Gray Ongaku Go For February 2024

February is already behind us and we here at OTY 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 featured on this site, along with our Spotify playlist here!

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“SPECIALZ” by King Gnu

So I know this is a bit of an older track but as of late, I’ve had it on repeat due to it being the second opening to Jujutsu Kaisen season 2. When ‘SPECIALZ’ originally came out, I didn’t care for it and put it aside. Giving it a another chance, as it is very befitting to Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 and it has grown on me quite a bit. 

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

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“Monopoly” by Nogizaka46

Originally on the show, I was indifferent toward ‘Monopoly’ as I wasn’t sure on if this is a track, I’d go back and listen to multiple times. Surpringly though, it has ended up in my rotation quite a bit while I’ve been working. I think “Monopoly” is one of the strongest releases Nogizaka46 has had in a while but I’m not certain how much this trend will continue. 

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

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“N.E.X.T.” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE Tribe

BALLISTIK BOYZ have released their latest album, which I’ve been enjoying it quite a bit but I want to specifically highlight their song “N.E.X.T.” This track is the last song on the album but it is a wonderful ballad that shows off what makes these guys so great. I missed this release when it originally dropped but I’m glad I got the opportunity to finally check it out as its a track that needs some showcasing.

Check out “N.E.X.T.” here and in the video below!

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“Good Girl” by Sincere 

This release completely took me by surprise. I already have been enjoying Sincere’s music quite a bit, but I didn’t expect ‘Good Girl’ to be this good. I love the fun catchy beat that this song has and Sincere’s vocals are amazing. However, this number does have me wondering one question, “Who hurt Sincere?” 

Check out “Good Girl” here and in the video below!

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“Snowin’” by DXTEEN

I can already hear everyone rolling their eyes on this but what can I say I’ve been enjoying “Snowin’”. I think this is a great release by DXTEEN, as “Snowin’” is a fun catchy number that gets caught in the listener’s head. 

Check out “Snowin’” here and in the video below!

Tomonari Sora tops Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs chart for third consecutive week with ‘Demons Banquet!

Demons Banquet Jacket Cover

Vocalist Tomonari Sora’s song ‘Demons Banquet’ has taken the No. 1 spot on Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs weekly chart for March 6 – the song’s third consecutive week at the top of the chart.

The original demo for ‘Demons Banquet’ generated huge buzz on TikTok, and the song was released digitally in January this year. The track went on to rank on Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs chart along with Apple Music’s J-pop chart, Spotify’s Viral chart and YouTube’s Music Video chart, in countries and regions worldwide.

‘Demons Banquet’ layers playful lyrics over a quirky, danceable track, conveying the strange sensation of accidentally stumbling into a beastly banquet.

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Comment from Tomonari Sora

“This is a song about the will to live. Even if others consider you a misfit, you only get one life, so live it to the fullest. These are the demon’s whispered words. I hope that when you listen to it, you can become immersed in the feast and forget about the worries of the world.”

Be sure to check out the lyric video for ‘Demons Bonquet’ below, along with the streaming links for ‘Demons Banquet’ here!

Luna's Ongaku Go For February 2024!

The snow days of February have passed us by, that means it’s time for 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, along with our Spotify playlist here!

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“That Girl” by Crystal Kay

Crystal Kay started off 2024 with the banger “That Girl” in celebration of her 25th Anniversary in the industry. “That Girl” is composted and produced by Taku Takahashi (of m-flo). Crystal Kay has collaborated with Taku in the past, so it’s no surprise “That Girl” immediately went into my rotation and has been making its way around various SNS with its catchy chorus and adorable dance to go along with it. “That Girl” brings back the nostalgia sounds of late 90s/early 00s, which is playful and fun. It oozes a mixture of the pop R&B cross over genre, which Crystal Kay knows how to play on both of those perfectly. “That Girl” will capture you with its catchy chorus, nostalgia beats, fun lyrics, and fantastic vocals.

Check out “That Girl” by Crystal Kay here and the lyric video below!

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“Kono sekai no achikochi ni” by Angela Aki

February has been a month of my nostalgia artists releasing new music. Angela Aki was a big surprise as she stepped away from singing in 2014, but would come back to compose and write. “Kono sekai no achikochi ni” is the first single in over 10 years and it brings back the feels. Angela Aki is not only an excellent singer but a great composer as well. She knows how to bring the emotion to her music and its listeners, “Kono sekai no achikochi ni” is no different. This track will be used in her upcoming album that releases in April called Angela Aki sings Kono sekai no katasumi ni and will be the first studio album release in 12 years! “Kono sekai no achikochi ni” is currently being used as the title track for the musical “In the Corner of This World”. The song is beautifully crafted, not just by Angela Aki’s vocals but the composition which includes herself on piano and brings out a unique touch which she has brought to the Japanese music industry.

Check out “Kono sekai no achikochi ni” by Angela Aki here and the music video below!

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“Sarigiwa no Romantics” by See-Saw

With the release of Gundam SEED Freeom in Japanese theaters, the artists who were apart of the original Gundam SEED series released new songs specially for Gundam SEED Freedom. See-Saw is an duo that has not released any new music in over 15 years. When I heard “Sarigiwa no Romantics”, the nostalgia came over me and I was swept away. I had high hopes that “Sarigiwa no Romantics” would live up to my expectation, which it did and more. Yuki Kaijura’s composition is top notch as always and Chiaki Ishikawa shows her vocal skills have not gotten rusty. See-Saw is a treat to listen too; the emotions their songs make you feel while listening to them with their deep lyrics plus a composition and the vocals that fit perfectly together. “Sarigiwa no Romantics” is a mid tempo ballad, which is what See-Saw is more known for. Their music has that softer mellow tone but still captures the urgency and emotions of their creation. This is the perfect outro to the Gundam SEED Freedom movie music wise and as a throwback to the original show as they did some of the outro themes previously.

Check out “Sarigiwa no Romantics” by See-Saw here and the anime outro version below!

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“Good Girl” by Sincere

Sincere is an artist that jumped on my radar last year and she is already on my radar this year with her new single “Good Girl” which dropped on February 14. “Good Girl” instantly ended up in my rotation as it stuck out for all good reasons. Sincere’s vocals are top notch showing the sultry smooth side vocal wise but this track has lyrics that bite. “Good Girl” is a song about why she hates and loathes someone, giving all the reasons why. It’s such an honest track but with a catchy hook and amazing vocals that back it up. Sincere worked with composer Chocoholic, who has worked with artists such as SIRUP and Taichi Mukai in the past, which explains the R&B vibes and smoothness “Good Girl” gives.

Check out “Good Girl” by Sincere here and the music video below!

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LEveL by Sawano Hiroyuki [nZk] feat. TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Honestly, I never thought I’d have a song by or featuring TOMORROW X TOGETHER on my Ongaku Go. I do enjoy TxT’s music but I don’t listen to them often, however, “LEveL”, which Sawano Hiroyuki collaborated on them with changed that. LEveL is a upbeat track that has that electronic vibe with the pop genre feel. It’s a difficult track to describe, it is poppy but has EDM elements to it as well. Sawano Hiroyuki is an excellent composer, he brings out TxT’s vocals and rap in such a perfect way that it blends perfectly to his creation. “LEveL” is currently being used as the opening to the anime Solo Leveling and it’s definitely one that sticks with you. The chorus and the second versus’ of this track are so catchy, not to mention the subtle rap is a piece that I didn’t know I needed. “LEveL” has definitely put TxT on my radar.

Check out “LEveL” by Sawano Hiroyuki [nZk] feat. TOMORROW X TOGETHER here and the music video below!

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Yuyu to Perform OP Theme of TV Anime Mysterious Disappearances! Music Provided by Mafumafu 2nd Single “Hazard Symbol” to Release on May 15!

Yuyu, the 16-year-old Grand Prize winner in the Next Artist category of the “InuCon!” FlyingDog Artist Discovery Audition held in 2022, is set to perform “Hazard Symbol,” the opening theme song of the TV anime Mysterious Disappearances. The anime is based on a manga by Nujima (currently serialized in Shogakukan’s Yawaraka Spirits magazine) and will premiere in Japan in April. Additionally, “Hazard Symbol” will be released on May 15 as Yuyu’s second single. The music was produced by the popular singer and Vocaloid producer Mafumafu.

This song, which marks Yuyu’s first time performing the OP theme song of a TV anime, combines the dark atmosphere and catchiness that Mafumafu is known for with Yuyu’s singing voice, making it a perfect match for the opening theme of Mysterious Disappearances.

And, starting from this past week, Yuyu will also be kicking off the “Yuyu 100 Video Project” on her official TikTok account. She is planning to post a variety of songs, from original compositions to covers of popular tunes, along with behind-the-scenes moments and more. The first post features “Hazard Symbol.” Be sure to check out the second promo for Mysterious Disappearances below!

Ken's Ongaku Go For February 2024!

While the snowy days of February are behind us that means it’s time for 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, along with our Spotify playlist here!

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‘Why’ by Gen Hoshino

Lately, I’ve been tied to Hoshino’s style more and more and with the release of his new EP, I was extremely excited to put that in my rotation. While both of the headline tracks of Why/Life are great, ‘Why’ had slightly edged it out for me. It’s contains a more of a simplistic style and is something that I love the most which is the of the many reasons why I love his style. Usually, Hoshino’s more bombastic style is what draws fans to him, but for me, its his strong vocal style.
Be sure to check out the music video for ‘Why’ below, along with the track here!

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‘Saint’ by haruno

haruno is a vocalist that I’ve been following for a while and has been doing some amazing releases over the past year. ‘Saint’ encompasses a lot what makes him very interesting. While not the most flashiest vocalist I’ve heard, haruno displays a vocal style that just lingers and can’t help but draw in more listeners. While I don’t know much about what’s in store for him in the future, I am looking forward to hearing what he will do in the future.

Check out the lyric video for ‘Saint’ below. along with the song here!

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‘Naniirodemonai Hana’ by Utada Hikaru

It was a pleasant surprise that Utada released a track this year and even more of a surprise is the fact that it was more of a slow tempo composition. After the bombastic nature of ‘Gold Mata Au Hi Made’, ‘Naniirodemonai Hana’ was a release that Utada needed to show that she could still do this type of song. Even though Utada’s new album Science Fiction is a compilation album (first greatest hits), I am looking forward to it as ‘Naniirodemonai Hana’ will be included on the release along with newly recorded songs.

Check out the music video for ‘Naniirodemonai Hana’ below, along with the track here!

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‘White Snow’ by MALIYA

MALIYA is an artist that I had just recently discovered with her song, ‘White Snow’ and I was extremely impressed by what I heard. While the sax was what really made this song for me, MALIYA’s vocals were so smooth and it drew me in. ‘White Snow’ takes you on a ride with the composition and showcases how amazing MALIYA is at crafting her vocals with it. While I do not hope that this isn’t a one hit wonder in terms of impressions, I can’t wait to hear more by her in the future.

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘White Snow’ below, with the song here!

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‘miss you’ by m-flo, melody., Ryohei Yamamoto

As a tradition for Valentine Day’s I usually go down a m-flo bender, and one of the major songs by them that I always have to listen to is ‘miss you’. It is one of my absolute favorite by them and was the first song that made me appreciate Japanese music. Everything just works in terms of composition, lyrics, vocals, and lyrical composition for the rap from Taku. While I know m-flo’s music releasing days are behind them, ‘miss you’ is still a pillar in terms of what I want in Japanese rap.

Check out the music video for ‘miss you’ below, along with the track here!