Ken's Ongaku Go for October 2023!

With the spooky month of October passing us by, 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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“Slow Down” by THE CHARM PARK

With the release of the THE CHARM PARK II album coming up in November, THE CHARM PARK released a small snippet with the track “Slow Down”. While I’ll admit that I haven’t been the closest follower of the artist as of late, if his tracks are just half as good as this one I’ll be falling in love with him all over again. Hitting that slow but emotional style that he has been known for, the track really brings that thought of slowing down and taking it all in. Becoming a father and trying to enjoy the small little moments that I have was something that I’ll miss and it has been awhile since a song hit me this way. I know that a majority of the songs that will be released on this album might not capture me like “Slow Down”, I’m happy to have encountered this experience.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Slow Down” below along with the track here!

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“Nichijo” by OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM

One of the things I had missed over the this past year was OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM, and “Nichijo” was such a nice surprise. While it might not be the most bombastic return for the group, it really shows that their style is just so unique and can’t be replicated. The lyrics as well of just portraying everyday life and feelings is just so relatable and is one of not an instant addition to my top 5 for the year already. While I’m sure that there will not be much more from the band throughout the year, I’m happy to have been able to hear this release.

Check out the music video for “Nichijo” below along with the track here!

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“Sol” by Daichi Yamamoto

Another artist that had a very quiet year on my heavy rotation, Yamamoto rap is just absolutely amazing and it was something that I regrettably didn’t take advantage of listening to throughout the year. He really shows off that he is a master of this craft by just spitting rhyme after rhyme. Uniquely, he also raps in a much higher note then he usually does which makes it much more approachable then usual. While I can’t wait to hear Yamamoto’s next album, Sol will have to quench my thirst for now.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Sol” below along with the track here!

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“Always” by Nishino Kana

Being In Japan during the fall, it always made me think about this release and was something that was always in rotation. Nishino’s lyrics particularly in this track always just hits me in a certain way that brings a tear to my eye. While l miss not being able to hear new tracks by her, I look forward to the day which she makes her return to the music industry.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Always” below, along with the song here!

“Petals” by Marcy

Now this is the first song that really made me fall in love with Marcy, who ended up becoming my Music Corner for this month as well. As I had said during that write up, they hit that sweet spot of lyrical composition. While not their best song in their discography, “Petals” was my introduction to the band and I hope that listeners will have their first introduction to them through this track as well.

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

Gray's Ongaku Go For September 2023

As the chilly months of autumn and September pass us by, it’s this month’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!

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“All I Ever Wanted” by BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE

I have been listening to this song on repeat since it dropped, and it is my favorite song by the BALLISTIK BOYZ so far this year. The part I enjoy most is the rap, which, happily, is the most significant part of this song. Even the techno parts of this song work really well. Just a heads up, there is a little bit of auto-tuning in this release, but I think it complements the composition pretty well. I can't wait to see what these guys do next.

Check out “All I Ever Wanted” here and in the video below.

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“Amakyun” by Colorful Diamond

What a ton of fun I’ve had with this song. It is a stand-out debut for these guys. The spirit of this track is so light-hearted, and the hook really pulls the listener in. Colorful Diamond has officially landed in my sights, and I’m not going to take my eyes off them.

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

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“Utakata Dilemma (feat. SUKISHA)” by Three1989

Breaking from their typical style, they deliver this refreshing soul/R&B track that has been on repeat since I first heard it. I haven’t been keeping up with Three1989 like I probably should, but I’m so happy I found this shortly after it dropped. “Utakata Dilemma” is a wonderfully upbeat track that is very catchy. I know when we covered SUKISHA for Music Corner I had a bit of a time getting into his work, but I can tell how much my tastes have changed since then, so I really need to go back and listen to more of him.

Check out “Utakata Dilemma (feat. SUKISHA)” here and in the video below.

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“U&I” by 3House & Flower.far

3House is an artist I discovered back in July, and I’ve been really enjoying my time with his work. Fortunately for me, I didn’t have to wait long for him to drop this awesome song. This is more of a laid-back song, but there is this nice 90s R&B feel to it. I had never heard of Flower.far before this track, but she sounds incredible in it, and I need to go listen to more of her work.

Check out “U&I” here and in the video below.

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“RUN FOR YOU” by Ayumu Imazu

Ayumu Imazu has been one of my favorite artists that I have discovered this year, and I have Ken to thank for that. I’ve had Ayumu on repeat since I listened to him for Music Corner. He recently dropped his latest release, and it is fantastic. “RUN FOR YOU” has this fun, upbeat dance feel that gets the body up and moving.

Check out “RUN FOR YOU” here and in the video below.

Luna's Ongaku Go For September 2023!

With the fall leaves coming upon us, a brand new Ongaku Go has arrived. Following Ken 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 with our Spotify playlist here!

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“Minor na Kiss” by Ai Otsuka

Ai Otsuka released her new EP marble on Sept 9th and it has been an absolute joy to listen too. “Minor na Kiss” is the lead track and a great way to start off this mini album. It has a catchy chorus, with a jazzy composition with it. Ai Otsuka’s vocals still hit that special spot for me, she still carries the cuteness of when she started her career, but you can hear how her voice has matured too. “Minor na Kiss” flows perfect on so many levels.

Check out “Minor na Kiss” by Ai Otsuka here and the music video below.

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“Epilogue” by Ms.Ooja

“Epilogue” displays so much soul and emotion from Ms.Ooja and you can feel it in your bones. Ms.Ooja shows off her sultry voice throughout “Epilogue” leading you on a an emotional ride listening to the lyrics. I can always count on Ms.Ooja to give me an amazing ballad that touches my soul and “Epilogue” is just that. The simple composition is very fitting as you concentrate on the vocals and lryics with the composition adding the complimentary feel to it.

Check out “Epilogue” by Ms.Ooja here and the video below.

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“Living My Life” by milet

I was excited for milet’s new album, 5am that release last month and I was not disappointed. “Living My Life” is one of the tracks on there and I fell right in love. The lyrics, vocal usage, composition, and how the versus’ flowed. Even though this may seem like a typical milet song, something about the chorus is catchy and resonating. milet’s vocal’s also seem a bit lighter and not as powerful in “Living My Life”, which fits well with the tone of the song very well.

Check out “Living My Life” here and the music video below.

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“Beautiful Mess” by NAQT VANE

The first time I heard “Beautiful Mess”, I fell in love with it for the lyrics. Its such a relatable track that I felt connected to it instantly. Harukaze’s voice is the perfect fit and hits on all levels, not to mention you hear more of her vocal range in certain parts as well. Hiroyuki Sawano and Harukaze make a perfect duo when creating music and “Beautiful Mess” is one of the many examples of that.

Check out “Beautiful Mess” by NAQT VANE here and the music video below!

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“Summer Time Cinderella” by Ryokuoushoku Shakai

Even though summer has offiicially ended, most of September still felt like summer here and was the perfect time to enjoy “Summer Time Cinderella”. I love the refreshing sound Ryokuoushoku Shakai brings to my summer playlist. This track is more rock and pop, which I needed the unique feel added in. I love how you hear really hear the piano in certain parts which makes the compoistion stand out. I’ve been enjoying “Summer Time Cinderella” on those nice cool summer nights where I can soak in the melodies and lyrics of this fun track.

Check out “Summer Time Cinderella” by Ryokuoushoku Shakai here and the music video below.

Ken's Ongaku Go for September 2023!

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!

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“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!

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“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!

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“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!

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“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!

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“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

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!

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“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!

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“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!

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“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!

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“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!

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“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!