Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Yonezu Kenshi defeat BOYS AND MEN and Sandaime J Soul Brothers. Kenshi is back this week, facing off against a newcomer and a blast from the past. Find out what Ronald thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: TWICE – Wake Me Up (not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #31 / Billboard Streamings Songs #19)

Ronald: An improvement! It’s youthful, but not in a super childish way like their other songs have been. It’s really repetitive though.  5/10

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Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon (Oricon #13 / Billboard Hot 100 #4 / not available for streaming)

Ronald: Same review as before: Kenshi is a mixed bag. I liked him at first, then he fell out of my favor. I hated the singles from this last album, but the album itself was surprisingly strong. I think that may be happening again, because I’m not really wowed by this. There are some moments where I like the production, but overall, it sounds like something any other male singer-songwriter / male-front band would do. 5/10

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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Mr.Children – HANABI (not in the Oricon top 200 (probably out of print since it was released in 2008) / Billboard Hot 100 #28 / not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #23)

Ronald: Same review as before: I’ve heard this song a bunch of times over the decade since it’s been released on various TV shows, and I still feel the same way about it: It’s nice. But that’s it. It’s something nice to hear every once in a while, in the background, but it’s not something I would seek out. It’s pleasant, but not dynamic enough to capitivate me. 6/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Mr.Children – HANABI

2. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon

3. Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: TWICE – Wake Me Up

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