Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Utada Hikaru defeat AKB48 and Bodan Shonen Dan. Utada and Bodan Shonen Dan are back this week, facing off against a newcomer. 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: Sexy Zone – Innocent Days (not released digitally or for streaming)
Ronald: Is Sexy Zone… actually releasing decent music? Is the grunter…. not grunting? I’m confused. When did this happen? I’m not saying that this is an amazing song, but it’s decent. I would say this is decent for anyone, but it’s amazing for them. 6.5/10
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Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Utada Hikaru – Hatsukoi (not released physically / Billboard Hot 100 #8 / not available for streaming)
Ronald: Same review as before: I have been hard on Utada Hikaru since her comeback, but not this time. This is like a new version of “Prisoner of Love” for me. There’s an emotional warmth and tenderness to her voice here that I enjoy. The string arrangement here just heightens that emotional pull to create something that makes me want to listen again, which hasn’t been the case with a lot of her material since her comeback. Also, good job Sony for unlocking her videos on their channel, along with a few others recently. Now do the rest! 8/10
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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Bodan Shonen Dan – FAKE LOVE (not released physically / Billboard Hot 100 #12 / not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #61)
Ronald: Same review as before: I really don’t get the hype over this group or this song. It’s too American Top 40 for me. If I wanted that, I’d listen to the radio here. The track itself is decent, and would be better if someone else was singing / rapping over it. I find the rapping here to be quite awkward sounding. The vocals at time are n the whiny side, but somewhat lacking in emotion, as if it’s all for show and not really meant. 4/10
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Ronald’s Rank:
1. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Utada Hikaru – Hatsukoi
2. Oricon #1 / Billboard Hot 100 #1: Sexy Zone – Innocent Days
3. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: Bodan Shonen Dan – FAKE LOVE
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