Hinatazaka46 8th Single

Hinatazaka46 has released their 8th single Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight (月と星が踊るMidnight) on October 28th, under Sony Music Entertainment Japan. It is another successful single release by the group who keep growing more in popularity with every single release. 

I wanted to take time to see how the songs are since the last two singles were not that appealing when compared to the best single released which was the 5th single - Kimi Shika Katan which boasted 3 strong hits. Also excuse me with my tardiness in recent posts as I was updating my YouTube Channel with Shorts and other content. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Initial performance: 

Hinatazaka46 gave a surprise performance of "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" on September 10, which was the first day of their nationwide tour 'Happy Smile Tour 2022' at Aichi Sky Expo. The title literally translates to “Midnight where the moon and stars dance”.

Title Song and Tracklist:

Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight 

(月と星が踊るMidnight) - Title Song/Track 

Center: Saito Kyoko

Coming to this single by Hinatazaka46, the title song is another winner (but as ever it appears a bit taken out of the Akimoto San's dusty old closet of old 48 group's songs). Nevertheless the music has very good dynamic hooks, Great Bass and Violin play throughout the songs with pounding drum beats. 

The song is fast paced with some low strokes. Lyrically the lines are performed by the members perfectly, they all sound very professional. A please to listen to. All this makes this a Grand Song. Saito Kyoko gets to be the center for the first time for a official single and delivers a powerful opening to the song. She has been entrusted with the center position five years after “Soredemo Aruiteru” and “NO WAR in the future” from Keyakizaka46’s 5th single “Kaze ni Fukarete mo”.

The last bit again where the tempo changes is totally unnecessary and I just don't get this trend. And finally how can you expect the great Akimoto Yasushi not to include the dogs bark at the end in lyrics "Wow Wow Wow". lol, seems to be his signature line. 

• Performed by: Sarina Ushio, Yuka Kageyama, Shiho Kato, Kyoko Saito (C), Kumi Sasaki, Sasaki Mirei, Aina Takase, Ayaka Takamoto, Mei Higashimura, Miku Kanemura, Haruna Kawada, Nao Kosaka, Suzuka Tomita, Akari Niu, Hiyori Hamagishi, Konoka Matsuda, Hinano Uemura, Mirai Takahashi, Mari Morimoto, Youyo Yamaguchi.

2: Common coupling song "HEY! OHISAMA!". 

• Performed by: Sarina Ushio, Yuka Kageyama, Shiho Kato, Kyoko Saito, Kumi Sasaki, Mirei Sasaki, Aina Takase, Ayaka Takamoto, Mei Higashimura, Miku Kanemura, Haruna Kawata, Nao Kosaka, Suzuka Tomita, Akari Niu, Hiyori Hamagishi, Konoka Matsuda, Hinano Uemura, Mirai Takahashi, Mari Morimoto, Yoyo Yamaguchi.

3. Solo Song "Kodoku na Toki". 

It looks like Saito Kyoko is adding a modern touch to a retro classic. After all, she did perform in an episode of their weekly Variety TV show once in a Kimono singing Akina Nakamoni's 80's classic - DESIRE ~ Jounetsu, her favourite song. The similarity of the songs are obvious. 

• Performed by: Kyoko Saito

4. Hinatazaka46 Unit Song ① "10-byou Tenshi".

• Performed by: Mirei Sasaki, Mei Higashimura, Haruna Kawata, Koka Matsuda.

5. Hinatazaka46 Unit song ② "Sonota Ozei Type". 

• Performed by: Yuka Kageyama, Miku Kanemura, Suzuka Tomita, Hinano Uemura.

6. Hinatazaka46 4th generation song Blueberry & Raspberry. 

Half the song is brilliant, half is awful. The tempo changes ruin it. The opening is brilliant.

• Performed by: Rina Watanabe.

7. Regular edition coupling song "Isshou Ichido no Natsu". 

This definitely reminds of a Classic AKB48 style song and is bloody good. Bests songs of this single.

• Performed by: Miku, Haruna Kawata, Nao Kosaka, Suzuka Tomita, Akari Niu, Hiyori Hamagishi, Konoka Matsuda, Hinano Uemura, Mirai Takahashi, Mari Morimoto, Yoyo Yamaguchi

Commercial Success: 

Hinatazaka46 8th single "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" is sold 348,189 copies on the first day. Their first week sales according to Billboard Japan is 459,613 copies (little less than last single Boku Nanka which sold 478,142 copies.

Release Editions:

CD+Blu-Ray Editions:

First edition limited edition TYPE-A (SRCL-12320 to 12321) ¥ 1,900 (tax included); CDJapan Normal ¥ 1,700; US$ 11.78

First edition limited edition TYPE-B (SRCL-12322 to 12323) ¥1,900 (tax included); CDJapan Normal ¥ 1,700; US$ 11.78

First edition limited edition TYPE-C (SRCL-12324 to 12325) ¥1,900 (tax included); CDJapan Normal ¥ 1,700; US$ 11.78

First edition limited edition TYPE-D (SRCL-12326 to 12327) ¥ 1,900 (tax included); CDJapan Normal ¥ 1,700; US$ 11.78

*Limited edition for the first edition・Enclosed bonus application, bonus serial number included・Member raw photo (1 randomly selected from 32 types for each type)

Normal edition/CD only:

Regular edition (SRCL-12328) ¥ 1,100 (tax included)

Rating: 

3 out of 5 Stars.

No surprises the title song Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight is the best song of the single along with the last song Isshou Ichido no Natsu.

Listen On:

Spotify

YouTube Music

Apple Music

Official Link:

Hinatazaka46 8th Single