I warn you all. This week features quite a lot of songs, so I suggest listening to the first few songs and then hopping around the list if that’s your thing. Otherwise read on (or don’t, I’m not your mother).
YOASOBI – Gunjo
I felt like I’ve heard this song before (which is perfectly possible given that many “The First Take” songs aren’t new) but I’ll keep this in because I really love it actually. Good start to the week.
アイナ・ジ・エンド (Aina the End) – 誰誰誰
This girl is something. I still haven’t pinpointed her style yet because it seems to be kinda all over the place. (I’ve not listened to her outside the weekly reviews.) But for a pretty “noisy” song, it’s okay. Personally, it’s the kinda song that’d easily give me a headache though.
CHiCO with HoneyWorks -『私を殺さないで』
CHiCO with HoneyWorks slipping into the week again just before I publish this post. This song s’alright. It’s a pretty chill guitar-backed song with nothing much going on besides vocals. So if that appeals to you than listen on.
Takayan – I love you in any way
Again, the song is pretty alright but it’s the big mood energy this song generates that I can get behind.
まふまふ×天月-あまつき- (mafumafu x amatsuki) – メンヘラじゃないもん！【アレンジして歌ってみた】
These guys again. I…don’t mind the song that much actually. I realize I sound like I don’t like them but I do even if every song isn’t for me.
yama – 『名前のない日々へ』
yama’s songs are usually more on the chill side so it can be a hit or miss because they either end up boring or something I can really vibe to on rainy/cloudy days on my bed staring at the ceiling. This song is closer to the latter.
CHAI – チョコチップかもね/Maybe Chocolate Chips (feat. Ric Wilson)
Prime example of a J-pop song you listen to more for how weird and “Oh Japan” it is than for the musical value of the song.
NEE – 九鬼
Song isn’t really up my alley and the MV just ruins it even more because it’s too much for my eyes at times. Hard pass.
【syudou】- キュートなカノジョ
Vocaloid I’m guessing. We have a pretty high cutsey voice so skip if that’s not for you. It’s not all over the place or a mess like others in this genre so I’ll appreciate that and move on.
KANKAN (缶缶) – Bloody Mary (prod. FAKE TYPE.)
I actually don’t mind this song. It kinda has a swing/jazz pop feel to it that actually had me listening to the end.
OWV – 「Roar」
I said on my livestream (hey, yes, I stream on Twitch) that no J-pop boy group has gotten my interest. None. At least I’ll give K-pop that as I do like a handful of boy groups. OWV is no exception and apparently is made up of guys from the Japanese version of Produce 101. Hmm. Thought so.
Tatsuya Kitani – Accomplice
Not a bad song actually. I’d probably put this under my chill J-pop list than the normal one.
與 真司郎 ( SHINJIRO ATAE) (from AAA) -『Bye Bye』
It’s okay but a tad on the boring side so I’ll just pass on this. Cute dog though.
高野洸 (Takano Akira) – New Direction
Another Produce 101 boy, so I don’t think I have to say anything this time.
Yup’in – Pick You Up
Not really my style honestly. It’s a mix of pop/RnB with a touch of autotune that is actually a bit distracting.
PEDRO – 丁寧な暮らし
I’m neutral towards this song. I can’t quite make up my mind honestly.
NECRONOMIDOL – RITUAL
This is pretty neat. I really do like the instrumentals and even though I was expecting the vocals to be a bit different, it’s passable. Also, the description on their YouTube channel is gold:
NECRONOMIDOL is a Japanese idol unit based around the concept of darkness. We play mainly black and post-black metal along with darkwave; our performances are like being beckoned to a netherworld of lovely girls and soul rending terror.
Vaundy – 融解sink
Kinda boring, not gonna lie.
風男塾 (Fudanjuku) – 青春
It’s a trap. I thought these were boys from the thumbnail but 10 seconds into the video, I was like “wait, a moment…these are women, haha.” Yup, apparently this is a girl group but they have an alter ego concept group where they cross dress as guys. Nice. Song is pretty average but hey, if you’re into this stuff – here ya go.
LOVEBITES – Glory To The World
I wasn’t really expecting such a heavy rock sound but that was my mistake. It’s not too shabby and the main vocalist’s English is not that bad either. There’s a lot of English but I actually didn’t find it cringy or nonsensical (as so many of these type of songs can be).
DA PUMP – Dream on the street
Well, it ain’t my style really but I respect the hustle.
Awesome City Club – ダンシングファイター
I don’t know why but whenever I see a band put adjectives like: awesome, best, good, great, etc. etc. I always feel like they’re trying to make up for something. Not to sound like I’m dissing any who do that (as it can also be a good motivator). Anyways, song isn’t up my alley but it ain’t that bad.
Baby Kiy – Silent moon
Meh. It’s okay.
Miyuu – fly
Why does this give me country-pop vibes? It’s not just because of the hat, right, brain? I’m not as simplistic as that…maybe.
aiko-『磁石』
Not really for me either.
もさを。- 桜恋
Not much to say besides I’ll pass on this one, too.
フジファブリック –『たりないすくない feat.幾田りら』
I thought this was going to be city pop for a moment but it just has those groovy funk pop vibes that doesn’t quite resonate with me.
DISH – 『ルーザー』
It’s okay. I think it’s missing something (not sure what) that would’ve really made this osng work for me.
sumika – 祝祭
Not a bad song, but I’ll pass on this.
すりぃ feat.鏡音レン – 限りなく灰色へ
A vocaloid song using Kagamine Ren. Uh, it’s okay but nothing stellar for me anyway.
AliA -「ステロイド」
Surprisingly, I didn’t find this song that stimulating and will pass.
Mr.ふぉるて – 幸せでいてくれよ
Meh, this one is in the same category as the last song.
Whew, this was a bit of a long week with some songs actually sneaking in the day of publishing this. I know I shouldn’t review this many songs, but I feel like I should in case I find a hidden gem or find a song that someone may like that they never would have listened to otherwise (despite no one reading this blog).
Anyways, see you all next week.