Hello Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw SEKAI NO OWARI beat out Kanjani8 to take the top spot. This week, we have 3 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: SKE48 – Maenomeri (Recochoku #9 / iTunes #25)

Ronald: I surprisingly don’t despise this. Everyone knows by now that I’m not fond of these happy, cheery idol songs, but this is actually somewhat enjoyable. It’s cute, but not in a sickening sort of way. It’s a just nice amount of sugary happiness. I mean, I wouldn’t seek this out, but I also wouldn’t be in some rush to turn it off. 5/10

Thomas: As always, I’m not too into idols. There is nothing original about this song and I don’t really know what to say other than that I’ve probably heard dozens of songs like this one before, from either them or other 48 groups. 2.5/10

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Recochoku #1: Leo Ieiri – Kimi ga Kureta Natsu (no physical release til 8/19 / not released on iTunes during chart period)

Ronald: Honestly, I’m just bored. This is so middle of the road. There’s nothing here that really catches my interest, and there’s nothing here to keep my interest. It’s just way too pedestrian for me to enjoy. 4/10

Thomas: Leo proves that it doesn’t take much to create a good song. The lyrics, the arrangement and the melody are very simple, but it all works together pretty well. It reminded me a lot of YUI’s early songs, in a good way. No wonder people are calling her YUI’s successor. 7/10

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iTunes #1: back number – Tegami (Oricon #4 / Recochoku #7)

Ronald: Ughh, this is like the Leo Ieiri song. It’s just there. There is a sentimental quality to this song that makes me like it just a tad more than her song though. 5/10

Thomas: I really liked back number’s previous efforts (SISTER and Heroine). In my opinion, there are a lot of recycled elements of these two releases in “Tegami”.To me, it doesn’t live up to the quality that they usually deliver. It’s well arranged and the singer’s vocals are nice as always but something is missing. It’s still an o.k. song, but it was not for me this time. 5.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Oricon #1: SKE48 – Maenomeri / iTunes #1: back number – Tegami

3. Recochoku #1: Leo Ieiri – Kimi ga Kureta Natsu

Thomas’ Rank:

1. Recochoku #1: Leo Ieiri – Kimi ga Kureta Natsu

2. iTunes #1: back number – Tegami

3.  Oricon #1: SKE48 – Maenomeri

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