Nogizaka46 release New Material!
Digital Single - Route 246 - July 24, 2020.
Well in Japan, COVID-19 seems to be well under control and after a very controlled and highly regulated couple of months of Social Distancing, the Sakamichi46 Series groups all of a sudden are back to life with Live TV programming rather than the Remote ones. Of these Nogizaka46 and Keyakizaka46 will be releasing new material in July & August respectively this year (pretty smart don't you think spreading out the releases).
Nogizaka46 - Route 246 (Digital Single)
Route 246 will be released on July 24, 2020 as a Digital Single by Sony MUSIC Japan. This is again a typical Nogizaka46 song with a mix of Japanese and English Lyrics. Very modernish music with heavy drum beats and electronic synth, bass punctuating throughout the song. Singing is very flat & lackluster. The music is all over the place... Keeps changing Up & Down, Up & Down. But, having said that my taste is a bit weird anyway so I will let the masses be the judge of that.
The lineup:
1st Gen (6): Hoshino Minami, Ikuta Erika, Takayama Kazumi, Akimoto Manatsu, Matsumura Sayuri, Saito Asuka.
As expected! 
2nd Gen (3):
Shinuchi Mai, Hori Miona, Kitano Hinako.
These three have been the pillars of 2nd Gen.
Others unfortunately remain Under! 
3rd Gen (6):
2nd Gen (3):
Shinuchi Mai, Hori Miona, Kitano Hinako.
These three have been the pillars of 2nd Gen.
Others unfortunately remain Under! 3rd Gen (6):
Kubo Shori, Ozono Momoko, Yoda Yuuki, Umezawa Minami, Yamashita Mizuki, Iwamoto Renka.
Good numbers
4th Gen (3):
Good numbers
4th Gen (3):
Endo Sakura, Tsutsui Ayame, Kaki Haruka.
Big time for Kaki & Tsutsui
Big time for Kaki & Tsutsui
Music Video Teaser:
In their website it says (loosely translated below):
"The music video of this work, which was filmed over two days in Yokohama・big pier and various places in Tokyo in early July, has the concept of Nogizaka46 dancing with Tetsuya Komuro's sound and the current Tokyo projected.
This is dance music for Nogizaka46, but it's the first time for the group to shoot with Tetsuya Komuro's sound and to wear short skirts and shorts!
Also, because of the coronavirus, we shot with as much space as possible, and always paying attention to the mask and face shield."
Think they also say Kenshi Yonezu & Team maxilla were involved in making of the MV!!
The Song - Route 246:
In the main chorus you can hear them sing...
Hang In There! <something Japanese> WoW WoW WoW WoW!!
Wait a minute, didn't we just hear... WoW WoW WoW and Yeah Yeah Yeah in I See.. in their last single. I liked that song, barring minor musical saxophone jerks in middle.
Not again Aki-P.... Didn't we have enough WoW WoW WoW already! Repeat Offender here!
Ok! Google:
Akimoto Yasushi
+ Nogizaka46 + WoW - Nogizaka No Uta (WoW x 8) from S1 - Guru Guru Curtain
- Kimi No Na wa Kibou (WoW x 3) from S5 - Kimi No Na wa Kibou
- Kimi wa Boku to Awanai Hou ga Yokatta no Kana (WoW x 1) from from S5 - Kimi No Na wa Kibou
- Sukima (WoW x 8) from from S13 - Ima, Hanashitai Dareka ga Iru
- Secret Graffiti (WoW x 3) from S15 - Hadashi de Summer
- Sanbanme no Kaze (WoW x 3 + WoW x 4) x 2 from S17 - Influencer
- Boku no shoudou (WoW x 5) x 2 from S19 - Itsuka Dekirukara Kyou Dekiru
- Jikochuu de ikou! (WoW x 4) from S21 - Jikochuu de ikou!
- Aimai (WoW x 3) from S23 - Sing Out!
- I See... (WoW x 3) from S25 - Shiawase no hogoshoku
- Yokubouno Reincarnation (WoW x 3) from Album - Sorezore no Isu
And Now....
- Route 246 (WoW x 5) from New Digital Single - Route 246
And the Award for the best WoW goes to....................................... 
The Composer:
Now who is this Komuro Tetsuya-san?
This composer happens to be a legendary J-Pop hitmaker they say who retired in 2018. Aki-P meets him at a dinner and asked him to compose a tune for Nogizaka46. Komuro being Aki-P's friend agreed and Friendship would be the concept for this tune. Friendship.. Right! And Aki-p will always be Aki-p with his lyrics.
The Title:
Why Route 246? What's there in Route 246 anyway?
It's like Travis asking Oasis "What's a Wonderwall Anyway?".
Nogizaka46 staff explain... Please don't read it as Route 246, read it as Route to 46!
Lame-o!
Who is where in the Music Video?
Asuka-chan is the preferred Center for this song again, she is supposed to be Komuro biggest fan who was a pioneer in J-Pop music in the 90's. She further adds that she wants to see what is the reaction they get with Komuro's music and Nogizaka46 as a combination. Other member positions to be officially revealed. Some initial clues from Pictures & Teaser has sent the English & Non-Japanese speaking fans into a frenzy and the members position has become a part of a heated discussion across various fan forums. The outfits of the members are very Keyakizaka46-ish in style. Last heard, their management are gonna shut shop, hit the final nail in Keyakizaka46 coffin and bury it for good and start off as a fresh group with a new name! That's for Keyakizaka46 please, not Nogizaka46!
Music Platforms:
The music is available on all mainstream Japanese & International music Platforms such as:
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- LINE MUSIC
- Spotify
- AWA
- YouTube Music
- music.jp
- KKbox
- Mora
- music.dwango.jp
- recochoku.jp
Credits:
Lyrics: Akimoto Yasushi (Aki-P.. Oops you did the WOW WOW again!!)
Music: Komuro Tetsuya (Blame it on the Boogie)
Arrangement: Komuro Tetsuya (Seriously, its the Final Countdown)
Bottomline:
If this were to be a Physical CD Single up for sale, for sure, this would by default be their 25th consecutive #1 on Oricon Charts and 10th Consecutive Single to hit sales of over 1 million CDs for sure!
Unfortunately this is not even close to the dynamic Influencer, Synchronicity, Hadashi de Summer or the classic, Karemichi Wa... or Jap-Eng combo Sing Out for that matter. Even the last single was damn good.
Hang In There! Yabai!! No No No No, Hell No!!
This song will go unrated, so no stars.
PS: Give the next one to Akira Sunset!!