Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Hoshino Gen defeat ENDRECHERI and DA PUMP. Gen and DA PUMP 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: A.B.C-Z – JOY Shitai Kimochi (Billboard Hot 100 #5 / not available for download or streaming)

I can see what they were going for this with this, but it just doesn’t work. They’re trying to do a joyous song, but something about it just doesn’t really seem joyful. It’s so forced, it’s not coming from them naturally, and I can tell. 4/10

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Billboard Hot 100 #1 / Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Hoshino Gen – Idea (not released physically / Billboard Streaming Songs #16)

Same review as before: I’m going to go out a limb here and say that Gen is actually trying to break out of the “SUN” / “Koi” lane a bit with “Idea.” It’s not radically different, but it’s a step. The addition of STUTS’ beats gives the song a different feel than Gen’s recent hits. He also tried with the acoustic break, which I’m not a fan of. It just sounds really out of place and throws off the song. It’s an unneeded downer. 7/10

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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A. (Oricon #20 / Billboard Hot 100 #2 / Oricon Digital Singles #6 / Billboard Download Songs #6)

Same review as before: 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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Rank:

1. Billboard Hot 100 #1 / Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Hoshino Gen – Idea

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

3. Oricon #1: A.B.C-Z – JOY Shitai Kimochi

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