Ken's Ongaku Go For January 2023!

Spring boarding into 2023, it’s that time of the month for January’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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“Every Wish Deserves a Dream” by MISIA

I had honestly fell in love with this song upon listening to it during the Kohaku that it was in instant. The wonderment that is placed throughout this song it just amazing and like I had said during the Kohaku episode, that Disney Magic is just there and can is something that just has to be heard. While I don’t like all of MISIA’s discography, when she hits, she hits hard with tracks just like this.

Be sure to check out the track here, and below!

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“Time Capsule” by CRCK/LCKS

Now this is a band I haven’t heard from in a while, but I am so happy to do so as I was worried of disbandment. “Time Capsule” works more as an experience of sound for Math Rock genre more than an actual song as there are little to no lyrics throughout the release itself and the band just has the music speaks. As it is difficult to recommend a song like this to other people, it is something that must be experienced first hand. I for one can’t wait to hear more done by this band and hope more for them in 2023.

Check out the song below and via Apple Music here!

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“You” by Ayumi Hamasaski

This is a guilty pleasure more than anything else, I was recommended to listen to this song by someone close to me (not Luna) and I was just moved to tears upon listening. When we did our Artist spotlight I knew ‘You’ was a great song but context matters this time around and it really spoke to me. It was even great enough to move it to my rotations. While I don’t see Hamasaki’s track getting on here all too often, it will be in my rotation a tad bit more than before.

Be sure to check out the music video for “YOU” below, along with the track here!

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“STARS” by J SOUL BROTHERS

I had really missed J SOUL BROTHERS as they bring a certain style that their younger brother groups can’t really reach yet. With only one release in 2022, I had missed this more ‘general’ style of what LDH does. It hits all of everything for a group like this with just the right amount of vocal exposure that actually matches the composition and isn’t something that is overbearing. While I do hope this EP it was originally on does mean they have more work planned for 2023, if not then ‘STARS’ was just my sweet release.

Check out the music video for “STARS” below, along with the song here!

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“The Price of Freedom” by Takeharu Ishimoto

Due to my brute playthrough of Crisis Core Reunion for Podasarus, this particular song has been on my mind a whole lot. Granted it happened during the most tragic part of that game, I absolutely fell in love with it. In my opinion I would consider it Zack’s theme and I hope that whenever Rebirth comes out we get to hear a more majestic version of it.

Be sure to check out the track here!

Jersey Club track ‘PULL UP’ by Japanese rising star artist LANA goes viral!

‘Pull up’ digital Jacket cover

Gaining popularity thanks to her unique mic skills and her tracks based on hip-hop and R&B, rising young Japanese artist LANA released her single ‘PULL UP’ on November 30, 2022 – and now it is going viral on TikTok. The track is based upon the Jersey Club genre, which is setting TikTok alight with a rush of dance videos from all around the world. Over the distinct rhythm style associated with that genre, the track’s melancholy melody is given a fresh finish with LANA’s iconic singing voice.

In December, right after the song was released, a wave of young Japanese “gyaru” (fashion-conscious young women) began posting videos of themselves dancing to the song on TikTok. By January, many popular female Japanese influencers had posted their own dance videos, igniting an unprecedented “gyaru x Jersey Club” dance trend, embraced by young Japanese women in their teens and twenties.

Now, back on February 1, LANA has released her latest track, ‘TURN IT UP (feat. Candee & ZOT on the WAVE)’, featuring popular male Japanese rapper Candee and hit producer ZOT on the WAVE.

About LANA

LANA was born in Shonan, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. In 2020, she began uploading music to SoundCloud, which quickly picked up strong word of mouth. She was soon flooded with offers from both within Japan and overseas, and began producing music as a trackmaker and rapper, while also featuring on tracks by other artists. While her music is based on hip-hop and R&B, she has a sense for melody that transcends boundaries and genres, as well as an unforgettable husky voice, making her one of the scene’s most promising newcomers.

Be sure to check out ‘PULL UP’ on all streaming platforms here, along with the lyric video below!

Canadian-Japanese hybrid rock band MONKEY MAJIK release 13th album ‘curtain call’!

CURTAIN call Digital Jacket Cover

Japan-based four-piece rock band MONKEY MAJIK released their 13th full-length studio album ‘curtain call’ on January 25, 2023. The album explores brand new musical possibilities for the future of MONKEY MAJIK, with 14 songs covering a wide variety of music styles – offering a chance to experience a whole new side to this veteran band as they enter the 23rd year since their formation. With their mix of Japanese and English lyrics and their splicing of rap and pop, this is an album that only MONKEY MAJIK could make. Look out for standout track ‘This Is The Night (MONKEY MAJIK × GAGLE)’ (track 6 on the album), a collaboration with the hip-hop unit GAGLE that embodies MONKEY MAJIK’s borderless style. Meanwhile, the cover artwork expresses the album’s musical breadth, based on the concept of “infinite change”.

About MONKEY MAJIK

MONKEY MAJIK are a four-piece hybrid rock band based in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, comprising Canadian brothers Maynard (vocals and guitar) and Blaise (vocals and guitar), and Japanese rhythm section TAX (drums) and DICK (bass).

The band released their first single, ‘fly’, in 2006. Since then, they have created countless songs for commercials and theme songs for movies and TV shows, as well as collaborating with and composing songs for other artists. Following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan’s Tohoku region, MONKEY MAJIK were appointed Tourism and Goodwill Ambassadors of Tohoku, hosting the earthquake reconstruction support project ‘SEND Ai’ the same year, and holding fundraising concerts and auctions as part of their continuing activities to aid rebuilding in Japan’s Tohoku region. In 2020, they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their formation and released the best-of album ‘MONKEY MAJIK BEST -KACHO FUGETSU-’ in January 2021. In January 2023, they released their 13th original album ‘curtain call’, and they plan to hold a tour of Japan from February titled MONKEY MAJIK LIVE TOUR 2023 ~ THE HITS ~.

Be sure to check out the album here along with “This Is The Night” below!

Music Corner Week 123: My Hair Is Bad

My Hair Is Bad is a three-member rock band that was founded in Joetsu City, which is in the Niigata Prefecture. The group consists of Tomohito Shiiki who does vocals and guitar, Cho Daiki Yamamoto, also known as Baya, does the base, and Jun Yamada is the drummer. All the members of the group attended the same high school, and it was Shiiki who invited the other two to form the band. The name of the band comes from when the group was founded. Yamamoto stated, “My Hair is Bad!” and the name took, so that is what they have gone by ever since. In February 2013 the group debuted with their mini-album “Kinō Ni Naritakute”, and in May 2016 had their major debut with the release of their single, “Jidai o Atsumete”. Since then, they have gone on to release two singles, four albums, and two digital singles with their latest release being “Hitomini Mezemete”, which was released in October of 2022.

My Hair Is Bad has a lot of energy that shines through in their music. Their latest release, “Hitomini Mezemete” has a really nice build-up to the chorus. What draws my attention to this track is that, while it’s definitely a high-energy track, a sense of longing comes through the melody and vocal work. Shiiki does an excellent job working within his strengths in this track. On their latest album there is a track, “Mikata,” where they slow it down and a different side of the group comes through. There is a gentleness that is really felt throughout the song. “Mikata” has become one of my favorites on their angels album. My Hair Is Bad has tracks like “Lil Fin Lil Fin” that have a bit more of a grunge feel to them. I can see not everyone liking this, but it shows how they mix things a bit and try new things.  

My Hair Is Bad has a very active Twitter where you can stay up to date on all the latest news along with their official website. Lastly, be sure to check out their song “Hitomini Mezemete” in the video below.

Ongaku to You 2022 Songs, Artist and New Artist of the Year!

2022 was a very interesting year for the Japanese music industry and we at Ongaku to You would like to praise the songs and artists that helped us traverse this amazing year. Each member broke down the year in three categories; Song of the Year, New Artist We Discovered in 2022, and lastly our Artist of the Year. We hope that 2023 will bring many surprises to the Japanese music industry like we received in 2022!

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Luna’s Song of the Year

“Itsumademo” by Thelma Aoyama Feat. SoulJa

The melody, Thelma's vocals, SoulJa's rap, the lyrics - everything is perfect and it’s a callback to Koko ni Iru yo/Soba ni Iru ne. Just the idea of Thelma and SoulJa doing a collaboration and a call back to the tracks they did together on Thelma's debut is just fantastic and I fell in love upon first listen.

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Luna’s New Artist of the Year

Grace Ami

Grace Aimi released her debut studio album near the end of 2021 and I discovered her music in early 2022 after my best friend introduced me to her song "Karaoke Queen". Grace Aimi's music took me by surprise in a good way. I love that her music was all English based (as I wasn't expecting that at all) and that it reminded me of a mixture of 00s pop at times creating a funky fresh vibe. Tracks such as Friend Zone had a more western feel, especially lyrically and composite wise. Tracks like "if" and "Karaoke Queen" give off some mixed vibes which I love. She's an artist I have been anticipating releases as I'm curious to see what she will do next.

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Luna’s New Artist of the Year

Koda Kumi

Koda Kumi has had a fantastic year, especially coming off of her 20th anniversary and going into her 21st anniversary. She's released 'heart' in March of this year, which is a fantastic album and has a new digital track titled "WINGS". Her music has matured so much and I love that with each release; she does something different and showcases her talent as an artist. Her versatility in the industry is always needed.

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Gray’s Song of the Year

“Last Dance ni Bye Bye” by Ballistik Boyz From Exile Tribe

“Last Dance ni Bye Bye” is a song that I come back to time and time again. This release just oozes the coolness factor and I love every second of it. The Ballistik Boyz have really grown since they released their first album and they have proven how insanely talented they are. This is a song that I play at work all the time when I want to brighten my day. Such a fun dance number with really great vocals. This was easily my song of the year, and I think the Ballistik Boyz has earned it.

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Gray’s New Artist of the Year

Octpath

Octpath has had a really good year, and I wanted to make them my New Artist of the Year because when we first started coving them I wasn't a huge fan of them. They then released their "Perfect"-EP and that was the real turning point for me. I've enjoyed every release they have had since. I look forward to every release this group puts out and can't wait to see what they do next.

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Gray’s New Artist of the Year

BiSH

So I was thinking about my Artist of the Year and I feel like BiSH has really earned this spot even though they don't have a song in my top 5 songs of the year. But week after week on the show we cover groups that are way past their prime and how sad in many ways it has become. So for a group like BiSH to say hey we are going out on our terms and to finish with such a strong year of releases. This has been some of my favorite music BiSH has done and it's created a bittersweet moment, on one hand I don't want to see them go next June, but I respect them leaving on their terms and I wish everyone in BiSH the best of luck on their future endeavors.

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Ken’s Song of the Year

“Shock!” by Sakanaction

This is a track that upon first listen I had already known was going to be on my list, being top or not would be the only problem. I have loved what Sakanaction has been doing recently by delivering a modern city pop style of music and “Shock” is the bread and butter of that. It’s composition alone would be something to talk about as it just jazzercises a lot that 80’s feels and while the lyrics might not be anything too meaningful, it just adds to that style that Sakanaction has been trying to perfect. The bongos throughout the track had really won me over for my overall enjoyment of this song. I had enjoyed their concept, album Adapt, that was released back in March. I am much looking forward to a more traditional original album in the future.

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Ken’s New Artist of the Year

Nishina

Not to beat a dead horse by having two unique female vocalists as my New artist of the Year back to back, but this year it would have to be Nishina. She has that “it” factor that I look for in a female vocalist. Her music is calm, yet has a hint of mysterious madness hidden throughout which attracts all listeners. One of the things that I absolutely love about Nishina is that she has this really soft but show addictive vocals that just capture anyone which was one of the reasons that I fell for her in the first place. Like I had said in my Music Corner write up about her, she can really mix it up and just take listeners on a ride that never has been heard before. Her latest release (as of this write up) “Hot Milk” was something that I didn’t picture her doing after her album 1999, but it just works cause of her vocal range that she puts into all of her tracks. It was things like this which really had made me thinking there was no one else that I could pick as my new artist aside of Nishina.

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Ken’s Artist of the Year

back number

There isn’t an artist that had filled my ears throughout the year that was 2022 like back number. While it is true their actually 2022 was fairly light in actual releases, it was their whole backlog of releases that really got me. Like I had said with Yellow on my top 5 in 2021, they have this way just to grip the listener into their lyrics about love, unrequited or otherwise. I was even a huge backer of Suiheisen this past year, in which I didn’t see the big appeal of it back in its initial release. Songs like “Happy End”, “Takaneno Hanakosan”, “Shiawase” were constantly in my rotation and it had killed me because they weren’t modern enough that I couldn’t really talk about them in my Ongaku Go’s throughout 2022. These songs and its lyrics had really helped me in this really difficult year. I’m looking forward to HUMOR which will release in January of the 2023 and hope that these boys will keep on having an amazing year.