Music Corner Week 115: iScream

iScream is a female dance and vocal unit consisting of members, RUI, YUNA, and HINATA who were chosen from the LDH Presents THE GIRLS AUDITION. iScream made their first appearance as the opening act for the first concert of E-girls’ Final Tour E-girls PERFECT LIVE 2011 - 2020, this was their first introduction as the three vocalists for the new LDH girl group, iScream. In June 2021, they made their official debut with their single “Maybe…YES EP” which the title song was the ending theme for the drama Ochanigosu. Despite iSceam being a newly formed group, they have already started making their mark in the industry with their catchy tracks, powerful vocals, smooth rap, and stylish dance moves. As a trio, they form a powerhouse and have not slowed down since their debut last year as they already have a studio album and several digital singles under their belts.

iScream is a powerhouse of a unit with their vocal and dance skills are absolutely mesmirizing. Upon hearing tracks like “Tsutsumikouyouni…”, “himawari”, and “Jasmine” you hear the power in each of their vocals shine especially both of these being a slower type of track. “Tsutsumikomuyouni…” is a mellow R&B style track with an amazing composition filled with a saxophone giving off a jazzy feel as well. The girls vocals make this track even better matching in tune with each note; giving the perfect tribute track to MISIA. They also bring a fun poppy dance feel with tracks such as “Scream Out”, “Diamond”, and “Maybe…YES”. Each of these tracks has this fun cute dance feel with a catchy chorus and the girls still show off their vocals as well as choreography. Their latest single, “Catwalk” is an upbeat pop dance tune with solid vocals and a composition to match. “Catwalk” has such a nice charm to it as each member gives their all to make a fun fresh track that sticks in your head.

Currently, iScream has one studio album i (2022) and four digital singles: “Maybe…YES EP (2021)”; “himawari (2021)”; “Tsutsumikomuyouni… (2022)”, and their newest “Catwalk (2022)”. Check out their official website, Twitter, Instagram, and their music video for “Tsutsumiyokomuyouni…” below!

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!

Music Corner Week 114: LAGHEADS

LAGHEADS is a four-member self dubbed Super JAMPOP Band that debut back in December of 2021 and brings over a gang of young talented musicians to the current J-Pop and Jazz scene. Breaking the norm of what it means to being a band, LAGHEADS goes their own path by not having a traditional lead singer, but instead has their music composition and melody doing the talking. While each member was formerly supporting members of bands and artist like KIRINJI, millennium Parade, AI, and kiki vivi lily, the sound they bring is just as to be heard. Oozing the feel of overseas sounds of jazz and soul from the past to the present, they bring a sense that is familiar to modern J-Pop.

Songs like “Studio M”, and “Mr. Feeling” brings the modern feel to the for front, and while not having a vocalist, both songs really bring that mood of great music to the forefront that would rope anyone into their world. While being vocal-less is one thing, their collaborations with other artists is what they will be mostly known and be beloved for. Tracks like “Simple Song” “Dakishimetaiyo” with HIMI, and “Try” and “Drivin’” with kiki vivi lily really show off these member’s individual time as a support members aren’t wasted as they understand each artist they collaborate with and makes them the star.

Currently, LAGHEADS have three single and one album that released in 2022. Be sure to check out their official website, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news by them and check out the lyric video of theirs song “Drivin’ featuring kiki vivi lily” below!