splash that I love and I hope in the future she could work with someone like Wageki Band.  Like what the resurgence of City Pop did for our generation now, I hope that Enka can do again.

Be sure to check out “Benibana Koiuta” here!

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“Shiawase” by back number

Lately I’ve been just diving head first into back number discography and Shiawase is one of those song that I have absolutely loved. The emotionally filled lyrics is one thing that, while a staple for a lot of their tracks, really drew me in. Its composition, while simplistic, really becomes the jelly to the vocals and really leads it as a step above. While this is an older song in their discography, it really pulls at the heart strings and has me going deeper upon every listen. While I don’t know what’s in store for the band in 2022, I hope back number can still produce songs just as well as “Shiawase.”

Check out “Shiawase” here!