Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Aimyon defeat Kis-My-Ft2 and Yonezu Kenshi. Aimyon and Kenshi are back is back this week, facing off against a newcomer. Find out what Ronald thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Oricon Combined #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1 / Oricon Physical #1: STU48 – Kaze wo Matsu (not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #62 / not released for streaming)

This is actually a present surprise! It takes what the 48 groups normally do, and spices it up by adding a Beach Boys / Yamashita Tatsuro surf rock undercurrent. It something fresh and unexpected from them. 6/10

Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon (Oricon Combined #6 / Billboard Hot 100 #2 / Oricon Physical #20 / not available for streaming)

Same review as before: Kenshi is a mixed bag. I liked him at first, then he fell out of my favor. I hated the singles from this last album, but the album itself was surprisingly strong. I think that may be happening again, because I’m not really wowed by this. There are some moments where I like the production, but overall, it sounds like something any other male singer-songwriter / male-front band would do. 5/10

Oricon Streaming #1 / Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Aimyon – Marigold (Oricon Combined #9 / Billboard Hot 100 #5 / not in the Oricon Physical top 50 / Oricon Digital Singles #3 / Billboard Download Songs #4)

Same review as before: This is actually somewhat enjoyable. There is a nostalgia to the song that brings a sense of comfort. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it is quite pleasant. 6.5/10

Rank:

1. Oricon Streaming #1 / Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Aimyon – Marigold
2. Oricon Combined #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1 / Oricon Physical #1: STU48 – Kaze wo Matsu
3. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon