Picking up after Ken with another month down from 2021, 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.

“Mr.ALIEN” by EMI MARIA

It feels like EMI MARIA hasn’t released a song in quite sometime, to my surprise she was recently featured on a track by ASHURAMIC called “Voice”. Hearing this newly featured track, I went back to all of EMI MARIA’s music and remembered how I love her soulful voice. ”Mr. ALIEN” is one of her many tracks that grabs you and always gravitates towards. The opening beat with her smooth vocals flows right through. When she gets into the chorus, “Mr.ALIEN” immediately catches you and pulls you in. This is such a fun up-beat R&B tune that has a catchy beat and the perfect vocals. Despite coming out in 2010, it feels like it has not aged making for a timeless track that I cannot help but go back too.

Check out “Mr.ALIEN” here along with the music video below!

“social distance” by Emi Hinouchi

Emi Hinouchi is a singer-songwriter I have been a fan of for quite some time and hearing a new track by her made me smile. “social distance” is a very mellow track with a simple melody and beautiful vocals that walk you through sound by sound. Emi’s voice is music to my ears and she shows off her vocal talent in “social distance” that still leaves you wanting more. This is a perfectly relaxed and encouraging tune that I have needed and wanted.

Check out “social distance” here and the music video below!

“JIMMY CHOO” by CIMBA

CIMBA is a vocalist who has been around for some time. I always go back to his music every couple years. When I realized he released some new tracks last year, I jumped right on “JIMMY CHOO” and he does not disappoint. CIMBA has a soulful smooth voice that catches your ears with ease. The composition is interesting in how it incoproates its beats with a mid-tempo R&B feel and mixes perfectly with CIMBA’s vocal style. “JIMMY CHOO” is pleasing on the ears making for a nice soothing listen and leaves you wanting more!

Check out “JIMMY CHOO” here and the music video below!

“Not So Different” by AI

When I first heard “Not So Different” by AI, I was hooked immediately as the lyrics and her soothingly deep vocals pull you in. This track is one that everyone needs right now with everything going on in the world and the lyrics are so meaningful that it easily pushed its way up on my playlist. AI utilizes her bi-lingual skills with using both English and Japanese in “Not So Different” and makes this for the perfect International track as well. The composition and lyrics with AI’s soulful voice show that AI is still one of Japan’s R&B queens.

Check out “Not So Different” here and the music video below!

“Love is Everywhere” by moumoon

With the news of moumoon not renewing their contract with avex trax, I was a little disheartened, however, I know they will still be sucessful in their future endevours. This brought me back to re-listen to my favorite moumoon tracks. “Love is Everywhere” is an upbeat and fun song that puts you in a great mood and is one that everyone should listen to when they are down. This song has been getting me through the long month that is January with its uplifting and inspiring lyrics. YUKA’s boistuful vocals that are full of cheer and the theme that there is love everywhere. The composition matches YUKA’s cheery vocals, which gives you a good feelings inside.

Check out “Love is Everywhere” here and the music video below!