Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw iKON defeat RADWIMPS. RADWIMPS is back again this week, facing off against 2 newcomers. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Oricon #1: Hi-STANDARD – ANOTHER STARTING LINE (not released digitally)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhwcP3-xBek

Ronald: Hi-STANDARD is back after 16 years on hiatus, with a song that sounds like it was made before their hiatus. All I can think of is how similar this is to the music from the pop punk craze of the turn of the century. Hi-STANDARD is a renowned punk band, but I’m not seeing it with this. I was expecting something really unique and I just got… an Avril Lavigne demo. 2/10

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Recochoku #1: RADWIMPS – Zen Zen Zense (movie ver.) (not released physically / iTunes #2)

Ronald: Same review as before: I’m not really feeling this. It’s OK, but it’s just that: OK. This could’ve been made by a bunch of other bands. There’s nothing really special here that is grabbing me and making me pay attention. Frankly, I’m bored by this song. 5/10

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iTunes #1: B’z – Sekai wa Anata no Iru ni Naru (not released physically / Recochoku #3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l80roeplSVw

Ronald: I’m normally indifferent about B’z, but I actually like this one. It’s restrained, and surprisingly darker. It reminds me quite a bit of alternative rock from the 90s, which isn’t something I’ve really heard B’z do. It’s a welcome surprise. 7/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. iTunes #1: B’z – Sekai wa Anata no Iru ni Naru

2. Recochoku #1: RADWIMPS – Zen Zen Zense (movie ver.)

3. Oricon #1: Hi-STANDARD – ANOTHER STARTING LINE

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