Omoidasenai Hana – French Kiss

Well, since AKB’s mimi sommelier Mocchi aka Kuramochi Asuka announced her graduation I would like to focus today on French Kiss‘ 6th single Omoidasenai Hana.

So Omoidasenai Hana is French Kiss‘ 6th Single and was released in 2014 and is categorized as a (japanese) folk song.

It’s actually quite fast paced but still has a really calm vibe coming with it. They used mostly “Calmer“ insturments for this song. Such as an organ, guitar and violin. Furthermore you can also clearly hear a tambourine and drums which let the whole song sound a bit more modern. However these instruments begin their play in the second verse.

Personally, I really like the lyrics of this song and it’s story.

To make it short the song is about a boy who fell in love with a girl unwittingly and later regrets that he didn’t realise his love for the girl. After he lost her he tries to find her again but fails since he couldn’t remember her -or like the lyrics say “he hadn’t enough faith in his memory“.

„The forgotten flower blooms along the road
You thaught me of it one day that tiny white flower
It had a simple name even a child could remember
But for some reason back than, I was interested in flowers“
of other coulors.

and

„The forgotten flower blooms all alone
Along the railroad tracks, among the weeds
The white flower from that day“

Those are actually the two passages I like the most of the lyrics. I like how they portraied the girl as a flower who came to grow into a beautiful blossom and that the boy suddenly realized that every other “flower“ is weed compared to the “tiny white flower“.

The MV of this song is actually really simple but also really beautiful. It really fits the theme of flowers and of folk songs. You of course have the three members of French Kiss in really beautiful dresses who fit really well in this whole scenery. Furthermore you get a little “Flashback“ scene or more like a scene which is described in the lyrics which is really nice.

So let’s move on to it. Enjoy.

And it starts with a beautiful flower field.
And traditionally we get to know the artist…

Deai no Tsuzuki – Watanabe Mayu

Let’s talk about Mayuyu’s 5th single Deai no Tsuzuki.

Finally Watanabe Mayu is back with her new solo single Deai no Tzusuki (After a meeting) which was released on the 10.07.

Deai no Tzusuki was used as the opening song of „Tatakau! Shoten Girl“ in wich Watanabe Mayu took the lead role.

The song starts really calm with just the piano and soft guitar vocals. Starting from the verse strings are added to this composition. As the song continues onto the refrain it starts to get a pop-feeling since a beat (drums) is added.

Mayu’s voice fits this kind of music really good since it’s really calm and has a soothing sound. And to be honest her voice „matured“ a lot in this one year (in my opinion) which is really awesome. In comparison to her prior sweet/cute sounding voice (e.g. her first single) -which I really couldn’t stand- I really love the current sound of her voice.

Well, about the music video….

To be honest when I first watched the music video in combination to the song I totally thoought it would be about a girl who longs to see her boyfriend/the one she is in love with. But I was never this wrong!

The music video has a really big plot twist at the end….

So let’s take a look on this……

I really love this hairstyle on Mayu. Way better than twin tails

Pretty ugly shoes…..

I wonder if Mayu really could just walk down the street without
someone noticing her…

Going up the stairs…

Oh, she got presents. For her „boyfriend“?

Run, Mayu, run

Yeah, defenitely ugly shoes…..

Whereas Mayu’s shoes are really cool.

still running.

Mayu: „Oh shit! I forgot one present!“

Mayu: „I have to get it quickly.“

Man: „I have to find her.“

Mayu: „Fuck this! I don’t care about the presents anymore.“

Mayu: „Just kidding.“

I don’t know but normally you see that there is something in front of you.
or at least you appologize afterwards

Mayu: „My precious necklace.“
Not sure if this was a necklace….

I’m not quite sure if Mayu tries not to cry or not to laugh.

Mayu: „I’m not allowed to cry.“

Oh, someone joined his marathon

Mayu: „Surprise!“

Ambulance? Should I call Suuchan?

Mayu: „Don’t worry already calling her.“
Must be a really shocking call.

And now there are three

Mayu: „Damn! I need to be the first who crosses the finnish line.“

Who will win this marathon?

Eh? Mayu? using a shortcut is against the rules…..

Mayu: „Too much running. I need to catch my breath…“

Man in Black: „Where did she go?“

Mayu: „Safe!“

Mayu: „Also safed my precious diamond!“

Mayu: „See ya!“
Eh?????

Mayu: „I wonder if I can make a ring with this diamond…“

Ehh?? Plot Twist?

So that’s Mayu new single Deai no Tsuzuki.

Well, who would have guessed that this song about love and meeting someone has such a plot twist at the end. I mean this is totally awesome and all but still….. I’m not used to such funny plot twists.

I really had the urge to write a review of this song since I finally watched „Tatakau! Shoten Girl“ and I have to say this song really fits the drama.

Just like in the song the drama kind of focus of random meetings that change the course of your (the protagonists) life.

Like I already mentioned I really love Mayu’s current style and I like her now even more. Well, I couldn’t stand her before the big shuffle in 2012. I really think that she changed a lot when she was in Team A, she is way more open and funny.

So that’s it for now….. See you soon

Bokura no Eureka – NMB48

Again I have nothing to do at work and have time to deliver this masterpiece to you all.
This time it’s NMB’s Bokura no Eureka.

Bokura no Eureka is NMB’s 7th single and was released on the 19th of june in 2013.

And this song is my favourite summer song. First I really love NMB and second not only is the MV awesome but also the song itself.

Well, the song starts with a guitar-laden intro -which I really like- and also strings before getting to the verse. One of the factors I really like about NMB is the vocal arrangement of the verses. Instead of letting a lot members sing certain verses NMB focuses on 1-3 members at a time. The resulting effect is that you can clearly hear certain members‘ voices and the individual timbre and charm of the different girls.
Furthermore during the verses the instruments‘ volume is decreased, so as to let the vocals shine even more.

But now to the music video.

Well, since this is NMB’s summer single we all expect the typical swimsuit/bikini MV.
BUT luckily it’s a MV with real clothes like skirts and shirts –as a girl it feels quite akward to watch other bikini clad girls dancing around! And also no dance scenes -with bikinis.
This music video is one long -about 9 minutes long- story scene but with a quite good plot.

 And since it’s from 2013 the theme is a kind of apocalypse. Meaning NMB’s Senbatsu member stranding on a desserted island and have to find a way back to Osaka.

But more of that later.
On to the actual MV….

Seems like a movie is about to start…

It starts with the members laying on the beach, shipwrecked like it seems…

Kimi wa Kimagure – AKB48 Team A

Well, I have nothing to do at work today and therefore I will use my time and make another review for you.
Kimi wa Kimagure is Team A’s coupling song for the 36th Single „Labrador Retriever“. And it is probably one of the fairest MV’s -in terms of screen time- I’ve ever seen.

The regular Cover looks waaaaaay better.

I’m not that sure how I should feel about this song since I have the image of Takahsashi/Shinoda Team A songs still in my head (those can just be described as awesome). I mean I really kind of like Kimi wa Kimagure -and it’s defenitely better than Kiss Made Countdown (which isn’t that hard to surpass)– but it also doesn’t reach the old level.

The song itself actually has a really catchy refrain and generally is a bright song despite its „darker“ lyrics. I don’t know how I can describe them the best since on the one hand the boy is complaining about the girls habits and whims but on the other hand he is totally okay with that. In my opinion this is kind of the best love situation you coud have with your partner since you are accepting everything of this person.

That’s why my favourite quote actually is:

„But I can’t help loving you“

What kind of surprised me was that this song’s centers are Sakura and Ricchan. I mean it’s really great that those two get a chance to be centers (although I don’t like Sakura that much) but I would have guessed seeing the TakaNyan center. But hey, my beloved 1st Gens are still in the second row, so there is no problem with giving the new gens a bit more of screentime. ;D

But on to the MV which really is probably the best made -in terms of screen time- Team Song.

Every member is clearly shown in there and also everyone is doing/wearing something that describes her character which gives the song a kind of free and distinct feeling.

But let’s take a look at the MV to show you this.

Kataomoi Finally – SKE48

So it is finally here. My all-time-favourite Song of SGayE… ehm I mean SKE, of course.
And of course I’m talking about Kataomoi Finally which actually led to quite a turmoil.

 

Well, this cover alone is almost worth to be called a scandal/turmoil.

For those who doesn’t recognise them (like I did when I first saw this) they are our beloved wCenter and everyone’s OTP. Of course I am talking about our beloved wMatsui, Jurina and Rena.

Kataomoi Finally is SKE’s 8th single and is the first darker song of this particular group. Before SKE’s image could be described as happy and cheery.

Well, for me KataFinally was one of the first songs I heard from SKE and back then I really didn’t know anyone of them since I was just starting to become a fan. If I remember correctly i was watching an AKBingo episode where this masterpiece was aired for the firstime -well of course I wasn’t up to date at that point. However this song had such a great impact on me that it’s still one of my all-time favourite -I could listen to it for days.

Furthermore for me this single has the best senbatsu line-up of all time. This single had the -then- to three: wMatsui and Churi which were and still are SKE’s frontline.

Back then we also had (Kuwabara) Mizuki and (Ogiso) Shiori in senbatsu which I actually liked a lot. And the awesome new OTP KumiNon (thanks Akimoto-Sensei for introducing them to us).

So, this song is really fast paced and also kind of aggressive since I always get the image that they shout out their love/feelings.

And while the refrain is really aggressive -with this whole „Suki nanda Kimi ga Suki nanda“ wich are the feelings that are shout out loud- the verses are „calmer“ since they are describing the situation. All in all the song is really dramatic -in a good way.

Like the title already hints -Kataomaoi Finally = Unrequited Love Finally- the song has to be dramatic. Like, come on the protagonist has to kind of release the pent u feelings through screaming and dancing on a rooftop -oh and don’t forget the slapping.

BTW I really love the quote they put in at the beginning.

Have a Nice Day – World Order

World Order’s HAVE A NICE DAY will be my first Non-AKB Review. Okay not entirely non -AKB since they have a guest appearing in this MV since it takes place in Akihabara.

So World Order is actually a group I kind of started to like after I watched a few more of their MVs and songs. I first “got to know“ them -more like seeing them without knowing who they were- through GIFs of their awesome dance performances. However when I first saw their live performance in a video I was awestruck. Their music and especially their dance are awesome.

The second time I saw them perform -unfortuately not live- was at AKB’s 3rd Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2013. This performance -their own and also the coop for UZA- made me really starting to like them.

However back to the main song I want to focus on today.

Have A Nice Day  is World order’s 5th album which was released on the 17th of December 2014 and was named after the A-side song “Have A nice Day“ -which I’m going to review today.

Have A Nice Day is set in Akihabara -the electric town. Its like a little tour right through Akihabara and the songs lyrics also focus on this small part of Tokyo.

Especially parts like

“EVERYWHERE You’re cute
EVERYWHERE smart, check it out
EVERYWHERE simple coloursLook at the future through the glass“

or

“Let’s go see that kid today, Came up the escalator,
I rushed to the stage where you’re waiting“

kind of are characteristics for Akihabara -at least in my opinion. Although the second quote is referred to AKB48 since they are THE Group/Attraction which kind of represents Akihabara. Although I know that there is by far more than just AKB that stands for this “City“ since it’s also a place for Anime/Manga fans as well as a electric citadel (not sure if this is the right phrase for what I want to say). However the first quote is also really characteristic since Akihabara is really colourful and since it’s called “Electric City“ also a place for technology which can be seen through every shop window.

But let’s take a look on the song’s tune.

The song -of course- has a really heavy electric tune with a lot of beats but also some “classical“ parts. It starts rather slow and monotone before it starts getting just a bit faster and also louder -in a good way- in the refrain. As soon as “Kyou wa Have A Nice Day“ is said its getting really started since this is the message -and also the title- for this song. Afterwards it repeats that pattern of first being slow and then getting faster and stronger.

Well, we shouldn’t forget World Order’s awesome body control in this video. As always their dance moves are awesome. I still wonder how you can move your body in such ways like the slowmotion thingy they do.

But now, let’s look at the beautiful sight of Akihabara -which I really wanna visit soon.

 

 

Okay let’s start

12 Byou – HKT48

Let’s get to my first Review of one of HKT48’s music videos.

And even though this single wasn’t released yet I got my hands on the MV.

First off I really like HKT’s MV since they are a lot of fun to watch -just like their concerts.

So, actually 12 Byou will be released on the 22nd of April but I luckily got my hands on the MV.

And since I really like this MV and also the song I would like to introduce this fairytale-like MV to you.

So 12Byou is centered by Sakura (Miyawaki Sakura) and Haruppi (Kodama Haruka), meaning we get a double center again for this single.

It’s the first HKT single without having a Kenkyuusei in their Senbatsu line-up which isn’t really surprising with just a handfull of them and two full teams. And let’s not forget that all pushed members -the NakoMiku combi- are already “full“ members.

However, I really like that Shige-chan (Murashige Anna) is back again in Senbatsu -I kind of missed her in “Hikeame, I love you“ and also in the NMB singles.

So, by just looking at the cover you can easily see that it is a really bright song -like every HKT song. The song has a really strong guitar tune in it which can be constantly heard and also a lighter beat in the background. The singing starts a bit slower and gets quicker as it nears its refrain which makes it kind of ctachy if you ask me. And hell, is it catchy! I always catch myself singing/muttering along -which is kind of embarassing at work but luckily I do this really quietly.

I really like the MV of this song which is -like i said at the beginning- really like a fairytail ormore like a well-known story. The story of Alice in Wonderland which I always was a fan of.

Now let’s focus on HKT’s version of Alice in Wonderland

Well, HKT calls it 12 Seconds instead of Alice in Wonderland, but hey …

Dirty – SKE48 Team S

So, this is one of the Team couplings of SKE’s latest single “Coquettish Juutai Chuu“. And to be precise we talk about Team S‘ coupling song Dirty.

Well, when I first heard the title of Team S‘ song I first off thought of Christina Aguilera’s song Dirty… Yeah, sorry I know but that was really the first thing to come to my mind….

However luckily Team S’s song isn’t at all like that song. Thank god for this fact!

Obviously this song’s center is Jurina with Sae, Ryoha and Rion following up. Those four are actually the voices you can her the most singing. And well, they have the most screentime in this MV.

Dirty is a electronic dance number which begins quiet and gets louder and also more agressive as it nears its refrain.
The refrain is kind of repetitive since they say “Dirty“ about 10 times which kind of is annoying….

However, to be honest I don’t know if I really like the song or if I find it just average.
But that aside, let’s look at the MV.

Juujun na Slave – AKB48 Team A

So now I move on to my favourite song of 2014. Team A’s ‚Juujun na Slave‘.

Juujun na Slave was released as a coupling song of AKB’s 38th Single Kibouteki Refrain. However the MV was later released as a bonus of the “Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de tobe!“ Album (2015.01.21) together with the other coupling MVs.

Actually I have really high expectations of Team songs, well not all Team songs -I really don’T like Team B songs that much. And since we are talking about Team A here, the first Team with the star line-up I expected a lot. I mean Team A songs were always pretty amazing (let’s not talk about ‚Kiss Made Countdown“ that song is just aweful)

So after “Kimi wa Kimagure“ I really hoped for a more darker, cooler dance number-like song like “River“ or “UZA“.
And luckily my praiers were heard because Juujun na Slave is all this…and even more!!
It’s dark, it’s a cool dance-number and it’s a bit like “UZA“ which is really one of my favourite A-side songs. Well, it has an electronic sound and a few autotune parts which fit in really good. It’s really fast paced and -luckily not like UZA- not repetitive in it’s refrain.
Don’t get me wrong I really like UZA even if it has a repetitive refrain.

Well, the song’s title is really mature and also dark -well, it means Obedient Slave come on- and the MV fits this concept pretty well. Come on the costumes totally look like -you know- SM outfits kind of.

The first moment I listened to this song I was awestruck and really excited and to be honest as soon as I saw the MV’s preview I couldn’t stop screaming (in a metaphorical sense) in joy.

However back to the Song. Juujun na Slave is Centered by no other than -drumroll- NyanMina. So actually it’s a double center with Takamina (Takahashi Minami) and NyanNyan (Kojima Haruna). And they fit perfectly as centers for this song since they have kind of such a relationship -or more like Nyannyan akways ignoring Takamina.

But I still don’t get why the Team MVs were included in “Rhodes“ and not in the actual single, but well can’t change it anymore…..

But now let’s focus on the actual MV of this awesome song.

So it starts with legs -well actually with thighs. I wonder who they belong to.

Oh, hey Takamina nice …. ehm… ooutfit?

Yasashiku suru yori Kiss wo shite – Watanabe Miyuki

So after I reviewed this single’s coupling Song ‚Harukaze Pianissimo‚ let’s move on to Milky’s first solo Single.

So, Milky (Watanabe Miyuki) was the winner of 2014’s Janken Tournament and therefore won the prize of an own solo debut. Yasashiku suru yori Kiss wo shite is the title of her Solo debut which can be translated into Instead of Being Kind, Kiss Me. A really fitting title for Milky’s character.

The song actually is about a girl (Milky) being tired of waiting for her crush to confess his love for her. Like the title already says, she wants the boy to be more proactive instead of being kind and considerate.

The song itself is a old-fashioned idol song. Meaning like an idol song of the 80’s meaning that it also follows this genre -tune and also lyrics wise. It kind of reminds me of a few Matsuda Seiko songs I listened to once. Milky’s voice really fits this song’s tune since it is a kind of slow song and also doesn’t have much high notes in it.

But let’s continue with the MV

 

What a way to start! Why is Milky crying?