Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Arashi defeat Yonezu Kenshi and Suda Masaki. Kenshi and Masaki are back again this week, facing off against a newcomer. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!
Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: Hoshino Gen – Doraemon (Oricon Digital Singles #2 / Billboard Download Songs #2 / not available for streaming)
Ronald: Honestly, I’m bored. I feel like ever since “SUN”, Gen has really been on a downward spiral with his singles. Things are so samey now and it’s as if he’s trying replicate the previous single in order to keep his hit streak going. But I feel as if he’s a big enough name now where he could try something different and it would still be a hit. He’s talented, so it’s unfortunate to see him pigeonholed in this way. And what happens when people no longer what this sound? He becomes a relic. 5/10
________
Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon (not available physically / Billboard Hot 100 #2 / not available for streaming)
Ronald: 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
________
Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Suda Masaki – Sayonara Elegy (Oricon #48 / Billboard Hot 100 #3 / Oricon Digital Singles #3 / Billboard Download Songs #3)
Ronald: Same review as before: I’m actually quite surprised by this. I didn’t think this was going to be as good as it is coming from an actor. This is like a more upbeat version of what a lot of male singer-songwriters do, so it is different in that regard. It’s also reminding me of a particular YUKI song that I can’t recall the name of right now. 7/10
________
Ronald’s Rank:
1. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Suda Masaki – Sayonara Elegy
2. Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: Hoshino Gen – Doraemon
2. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon
________
Comments