Ken's Ongaku Go for May 2023!

With summer of June heating up that means it’s 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.

---

“Saihate - With ensemble” by SennaRin

The ‘With ensemble’ remaster of popular songs has been really getting to me as of late. This includes the masterful rendition of “Orion” from a couple months back and now with “Saihate”, a low key my favorite anime opening from 2022 in Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 1. While I do miss the electronica portion of the song the original had, the ensemble version is something that has to be heard. While I know I have a ‘anti Anisong’ mentality for some songs, this ended up being something that drew myself back to it day after day.

Be sure to check out the performance video for “Saihate- With ensemble” below along with the song here!

---

“Houseki” by LILAS IKUTA

LILAS IKUTA is a singer that I’ve been keeping my eye on for a bit as she is a vocalist that really draws me in with her strong vocals and interesting use of composition that I don’t usually see in a standard solo-female act. “Houseki”, while very simplistic overall, draws me in upon every listen. While I do think her entire Sketch album on the whole is a must listen, it is this track that overall does it for me. While I might just wait a bit to do her as a Music Corner, her presence is undeniable and has to be an artist to look forward to in the near future.

Be sure to check out the song here!

---

“Summer Ghost Feat. KIRINJI” by Tomita Lab

This is a collaboration that I never thought I see in my lifetime. Tomita Lab currently has to be one of the most interesting and creative composers that I know the general public has no knowledge of. You pair that up with the juggernaut of musical experience that is KIRINJI which is the revamp project from Takaki Horigome and you get a collaboration that is once in a lifetime. While I could listen to this song beat by beat to pick up the nuances of which each artist contributed in, it is better to listen with no prior knowledge. I’m sure both will release even more songs throughout the year, but “Summer Ghost” is an instant classic and is somewhere on my top 5 for the year already.

Check out the music video “Summer Ghost” below with the track here!

---

“Senko -From CrosSing” by Aina Aiba

Aina Aiba’s first release in over a year as her own persona? Yeah, this is going on my list for Ongaku Go! While Aiba has released several tracks for her Seiyuu work, this collaboration is the first since her SiGN album back in 2020. Hearing her being able to sing in her own voice is something that I absolutely love and miss hearing. While overall it is very basic anisong style of composition, sue me as I’ll be a bit bias toward this, it is refreshing for someone who usually avoids this drama like the plague. I don’t know if this will be the only song that Aina Aiba does this year in her own persona, I’m just happy we got it.

Be sure to check out the live video record for “Senko” below along with the song here!

---

“Hirune no Kuni” by chilldspot

chilldspot is a band that I have been keeping my eye on, as it has been awhile since I’ve been moved by a female vocal rock band like them in a long time. They give off this swagger that wants to have fun and just make music. “Hirune No Kuni” really shows just how unique they are with an amazing vocalist Hiyune in the forefront just oozing energy. While their popularity is just beginning, I can’t wait to hear more done by them.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Hire No Kuni” below along with track here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For April 2023!

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.

---

“ForEVER” by PSYCHIC FEVER From Exile TRIBE

This is a new group in the ever-growing Exile TRIBE, and “ForEVER” is their latest release. I’ve got to say, this is an amazing song. The vocal performances are done well and the melody of this ballad works smoothly with the vocals here. PSYCHIC FEVER debuted last year and I just missed it completely but I need to go back and check out more of their work.

Check out “ForEVER” by PSYCHIC FEVER From Exile TRIBE here and in the video below!

---

“LONELY LONELY” by ALI

ALI is back doing what they do best and it is amazing. “LONELY LONELY” has this nice jazz feel to it that keeps me coming back for more. ALI is a band that I like more and more as time goes by, just a consistent output of great songs. 

Check out “LONELY LONELY” by ALI here and in the video below!

---

“Come Again” by 8LOOM

I discovered this group by accident, and while they may not be a real group, I absolutely love what I heard and I wish they would come together to form an actual group. “Come Again” is done well and sounds better than most other boy groups out there. There is some real magic in these guys and I can’t recommend them enough.

Check out “Come Again” by 8LOOM here and in the video below!

---

“Funky Jumping” by Da-iCE

This is a fun song released by one of my favorite groups. “Funky Jumping” is the second release that Da-iCE has put out this year. This is more traditional for the group than their previous release, and it’s so nice to hear these guys drop a fun track like this. Can’t wait to see what they do next.

Check out “Funky Jumping” by Da-iCE here and in the video below!

---

“Kimi Dakeno Hanamichi” by =LOVE

=LOVE has been on a hot streak with their last few releases, and this just continues this awesome run these girls have been on. At the pace =LOVE is going, they are going to outshine my love for Hinatazaka46 really soon. I love this song and can’t wait to see what they do next.

.Check out “Kimi Dakeno Hanamichi” by =LOVE here and in the video below!

Luna's Ongaku Go for April 2023!

With Spring blooming into action, it's that time of the month for March’s 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.

---

“Spark” by Crystal Kay

At the beginning of March, Crystal Kay released her new EP Start Again, which featured the track “Spark”. Crystal Kay shows off her vocals in this beautiful slow tempo classical type tune that is reminiscence of a live venue style. “Spark” has a miniminalistic composition, starting out with just the guitar strumming and Crystal Kay utilizing her vocal skills which sound more raw giving off that live studio feel. When the piano starts coming into the song with a mixture of the guitar it brings you the old classical music from the 30s/40s feel and takes you to a whole different place. The beauty of “Spark” pulled me in for a nice relaxing time.

Check out “Spark” here and the original audio video below!

---

“BIRTHDAY CAKE” by KIRA & BLOOM VASE

“BIRTHDAY CAKE” is an upbeat track that gets you hyped up and is a great way to celebrate your pre-Birthday month. KIRA’s vocals fit perfectly with the beat - I love how she can easily go from singing to rap in an instant seemlessly. BLOOM VASE brings a fun flavor to this track with their R&B-hip hop style. I’ve been dancing and jamming to this track and will continue to do so all throughout April as well. “BIRTHDAY CAKE” is a track that will make you feel good even if it’s not your actual Birthday with its uplifting dance type beat. This is also featured on KIRA’s newest album, Birthday, which just dropped on March 23rd, 2023!

Check out “BIRTHDAY CAKE” here and the official music video below!

---

“I Need U” by RIRI

It’s been over a year since RIRI released a new single and I’ve been listening to all her previous music patiently waiting. The wait was worth it. RIRI released two versions of “I Need U” with the difference being the Japanese version is titled a little different as “I Need U ~Kimi ni Tayotte mo ii~”. “I Need U” shows that RIRI still has it and has been perfecting her voice as this is such a smooth track where you can hear the strength in her vocals drawn out. The lyrics in “I Need U” are easily relatable which is another reason it pulled me in.

Check out “I Need U’ here and the official music video below!

---

“You Just Walked In My Life” by CHANMINA

As soon as “You Just Walked In My Life” released, I was hooked after the immediate first listen. I love the slower paced style this song gives off and how CHANMINA shows a softer side of her vocals. “You Just Walked In My Life” is a cute track that mixes sugar sweet with hip-hop and CHANMINA executes every tune with perfect ease. “You Just Walked In My Life” is a combination of mid-tempo and ballad with a hip-pop type of base. It shows CHANMINA’s skill of being able to cross genre boundaries with ease. The hype for her newest album, Naked, is very high after listening to all the singles released thus far.

Check out “You Just Walked In My Life” here and the official music video below!

---

“Memorable” by BAND-MAID

I’ve been listening to quite a bit of BAND-MAID especially with their 10th Anniversary Tour this year. “Memorable” is a beautiful power ballad and Saiki’s vocals have a vunerable sound that fits perfectly with the melody. “Memorable” is what I’d consider a soft rock power ballad, concentrating on a simple composition and Saiki’s vocals. The middle of the song, the riff with the guitar, and bass plus drums blends just right. I cannot get enough of “Memorable” as it shows off the softer side of BAND-MAID.

Check out “Memorable” here and the official music video below!

---

Ken's Ongaku Go for the Month of April!

The tides of Spring are moving upon 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.

---

“Hukashigino karate” Mai Sakurajima version by Asami Seto

The reairing of the anime Rascal Doesn’t Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai leading up to the new OVA is the reason that this song had gotten released on digital streaming platforms. During the height of the the pandemic, this anime had really changed me and lot of that would have to stem from the songs that are included in the series. It is a very simple song with a soft composition and heavily lifting on the Seiyu’s vocals. While I’ll try my best to not put the finale version of the song on my Ongaku Go in June, there are no promises due to how amazing this song is overall.

Be sure to check out the track in all its glory here!

---

“YOUTH” by TENDRE

With a new release by TENDRE, of course I couldn’t leave it out from my Ongaku Go. His BEGINNING EP is overall amazing as he had remastered versions of songs that arguably put him on the map such as ‘DOCUMENT’, ‘RIDE’, and ‘hanashi’. It was his original song on the EP YOUTH which is the winner of being put in my rotation. One of the things that I absolutely love from the release is that TENDRE really shakes it up by not putting a lot of his isms in the compositions, instead of relying on his vocal skills for the majority of the track. While I do think it’s dangerous to do that sometimes for an artist that goes off the path as much as he does, it’s nice to see a ‘normal’ release by him. While I do hope this leads to an album, This EP really shows how he has grown as an artist since starting this project.

Be sure to check out "YOUTH” here, along with its YouTube version below!

---

“I’m now here” by HIRAI DAI

I don’t feature HIRAI DAI as much I’d like due to how amazing his vocals are, but he’s on point with this digital single. Relying on a lot of his personal isms, HIRAI DAI shows how to get it done as a solo male vocalist. Clocking in a bit over 3 minutes, the track just zooms by but still leads a lasting impression on me as the listener. While I do have an issue with the slow rate that HIRAI takes to drop a new release, no one can deny how he is one the hardest working acts in the industry today, and I can’t wait for his next album.

Check out the track here, along with the Lyric Video version below!

---

“Deep Inside” by Nelko

One of the first things I had on my mind upon first hearing this was just how amazing the flute player was throughout this song, and just how it melted in with all the compositions. Nelko is an artist that I had on my mind for a while now, with the the amazing duel vocals that transcends genre. Vocalist Saya and Rapper Laundry had it very good off and on with how they are able to lean on one another. While they don’t have any major releases in the forefront, I hope that I’m able to hear more about them in the near future.

Be sure to check out the “Deep Inside” here, along with its music video below!

---

“Endless Story” by REIRA starring YUNA ITO

One of the songs that actually got added due to what we were doing on the show with the wedding episode. While editing that episode I had just thought about ‘Endless Story’ and how absolutely phenomenal it is. Yuna Ito was born to play that role and crushed it on the original song portions of the two live action movies. Ito’s vocal range is really put on point here and while she doesn’t do as much as she did in the height of her career, I’m happy that she took on this role and gave us an unforgettable song.

Be sure to check out “Endless Story” here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For February 2023

Picking up after Ken and Luna, we’re down our first 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.

---

“Bokutachi No Sayonara” by Nogizaka46

I found this on apple music, and I’ve had a hard time putting down this song. I think the melody comes together with the vocals of the girls well. Nogizaka46 has started out the year on a high note and it makes me excited to see where they go from here.

Check out “Bokutachi No Sayonara” by Nogizaka46 here and the music video below!

---

“Answers” by Da-iCE

This is a beautiful ballad by these fantastic guys. They have also put their best foot forward out of the gate starting out this year, and they are overdue for a new album, so they are just getting started for the year. “Answers” is an excellent appetizer for the year to come.

Check out “Answers” by Da-iCE here and the lyric video below!

---

“Drop Dead” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE

I don’t like pop and lock, but if there was ever a group that could drop a pop and lock that I do like, it would be BALLISTIK BOYZ. They started off as a rap group and they have moved in a different direction, but this shows that these guys still have this kind of music in them. I’ve been really digging this release and I’m excited to see what these guys do next.

Check out “Drop Dead” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE here and the music video below!

---

“Stars” by Sandaime J Soul Brothers

Ken turned me on to this release, and I’m so glad he did. Sandaime is a group that I really need to listen to more than what I do. This song has such great vocal work done in it and the melody has a great hook to it that keeps me coming back for more.

Check out “Stars” by Sandaime J Soul Brothers here and the music video below!

---

“Accent” by B.O.L.T

B.O.L.T is my latest discovery and, I’ve got to say, I’ve been really impressed with these girls. “Accent” is a good song with a really good melody and fantastic voice work. This is the latest release by these girls and I’m excited to see where else they go from here. This is a fantastic release, and probably my favorite release of 2023 so far.

Check out “Accent” by B.O.L.T here and the music video below!