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Ongaku Magazine is a teen-run music magazine, an independent collective of writers, critics, musicians, and producers under twenty. Explore below to find our original teen-written content, curated-playlists, charts, resonate with various topics surrounding the music industry.
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Ongaku Magazine publishes two curated ranking charts: a Top 25 Songs chart and a Top 20 Artists chart. Unlike sales-driven lists, our charts prioritize artistry — the compositional craft, emotional depth, innovation, and lasting resonance of a track or artist — over immediate commercial performance. We hold that true artistry shouldn’t be reduced to first-week streaming numbers or chart-topping ad buys; the most meaningful music often proves its value over time.
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She's More Than a "Brat": The Curious Case of Charli xcx
When Charli xcx shared on the Nicky at Night podcast that she was apathetic about whether or not her new album “Music, Fashion, Film” would flop, most business-oriented music listeners, executives, and labels would raise an eyebrow.
From the Vedas to Vinyl: How Sanskrit Chants Continue to Shape Western Music
When we think of Western pop and rock music, the first things that come to mind are catchy riffs and melodies, references to having a good time, and whatnot, but hidden within the discographies of a surprising number of Western artists, are songs sampling Sanskrit verses composed thousands of years ago as part of an oral tradition to preserve and pass down sacred knowledge across generations. Quite the tonal whiplash if you’d ask me.
Drake makes history with a new trilogy album release
On May 15, 2026, Drake changed the traditional album release way completely, dropping a massive three-part project: Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour all in one night. Since Drake’s heavy fallout in 2024 after his Kendrick Lamar feud, the 43-song release represents an artistic reconstruction rather than a standard comeback focused on commerciality.
How Music Shaped the Knicks’ Title Run
The Knicks might’ve just won a title, but alongside music, they created a rare sense of collective experience in a city where millions of people move at different speeds.
Breaking Down The Melanie Martinez “HADES” Era
During her “CRYBABY” era, Melanie Martinez became extremely popular with her “childish” aesthetics. By the time she moved on to her preceding era, “Portals”, her huge style change in 2023 shocked the world. Today, both of them are in the past. On March 27th, 2026, Singer Melanie Martinez showed us her brand-new personality for her album rollout "HADES."
The Fan-to-Industry Professional Pipeline
Did you know that many musicians and industry professionals are affiliated with fan accounts? Whether they take a role as the social media manager who posts constant updates or the designer who makes fan posters and art, a recurring part of the music industry are fandoms. Today, musicians don’t just create audiences: they also create workers, and often they are the most passionate fans you'd ever meet.
The Revival of Cigarettes in Gen-Z Music Brands
From selfies on Dua Lipa’s Instagram, to being the main attraction in Charli xcx’s visual brand, having features on Malcolm Todd’s bedside, a grand contributor to Lana Del Rey’s “cool girl” aesthetic, cigarettes have been making a comeback in the pop culture scene and it’s raising some eyebrows. Why is it resurfacing now? How did it come about?
Ariana Grande’s New Album, “Petal,” and What We Know About It
Just when the world thought Ariana Grande was ready to step away from music and focus entirely on acting, she pulls us right back in. On July 31, 2026, the pop icon will release her eighth studio album–a 12-track project titled Petal. According to Ariana herself, this new project will be something softer, stronger, and totally different from her prior music.
I Went to the Buena Vista Social Club: Here’s What I Thought
On a rainy Wednesday afternoon during my President’s Day Break, I had the opportunity to view the Tony Award-Winning Music, Buena Vista Social Club. A performance depicting real events with vibrance, sentiment, colors, music, and a history lesson, the show is a must-watch, and most certainly a celebration of music you just can’t miss.
When Charli xcx shared on the Nicky at Night podcast that she was apathetic about whether or not her new album “Music, Fashion, Film” would flop, most business-oriented music listeners, executives, and labels would raise an eyebrow.