Gray's Ongaku Go For May 2023

Picking up after Ken and Luna, we’re down another 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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“topaz” by M!LK

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. It’s really what I’ve been searching for from them, something that focuses a bit more on their vocals, and this nails it. I love the melody of this track, but most importantly their vocals here are near perfect and I’m here for it. This has quickly become my favorite song by them and I’m excited about what they have in store for fans next.

Check out “topaz” here and in the video below!

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“Maybe In Love” by FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE

I’ve been a huge fan of these guys since they debuted, but “Maybe In Love” might just be their best song to date. I love what they have done with this track. Their vocals are just on point, and the melody is very moving. There is no maybe when it comes to my love for this number, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Check out “Maybe In Love” here and in the video below!

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“Lady” by Kenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu is such a wild card in the Japanese music industry, and predicting what he does next is beyond impossible. My personal history with Yonezu is pretty well documented on the podcast, but I’ve always given him the credit of being an amazing composer, and with “Lady” it really just shines through. There are very few people who could put together a song like this, plus the trumpets give it that extra flair to put it over the top. The piano is also one of the stars of this track. Only a genius could picture all the moving parts of this song and make them come together in such a great way. Yonezu may be hit-and-miss with me, but, when he does hit, he scores a critical blow.

Check out “Lady” here and in the video below!

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"Hito wa Yume wo Nido Miru" by Nogizaka46

I feel like Nogizaka46 is really starting to make a good comeback. Personally, I’ve enjoyed the past few releases that Nogizaka46 has put out. When I first heard this song, I felt like it overstays its welcome, which is still true, but I’m starting to soften on that criticism the more I listen to this track. The beats per minute on this song keep up this nice pace that is like going for a jog on a sunny afternoon, even if this release is almost six minutes long. I’m enjoying this good streak they are on and I’m getting excited to see what they do next.

Check out “Hito wa Yume wo Nido Miru” here and in the video below!

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“Dandelion” by Da-iCE

I wanted to finish my list on a song that for me when I heard it felt like a pallet cleanser. “Dandelion” is an excellent mid-tempo song by Da-iCE that leans on their vocals, which is what I live for. I’ve had so much fun with “Dandelion”. It reminded me of why I fell in love with Da-iCE in the first place. Their latest album is fantastic and this is probably the first of many off that album.

Check out “Dandelion” here and in the video below!

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Luna's Ongaku Go for May 2023!

With Spring coming to an end and Summer heating up fast, it's that time of the month for May’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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“CANDY CANDY (Moe Shop Remix)” by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

I have had the KPP’s “CANDY CANDY" (Moe Shop Remix)” stuck in my head since its release and was lucky enough to be able to see Moe Shop do this remix live AND see Kyary Pamyu Pamyu sing “CANDY CANDY” live, all in one day. This track oozes with energy both from Kyary’s sweet vocals and adds Moe Shop’s EDM flare to it. The high energy this track brings makes me want to get up and dance to it - that jump around, fun type of dance. This has one of the catchiest chorus’ making it easy to sing-a-long to.

Check out “CANDY CANDY (Moe Shop) Remix” here and the video below!

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“Sunflower” by CHANMINA

With the release of CHANMINA’s new album Naked, immediately upon hearing “Sunflower”, I fell in love with this track. CHANMINA’s vocals are perfect for it showcasing the power and emotion behind the lyrics of “Sunflower”. The composition gives easy listening vibes, but it could always be easily remixed and played in a club to jam out to. The chorus is catchy and flows perfectly with each versus, also making it an easy track to sing along to. If the composition doesn’t pull you in, the lyrics absolutely will.

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

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“Game Over” by CREAM

CREAM is back with their third digital single of 2023 and I couldn’t be happier. “Game Over” starts out with a more poppy tune and Minami’s vocals are as smooth as ever. The chorus and composition are very catchy, making you want to dance and sing with CREAM. The lyrics are about a break-up; I like this take on a break-up song giving it an up beat sound makes it a break-up song to make you feel better than those sappy ballad ones. Staxx-T’s rap is more minimal in this track but fits perfectly with ‘Game Over”. CREAM really slapped with this one, making it such a memorable track when it comes to the lyrics and composition.

Check out “Game Over” here and the video below!

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“WORK” by millenium parade & Shiina Ringo

I rarely watch any new anime while it airs, but a friend convinced me to watch Hell’s Paradise (Jigokuraku) and I heard the opening track “WORK” and became instantly hooked. The opening of this song pulls you in immediately. Shiina’s vocals match the composition and the rap millennium parade provides just flows together with ease. The guitar riff in the midst of “WORK” is odd yet works with the style this track represents. I love the use of Shiina’s vocals in “WORK” more than anything as that is what originally pulled me in.

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

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“Like a Tattoo” by BONNIE PINK

I’ve been a BONNIE PINK fan for a long time, hearing her begin to release new music again has made my heart happy. “Like a Tattoo” is a fantastic way for BONNIE PINK to start off 2023 with. BONNIE PINK’s vocals are still as great as ever and the composition has a modern flare that sounds different from BONNIE PINK’s music I grew up listening to. She makes it fit by bringing her own style to it. The lyrics, vocals, composition just pull you in, making it an easy listening track that you take in and enjoy. I just love the ending lyrics as they stick with you like a tattoo.

Check out “Like a Tattoo” here and the music video below!

Ken's Ongaku Go for May 2023!

With summer of June heating up that means it’s 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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“Saihate - With ensemble” by SennaRin

The ‘With ensemble’ remaster of popular songs has been really getting to me as of late. This includes the masterful rendition of “Orion” from a couple months back and now with “Saihate”, a low key my favorite anime opening from 2022 in Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 1. While I do miss the electronica portion of the song the original had, the ensemble version is something that has to be heard. While I know I have a ‘anti Anisong’ mentality for some songs, this ended up being something that drew myself back to it day after day.

Be sure to check out the performance video for “Saihate- With ensemble” below along with the song here!

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“Houseki” by LILAS IKUTA

LILAS IKUTA is a singer that I’ve been keeping my eye on for a bit as she is a vocalist that really draws me in with her strong vocals and interesting use of composition that I don’t usually see in a standard solo-female act. “Houseki”, while very simplistic overall, draws me in upon every listen. While I do think her entire Sketch album on the whole is a must listen, it is this track that overall does it for me. While I might just wait a bit to do her as a Music Corner, her presence is undeniable and has to be an artist to look forward to in the near future.

Be sure to check out the song here!

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“Summer Ghost Feat. KIRINJI” by Tomita Lab

This is a collaboration that I never thought I see in my lifetime. Tomita Lab currently has to be one of the most interesting and creative composers that I know the general public has no knowledge of. You pair that up with the juggernaut of musical experience that is KIRINJI which is the revamp project from Takaki Horigome and you get a collaboration that is once in a lifetime. While I could listen to this song beat by beat to pick up the nuances of which each artist contributed in, it is better to listen with no prior knowledge. I’m sure both will release even more songs throughout the year, but “Summer Ghost” is an instant classic and is somewhere on my top 5 for the year already.

Check out the music video “Summer Ghost” below with the track here!

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“Senko -From CrosSing” by Aina Aiba

Aina Aiba’s first release in over a year as her own persona? Yeah, this is going on my list for Ongaku Go! While Aiba has released several tracks for her Seiyuu work, this collaboration is the first since her SiGN album back in 2020. Hearing her being able to sing in her own voice is something that I absolutely love and miss hearing. While overall it is very basic anisong style of composition, sue me as I’ll be a bit bias toward this, it is refreshing for someone who usually avoids this drama like the plague. I don’t know if this will be the only song that Aina Aiba does this year in her own persona, I’m just happy we got it.

Be sure to check out the live video record for “Senko” below along with the song here!

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“Hirune no Kuni” by chilldspot

chilldspot is a band that I have been keeping my eye on, as it has been awhile since I’ve been moved by a female vocal rock band like them in a long time. They give off this swagger that wants to have fun and just make music. “Hirune No Kuni” really shows just how unique they are with an amazing vocalist Hiyune in the forefront just oozing energy. While their popularity is just beginning, I can’t wait to hear more done by them.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Hire No Kuni” below along with track here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For April 2023!

Picking up after Ken and Luna, we’re down another 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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“ForEVER” by PSYCHIC FEVER From Exile TRIBE

This is a new group in the ever-growing Exile TRIBE, and “ForEVER” is their latest release. I’ve got to say, this is an amazing song. The vocal performances are done well and the melody of this ballad works smoothly with the vocals here. PSYCHIC FEVER debuted last year and I just missed it completely but I need to go back and check out more of their work.

Check out “ForEVER” by PSYCHIC FEVER From Exile TRIBE here and in the video below!

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“LONELY LONELY” by ALI

ALI is back doing what they do best and it is amazing. “LONELY LONELY” has this nice jazz feel to it that keeps me coming back for more. ALI is a band that I like more and more as time goes by, just a consistent output of great songs. 

Check out “LONELY LONELY” by ALI here and in the video below!

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“Come Again” by 8LOOM

I discovered this group by accident, and while they may not be a real group, I absolutely love what I heard and I wish they would come together to form an actual group. “Come Again” is done well and sounds better than most other boy groups out there. There is some real magic in these guys and I can’t recommend them enough.

Check out “Come Again” by 8LOOM here and in the video below!

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“Funky Jumping” by Da-iCE

This is a fun song released by one of my favorite groups. “Funky Jumping” is the second release that Da-iCE has put out this year. This is more traditional for the group than their previous release, and it’s so nice to hear these guys drop a fun track like this. Can’t wait to see what they do next.

Check out “Funky Jumping” by Da-iCE here and in the video below!

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“Kimi Dakeno Hanamichi” by =LOVE

=LOVE has been on a hot streak with their last few releases, and this just continues this awesome run these girls have been on. At the pace =LOVE is going, they are going to outshine my love for Hinatazaka46 really soon. I love this song and can’t wait to see what they do next.

.Check out “Kimi Dakeno Hanamichi” by =LOVE here and in the video below!

Luna's Ongaku Go for April 2023!

With Spring blooming into action, it's that time of the month for March’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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“Spark” by Crystal Kay

At the beginning of March, Crystal Kay released her new EP Start Again, which featured the track “Spark”. Crystal Kay shows off her vocals in this beautiful slow tempo classical type tune that is reminiscence of a live venue style. “Spark” has a miniminalistic composition, starting out with just the guitar strumming and Crystal Kay utilizing her vocal skills which sound more raw giving off that live studio feel. When the piano starts coming into the song with a mixture of the guitar it brings you the old classical music from the 30s/40s feel and takes you to a whole different place. The beauty of “Spark” pulled me in for a nice relaxing time.

Check out “Spark” here and the original audio video below!

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“BIRTHDAY CAKE” by KIRA & BLOOM VASE

“BIRTHDAY CAKE” is an upbeat track that gets you hyped up and is a great way to celebrate your pre-Birthday month. KIRA’s vocals fit perfectly with the beat - I love how she can easily go from singing to rap in an instant seemlessly. BLOOM VASE brings a fun flavor to this track with their R&B-hip hop style. I’ve been dancing and jamming to this track and will continue to do so all throughout April as well. “BIRTHDAY CAKE” is a track that will make you feel good even if it’s not your actual Birthday with its uplifting dance type beat. This is also featured on KIRA’s newest album, Birthday, which just dropped on March 23rd, 2023!

Check out “BIRTHDAY CAKE” here and the official music video below!

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“I Need U” by RIRI

It’s been over a year since RIRI released a new single and I’ve been listening to all her previous music patiently waiting. The wait was worth it. RIRI released two versions of “I Need U” with the difference being the Japanese version is titled a little different as “I Need U ~Kimi ni Tayotte mo ii~”. “I Need U” shows that RIRI still has it and has been perfecting her voice as this is such a smooth track where you can hear the strength in her vocals drawn out. The lyrics in “I Need U” are easily relatable which is another reason it pulled me in.

Check out “I Need U’ here and the official music video below!

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“You Just Walked In My Life” by CHANMINA

As soon as “You Just Walked In My Life” released, I was hooked after the immediate first listen. I love the slower paced style this song gives off and how CHANMINA shows a softer side of her vocals. “You Just Walked In My Life” is a cute track that mixes sugar sweet with hip-hop and CHANMINA executes every tune with perfect ease. “You Just Walked In My Life” is a combination of mid-tempo and ballad with a hip-pop type of base. It shows CHANMINA’s skill of being able to cross genre boundaries with ease. The hype for her newest album, Naked, is very high after listening to all the singles released thus far.

Check out “You Just Walked In My Life” here and the official music video below!

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“Memorable” by BAND-MAID

I’ve been listening to quite a bit of BAND-MAID especially with their 10th Anniversary Tour this year. “Memorable” is a beautiful power ballad and Saiki’s vocals have a vunerable sound that fits perfectly with the melody. “Memorable” is what I’d consider a soft rock power ballad, concentrating on a simple composition and Saiki’s vocals. The middle of the song, the riff with the guitar, and bass plus drums blends just right. I cannot get enough of “Memorable” as it shows off the softer side of BAND-MAID.

Check out “Memorable” here and the official music video below!

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