Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw BLACKPINK defeat MAG!C☆PRINCE, GOT7, Southern All Stars, and Yonezu Kenshi. 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: NEWS – BLUE (not released digitally / not available for streaming)

Ronald: A World Cup song… Not as good as Shiina Ringo’s, but it will do. I don’t hate this. It’s a good for what is is: an upbeat, cheering song. The bridge with the traditional instruments and the semi-rap was a pleasant surprise. I could’ve used more of that. 6/10

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Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Yonezu Kenshi – Lemon (Oricon #23 / Billboard Hot 100 #3 / 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: DA PUMP – U.S.A. (Oricon #13 / Billboard Hot 100 #4 / Oricon Digital Singles #3 / Billboard Download Songs #2)

Ronald: The eurobeat, the eurobeat, the eurobeat… I’m a bit of a sucker for it. It’s just so fun and nostalgic. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is what it is. 6.5/10

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Ronald’s Rank:

1. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A.

2. Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: NEWS – BLUE

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

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