Morning Musume - Maji desu ka ska! -Producer Tsunku knew he would have some fans bemoaning the recent loss of three key members (Eri, Junjun, & Linlin), and there would be fans whinging about the four new members- two young, not mature Whaa! Whaa! Whaa! So what does he do? He lets the four 9th gen members have the opening lines, and then puts together a brilliant PV with an upbeat ska influenced song with all the vets and newbies teaming up together as only an H!P group can. This was more than a "haters gonna hate" statement, it was, "I don't have time to worry, we have to make entertainment that brings a smile, or a tear, the straggling fans will catch up with us if we really keep in mind that the fans will appreciate our geniune efforts"
Berryz Kobo - Heroine ni narou ka!- With a nod to Lady Gaga, Heroine ni Narou ka! stood out for me in a year of very good Berryz Koubo singles. With a good range of voice types in the group, Berryz singing ensemble inbetween solo lines is a great listen. Seven years performing together has seen them all grow into remarkable young women!
C-ute - Kiss Me Aishiteru-Okay, so Morning Musume have gone younger, but while some fans were not looking C-ute grew up and all five members can handle lines whether from a serious song, or the poppiest of kawaii pop. As demonstrated in their previous single, "Aitai Lonely Christmas", C-ute has a serious side as well, and hope they keep up the mix- it worked well for them this year.
S/mileage - Uchouten Love- Of all the groups and soloists, the orginal 4 member S/mileage did not miss on any single as far as I am concerned. This song was a classic blend of solo/duo/ensemble voice blending, and will be always a testament to Saki, Kanon, Yuuka, and Ayaka, a combination like no other. However the new songs with new members are looking very good, so I see S/mileage has a bright future.
Berryz Kobo & C-ute - Amazuppai haru ni sakurasaku- I could easily have loaded up my five choices with two other ensemble songs, Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu, and Mobekimasu - Busu ni narinai tetsugaku, but five choices was not enough to begin with. But since I had just five choices, seeing Hello Project Kids teaming up again was impossible to ignore, and it is a good song and great PV!! Some very nice pairings and blending of voices, and a very nostalic sounding song, yet cheerful.