Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw NEWS defeat Yonezu Kenshi and DA PUMP. Kenshi and DA PUMP are 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 #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: SKE48 – Ikinari Punch Line (not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #70 / not in the Billboard Streaming Songs top 100)

Ronald: I appreciate the effort. Less cute and annoying than their usual stuff. A bit too repetitive though. The Spanish guitar was a welcome addition. 5/10

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Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon (Oricon #17 / Billboard Hot 100 #3 / 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

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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A. (Oricon #23 / Billboard Hot 100 #2 / Oricon Digital Singles #2 / Billboard Download Songs #2)

Ronald: The eurobeat, the eurobeat, the eurobeat… I’m a bit of a sucker for it. It’s just so fun and nostalgic. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is what it is. 6.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A.

2. Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: SKE48 – Ikinari Punch Line

2. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon

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