Sakurazaka46 Samidare yo Review

Samidare yo (五月雨よ) is the 4th single by Sakurazaka46 was released on April 6th, 2022 under Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The single has the usual 7 songs (Special Edition on popular online Streaming Platforms) all written by Akimoto Yasushi and has a play time of 32 minutes.

Release Details:

The single will be released on April 6th, 2022, at the day of 6th anniversary Keyakizaka46's Silent Majority. 

Senbatsu and Formation:

Row Members

3 (7) Takemoto Yui, Matsuda Rina, Inoue Rina, Habu Mizuho, Seki Yumiko, Uemura Rina, Ozono Rei

2 (5) Moriya Rena, Koike Minami, Watanabe Risa, Kobayashi Yui, Fujiyoshi Karin

1 (3) Morita Hikaru, Yamasaki Ten (Center), Tamura Hono

Music Videos:

"Samidare yo" is a very mellowish song and has a low tempo. Almost a ballad. The MV has picked up 3.4 million Views on YouTube.

Music composed by: Atsushi | Arrangement by: TomoLow, Atsushi.

Samidare Yo - MV Snapshots

"Boku no Dilemma" is a little dynamic song with pounding bass line and violins. The usual punchline delivery in between the rhythmic singing is quite evident. The beats also remind of the old Keyakizaka46 style. A instrumental track it makes for. The video has picked 1.4 million views on YouTube.

Note: This song was performed by all members at the time of release. This is the only track Sugai Yuuka participated in due to conflicting schedules with her musical Curtains.

"Shakan Kyori" is a groovy song and the 2nd best song in this single. 

Other Songs:

"Im In" is almost like Utsukushiki Nervous from 3rd single but lacks in delivery.  

"Danzetsu" is the best track in this single. Another Power Packed "BAN" and "Ambivalent" like song with beautiful Violins and Beats mixed with good Bass line. 

The song was composed by Chocolate Mix. 

"Seifuku no Ningyo" is just a Trumpet Song.

"Koi ga Zetsumetsu Suru Hi" starts with the infamous "WoW WoW" bark of Akimoto san! How can you miss it in any single. The song has a groovy second beat as it switches back and forth with the Song's title line. OK'ish song. This is a secret Tribute to Silent Majority! Trust me, close your eyes and listen and you will hear a bit of Silent Majority during the guitar solo from 2:40 to 2:50 min mark. Nice touch by the wise old fox!!

4th Single Highlights:

• First Senbatsu for Uemura Rina and Seki Yumiko.
• First Sakura Eight selection for Moriya Rena.
• First Sakurazaka46 Senbatsu without Sugai Yuuka as due to her conflicting schedules for her musical "Curtains".
• Final Senbatsu and single participation for Watanabe Risa and Harada Aoi who will be graduation post 4th singles activities. 
• Watanabe Risa only participated in Samidare yo and Boku no Dilemma. 
• The Limited Edition Type-A features Yamasaki Ten's first ever solo cover. 
• First single to include song for Sakura Eight (minus Watanabe Risa) unit.

Tracklist (All Versions) & Product Details:

"Samidare yo" was released in five versions: four limited CD+Blu-ray editions in types A, B, C, and D, and a regular CD-only edition. A special limited CD edition was also sold only on the Sony Music Shop.

Type A

Type B

Type C

Type D

Normal/Regular Edition

Listen On:

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

I was super impressed with 3rd Single as it did deliver. 4th single is quite disappointing. Just "Denzetsu" and "Shakan Kyori" are the best songs of the single. Special mention to "Koi ga Zetsumetsu Suru Hi".

Single Sales/Charts:

Sakurazaka46 hit No. 1 on Billboard Japan Hot 100, for the Week of April 13, with its latest single “Samidareyo”, their fourth single which sold 452,752 copies in its first week. This is close to 45,000 CDs more than the 3rd single which sold 407,334 copies. It also took an impressive 6th spot on Twitter. 

The 4th single unsurprisingly hit No. 1 on Oricon Daily (opening day sales of 324,658 copies) and Weekly Singles Charts (393,215 copies) as well. Also, the single wiped out the whole week by taking No. 1 spot for 5 consecutive days topping the Oricon Daily Singles Charts. Total sales reported were 422,757 copies and total of weeks charting inside Top 200: 4. 

Again, a commercial success!

Statement by Captain Sugai Yuuka on her blog:

Sakurazaka46 is coming up with its 4th single "Samidareyo". We will release it on 4/6!　

We are grateful to be able to release it on April 6th, which we have a strong feeling for. 　

Now the single is also a graduation single of Risa Watanabe and Aoi Harada, Ten Yamasaki will be the center of the title song for the first time!　　

Since I'm appearing in the musical "Curtains", this single is only a common coupling song with all participants, centered on Risa. I will participate. For those who are always supporting me I'm really really sorry if it makes me feel complicated.　

I wanted to participate in the song properly I have consulted with the staff many times to see if there is any way to achieve both. I was very worried about this decision.　

Sakurazaka46 is very important to me, We also know that we are in a responsible position. However the single production and the rehearsal schedule for the musical "Curtains" scheduled to open from February 26th have overlapped perfectly. This stage is my first musical, and at the same time it will be a big challenge in my life. I think this is a valuable opportunity to get to know Sakurazaka a new.

Thankfully, in addition to being with all the cast members, I had the incredible opportunity to play the role of a very nice heroine. Since last year, I have been desperately preparing for this stage in order to improve my skills as much as possible. I understand that it's an individual job with a group, but It was physically difficult for me, who was an inexperienced first-year musical student, to balance the production of multiple songs by Sakurazaka and the lessons.　　

Sakurazaka has a unique system now, so If you are inconvenienced by participating in the single production halfway, I thought it would be best for the group to decline the fourth piece and have other members participate firmly. However, there is also an important desire to walk together and send Aoi in a proper form. I talked with the staff and decided to give priority to the schedule only for the common coupling.　　

At the end, we all made music, and we are relieved that the wishes of all the members have been fulfilled. I myself am very happy to be able to perform in the position next to Risa at the end. Thank you for creating a new option. Participating songs and musicals, we will do our best to deliver it with all our heart.　　

While all the members are working hard on the activity of the 4th single I will get to know Sakurazaka46 from a different angle, and I will do my best to help everyone. And I will continue to make an effort to grow up and come back to the group. I would be really happy if you could watch over me.　　

There will be only one song to participate in, but Meguri will be participating all day, so I would be grateful if you could come and visit us. Thank you for your cooperation.

Click here for: Official 4th Single Homepage