Gray's Ongaku Go For October 2023

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As the chilly months of autumn and October pass us by, it’s time for 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!

“Sin” by MADKID

It has been a while since I listened to MADKID and this past month Apple Music recommended that I check out their latest song “Sin”. It is currently being used for the third season opening of Rising of the Shield Hero, which I am way behind on, still, I decided to check this song out and I was reminded of why I like this group. It’s a song that really only MADKID could do with the fast and intense vocals along with a great rapping. It led me to check out their latest album as well which was a ton of fun.

Be sure to check out “Sin” here and in the video below.

“Todome No Ichigeki(feat. Cory Wong)” by VAUNDY

VAUNDY has once again dropped an amazing song with “Todome No Ichigeki”. While I don’t know about Cory Wong, I feel this collaboration really comes together with a great melody and strong vocals. VAUNDY is really starting to become one of my favorite names in the industry and I’m always excited to see what he does next.

Be sure to check out “Todome No Ichigeki (feat. Cory Wong)” here and in the video below.

“Temperature (Prod. JP THE WAVY)” by PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE

JP THE WAVY has once again teamed up with an Exile group and this time it’s PSYCHIC FEVER. I have enjoyed my time with “Temperature” even though this isn’t my favorite song by them. Still, PSYCHIC FEVER has proven that they are a really solid group already even though they haven’t been around that long. I’m excited to see where they will be in a few years.

Be sure to check out “Temperature (Prod. JP THE WAVY)” here and in the video below.

“It’s all good” by FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE

“It’s all good” dropped at the end of September and it carried me through the first few weeks of October. This slightly more laid-back feel is a bit different for FANTASTICS and I liked hearing a different side of these guys. Also, the vocal performance in this song is way better than it has any right to be. Per usual, these guys live up to their name and I’m all here for it.

Be sure to check our “It’s all good” here and in the video below.

“Soul Galaxy” by Bradio

This is easily my favorite song of the month and this song has really grown to have some special meaning with me. I am an old Yu-Gi-Oh! fan but I haven’t really kept up with it until recently. Well, “Soul Galaxy” was used as the opening for the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! series Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush and I just happened to stumble upon this song. Bradio is one of my all-time favorite bands but as with Yu-Gi-Oh! I had not really kept up with them and by discovering this track I was able to fall back in love with BRADIO which amazingly had just dropped their Dance Hall Magic album. The month of October has been like catching up with an old friend and I’m so happy to have BRADIO back in my life.

Be sure to check our “Soul Galaxy” here and in the video below.

Luna's Ongaku Go for October 2023!

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As the leaves fall and Halloween has come, a brand new Ongaku Go has arrived. 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!

“Ruby Eyes” by tommy heavenly6

With Halloween upon us, the month of October has been filled with thrills and chills. “Ruby Eyes” fit perfectly in my Halloween playlist with its fun lyrics and opening just screams scary movie opening music. tommy heavenly6 knows how to get into the spirit of Halloween and imbue it in her music; from the composition that consists of punk and pop rock style mixed with spooky sounds. “Ruby Eyes” talks about vampires and creatures that go bump in the night - what most people think of on Halloween and puts it into a memorable musical number that you can ‘scare-a-oke’ too all October long.

Check out “Ruby Eyes” here and the music video below!



“F*ck You 2 My Ex” by MAY’S

MAY’S just released their newest album Unlocking at the end of September and it did not disappoint. It was difficult to choose a favorite song, however, seeing that “F*ck You 2 My Ex” was put on this album made me so happy. I loved this song on its initial release three years ago and never thought it’d get put on an album. Hearing it again solidified my love for this track with its straightforward and relatable lyrics, upbeat composition, and Maiko’s vocals. Despite the name, it’s a song that gives you power from within.

Check out “F*ck You 2 My Ex” by MAY’S here and the music video below.

“Spin Big” by BONNIE PINK

BONNIE PINK released her first studio album in 11 years, titled Infinity, and it’s been a treat to listen too. She starts it off right with uplifting track ‘Spin Big’. This song brings so much positivity in the lyrics with a feel good composition to match its endearing lyrics. The lyrics alone deliver a powerful message that hit your heart strings in a good way. BONNIE PINK utilizes both English and Japanese languages, switching between both flawlessly while still delivering a clear message. BONNIE PINK is an artist who knows her craft well and with tracks like ‘Spin Big’ you hear exactly that.

Check out ‘Spin Big’ here and the music video below!

“Swimming Pool” by Schuwa Schuwa

‘Swimming Pool’ caught my ear due to its unique composition and Teruko’s vocals. I love the electro pop sound this track brings, not to mention Schuwa Schuwa’s new mini album michikake has unique sounds in general. But Swimming Pool’s heavier beats in certain areas of the song bring out Teruko’s vocals. Kohei and Teruko make a great unit as you can hear many unique sounds in “Swimming Pool” that makes it an ear catching listen plus the lyrics also have a good message to it. “Swimming Pool” has the feel of a good end of summer track as it gives off a feeling of summer ending.

Check out “Swimming Pool” here and the music video below.

“Mirror Mirror” by Lisa Yamaguchi

Lisa Yamaguchi is back with a new digital single, “Mirror Mirror” and it is full of the R&B flavor that I adore. Lisa’s vocals are as smooth as ever laying her sultry vocals on this track with a catchy chorus and deep lyrics. The composition gives off that late 90s vibe that I love hearing, add Lisa’s sweet vocals on as the cherry on top and you have a silky smooth creation of a song. “Mirror Mirror” brings you back to the days of when R&B was all over the place and leaves you wanting more.

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

Ken's Ongaku Go for October 2023!

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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!

“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!

“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!

“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!

“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

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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!

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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!

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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!

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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!

“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.