O, forgot to tell you on the last Nogizaka post. You are able to watch in the US without the need of a VPN to Japan because, Sony Music, in their infinite wisdom, has unblocked Nogizaka videos from the US. They should've done this sooner, but it's all good. When they come to America in 2019, at least you'll now know who they are. Just don't snake my tix!
(08.10.18)EDIT: Put the short version on as now you can buy the dang CD.
Oh, hey. It's been six months, but we've got a new Nogizaka46 single, Synchronicity. It's their 20th. Seven years they've been at it and they consistently have high quality songs. Their spring singles are some of the best idol music around. Believe that. Anyway go out buy the single, download the songs, listen to it on your favorite streaming site. Just fall in love again.
The legend of Siato Asuka, the youngest of the 1st Gen. She's the current Ace in waiting. Or rather she's considered the heir apparent. Slow going at the beginning. Made the first senbatsu, relegated to Unders for a few singles, back in senbatsu, she centers an Under, back in senbatsu to stay. Finally, this her first center.
And I was skeptical. But since this song came out in the summer of 2016, she's definitely grown to be a force in Nogizaka. Really. She's got it.
Ima Hashitai Dareka ga iru. Now, I have someone to talk to.
And this is where I come in to the Nogi fandom. The 13th single. Like the 11th it has lots of good songs on it -- top to bottom -- just great songs. And the title song isn't even the best. The Unders' Shitto no Kenri is perhaps the finest emotional song they produced. Once you hear Sukima you'll be in love with Nanase, too. Little did I know how much of a gateway drug this single was.
With this single, we get the double beauty power of a Maiyan-Nishino WCenter. Also, a front line with Misa-senpai (the sexiest Nogi) and MaiMai (the holy mother). Just straight loveliness.
Life is beautiful. And so are the members of Nogizaka46.
To be honest, I don't think about how beautiful they are. They're just awesome all around.
This is the eleventh single. Nanase's last solo center. And such a great song. With one of their more complicated dance. Love the last parts of the MV where you get them dancing. They've given this song to 3rd Gen to perform which was gracious of the senpai. Goodness all around.
This one's been rocketing up my favorites list. I think the entire single is pretty phenomenal -- all songs are classic. Over all, it is a release I would advise you to buy. Like now. Or listen to on spotify.
The seventh single is my favorite. This MV is the first of their story telling MVs. It's a very interesting one. I wish the bulk of it we could hear the song rather than the movie effects. The song is very good.
The selected members is great, too. Eto, Kawago, and Himetan's first senbatsu. Asuka returns. Hori is airdropped into center -- first 2nd Gen to center. She was only a member for 6 months. Surprise.
The "Nogizaka tte, Doko?" episode of this single's selection is also my favorite. Kashiwa played a great role -- her happy face before she graduated. I wish she had stayed longer. But the new senbatsu member's cried their eyes out so amazing. I wish you could see it. I wish I could see it again.
I didn't post Seifuku no Mannequin yesterday, because I already posted it in the past week and I didn't want to clutter my timeline.
The fifth single. Kimi no Nawa Kibou. Some consider this their best song. Lots of fans do and maybe they tell the more casual fans it is. It certainly is their most important. This is the song that they sang on their first appearance at Kouhaku.
This is Ikoma's last center of the early singles. After this she's done. And the fandom may have rejoiced. Not me. I love Ikoma so she could be center any time. Sadly, maybe the last.
Nogizaka46 is coming up on their 6th Year Anniversary. It's already been a tumultuous ending to their fifth year with two first generation graduation announcements (as of today). But us fans can look forward to their 6th Year Birthday Live... in July!
Traditionally, they would've held it on the 22nd of the month. It's the date of the release of this song, Guru Guru Curtain, their first single.
So as we countdown to the 22nd, let's just enjoy their songs. Forget about the graduations. Smile at the senbatsu members. And continue to support the group.
Might as well give you something to understand where we're coming from.
Nogizaka46's fourth single, Seifuku no Mannequin (制服のマネキン), "Mannequin in a school uniform." Up until this release, they weren't cool. Then they were. Ikoma centers. Too cool. Too cool.
I consider this song where they start becoming the idols they are today.
Not sure if I shared this with you already. Not that I care. The more Nogi you get the better your life will be. This is Nogizaka46's 18th single Nigemizu 『逃げ水』.
I've come around on this song. At first, I didn't like it, but the more I listen the better it gets for me. Most of the time it brings me a smile.
Okay. Now I'm listening to some weird stuff. City Pop! A genre from the bubble 80s of Tokyo. I like the bit of funk they get into. It's also a little bit like some chill genre. I think I'm going have to go to Japan...
Nogizaka46 3rd Album, 「生まれてから初めて見た夢 」, "The Dream I Saw the First Time Since I Was Born."
Get it.
Got it.
I don't think the new songs are as good as their first two albums. The songs sound too much alike. The only saving grace is that there are some funky units, member pairings, that make for some interesting songs. I'm always up for alternative member units.
Nogizaka46 doing a cover one of their official rivals biggest hits, "Heavy Rotation." It's almost all of the fukujin from the 17th Single. It's missing my oshi, Ikuta. She's off doing some musicals, being an actress, and getting closer to reaching her goal: musical actress.
Awesome live from Nogizaka46. Judging by their uniform this was around KidzuKata, their 7th single. They did the full version of the song rather than the short 3 minute versions. It's hard to find a live of the full version, so consider yourself lucky, and you can even catch a glimpse of Yada Risako who was a kenkyusei for a short time.
Thievery Corporation came into their own with the ascendancy of W. Maybe we'll get more good music with the dumb Republican elect. Fuck that guy. But we need some more good music. Let's listen and think.
