Gray's Ongaku Go For January 2025

2025 is finally here and we here at Ongaku To You want our readers to know what we’ve been listening to for the month of January. Each song can be found on Apple Music and you can check out our playlist on Spotify.

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“Seikai Wa Iranai” by NANAOAKARI

This song is a bit older, but I recently discovered it because it was used as the ending theme to the anime series Go! Go! Loser Ranger! and I fell in love with this song. It’s a catchy song that moves at a very quick pace. I won’t call it upbeat per se, but it’s definitely not a slow song. I find myself singing this song at work and can’t get it out of my head. 

Check out “Seikai Wa Iranai” in the video below and at this link here.

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“Cuz I” by Hikaru Makishima

This is another song associated with a Super Sentai-themed anime titled The Red Ranger Became A Hero In Another World which recently started airing. If you don’t know what Super Sentai is, I know this is way oversimplifying it, but think Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. “Cuz I” has been a fun song for me, and another one I find myself jamming to at work. Its tone and melody pump me up and give me the inspiration I need.

Check out “Cuz I” in the video below and at this link here.

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“POP UP!” by lol

This is the first release that lol has put out this year, and after a pretty quiet 2024, it is so nice to see this group back. “POP UP!” is a pretty simple tune that is very upbeat and that just sucks me in. I hope this is a sign of many more songs to come in 2025 and I can’t wait.

Check out “POP UP!” in the video below and at this link here.

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“Got Boost?” by FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE

This is a group that, if you’re a long-time reader, you’ll know I’m a big fan of. I’ll admit, at first, I didn’t care much for this song, but it is the current opening for Kamen Rider, which is also one of my favorite franchises. Over time, I started to enjoy this song. And now I love this song, it is very poppy, but they lean into that a bit and that makes me enjoy this song even more.

Check out “Got Boost?” in the video below and at this link here.

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“TOKYO TRIP” by 7ORDER

I love this song, straight-up, and it’s probably 7ORDER’s best song in a while. This is a very catchy beat that is sung expertly, and the chorus is in English, so when it kicks in I start singing along. The saxophone just hits the right spot as well. I hope 7ORDER puts out an album with this song this year so I can include it for the end-of-the-year round-up.

Check out “TOKYO TRIP” in the video below and at this link here.

Luna's Ongaku Go For January 2025!

The cool Winter breeze of January has 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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“Bansaka” by tuki.

tuki.’s “Bansaka” has taken SNS by storm and also resonated with myself as well. I was a bit late to the game checking out tuki., but once I heard her perform “Bansaka” live on the Kouhaku, I was blown away. I love her vocals in this track as she leads you through the song, not to mention, the composition is very easy on the ears. To some, tuki.’s “Bansaka” may feel a bit like your typical girl with a guitar, but tuki.’s own nuances in this song hit you, specially with the chorus. “Bansaka” is a easy tune to karaoke to and also one that resonates with you on a personal level. You can really feel tuki.’s emotions come through.

Check out “Bansaka” by tuki. here and the music video below!

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“Endroll” by Soala

Soala is a newer artist that I had discovered through her collaborations with vocalist AYANE. “Enroll” came out in early December and Soala’s powerful vocals pulled me in immediately. “Endroll” is a gorgeous ballad that starts out with the piano and guitar then brings in Soala’s soulful voice chiming in. The chorus flows beautifully with its relatable and powerful lyrics that captivate you. “Endroll” not only came out as a digital single in November, but is also featured on Soala’s newest EP Bluem, that just released on January 29th!

Check out “Endroll” by Soala here and the song video below!

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“Don’t Mind!!” by Nozomi Kitay & GAL D

Nozomi Kitay is an artist I discovered last year through her collorabation with vocalist AYANE in the track “No Way”. “Don’t Mind” stuck out to me with Nozomi Kitay’s smooth vocals, upbeat composition, and cutesy urban feel. It is a fun track that you can enjoy anytime of the year with its poppy yet funky beat. My only complaint is it’s a bit too short and leaves you wanting more. However, as it’s part of her newest EP Love Letter, it leads right into the next song featured with ease.

Check out “Don’t Mind!!” by Nozomi Kitay & GAL D here and the music video below!

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“Katasumi no Fantasy” by HIRAIDAI

HIRAIDAI has been releasing an overflow of EPs this past year and they have all hit pretty hard. One of his latest happened to hit with the lead track with the same name, “Katasumi no Fantasy”. HIRAIDAI’s vocals are always music to the ears with how his lyrics flow and roll off the tong and resonate with the listener and this song is no different. The composition has that country folk feel, especially when the music piece comes in the middle of the song. HIRAIDAI’s style of mid tempo ballad knows how to hit that right spot.

Check out “Katasumi no Fantasy” by HIRAIDAI here and the lyric video below!

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“No. 5” by LANA

With the release of LANA’s newest single “Cartier” that dropped in December, I went back to her first studio album, 20, that dropped back a month prior (on November 13th). This album had been on repeat, but the track “No. 5” has made it into my weekly rotation as it’s a fun upbeat track that combines hip hop and hop with LANA’s rap, raw vocals, and lyrics. The composition has a more pop feel to it, but LANA’s rap easily brings in that hip pop feel making for a absolutely bop. Not to mention, his song is also so easy to sing to and has easily made it onto my ‘karaoke’ track list as well.

Check out “No. 5” by LANA here and the music video below!

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Gray's Ongaku Go For April 2024

Spring is in the air and April is finally behind us. We at Ongaku to You are here to share some of our favorite songs that we’ve been listening to this 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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“Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts

“Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” has been on repeat since covering it for our latest episode discussing the Winter Anime season. This song grows on me even more, each time I listen to it. I’m surprised by how much this track gets stuck in my head and I’m constantly going back to it. 

Check out “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” here and in the video below.

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“BANDAGE” by Ayumu Imazu

Ayumu Imazu is a Music Corner alumni from last year and I still find myself listening consistently listening to his music. Ayumu’s music style is catchy and fun that I keep going back for more. “BANDAGE” is his latest release and like the rest of his music, it has this weird ability to stick with you.

Check out “BANDAGE” here and in the video below.

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“Frozen Butterfly” by WOLF HOWL HARMONY from EXILE TRIBE

WOLF HOWL HARMONY, one of the newer additions of the EXILE TRIBE family has been a force to be reckoned with and this is only their second release. It’s difficult to believe these guys are just getting started in the industry as both of their releases thus far have been fantastic. 

Check out “Frozen Butterfly” here and in the video below.

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“hikari” by Awesome City Club

It has been hard to stay on top of all the Music Corners we have covered in the past. but I do my best to keep up with my favorites. I was pleasantly surprised by Awesome City Club with the release of their “close:to” EP. The release as a whole is solid but the first track, “hikari” pulls you into the EP, showcasing that Awesome City Club decided to lead with the best track first.

Check out “hikari” here and in the video below.

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“Ikutsu no koro ni Modoritai tainoka?” by Sakurazaka46

I was surprised that ‘Ikutsu no koro ni Modoritai tainoka?’ made it into my top five for the month, however, I’ve been listening to this while headed into work each morning. Originally, this release was one I wasn’t too keen on and to be fair my feelings on this are still a bit mixed but I keep finding myself pulled into listening to this track. I’ve noticed Sakurazaka46 does seem to be discovering their sound with their past two releases being pretty good. I’m waiting to see how long this song will stay in my rotation. I’m happy to see that Sakurazaka46 is beginning to pave their own way with their newer music and hope it continues on that way with future releases. 

Check out “Ikutsu no koro ni Modoritai tainoka?” here and in the video below.

Luna's Ongaku Go for April 2024!

The spring days of March have arrived, which 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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“Almost 20” by LANA

LANA dropped her 19.5 - EP on March 6th, which I had been anticipating for some time. It already included the hits “99” and “27/7 YOU”, and I fell in love with them instantly. “Almost 20” was a surprising treat as it is a different style than LANA’s usual songs with its dance vibe and obvious 80’s style composition. LANA also shows that she’s no one trick pony as you hear her vocal range more developed in this track versus’ her more hip-hop side. I love hearing “Almost 20” as it shows a different side of LANA that we haven’t quite heard yet.

Check out “Almost 20” by LANA here and the music video below!

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“Picky” by CREAM

I wasn’t expecting CREAM to release another single so soon, “Picky” was a pleasant surprise. “Picky” was written by Minami of CREAM in relation to talking about being “Picky” when choosing her next boyfriend. “Picky” relies heavily on Minami’s vocals more than Staxx-T’s rap, which I love as it’s a personal track for her. Staxx-T’s rap is placed perfectly and gives me some VERBAL (m-flo) vibes with his cadence. The composition is upbeat where you can easily dance to it or just a type of song to enjoy and take in. I’m looking forward to what else CREAM has for us in 2024.

Check out “Picky” here and the music clip below!

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“lonely girl’ by AYANE

AYANE has become a favorite since Ken introduced me to her track “Karappo” last year. AYANE has a smooth voice that fits in both the pop and R&B genres with ease. AYANE’s latest track “lonely girl” immediately caught up ears with its mixture of poppy beats but AYANE brings her sultry vocals that are more fitting to the R&B style. The chorus for “lonely girl” is catchy and addictive, leaving you wanting more. The only turn off is the little bit of auto tuning that is heard in the beginning of the track, however, it can easily be overlooked as it does help with the flow that eases you into this song.

Check out “lonely girl” here and the lyric video below!

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“Reborn” by Nami Tamaki

Its obvious, I’m still on the Gundam SEED kick as Nami Tamai ended up on my OG this month. Nami Tamaki has been a staple in the Gundam SEED franchise with her tracks “Realize”, “Believe”, “Result”, and “Reason”. “Reborn” follows on this same path being used in conjunction with Gundam Freedom and it fits with her other tracks with ease. “Reborn” keeps a similiar composition to her previous tracks with the electronic futuristic style. This track has some See-Saw influence in it as well, whom has also been a staple with the franchise. I love how it feels like a throwback but “Reborn” adds new flavor, especially in the instrumental part of the track, bringing a different feel. Nami Tamaki also shows that her vocals have gained range and matured since her last Gundam SEED franchise songs, which I love hearing the evolution in her music.

Check out “Reborn” here and the music video below!

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“NODO” by Daichi Miura

Daichi Miura just released his newest studio album, titled OVER and first original album since ‘Sphere’ in 2018. “NODO” has released last year as a digital single but somehow I had overlooked it until OVER had released. “NODO” is a very different type of track, the composition is very odd - its hip-hop but has a trap influence. It feels more on the experiental side. Daichi also showcases his rap skills in here in brief instances. He knows how to combine hip-hop, R&B, and pop in his style, making for an interesting listen. “NODO” might be off putting to some as its not your usual type of music you would expect from Daichi, but that is what I personally love about it.

Check out “NODO” here and the music video below!

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Ken's Ongaku Go for April 2024!

As the cherry blossom hit their full bloom 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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Koi ni Ochitara feat sorane and Taku Takahashi. By Airi Suzuki

Honestly, this is one of my favorite songs that has been released in the last year. While I admit I haven’t paid too much attention to Suzuki’s work since her solo debut, but this track brought me back to my high school years. ‘Koi ni Ochitara’ has an absolutely amazing composition, which backs up both Suzuki’s and guest vocalist sorane’s vocals, this song easily becomes a track that I recommend everyone to listen to.

Check out the music video below, along with the song here!

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Roller coaster by SIRUP and SUMIN

After an amazing collaboration back in 2021 with “Keep In Touch”, SIRUP teams up with vocalist SUMIN once again for this release. While this track is a tad more laid back and a slower tempo the the last time they had worked together, ‘Roller Coaster’ brings that summer feel a bit earlier as its been in my ears for the last month. The spotlight vocals this time around makes me appreciate this track even more. I hope this isn’t the last that they will be working together as it feels like a special event each time they do.

Check out the lyric video below, with the song here!

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You’re Young feat Jolene by YOUR SONG IS GOOD

Honestly, this brings me back to Hawaii’s local style of music, with its easy going composition and the laid back feel throughout, I can’t help but just put a smile on my face while I’m listening to this. The saxophone is what really makes this song for me as it brings it together; I’m not sure I would love it as much as I do without it. Joelene's vocals in English also help make this song stand apart from anything in my rotation currently. While this is the last song they’ve released since October, I am looking forward to hearing more by them!

Be sure to check out the lyric video below, along with the track here!

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Tell me? By she said Horny

I came because I was interested in the name, I stayed because I really enjoyed on what I heard. While rock bands like this isn’t too earth shattering, it is the foundation of what they are building off from that really surprised me. Due to this reason, I ended up enjoying my ride with them overall. To me, they are just one breakout single away from making it into the big time. I hope that a breakout single will ultimately culminate into an official album so that I am able to talk about them more in a official capacity such as Music Corner.

Check out the music video below, along with the track here!

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Orange Night by Airflip

While stumbling upon them a couple weeks ago, Airflip made me believe that Pop Punk never died in Japan and I absolutely love that. Bringing back to what I always loved about rock, “Orange Night” brings that energy and urgency which I feel ended up becoming a lost art for our generation. I do hope to continue listening to them throughout the year, however, their last album Echoes will have to keep me company until they drop some new releases.

Check out the music video for Orange Night below, along with the track here!