Hello Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Nishiuchi Mariya take the top spot over Nogizaka46 and THE Sharehappi from Sandaime J Soul Brothers. THE Sharehappi from Sandaime J Soul Brothers is back again this week, along with 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: EXO – Love Me Right ~romantic universe~ (Recochoku #39 / iTunes #32)

Ronald: I get what they’re trying to do with this, but it falls short. There are parts of the song that I like, and then parts that I don’t. I like the chorus. I like the stronger vocals towards the end. The horns at the end are a nice touch too. But I don’t really like the verses. The rap parts are completely useless and take away from the song. They’re filler. And the constant refrain of “love me right” sounds like it’s coming from a boys’ chorus. It just sounds a bit too juvenile for a song that is trying to have such a polished sound. 4/10

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Recochoku #1: miwa – Anata ga Koko ni Ite Dakishimeru Koto ga Dekiru Nara (not released physically til 11/11 / iTunes #9)

Ronald: I know this is going to sound hypocritical coming from a Shiina Ringo fan, but I don’t like how nasal miwa’s voice is. It’s like an elementary school girl singing through her nose. Her voice really detracts from what could’ve been a better song. The parts where she tries to reach the higher notes are grating. It does have a nice softness to it though that matches the music. The actual track on this is pleasant, nothing new, but pleasant. This song would’ve been better off as a JUJU song. 4/10

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iTunes #1: THE Sharehappi from Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Share The Love (not released physically / Recochoku #2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyexmrcU74w

Ronald: Same review as last week – I really don’t like this. It’s so corny, so dated. This would’ve made sense years ago, but now? No. I wouldn’t had liked it then, and I definitely don’t like it now. And why are they trying to act like this is a subunit when it’s really Hiroomi’s solo song? If only 1 person is singing, it’s a solo song, not a subunit. And what’s with his voice on this? It sounds so stressed. 1/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Oricon #1: EXO – Love Me Right ~romantic universe~ / Recochoku #1: miwa – Anata ga Koko ni Ite Dakishimeru Koto ga Dekiru Nara

3. iTunes #1: THE Sharehappi from Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Share The Love

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