Single Nogizaka46 25th [Shiawase no Hogoshoku] (2020/03/25)

I too feel disappointed with the song. It has a nice lyrics and a nice feel to it, but they can really work better on the instrumental, it really sounds too bland. In term of grad single, SayoImi is the best. I didn't quite like the sound of Kaerimichi and Harujion, but the instrumental for those two were great.
Now just hoping Maiyan solo will be good so that I have something nice to takeaway from her grad single.

 

I like the sound of this single title song. It sound simple, and thank God, it doesn't use those generic-idol-song drum sound sample. It is easy to play on my guitar.

Imo, this song is perfect for Maiyan. It sound humble with deeper and inspiring lyrics, similar to Maiyan's personality and life story. From defending bullied, become the bullied one, turn into shut-in, break her shell to be Nogi member, and become one of top idol in history. Even though she is top idol, she keep low profile, and be herself. This is that make her the best Nogi member.

One more thing, a privilege to write lyrics for her solo song, is the highest form of appreciation and treatment that AkiP and management ever given to their Idol group member. Even that AkiP favorite member in Sakamichi group didn't get this kind of treatment. This is also much better and special treatment than previous graduated members.

 

I admit this is not as grandeur as I projected it to be.

 

This isn't going to be one of my favorite A-Sides I don't think but I do like it.

Maichun's radio leaks always sound really flat.

Yoakemade is honestly one of my top 5 favorite Nogi A-Sides but I didn't really like it when I first heard the Maichun radio leak.

 

Well, This song is too bland for me and the first impression not even reaches to the same level as synchronicity or sayonara no imi, especially when it comes to graduate single but still better than Yoake Made in my taste.

I think I should wait for the MV it might be making this song better.

 

Ok, after listening with a better headphone, it's actually not bad. I think it will still not be among my favorite A-side, but I'm not surprised if Maiyan herself prefers this song as her graduation single over a more grandeur one. Comparing with the recent single, it's definitely way better than Yoake Made but I still like Sing Out better.

Curious what her solo song will be like, will it be a mellow one, a cheerful one, or a relaxing one. I kinda hope for the later, something like Tachinaorichuu will be nice.

Mediocre title song aside, things have been really well for Maiyan. First she had the privilege of having all first gen as fukujin, having her best friends flank her, getting a solo song and write her own lyrics, she has tons of media appearances due to her movie and her graduation, and her movie is doing rather well I heard. Now I'm just hoping the Covid virus situation eases off so that Maiyan's graduation concert can get going. I think she will be heartbroken if that is cancelled too. It's her only wish that she explicitly stated.

 

From the first listen to a snippet of that smartphone video from the live viewing, I've liked it. Admittedly, it doesn't hit like Kaerimichi or Harujion, but the slower tempo matches Sayonara no Imi's. This is a more mellow, sweet-sounding tune tending towards melancholy -- like a song over the end credits to a movie in which you want the main character's story to continue forever. The lights come up, and you want it to start over. To be with the main character again. The song lingers...

It reminds of the smiling Maiyan of the past few weeks of NogiChu. A bright smile that she's had for forever -- reminiscent of kid Maiyan's smile I saw in the 1st Nogi documentary. I can't wait for a better quality version rather than radio rips.

As for missing out on an Under song... so it goes. Yet we will get all songs with their own version of an MV. The traditional ones on the BluRays, the Fettucine Gumi CM song, and the title song to Eizouken drama (I believe). What?! Woah.

It's been six months since the 24th. I'm ready for this.

 

Come on people, of course it sounds bland. It's a low quality radio rip for crying out loud. At least wait for a proper version before writing paragraphs of disappointment...

 

Depends on each person and how you listen to songs. Based on past experiences, it's not gonna change much. I always listened to the radio rip when it first aired. Whether I like the song or not doesn't change because the better version is released. If it actually becomes better it's usually because the tunes are catchy and it grows on you after several listen.

 

But that's not what I said. Of course you can get an idea of the style and decide if it suits your taste.

I reacted to those saying it sounds bland, and you can't burn the song for that. Nogi songs are very layered and rich in details. Very little of that is audible with a radio version.
The rip has a muddy sound and lacks dynamics. Heck, even with proper headphones I can't properly hear the chord progression in the chorus. Therefore, I think many are jumping to conclusions too soon.

 

Tbh when I heard Sing Out and Yoake Made on radio rip and then the official release it hasn't changed things. Maybe it was even worse.
I'm not the kind of guy trying to force myself to like something listening to it multiple times and trying the best audio qualities. I can already feel if I'm into the song or not.

When I heard Synchronicity just with Haruyama CM I felt I would love the song.
Kaerimichi too, just listening to the first seconds I was like "ok I'm going to like this one".

I'm not saying this song is bad. It's probably that we expected and wanted more fpr Maiyan's last single, especially since 2019 has already been MEH for Nogi singles.

The only thing who could save this one is a really good video. Like Harujion, song is not that good but they've done a beautiful work with the MV and overall it was a nice single and an elegant send-off for MaiMai.

 

Sorry for being out of topic but here's a trivia.

Japan fans were wondering why shiawase was written in hiragana (しあわせ) instead of kanji (幸せ). Turned out when it's written in hiragana, the total strokes required to write shiawase no hogoshoku (しあわせの保護色) is exactly 46 strokes. Although it's debatable whether wa (わ) consists of two or three strokes.

Regarding this is deliberate or just a coincidence, you decide.

 

I studied a bit of japanese and the hiragana WA is written in 2 strokes, never heard of 3.

 

That's why I said it's debatable, since I also think it's two but japanese wota seem to see it as three. Almost none of them correct it as two, but maybe I wasn't looking enough.

 

For me Kaerimichi isn't better than Sing Out! or even YoakeMade. Two things saved Kaerimichi is bcs it's Nanase grad single and a superb under song in Nichijou.

 

Once again, it's a radio rip! It doesn't represent the actual quality.

 

Here's presso's cover

if the video does not show watch the video here

Now that I heard the raw notes, I could definitely say it reflects Maiyan.

 

I'm not musically trained, so I don't really care about chord progression. I did say it was bland, but bland can mean various things, it's just the overall feel of the song that is bland and it's unlikely to change with the better version.

 

Me neither.

I meant to say that what you hear at the moment is not how it actually sounds. And the sound does affect the overall feel.
The real deal might make a better impression.

 

Well, I second that. Nichijou is one badass UG song. I read negative comments about Sing out and Yoake. That's fine with me.

There's really no real debate, it's always a matter of taste. This song Shiawase to me is so much better than Kaerimichi (never liked that song anyway). And Yoake is still an awesome B-side to me.

I get it when they say it's bland. Because it is. It's a song you play on a closing ceremony while everyone is busy minding their own business. Nobody pays attention. Opinions change over time. So let's wait, for the other songs