Ongaku to You 2023 Songs, Artist and New Artist of the Year!
/2023 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 2023, and lastly our Artist of the Year. We hope that 2024 will bring many surprises to the Japanese music industry like we received in 2023!
Luna’s Song of the Year
“Karappo” by AYANE
As soon as Ken introduced me to “Karappo”, AYANE immediately came on my radar. "Karappo" easily became a leading track in the rotation on my playlist with its easy to follow lyrics, mid tempo R&B composition, and AYANE's sweet smooth vocals. AYANE has a voice has a reminiscence of Nishino Kana except a little more sultry vocal wise. "Karappo" stuck with me throughout the year despite releasing in February 2023, not just in my daily playlists but it is a track that I go out of my way to listen to when I want a chill R&B track with soothing vocals that flow off the tongue.
Luna’s New Artist of the Year
Sincere
Sincere completely caught me off guard with her track "Water" and her "Just Living EP", which both dropped in Spring 2023. She immediately captivated me with her resounding lyrics, her smooth vocals, and unique compositions. Sincere has had a phenomenal year with all her new releases from Digital Single to EPs and has kept up a good momentum of new tracks.
Luna’s 2023 Artist of the Year
CREAM
With the release of CREAM's new album Chapters, I created a new 'CREAMIX' playlist that has been played so many times this year I can’t even count but Apple Replay obviously recognized them as my most played artist. Their new album 'Chapters' brought some fresh vibes with the hits, 'Game Over', 'Fridays', and 'Ready4Summer' being my favorites of this year. I have also been going back listening to my usual CREAM favorites that help me get through rough days. CREAM's music holds a special place in my heart and always makes me feel good. From Minami's smooth vocals to Staxx-T's fluid rap, I can never get enough CREAM and this year was no exception.
Gray’s Song of the Year
“Soul Galaxy” by BRADIO
For me the reason why "Soul Galaxy" is my pick for my number one song of the year is not only because I love how bombastic and energetic this track is but also for the fact that it reignited my love and passion for BRADIO. Due to their newest release, it has made me realize that BRADIO has become one of my favorite all time bands. I love how this track comes together with it great composition which pulls the listener in, leaving them wanting more by the end. BRADIO shows they are still at the top of their game and "Soul Galaxy" is just one example of that.
Gray’s New Artist of the Year
Kenya Fujita
Mask In Love has captivated me since I first heard it and its hard to believe that Fujita is still in his teens. I am looking forward to how amazing he is going to be once he refines his sound a bit more as he begins to establish himself as an artist. To me, it’s clear that Fujita is just getting started in the industry and I'm excited to watch as he grows as an artist.
Gray’s 2023 Artist of the Year
BRADIO
The release of DANCE HALL MAGIC reignited my fire and passion for this amazing group. In my eyes, I have not seen any other group that does what BRADIO brings to the Japanese music industry. DANCE HALL MAGIC quickly became my album of the year despite its release later in the year and not to mention the many other albums that I have also loved this year. DANCE HALL MAGIC brought new fresh sounds from BRADIO which pushed all the other artists out, which is one of the many reasons why BRADIO is my artist for 2023. I am looking forward to what BRADIO will bring to the industry in the many years to come.
Ken’s Song of the Year
“See You Again” by SIRUP
With the 2023 that I went through, there was only one song that can sum up this past year and that has to be 'See You Again' by SIRUP. Fresh off his Blue Blur EP that was released earlier in the year, upon first listen it was an instant add. To be honest it was difficult not to talk about this track in multiple Ongaku Go's as it would be in my rotation quite often. The simplistic composition really highlights SIRUP's vocals is one if the major keys that made me fell in love with this track. Not only the composition but the lyrics had resonated with me throughout the year plus the short but sweet length of the song that made me want to hit repeat on multiple occasions. It was given that 'See You Again' was going to be my Number 1 song of 2023.
Ken’s New Artist of the Year
MISAMO
Now I know this would be a shocker for some people after my prior comments toward the genre in the past, however, if there is anything I learned in 2023 is that never say never. I will have to say that with just one release, the Japanese sub group of the TWICE, MISAMO is my newest artist of the year for 2023. Through their music and LE SSERAFIM, whom I would of loved to put on here as well but as we were introduced to them via the Kohaku last year, it put them out of the running. Both of these groups, had put me in my place and taught me to enjoy the genre overall. It wasn't until their song ‘Do Not Touch Me’ that had had finally understood why people had fell in love with them. While I do hope that other releases will come from the group in 2024, I can safelty say that without MISAMO I would not have changed my mind.
Ken’s 2023 Artist of the Year
Kirinji
If there was one artist that checked off every box that defined what I love about Japanese music it would have to be Kirinji. What Takaki Horigome has done in this past year since the reinvention of what Kirinji was, is nothing more than sensational. It only took a handful of songs to put Kirinji into my artist of the year. Either it the track that I talked about that made my top 5, 'Nestling' or on my runner up song "Summer Ghost', Horigome just gets what makes music just so darn interesting. While a lot of bands try to replicate the genre and feel of music, Horigome makes sounds natural, like it is second nature to him. I hope that Horigome never stops evolving his style and just brings it to the next level in 2024 and beyond.
