Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Sandaime J Soul Brothers defeat Kis-My-Ft2 and Anly+Sukima Switch=. Sandaime J Soul Brothers are back again this week, facing off 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 / Billboard #1:  Sandaime J Soul Brothers – HAPPY (Recochoku #3 / iTunes #2)

Ronald: At least it’s not an EDM or swag song… People often complain about this group’s songs, but when they do something different, it seems… quite odd. Like, this doesn’t feel like them, this reminds me more of a song ATSUSHI would do solo, or would get EXILE to do as a B-side. But coming from Sandaime J Soul Brothers, it seems… kinda hollow. Like they heard the criticism and tried to do their version of Hoshino Gen’s “Koi.” 5/10

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Recochoku #1 / iTunes#1: WANIMA – Yatte Miyou (not released physically / Billboard #11)

Ronald: This song combines punk and some traditional elements. It’s not a particularly interesting blend to be honest. I personally find the behind the scenes on this song to be much more interesting. This is the new au CM song, so this could be one of the big hits of the year, similar to Kiritani Kenta’s “Umi no Koe” last year. And there’s also the fact that WANIMA recently signed to Warner Music Japan’s unBORDE sublabel. Are they taking the spot of the recently defunct Gesu no Kiwami Otome. on the label? Perhaps. But I will say that that a punk song making it to this sort of public consciousness is interesting, especially one from a newer act. It ends up creating an interesting match up this week: an idol group v. a punk band. It’s not often we get this sort of opposites here. 3/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Oricon #1 / Billboard #1: Sandaime J Soul Brothers – HAPPY

2. Recochoku #1 / iTunes#1: WANIMA – Yatte Miyou

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