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!

Music Corner Week 125: Salmon Pinknows

Born from the mind of freelancer music designer MIZ-C, the Salmon Pinknows is his solo-music project that started in March of 2021. They have a wide range of music, being a fusion of 80s city pop, dance music, soul music from around the world, and modern Japanese rock. The refreshing cutting guitar, the technical lead guitar, the moving bass, and the drums that bring them all together are exquisite. Sticking to the theme of wanting listeners to experience the joy of “musical instruments and bands,” with a new birth of sounds, it will have everyone jiving to the compositions throughout.

One of things that I absolutely love about MIZ-C with this project is that he just oozes style throughout all his tracks. Whether it be the more guitar-heavy compositions of “1056194”, the more pop-rock feel of “Meteor is Shining” and “I am a city popper”,  or the bass tones of “Keep Running To The End”, the Salmon Pinknows project shows a wide array of compositions that is for everyone.

Currently, the Salmon Pinknows project has two EPs (both in 2021), 14 singles, and three albums. You can also request work from him on his webpage (Japanese Only). Be sure to check out their official website and Twitter, along with the music video for “I am a city popper” below!

Music Corner Week 124: Raisan

Raisan is a newly formed pop rock band consisting of the vocalist/singer-songwriter CLR, Bansan on Guitar, Hi on Guitarist, Kasugayama on Bass, and foot vinegar(Dr) on Drums. Raisan brings a unique flavor to their music with all members having been in/currently are in bands. From the first listen, you get a funky fresh pop rock sound with the experience and knowledge of music. CLR’s vocals bring out the best in each member as each knows how to match her vocal style and vice versa. Their musical style pulls the audience in with their unique composition, CLR’s vocals, and their catchy lyrics.

Members:

CLR: Vocals (Saya of Lalaland)

Bansan: Guitar (Enon Kawatani of indigo la end, Gesu no Kiwami Otome, and Genie High)

Hi: Guitar (Satoshi Kinoshita)

Kasugayama: Bass (Kyujitsu Kacho of DADARAY and Gesu no Kiwami Otome)

foot vinegar(Dr): Drums (GOTO of DALLJUB STEP CLUB)

Raisan showcases how they know how to compose and capture audiences with tracks such as “TRUMAN”, “NO SWEAT”, and “Guro” with their fun compositions that showcase CLR’s vocal talent. “TRUMAN” delivers a upbeat track that keeps you entertained throughout the listen, as the beat gives off a jazzy rock vibe, catchy chorus, and steady vocals. “Guro” brings a different vibe with CLR’s use of rap to start off, and is more heavy on the guitar, making for an interesting mix before jumping into the vocals for the chorus. “NO SWEAT” goes back to a more pop-funk sound that is more vocal heavy. Raisan shows that each member is familiar with each others talents and brings out the best in each other; the track “Bye Bye’ shows this, as it has the perfect flow between guitar, bass, and CLR’s vocals; all meshing together with the perfect melody.

Currently, Raisan has one digital album, WHOOPEE (2023), and five digital singles (2021 - 2022) with two of them being demo versions. Check out their official website, Twitter, Instagram, and latest music video for “TRUMAN” below!

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!

Luna's Ongaku Go For January 2023!

Picking up where Ken left off and 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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“Chosen One” by aimi

With the release of aimi’s newest digital single “You Are” in December of 2022, I decided to check out more of her music and discovered her song “Chosen One” which is the lead track on her mini album of the same name. “Chosen One” delivers a heavy R&B vibe with strong vocals, lyrics, and catchy beats. “Chosen One” has lyrics that switch between both Japanese and English with a endearing message that sticks with you. aimi’s vocals are smooth and she flawlessly coordinates her vocals from English to Japanese with ease. “Chosen One” is a track that sticks with you and you cannot stop listening to it.

Check out “Chosen One” here and the music video below!

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“Say” by EMI MARIA

I have been following EMI MARIA’s comeback and it has been hit after hit for me. EMI MARIA’s track “Say” is full of R&B chill vibes that gives off the 90s feeling mixed with current beats. EMI MARIA’s vocals are smooth and flow with the beats leading throughout the song. The chorus might not be as catchy as her other tracks but it meshes with versus’ giving off the easy listening vibe. “Say” is a track that makes you want more new music but also makes you want to dive back into EMI MARIA’s musical career thus far.

Check out “Say” by EMI MARIA here and the music video below!

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“GOODIE MEMORIES” by Emi Hinouchi

This is a guilty pleasure track and has come back up on my playlists again due to the fact that Emi Hinouchi has started to release a good amount of digital singles more frequently. “GOODIE MEMORIES” is a track that was always on repeat for me - I also remember when it came out in 2008. This song delivers a fun R&B-pop fusion with Emi’s smooth vocals and catchy lyrics that keep you singing along. This is a song that the lyrics have so much meaning to me and seeing that this was recently added to AppleMusic made me happy (despite me owning it physically). “GOODIE MEMORIES” is always a good showcase of Emi’s vocal range and keeps a flowing vibe with the composition.

Check out “GOODIE MEMORIES” by Emi Hinouchi here and the music video below!

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“Renegades (Japanese version)” by ONE OK ROCK

With the announcement of their upcoming tour with Muse in the US, it got me to go back and check out their latest album Luxury Disease that released in September 2022. “Renegades” stuck with me with its composition giving a cineamtic vibe (it was used as the theme for Rurouni Kenshin: The Final) and I love the vocal work. The chorus is very catchy and it reminds me of the pop rock phase I went through in High School. The lyrics for “Renegades” pulls you in and is easily relatable and draws you to it.

Check out “Renegades (Japanese version)” by ONE OK ROCK here and the music video below!

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“A Revolution” by Love Psychedelico

Every once in a while I listen to artists that I haven’t listened to in a while, Love Psychedlico happened to be one of those and to my surprise, they released a brand new album in October 2022. The lead track, “A Revolution” is fantastic as Love Psychedelico shows that they aren’t over yet and still can rock out. “A Revolution” brings a combination of 80s rock with Kumi’s vocal style and 60s/70s rock with its composition. Kumi’s vocals always make this band so unique to me and their music continues on with its tradition of housing the 60s/70s style which is their inspiration.

Check out “A Revolution” by Love Psychedelico here and the music video below!

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