Ken's Ongaku Go For August 2021!

With the end of summer on the horizon, 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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“Mr. Summer Time (feat Kei Owada)” by Tokimeki Records

Another strong showing by this amazing artist with another remix by Tokimeki Records. Originally done by Circus back in the 70’s, the updated version like her prior work has the soul of the original and fuses it with a more modern flair. Guest vocalist Kei Owada’s voice treads on the prior without dis-serving them. As previously mentioned, Tokimeki Records makes her version in her own unique way that would connect to the younger generation that might not know these classic songs. I can’t wait to see what she remixes next. 

Be sure to check out the lyric video for “Mr. Summer Time (feat Kei Owada)” below along with the streaming link here!

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“Zuruiyo” by MONONKVL

MONONKVL is a duo that I’ve been keeping my eye on for the last six months with tracks such as “GOODBYE” and “Otononaruiada”. However, “Zuruiyo” keeps a more sultry style that I absolutely love from this vocalist. While some might not like her style due to the more chill and laid back composition that they do, MONONKVL is an artist that everyone should be on the look out for and may very well be the future for the jazz-pop fusion genre that they are in. 

Be sure to check out the track here!

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“Ordinary days” by milet

As much as I like milet, “Ordinary days” is the first song that I actually push the “plus” sign to in Apple Music and listen on the regular. While it’s nothing too much out of her wheelhouse so to speak of style, it had kept me drawn back to it time to time throughout the month. While I do think it’s inclustion of being the theme song of the actress Toda Erika’s latest drama did turn my head to it much sooner, it did fill my need of strong female vocalist for the month. I’m not sure if this will turn me into a fan, I shall be on the lookout for milet’s upcoming works. 

Be sure to check out the music video for “Ordinary days” below along with song here!

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“Aitakute” by Ado

This is a very surprising addition. To date, I’m not a huge fan of Ado’s work, especially for “Odo”. But gosh darn this track really turns my mind about her, as this is a more traditional ballad style of work and she works it very well. This does in fact prove that Ado is indeed the breakout star of the year and that she can honestly fit any style that she wants. I legit can’t wait to see what style she’ll tackle next.

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

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“Kimi no Tonari, Taiyou no Shitade” by moumoon

This was an amazing reintroduction for moumoon, as after their departure from Avex, I was quite worried if they would continue or not. YUKA’s vocals are absolutely on point with this release and while I wasn’t following their work originally, I now have lots of catching up to do with their substantial discography. This along with the prior four songs in my Ongaku Go has really kept my chill factor at max, which I had really needed this past month.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Kimi no Tonari, Taiyou no Shitade” below with the track here!

Dramatic Untold History of ‘PPAP’ Documented in Special Video, Commemorating 10 Years Since Superstar PIKOTARO’s Debut!

Artist PIKOTARO is nearing the 10th anniversary of his debut. To mark this momentous occasion, on August 25 – the same date as his worldwide smash-hit song “PPAP” was originally uploaded to YouTube in 2016 – he has released a special commemorative video titled “The miracles of PPAP”.

The special video documents PIKOTARO’s astonishing achievements in the decade since he began his career, including the runaway global success of “PPAP” and the many records it smashed. From performing in 17 countries and regions around the world and even being appointed as a cultural ambassador for Japan, PIKOTARO has achieved things that no other Japanese artist has before. As these accomplishments are detailed in the video, PIKOTARO reflects on how he went about creating “PPAP”, his hopes for the future and more. Within 5 minutes and 23 seconds, learn the untold history of one of Japan’s biggest stars.

“PPAP” is a household name all around the world, but the epic drama behind this unlikely hit song has been unknown to many of us – until now. This video is a must-see below!

Momoko Kikuchi Unveils Distribution on Music Streaming Services and the Release of Night Tempo's "The Showa Groove" Has Also Been announced!!

DJ Night Tempo

Korean producer/DJ Night Tempo will release his latest re-edit project of 80’s Japanese pops "Momoko Kikuchi - Night Tempo presents The Showa Groove" on September 10.

Momoko Kikuchi is a Japanese idol who made her debut in 1984 with "Seishun no Ijiwaru" and gained popularity as a purist idol. Most of her songs were composed by Tetsuji Hayashi, the composer of Miki Matsubara's "Mayonaka no Door/Stay with Me" and many hit songs in the 80's Japanese music scene.

Momoko Kikuchi has released a total of 180 songs , her 12 singles, 11 albums including best of albums, and singles and albums of her rock band "RA MU", for which she is the vocalist, through music streaming services since July 16.

And on September 10, Night Tempo, the Korean producer/DJ, will release four tracks re-edited from Momoko Kikuchi's songs as the 10th installment of his "Night Tempo Presents The Showa Groove” series, which has sublimated Japanese songs and city pop into today's club music. He re-edited Mariya Takeuchi's "Plastic Love" and sparked a Japanese city-pop boom overseas. He is also known to be a big fan of Momoko Kikuchi. 

In addition, Momoko Kikuchi and RA MU's music videos from the 80's are scheduled to be released on the following YouTube channel. Don't miss out on these precious videos along with Momoko Kikuchi and RA MU digital singles here!

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“Momoko Kikuchi - Night Tempo presents The Showa Groove” Digital Jacket Cover

Night Tempo「Momoko Kikuchi - Night Tempo presents The Showa Groove」

01. Alfa Flight (Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix)
02. Glass no Sougen (Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix)
03. Good Friend (Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix)
04. Night Cruising (Night Tempo Showa Groove Mix)

Music Corner Week 88: White Jam

White Jam is a three-member co-ed vocal group that formed in 2011. The members of the group are Shirose, Gashima, and Nikki. Shirose and Nikki are the two main vocalists for the group while Gashima provides the wrapping for the songs. In 2014 they signed with the Universal Sigma record label. Over the course of their career, they have released nine albums total with their first album being Jiyuu Jikan from 2014. Their latest album dropped in March of this year and is titled Shinu Hodo Suki. 

White Jam’s track style is based on R&B and HIP HOP, but they have a really strong pop feel to their music. Shirose and Nikki have really good vocals to really capture the listener. Gashima is a fantastic rapper with really good cadence and rhythm. Together they create songs that really enrapture the soul. One of my favorite songs is “Silent Night” which is a holiday song but honestly, I could hear it play any time of the year. The piano in this track is played by Shirose himself and it’s done really well. Their song “Usotsuki” is a really good midtempo song, and they have great dance tracks like “Tik Tok”. White Jam has a really wide variety of tracks that everyone can find something to like.

White Jam is showing no signs of stopping with the release of their Shinu Hodo Suki album that dropped earlier this year. Their official website stays up to date with all their latest news along with their official Twitter account. Lastly, be sure to check out their song “Silent Night” in the video below.

Maika Loubté Shows Fans the Flower in the Dark with Latest Release!

“Flower In The Dark” Digital Jacket Cover

Singer, songwriter, and producer Maika Loubté continues her string of single releases with the new song "Flower In The Dark '' on Wednesday, August 25, a follow up to the track "It's So Natural" featuring AAAMYYY across all digital music streaming platforms. This is the sixth single from the forthcoming new album Lucid Dreaming which is scheduled to be released October, 20, 2021. After performing some early live versions of the song during live streaming events and becoming a favorite among fans, the studio version will finally be revealed.

 On the heels of the other singles from the album, “Flower In The Dark" is accompanied by a video and artwork that makes you into a dreamlike and beautiful spatial world with the 3D graphics created in collaboration with Saou Tanaka, an inspirational VJ and video artist based in Leipzig, Germany. 

The song features a beautiful melody and silky vocals intertwined with intricate harmonies. It is a comfortable electronica song that makes one feel as if they are lost floating around in a daydream. 

Lyrically, the words and melodies depict a person who has lost an important person and is battling with a variety of emotions. The flower in this song expresses love, grief and respect to the deceased. Sudden partings can leave the still living feeling lonely, sad, unfulfilled, and regretful. However, it is not only the bereaved who have these feelings but also the departed who may feel the same way, even though they cannot be seen.

On the song, Maika comments: "A lot of encounters and events that happened a few years ago led me to write this song. It's hard to say where people go after they die. But I feel like I can find hope by strongly believing that we are really together, even if we can't see each other." 

Be sure to check out the lyric video for “Flower In The Dark” below, along with the digital streaming link for the track here!