Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw KAT-TUN defeat EXILE ATSUSHI + AI and AI to take the top spot. This week, we have a returnee from last week facing off against 2 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: AKB48 – Kimi wa Melody (Recochoku #9 / iTunes #9)

Ronald: In a desperate move to boost their sagging relevance, AKB48 has brought back the members that actually made them relevant. I mean, it’s not as if the former members had anything better to do… That being said, there isn’t anything really new here. Standard AKB48. But they did make one of their less sugary songs this time around though, thankfully. It’s not as hard to listen to as their more cutesy material. It’s actually somewhat light and pleasant. The keyboard bridge is a nice touch. 4.5/10

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Recochoku #1: Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Feel So Alive (not released physically / not released on iTunes til 3/30)

Ronald: I surprisingly like this. I don’t really care for this group anymore, but I do like a song here and there that they’ve put out since I was over them. This song is like multiple songs mashed into one, but it works. It’s an EDM song, but it’s not the usual generic EDM crap that LDH acts revel in. I’ve heard ELLY rap before and found it really lame, but his rap actually works here. It’s a nice, new addition to the group’s dynamic. But I don’t know if it’s something I want to hear on every song in the future. 8.5/10

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iTunes #1: EXILE ATSUSHI + AI – No more (Oricon #7 / Recochoku #6)

Ronald: Same review as before – As expected, this is great vocally. I’m glad they went with a more R&B sound with this as opposed to a pop sound. But one thing bothers me about this song: their vocals aren’t meshing well together. Normally, I like them together, but on this, AI really overpowers ATSUSHI. I don’t know if something was wrong with ATSUSHI or in the mixing of the vocals on the track, but it is rather noticeable. 6.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Recochoku #1: Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Feel So Alive

2. iTunes #1: EXILE ATSUSHI + AI – No more

3. Oricon #1: AKB48 – Kimi wa Melody

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