Hello Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Leo Ieiri beat out SKE48 and back number to take the top spot. Leo is back again this week, and she’s up against a newcomer. 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: Masaharu Fukuyama – I am a HERO (not released digitally)

Ronald: This is pretty decent, a solid effort. Nothing too out there. It’s a classic pop rock song, with some surf influences. Good vocals, as usual with him. I did like that instrumental bridge. It broke up the song and gave it a bit of a different feel. 6.5/10

Thomas: The king of J-pop is back with a new quality song. It’s a simple rock song but even though he has been in the industry for 25 years, it doesn’t sound a bit dated to me. There are both traditional and modern elements in this song which proves that Fukuyama is neither desperately trying to keep up with the youth nor stuck in the past. 7.5/10

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Recochoku #1 / iTunes #1: Leo Ieiri – Kimi ga Kureta Natsu (Oricon #6)

Ronald: Same review as last week – 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: Same review as last week – 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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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Oricon #1: Masaharu Fukuyama – I am a HERO

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

Thomas’ Rank:

1. Oricon #1: Masaharu Fukuyama – I am a HERO

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

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