Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Kobushi Factory defeat RADIO FISH and Teshima Aoi to take the top spot. This week, we have a returnee from last week, a returnee from previous weeks, and a newcomers facing off. 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: Arashi – Fukkatsu LOVE (not released digitally)

Ronald: This song has been stuck in my head since the first preview came out. As soon as I heard that Yamashita Tatsuro was involved, my interest was piqued. This is the Arashi that I want. It’s a slick and mature song that suits them, similar to “Sakura” from last year. This is probably the most on trend song from Arashi that I’ve heard. City pop is having a revival right now, and who better to get to work on your new song than the main name attached to the sound? I do like Arashi’s vocals on here, as well as Tatsuro’s ablibs. If anything, this makes me more excited for his album that has been teased for the past few years. 9/10

Amanda: Everything about this is on point. It’s retro without feeling dated. Arashi vocals sound great and even MatsuJun’s voice sounds smooth. It has a great mix of the funk guitars and the more orchestral elements. The video was pretty awesome too. I can’t find anything wrong with it so I’m going to give it a perfect score. 10/10

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Recochoku #1: AI – Minna ga Minna Eiyuu (Full Version) (not released physically / iTunes #10)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iGzQ5jxAPw

Ronald: Same review as before – AI is one of Japan’s best singers, and this song really showcases her vocal power. That being said, this song doesn’t really feel like a song, but more like an extended jingle. I know it’s a CM song, but it doesn’t feel like a fully realized song. And something about the instrumental just gives me nursery rhyme. This song is getting her buzz, but she would be better off doing better work. 5/10

Amanda: Same review as before – I didn’t like the song all that much, but obviously AI is a great singer. She delivers a great vocal performance here as expected. The song sounds like something you would hear in a CM, but probably wouldn’t care to actually listen to on your own. I don’t care much for the borrowed melody, either. I feel like the song is trying to be something great but falls short because of that annoying nursery rhyme melody. 5/10

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iTunes #1: RADIO FISH – PERFECT HUMAN (not released physically / Recochoku #2)

Ronald: Same review as before – Is this like the Japanese LMFAO? I didn’t like them, and I don’t like this. It’s too novelty song for me. It sounds like a basic dance song that would’ve came programmed on a keyboard in the 90s. And the “perfect human” part. It’s pretty damn indecipherable. This song is just a big joke that I’m not laughing at. 1.5/10

Amanda: I have nothing really to say about this. It basically is a joke and will be treated as such. I guess it’s kind of catchy. 2/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Oricon #1: Arashi – Fukkatsu LOVE

2. Recochoku #1: AI – Minna ga Minna Eiyuu (Full Version)

3. iTunes #1: RADIO FISH – PERFECT HUMAN

Amanda’s Rank:

1. Oricon #1: Arashi – Fukkatsu LOVE

2. Recochoku #1: AI – Minna ga Minna Eiyuu (Full Version)

3. iTunes #1: RADIO FISH – PERFECT HUMAN

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