hasbrialeblog: Nogizaka46 30th Single

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Nogizaka46 30th Single

Nogizaka46's 30th single titled "Suki to Iu no wa Rock daze!" (好きというのはロックだぜ！) has been released on August 31 under Sony Music Entertainment, Japan. 4th Gen Member Kaki Haruka returns as the center of this single.

Inital Performance:

Nogizaka46 performed "Suki to Iu no wa Rock daze!" for the first time during the Osaka concert of their nationwide tour 'Manatsu no Zenkoku Tour 2022.' They also performed the Under Members's new song "Under's Love" and 5th gen members' new song "Bandaid Hagasu You na Wakarekata" with Wada Maaya and Sugawara Satsuki as centers respectively. The two songs are the coupling tracks for the single.

Senbatsu Formation & Center:

The group introduced their senbatsu for the title song on their variety show Nogizaka Under Construction on 17 July 2022. In total 19 members were selected as members (Senbatsu) and 11 members for Fukujin (first and second-row members).

From Right to Left.....

3rd Row: Yumiki Nao (NEW), Sato Kaede, Shibata Yuna, Higuchi Hina, Suzuki Ayane, Kakehashi Sayaka, Seimiya Rei, Kanagawa Saya (NEW).

2nd Row: Tsutsui Ayame, Iwamoto Renka, Akimoto Manatsu, Umezawa Minami, Kubo Shiori, Tamura Mayu.

FRONT ROW: Endo Sakura, Yamashita Mizuki, Kaki Haruka (CENTER (2)), Saito Asuka, Yoda Yuki.

Tracklist (Digital / Stream):

Suki to Iu no wa Rock da ze! (好きというのはロックだぜ！) - 5:32
Under's Love - 4:19
Boku ga Te o Tataku Hō e (僕が手を叩く方へ) - 4:35
Jumping Joker Flash (ジャンピングジョーカーフラッシュ) - 4:00
Band-Aid Hagasu Yō na Wakarekata (バンドエイド剥がすような別れ方) - 4.49
"Passion Fruit no Tabekata" (パッションフルーツの食べ方) - 3:40
Yume o Miru Kinniku - 3:55

Total play time is 30 mins and 50 secs.

All Lyrics by: Akimoto Yasushi

Music Videos:

Suki to Iu no wa Rock daze! (by Senbatsu)

The MV is Directed by Yuki Kamiya (Maxilla), shows the center Kaki pondering on what she will do this summer vacation, and her thoughts represented by the other members in an office/workplace atmosphere, holding meetings to discuss what she will do. She thinks of shopping, staying at home, camping, going to a dessert café, a museum not to say the least. Finally, she decided to do everything. Parts of the choreography were shot at Haneda Airport new Terminal 2 international departure lobby which is rather cool. The song was composed by Yōichirō Nomura and arranged by Nomura.

The song is a good listen except for the annoying loud drum beats hammering throughout the some. Some indicated it's another song from the AKB48 closet with a different melody. Also the ever infamous use of WoW, Oh strings in between verses is a pain again.

Under's Love (by Under Members)

UNDER song “Under’s Love” features 1st gen member Wada Mayaa as Center who graduates the group with this single. Directed by Shinichiro Kobayashi, the MV was shot at a studio in Tokyo and the former kart track in Saitama, depicting the members as vampire. The song was composed and arranged by Amazuti.

I have no clue about this song's message. Music is nice with good old Japanese feel and similar to Influence in parts. But the tempo shifting is again off putting as it details the base of the song. Shame!

Boku ga Te o Tataku Hō e (by 3rd Generation)

Directed by Shūto Itō, the MV showing the 3rd Gen members play the musical. Shiori Kubo (the center) as both actress and director. The song was composed and arranged by Ichiro Fujitani.

Typical Nogi Song. Soft Melody with piano drops, guitars, acoustics and drums beats. Pieces have been lifted from old Nogi Song.

Jumping Joker Flash (by 4th Generation)

Directed by Ōkubo Takurō, the MV shows a new student (Tsutsui Ayame, who is the center for MV) mistakenly joins the "cleaning and washing club". The song was composed and arranged by Kuboty.

For once Nogizaka46 has dished out a kick-ass song even though the song name is very wierd. The best one since "I See" which came way back now in 25th single. The music composed by Kuboty is awesome. Very modern with strong guitar riffs, just love the booming bass lines with Jazz/Ska elements. Most definitely the best song in the single. It has 3 different tempos that alternate throughout the song but keep it together. The last 25% of the song is the best !! Every upbeat and energetic... Awesome song!

Band-Aid Hagasu You na Wakarekata (by 5th Generation)

Directed by Nozomu Hayashi the MV was shot at Ashikaga, Tochigi, depicting a high school student (Satsuki Sugawara, the MV Center) who attends a rigorous study-intensive school and gradually becomes friends with their classmates. A very typical AKB48/Sakamichi Gimmick for MV. How many times you have seen these done before? The song was composed and arranged by A-Note • S-Tone.

It's a typical soft toned Sakamichi song. Another song which has bits from previous songs repackaged. It's ok kinda song for the 5th generation. Let's see what's next for them.

Yume o Miru Kinniku (by Nogizaka Keionbu)

Yume o Miru Kinniku gets a special mention as it sounds not like Nogizaka46 but mainstream JPop Classic Rock with which is a pleasent surprise. A must listen song as it is some beautiful singing by the members punctuated by excellent guitars, bass lines and drum work. It was composed by Tetsuya Tsukimitsu and arranged by Araken. This song is sure to make any Mainstream JPop Artist Proud!

The song was performed by a new Nogidan called as "Nogizaka Keionbu", the six-member band subunit made of Wada Maaya (supporting member), with regulars Ito Riria (vocals), Hayashi Runa (vocals), Mukai Hazuki (guitar), Yakubo Mio (bass) and Matsuo Miyu (drums).

Graduations:

On July 18, 1st Gen members and Under Regulars - Higuchi Hina and Wada Maaya both announced they will graduate from the group after finishing the 30th single activities.

Wow! Nogizaka46 will soon have just two 1st Generation members in Captain Akimoto Manatsu and Saito Asuka and one 2nd Generation member in Suzuki Ayane.

Album Covers and Editions:

Cover artworks for all editions were revealed on July 27. Done by Akiko Isobe, the artwork shows the members relaxing on the beach happily in the strong sunlight. Very beachy feel, colorful and vibrant.