Ken's Ongaku Go for September 2023!

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As the chilly months of autumn and September passing us  by, 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, along with our Spotify playlist here!

“Ghost Dive” by Polkadot Stingray

I’ll admit I haven’t been paying too much attention to Polkadot Stingray as much as I should, but “Ghost Dive” is a nice refresher into their new style. As much as I liked the guitar-heavy riffs that the band is mostly known for, Shizuka’s vocal is something that I know they’ll have to rely on for the future of this band. As this release is a Pokemon collaboration release, a lot of Pokemon themes and sounds that are related to Ghost-type Pokemon are used such as the Lavender Town theme as the backbone of the composition. While this is a more anisong style of track a lot of it works because of the blend that the melody that matches Shizuka’s vocal range, which adds substance to the overall song. Overall while I think this is a rare one-off for them, I’ll be highly anticipating their next release.

Check out the Pokemon preview version of “Ghost Dive” below, along with stream link here!

“DON’T KNOW WHY” by TENDRE

Upon first release I knew that I had to add TENDRE’s new EP IN WONDER in my rotation. While the whole EP is solid, “DON’T KNOW WHY” is one the strongest tracks I heard from TENDRE in a long time. It doesn’t do too much overall as its compositions isn’t as bombastic as a lot of his other stuff is. The simplistic tones is one of the things that I loved overall from this song and it keeps me coming back for more. IN WONDER is one the reasons I absolutely fell in love with TENDRE and as always I’ll look forward to his next release.

Be sure to check out the streaming link for “DON’T KNOW WHY” here!

“umi tsuki feat. iri” by SIRUP

Of course I’ll have to also put in SIRIUP’s latest release as well into my rotation, and what a song to do so. It really brings that summer feel to a climax with the overall compositions and SIRUP’s vocals are on point with this. iri is a absolute surprise as well, and a high advocate of her during her early years, I’m happy that she was able to collaborate with an artist like SIRUP. Her low and vocal style might be a surprise to some, but is such a match when she’s hits her climax at her version of the chorus. Overall SIRUP’s new style as been working out a lot for me and while he might not be in the forefront of his releases, I can’ wait to see what he does next.

Check out the music video for “umi tsuki” below, along with the track here!

“Yes” by ecke

Now this is a band that I was hoping for return and the math-rock style is very few and far in between now. While there have been a couple of releases here and there by the band throughout the last couple of years, “Yes” is one of the tracks that really grabbed my attention the most, its overall simplistic composition style is a huge plus for me, and to introduce other people to the genre. Clocking early over 4 min It feels like while I just got my groove on with the song it's over and makes me want to push back to play again. While I don’t know if ecke will have another release this year, I’m looking forward to their next album as they a long overdue for one.

Check out the track here!

“Make-up Shadow” by Tokimeki Records

Originally released by the legendary Yosui Inoue, Hikari (who is the guest vocalist for a majority of Tokimeki’s remixes) knocks this out of the park and makes it her own version. While a lot of Tokimeki’s release are remixes of older songs, the fresh breath and modern style of the composition is a great way to bring in the new generation into trying to listen to the original track as well. Tokimeki for as much remixes she has released over the years, she has only has one album to her name, and I hope that is rectified soon within the next six months.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Make-up Shadow” below, with the track here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For August 2023

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With Summer officially here and turning up the heat, it's that time of the month for August’s Ongaku Go! We at OTY 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 featured on this site, along with our Spotify playlist here!

“Shock” by Jang Keun Suk

Living up to its name, “Shock” is a recent addition to my library, but this song surprised me when I heard it. This is a nice little rock number by Suk and, as a fan, it was nice to hear a song like this coming from him as it shows he knows how to mix things up. If you are a fan of his, then this release is a can’t-miss.

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

“Summer Time” (feat. Kenya) by KAHOH

Well, I stumbled across this song one day vacuuming the rug in my house, and instantly fell in love with it. KAHOH is an artist that I’ve only heard a little bit of, but I keep finding tracks by her that I really enjoy, so I need to listen to more of her music. Still, this song slaps with a great beat and Kenya sounds great with KAHOH.

Check out “Summer Time” here and in the video below!

“umi tsuki” (feat. iri) by SIRUP

I’m so glad I finally added SIRUP to my favorite artist list, as I had gotten tired of missing out on his music. I would rarely go back and listen to what I had missed, but I got to check this song out the moment it hit Apple Music and I’ve been listening to it ever since. The melody in this song is so nice and works great with SIRUP and iri’s vocal performances.

Check out “umi tsuki” here and in the video below!

“My Pleasure” by lol

This is the latest release from lol and I was so glad to hear something from them. 2023 has been a quiet year for lol, with their last release being all the way back in January. So I was excited to dive in to hear their newest song, which I’ve got to say is pretty catchy. They don’t really do anything with this song to shake things up but, as a long-time fan, it made me happy.

Check out “My Pleasure” here and in the video below!

“Higher” by LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE

EXILE TRIBE is ever expanding and groups are going to have to start trying to differentiate themselves to stand out. LIL LEAGUE so far has done that by leaning on their vocal performances. I liked the whole release they did, but “Higher” was my favorite song on the single with its simple and catchy tune. I keep being drawn to this song.

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

Luna's Ongaku Go for August 2023!

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As the hot summer months of August pass us by, 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 along with our Spotify playlist here!

“TURN IT UP” feat. Candee & ZOT on the WAVE by LANA

LANA originally caught my ear with her track L7 Blues. With the release of her debut EP, 19, “TURN IT UP” became a favorite listen for August. Not to mention, LANA’s appearance at Summer Sonic 2023 added to my addiction. “TURN IT UP” is a heavy hip-hop/R&B track that features a mixture of LANA’s vocals and rap, plus two featured guests, Candee & ZOT on the WAVE, who add the cherry on top for this hot song. The composition fits with LANA’s style and also has that modern sound, plus both the chorus and verses are catchy. My only issue with this is the use of auto-tune by LANA, which isn’t needed, as she has powerful vocal skills.

Check out “TURN IT UP” feat. Candee & ZOT on the WAVE by LANA here and the music video below!

“Summer Dive” by FAKY

Summer is my favorite time of year due to all the fresh sounds that come out and FAKY’s “Summer Dive” is just what I needed in time for it to get sizzling. “Summer Dive” starts out with piano followed by FAKY’s vocals chiming in, giving this track a refreshing feeling for those hot days. The first verse is a little slow but once you get to the chorus, the beat picks up along with the girls’ harmonies. From there, it keeps a consistent upbeat feeling. “Summer Dive” is a track you can dance to, relax in the pool to, karaoke to, or just enjoy as it has a fun, playful vibe that puts you in a good mood. The composition can be odd at certain points in the song, but FAKY knows how to make it work to their benefit so you don’t get taken out of the song. Having Taku Takahashi of m-flo as the producer on this track explains why this song is such a banger.

Check out “Summer Dive” by FAKY here and the music video below!

“BLACK WINGS” by Koda Kumi

It’s obvious that “BLACK WINGS” would make my OG, given Koda Kumi is my Kuu-een, plus this track is absolutely fire. Koda Kumi is in her element with the hip-pop style. “BLACK WINGS” gives off a modern dance vibe with its composition. Koda Kumi combines her vocals with a little bit of light rap mixed in, giving it that hip-hop flare, but with a more pop sound. Both the verses and choruses have a catchiness that pulls you in, although it can be a bit repetitive at times. “BLACK WINGS” feels like a perfect follow-up to Koda Kumi’s mini album WINGS, released in January of this year.

Check out “BLACK WINGS” here and the music video below!

“Summer Ghost” by I Don’t Like Mondays.

“Summer Ghost” came out in July 2023 as a digital single, the perfect time for this summer and it does not disappoint. Despite the lyrics for “Summer Ghost” being a little on the depressing side, I love it as it is so relatable. IDLM knows how to play with your emotions, as this track feels very personal and pulls you in both lyrically and composition-wise. I enjoy the combination of English and Japanese in “Summer Ghost” and how well the band blended it together; it feels like a story despite being a bilingual song, the band executes it perfectly. Upon hearing and constantly listening to “Summer Ghost”, I am even more excited for IDLM’s upcoming album RUNWAY which releases on September 6th.

Check out “Summer Ghost” here and the lyric video below!

“Rendezvous” by Nissy

“Rendezvous” came out in early July, however, it has slid its way into my August playlist. Nissy’s smooth vocals, cute lyrics, and poppy composition made their way into my heart with this track. Nissy knows how to put out songs that make girls swoon and “Rendezvous” is just that. What I love about listening to this is it could easily be danced to with its poppy composition, but it can also be sat and listened to, as I cannot get enough of his sultry voice. Despite this not sounding summery at all, it is just what my playlist this month needed to stand out from just explicitly being summer tunes.

Check out “Rendezvous” by Nissy here and the music video below!

Ken's Ongaku Go for August 2023!

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As the hot summer months of August pass us by, 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, along with our Spotify playlist here!

Dreamin’ by YonYon, SUMIN, and Taku Takahashi

This wonderful electronica pop mix has been my jam as of late as I try to make the balance between J-pop and K-pop. One of the things that makes it stand out is the song's blend of electronic and acoustic elements, which, coupled with enchanting vocals, create an immersive experience. While Taku Takahashi showing up in a featured credit is a rarity, to say the least, it is a surprising one and still proves that he is an amazing composer for our generation. While I do think this team-up is a one-time deal, I can’t wait to see what all three artists have for us in the future.

Be sure to check out the Lyric Video below along with the track here!

UNFORGIVEN Japanese version Feat. Nele Rodgers and Ado by LE SSERAFIM

Yes, this is my new obsession as of late, but I was very surprised by the turn that I did for this group since their Kohaku debut. While I didn’t care so much for their Japanese debut for ‘FEARLESS’, I was really captivated by ‘UNFORGIVEN’. What caught me off guard was the collaboration with Japanese up-and-comer Ado, who has amazing vocals in her own right. When I first heard about this, I was puzzled about how she was going to be interpreted. For the most part, she really sounded like a part of the group. While I’m looking forward to what Ado has for the future as she grows as an artist, whenever LE SSERAFIM’s first Japanese album comes out I’ll be sure to purchase that.

Check out the music video for the Japanese version of “UNFORGIVEN” below along with the track here!

“Do Not Touch” by MISAMO

Done by the Japanese members of the Korean group TWICE, ‘Do Not Touch’ has been a huge kick in my heavy rotation. You talk about having that fusion of Japanese and Korean style, MISAMO really does that very well. Hitting all the things that love, strong vocal range with a composition that absolutely matters and isn’t just a flash to have the popular trend. With a memorable chorus and lyrics that actually matter to the listener, I think that MISAMO will be a huge thing for the already huge juggernaut that is TWICE, I personally cannot wait to hear another release by this sub-group soon.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Do Not Touch” below along with the song here!

“Gold -Mata Au Hi Made-” by Hikaru Utada

A strong back-to-basic to Utada, with a strong vocal range that doesn’t really overbear itself with the composition. After the release of BAD MOOD, this first original track done by Utada was very needed to show why she was the queen of vocal-heavy songs. As this does not seem like a slowdown by her in any way, I’m looking forward to any new release from her in the future.

Check out the music video for “Gold -Mata Au Hi Made-” below along with the track here!

“Moon” by Perfume

It’s been a hot minute since our senpai Perfume’s release has been in my rotation. The main track of their latest EP really proves how special and unique Perfume is, as it perfectly blends that electronica style and flare that Perfume usually has with an amazing guitar composition that is rarely heard by the girls. The song clocks up to three minutes, but it just zooms and makes me want to listen again. While I’m not sure if this will be the only big release of the year for Perfume, I for sure am looking forward to their next album!

Check out the Dance Practice video for “Moon” below along with the song here!

Gray's Ongaku Go For July 2023

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With Summer officially here and turning up the heat, it's that time of the month for June’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, along with our Spotify playlist here!

“HONEYCOMB” by Ayumu Imazu

This is the latest song by Imazu who I’ve been really enjoying since we covered him on music corner. “HONEYCOMB” is a lot of fun and I’ve been having a blast with it. Such a fun singer and I can’t wait to see what he does next.

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

“Tokyo” by KAHOH

I stumbled across this and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. It’s got a fun and catchy beat and while this is something I usually don’t really listen to I’ve been having some fun with this. I really need to check out more of KAHOH’s work but for now, this song is really good and I recommend every checking it out.

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

“Starry Eyed” by Kenya Fujita

While I’m not as high on this song as I was “Mask In Love” I still think this is a fantastic song. It has a pretty unique composition that combines this electronic sound with his R&B style and it works well. The more I hear by Kenya Fujita the more and more I’m impressed by him.

Check out “Starry Eyed” here and in the video below!

“All About U” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE

While I’m not a huge fan of the lead track for this release, “All About U” is much more in line with what I love about these guys. This track has a great blend of rap and vocals that BALLISTIK BOYZ has really developed over time and I’ve been really enjoying my time with this one.

Check out “All About U” here and in the video below!

“Sugar Magic” by tonun

While I’ve enjoyed tonun’s first album, Intro, the first song on the album has been on repeat since I heard it. “Sugar Magic” is just a fun, catchy, dance number that keeps me coming back for more. A great way to lead off an album and I can’t recommend this song enough.

Check out “Sugar Magic” here and in the video below!