Picking up after Ken and Luna, we’re down another month in 2023 and we at Ongaku to You 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 being featured on this site.

“topaz” by M!LK

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. It’s really what I’ve been searching for from them, something that focuses a bit more on their vocals, and this nails it. I love the melody of this track, but most importantly their vocals here are near perfect and I’m here for it. This has quickly become my favorite song by them and I’m excited about what they have in store for fans next.

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

“Maybe In Love” by FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE

I’ve been a huge fan of these guys since they debuted, but “Maybe In Love” might just be their best song to date. I love what they have done with this track. Their vocals are just on point, and the melody is very moving. There is no maybe when it comes to my love for this number, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Check out “Maybe In Love” here and in the video below!

“Lady” by Kenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu is such a wild card in the Japanese music industry, and predicting what he does next is beyond impossible. My personal history with Yonezu is pretty well documented on the podcast, but I’ve always given him the credit of being an amazing composer, and with “Lady” it really just shines through. There are very few people who could put together a song like this, plus the trumpets give it that extra flair to put it over the top. The piano is also one of the stars of this track. Only a genius could picture all the moving parts of this song and make them come together in such a great way. Yonezu may be hit-and-miss with me, but, when he does hit, he scores a critical blow.

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

"Hito wa Yume wo Nido Miru" by Nogizaka46

I feel like Nogizaka46 is really starting to make a good comeback. Personally, I’ve enjoyed the past few releases that Nogizaka46 has put out. When I first heard this song, I felt like it overstays its welcome, which is still true, but I’m starting to soften on that criticism the more I listen to this track. The beats per minute on this song keep up this nice pace that is like going for a jog on a sunny afternoon, even if this release is almost six minutes long. I’m enjoying this good streak they are on and I’m getting excited to see what they do next.

Check out “Hito wa Yume wo Nido Miru” here and in the video below!

“Dandelion” by Da-iCE

I wanted to finish my list on a song that for me when I heard it felt like a pallet cleanser. “Dandelion” is an excellent mid-tempo song by Da-iCE that leans on their vocals, which is what I live for. I’ve had so much fun with “Dandelion”. It reminded me of why I fell in love with Da-iCE in the first place. Their latest album is fantastic and this is probably the first of many off that album.

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