Hello AramaJapan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review!  Last week, Che’Nelle beat Dream5+Buri Taichou to come out on top. She’s looking to continue her reign this week against 2 new challengers! 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: NMB48 – Rashikunai (Recochoku #37 / didn’t appear in the iTunes top 10 all week)

Ronald: Meh, once you’ve heard one of this songs, you’ve heard them all. These songs and girls are so interchangeable. Nothing unique or different here at all. 2/10

Kyle: I don’t really know what to say. Generic, typical, dated, AKB leftover b-side? What I find so disappointing about the main 48 groups is that their songs are so interchangeable, they need their own identity. Or just bring back SDN48. Next. 3/10

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Recochoku: Namie Amuro – BRIGHTER DAY (not physically released til 11/12 / not released on iTunes til 11/12)

Ronald: I love this song. I drag Namie all the time for her lack of artistry and her lack of vocal ability and just her general existence, but this song is amazing. Everyone once in a while she releases a good song amongst the sea of trend-chasing crap she shits out. I’m honestly shocked at how good this song is. Whoever made this for her needs to be in control of her sound now. Leave the dated EDM alone. 9/10

Kyle: This song is quite pleasant, I’ve always been a fan of Namie’s midtempos. At first I was expecting Contrail 2.0 but then that hook kicks in right after the intro. Instantly mesmerized!! Her vocals were standard as usual. Namie might not be a powerhouse vocalist but she really works well with what she has. At times her English can be quite jarring and distracting so I’m glad “BRIGHTER” is mostly sung in Japanese. I’m not sure how her pronunciation hasn’t improved over the years. “LOOKING FOR YOU” from her “break the rules” album still has some of her best sounding English, and that song was recorded nearly 15 years ago… Anyway, yeah cute song. 7.5/10

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iTunes: Che’Nelle – Happiness  (not released physically til 11/19 / Recochoku #2)

Ronald: No new thoughts from last week. 4.5/10

Kyle: She has a pleasant voice, her strong grasp of English was a nice touch too. I wasn’t particularly wowed or offended at anything throughout the song. Generic, but it serves it’s purpose well as the theme for a lovey-dovey drama. 6/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1: Namie Amuro – BRIGHTER DAY

2. iTunes #1: Che’Nelle – Happiness

3. Oricon #1: NMB48 – Rashikunai

Kyle’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1: Namie Amuro – BRIGHTER DAY

2. iTunes #1: Che’Nelle – Happiness

3. Oricon #1: NMB48 – Rashikunai