Ken's Ongaku Go for the Month of April!

The tides of Spring are moving upon us, that means it’s time for this months 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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“Hukashigino karate” Mai Sakurajima version by Asami Seto

The reairing of the anime Rascal Doesn’t Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai leading up to the new OVA is the reason that this song had gotten released on digital streaming platforms. During the height of the the pandemic, this anime had really changed me and lot of that would have to stem from the songs that are included in the series. It is a very simple song with a soft composition and heavily lifting on the Seiyu’s vocals. While I’ll try my best to not put the finale version of the song on my Ongaku Go in June, there are no promises due to how amazing this song is overall.

Be sure to check out the track in all its glory here!

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“YOUTH” by TENDRE

With a new release by TENDRE, of course I couldn’t leave it out from my Ongaku Go. His BEGINNING EP is overall amazing as he had remastered versions of songs that arguably put him on the map such as ‘DOCUMENT’, ‘RIDE’, and ‘hanashi’. It was his original song on the EP YOUTH which is the winner of being put in my rotation. One of the things that I absolutely love from the release is that TENDRE really shakes it up by not putting a lot of his isms in the compositions, instead of relying on his vocal skills for the majority of the track. While I do think it’s dangerous to do that sometimes for an artist that goes off the path as much as he does, it’s nice to see a ‘normal’ release by him. While I do hope this leads to an album, This EP really shows how he has grown as an artist since starting this project.

Be sure to check out "YOUTH” here, along with its YouTube version below!

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“I’m now here” by HIRAI DAI

I don’t feature HIRAI DAI as much I’d like due to how amazing his vocals are, but he’s on point with this digital single. Relying on a lot of his personal isms, HIRAI DAI shows how to get it done as a solo male vocalist. Clocking in a bit over 3 minutes, the track just zooms by but still leads a lasting impression on me as the listener. While I do have an issue with the slow rate that HIRAI takes to drop a new release, no one can deny how he is one the hardest working acts in the industry today, and I can’t wait for his next album.

Check out the track here, along with the Lyric Video version below!

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“Deep Inside” by Nelko

One of the first things I had on my mind upon first hearing this was just how amazing the flute player was throughout this song, and just how it melted in with all the compositions. Nelko is an artist that I had on my mind for a while now, with the the amazing duel vocals that transcends genre. Vocalist Saya and Rapper Laundry had it very good off and on with how they are able to lean on one another. While they don’t have any major releases in the forefront, I hope that I’m able to hear more about them in the near future.

Be sure to check out the “Deep Inside” here, along with its music video below!

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“Endless Story” by REIRA starring YUNA ITO

One of the songs that actually got added due to what we were doing on the show with the wedding episode. While editing that episode I had just thought about ‘Endless Story’ and how absolutely phenomenal it is. Yuna Ito was born to play that role and crushed it on the original song portions of the two live action movies. Ito’s vocal range is really put on point here and while she doesn’t do as much as she did in the height of her career, I’m happy that she took on this role and gave us an unforgettable song.

Be sure to check out “Endless Story” here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For February 2023

Picking up after Ken and Luna, we’re down our first month in 2023, 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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“Bokutachi No Sayonara” by Nogizaka46

I found this on apple music, and I’ve had a hard time putting down this song. I think the melody comes together with the vocals of the girls well. Nogizaka46 has started out the year on a high note and it makes me excited to see where they go from here.

Check out “Bokutachi No Sayonara” by Nogizaka46 here and the music video below!

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“Answers” by Da-iCE

This is a beautiful ballad by these fantastic guys. They have also put their best foot forward out of the gate starting out this year, and they are overdue for a new album, so they are just getting started for the year. “Answers” is an excellent appetizer for the year to come.

Check out “Answers” by Da-iCE here and the lyric video below!

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“Drop Dead” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE

I don’t like pop and lock, but if there was ever a group that could drop a pop and lock that I do like, it would be BALLISTIK BOYZ. They started off as a rap group and they have moved in a different direction, but this shows that these guys still have this kind of music in them. I’ve been really digging this release and I’m excited to see what these guys do next.

Check out “Drop Dead” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE here and the music video below!

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“Stars” by Sandaime J Soul Brothers

Ken turned me on to this release, and I’m so glad he did. Sandaime is a group that I really need to listen to more than what I do. This song has such great vocal work done in it and the melody has a great hook to it that keeps me coming back for more.

Check out “Stars” by Sandaime J Soul Brothers here and the music video below!

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“Accent” by B.O.L.T

B.O.L.T is my latest discovery and, I’ve got to say, I’ve been really impressed with these girls. “Accent” is a good song with a really good melody and fantastic voice work. This is the latest release by these girls and I’m excited to see where else they go from here. This is a fantastic release, and probably my favorite release of 2023 so far.

Check out “Accent” by B.O.L.T here and the music video below!

Luna's Ongaku Go for February 2023!

Picking up where Ken left off and spring boarding into the second month of 2023, it’s that time of the month for February’s 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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“(NOT) Remember you” by Ayumi Hamasaki

Ayumi’s first major release of the year, her Remember you album, was a great way to end January and start off February. One of the lead tracks on her latest album, "(NOT) Remember you” has filled my ears since its release. This song features a heavy electronic vibe with powerful lyrics and vocals to match. Ayu’s ear for music is still going strong, as it not only contains a strong electronic vibe, but also some heavy guitar riffs that fit perfectly in the middle of the track. “(NOT) Remember you” sticks with you through and through, leaving you with its catchy beat in your head and wanting to put it on repeat.

“(NOT) Remember you” by Ayumi Hamasaki here and the music below!

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“Trigger” by Koda Kumi

Koda Kumi is always a favorite of mine, and her newest mini album WINGS that dropped in late January is no different. “Trigger” is exactly what you want and expect in a Koda Kumi song, dance beats, smokey vocals, catchy lyrics, and a hot chorus. I love how “Trigger” starts off a little slower with a more modern vibe, but with the perfect vocal style with the composition. The verses are my favorite part of this track, as they have this smooth style that just flows perfectly and leads right to the chorus, which has a heavier beat that gives off a more hip-hop-like vibe. “Trigger” brings a good mixture of modern Koda Kumi mixed with all the experience she’s gained over the last 20-plus years.

Check out “Trigger” by Koda Kumi here and the music video below!

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“February 14 (feat. Takaya Kawasaki)” by miwa

As February is the month of love due to Valentine’s Day, miwa’s latest track “February 14 (feat. Takaya Kawasaki)” became an addiction with its lovey-dovey lyrics. This was a part of miwa’s latest EP release “Valentine ga Kotoshi mo Yatte Kuru”, “February 14” was the highlight of this track with its beautiful composition giving the perfect love song for the month. Takaya Kawasaki and miwa’s collaboration has a nice balance between both artists. miwa obviously shines, but Takaya Kawasaki’s voice is such a nice treat. I love that both artists have different tones vocally, but they mesh perfectly together.

Check out “February 14 (feat. Takaya Kawasaki")” by miwa here and the music video below!

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“Konya mo Dareka to (feat. Manaka Shida) by t-Ace

I always enjoy seeing what t-Ace releases, as he puts out some bangers, and of course, , his digital single from the end of January, “Konya mo Dareka to” with Manaka Shida is that for me. It has a fun Hip-Hop/R&B beat, t-Ace’s vocals and rap are smooth, despite some of the auto-tuning. Manaka Shida and t-Ace have amazing chemistry in this track and blend so perfectly together. The lyrics in “Konya mo Dareka to” are playful and have some truth to them. This is one of those chill tracks that I want to listen to and soak up.

Check out “Konya mo Dareka to (feat. Manaka Shida) by t-Ace here and the music video below!

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“Karappo” by AYANE

Ken introduced me to “Karappo” and I have not been able to get enough. AYANE has such a smooth voice that pulls you in, her track “Karappo” is the perfect showcase of that. With its mid tempo R&B composition, AYANE’s vocals flow throughout this track with a steady rhythm, leading you through a story. The verses are just as catchy as the chorus, and the composition is the perfect match with AYANE’s vocal style. “Karappo” is a soothing track as it contains just that right mixture of pop and R&B.

Check out “Karappo” by AYANE here and the lyric video below!

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Ken's Ongaku Go for February 2023!

With the love-filled month of February passing us by, 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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“SPEED AGETE” by SIRUP

I’ve honestly missed putting up SIRUP in my Ongaku Go, with his infrequency of releasing things back in 2022 and I was just prancing out other artists, my love for SIRUP was little found. Produced by the fabulous Chaki Zulu, SIRUP brings his A game with this track. If it’s his hot vocals that he just spits, or the loving relations with the compositions, “SPEED AGETE” is a track that I could find in the running for the track of the year. While I hope that SIRUP will have an album soon, since he is well overdue for one, if his releases are the caliber of “SPEED AGETE” I have no worries for his 2023.
Be sure to check out the track here!

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“City Girl” by botakura.

This band has all the things that I absolutely love in a modern pop band, as they really bring all this city pop sound to the forefront. I love the use of the sax that is sprinkled throughout the track that gives the song a bit more ‘umph’ so to speak. Vocalist Siyo's smooth vocals really are what makes this track work overall, and I’ll be keeping my eye on this band just for that. I highly anticipate this band’s first album so I can make a proper Music Corner about them. If even a quarter of their discography is like “City Girl”, I think we will all be in for a treat.

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

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“Window” by Som

Surprise surprise I’ve found another Pop fusion female artist. Her sample size is only relegated to singles and EPs, I absolutely loved what I’ve heard from her. While I might not be able to talk about her in Music Corner yet, Som does a lot of things that I love in a female vocalist. Absolutely amazing minimalist vocals with just trance like compositions is always going to be added in my rotation one way or another. While I’m very excited to see what Som releases next, I’m more highly anticipating what an album set has for her.

Check out “Window” here!

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“The Essential of Pop” by Girls Back Teen

Weird band name aside, I instantly fell in love with this project. The whole aesthetic hits all the right buttons for me as that throwback style. The overall average style that they bring is great and just makes me fall in love with its music. While I might see his style not working for everyone, as you can’t really hear his vocals as clearly as you would like, I just think it’s that unique charm that makes him stand out more so. I honestly can’t wait to see what this new style can bring and want to hear more from him even more.

Be sure to check out the track here

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“Sweet Trip” by L-Baby

While this is more Luna’s style, I found myself going to this track more and more throughout the month. The vocals that L-Baby does in this release just absolutely work and on top of the non-intrusive or overbearing composition that is common for this genre makes Sweet Trip a number 1 for me. While I’m not sure if L-Baby will stick around in my rotation all too much, I’m thankful to come across this release and hope for more from her in the future.

Check out “Sweet Trip” here!

Gray's Onkagu Go For January 2023

It’s 2023 and it is time to kick off the year with what we’ve been listening to this past January. All the songs featured below and be found on Apple Music.

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“Chigau Sojanai” By Masayuki Suzuki

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it, when we were covering the Kohaku, and Masayuki Suzuki had one of my favorite performances of the show. The composition of this track sticks with you and, I know this sounds silly, but it’s such a cool track. I keep coming back to this song time and time again. I’m so glad he performed for the Kohaku, I’ve become a fan of his.

Check out “Chigau Sojanai” here and the music video below!

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“Heart” by Aimyon

Again, this was a Kohaku performance that just captivated me. Aimyon hasn’t always been my favorite, but I’ve always felt she has a commendable charm about her. When I heard her performance for “Heart” I didn’t want it to stop, and I’ve been listening to it ever since. This track is one of my favorites by her, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

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

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“Habit” by Sekai No Owari

Okay, yeah I’m pretty late to this song, but again, it’s a performance that I thoroughly enjoyed at the Kohaku, and I keep going back and listening to this track. This release has a distinct identity and I really liked what this was putting down. I can see why “Habit” became a sensation and I’ve enjoyed my time with it.

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

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“Sorry” by White Jam

This release by White Jam starts a little slow but picks up to be an excellent mid-tempo track. This is pretty standard pop fair, but it’s White Jam and I love this song very much. Everyone here is doing what they do best and I’ve really had a fun time listening to this.

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

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“mabuta” by VAUNDY

The latest release by VAUNDY “mabuta” just continues his string of great tracks to come out. I had a lot of fun with “mabuta”. It has an interesting composition that works really well. I think VAUNDY is just getting started, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.

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