Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! We took a break last week because Keyakizaka46’s “Fukyouwaon” topped the Oricon, Recochoku, iTunes, and Billboard charts. The week before saw Sexy Zone defeat Austin Mahone. Austin is back this week, facing off against two 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 / Billboard #1: NGT48 – Seishun Dokei (Recochoku #15 / iTunes #28)

Ronald: There are so many problems with NGT48. I said in the Open Post last week that it felt like there was zero hype for this group. Someone pointed out that they were formed the same time as Keyakizaka46, but debuted a year later for some odd reason. Why even go through with the project then? The 48 groups are clearly on the decline, replaced by the 46 groups (just look at how there was no #1 Song Review last week because Keyakizaka46 dominated both physically and digitally, something that no 48 group can do). But given all the time they had, why is this song so lame? It is basically nothing. It exist somewhere between AKB48 at their most non-offensive and Nishino Kana at her most dull. And what’s with the rapping? It doesn’t make things more interesting; instead, it just makes me as “Why?” I can see why there was no hype for this group when their first impression is something as beige as this. 1/10

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Recochoku #1: GENERATIONS – Taiyou mo Tsuki mo (Oricon #6 / iTunes #2 / Billboard #3)

Ronald: I have an aversion to these type of “oooh, look how tough and masc we are!”-type “rock” songs with canned instruments. I’m not buying what you’re selling. There is something a bit dated about this too, as if it came out like 15 years ago. This song also sounds quite flat, as in there are no dynamic changes within it. No highs, no lows, just flat. That gets monotonous. 3/10

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iTunes #1: Austin Mahone – Dirty Work (not released physically / Recochoku #2 / Billboard #7)

Ronald: Same review as before: What am I supposed to say about this song? It’s basic crap that I would hear on the radio, if I listened to the radio, and would promptly turn off in search of something more palatable. “Dirty Work” is just completely devoid of character or charm. 2/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1: GENERATIONS – Taiyou mo Tsuki mo

2. iTunes #1: Austin Mahone – Dirty Work

3. Oricon #1 / Billboard #1: NGT48 – Seishun Dokei

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