AJ's first take on BABYMETAL's FIRST "first take": Monochrome

Watch the original and check out some other great performances here: • BABYMETAL - Monochrome...
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[@meekrob]

This version makes me blubber like a baby every time and I can't begin to explain why. Just beautiful.

[@szakadtcsimpanz]

Same

[@mick1406]

Same here. Glad it's not just me! BM are such a special band.

[@marcelolara6334]

me too

[@zilch634]

The three girls in the chorus wearing white capes in the middle of the performance reminded me of the white costumes that BABYMETAL wore only once when they debuted. The back view of those 3 girls... Makes me cry 😭.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, I think that was a conscious echo.

[@shojinsangen1971]

人生には常に出会いと別れがある。私としてはBABYMETALファンの一人として彼らの過去にいつまでもこだわっているべきではないと思う。私はかれらがこれから10年後に真のアーティストとしてどう成長しているかに興味がある。これまでに瞬間的に流れ星の最後のように輝きを放ったアーティストは数多にいる。BABYMETALがいつまでもアイドル的側面にこだわるなら彼らの未来はないと思う。ビートルズになれとは言わないが、彼らのように常に前進しながら新しい音楽を作り出し永遠に音楽史に残るような作品をこの世界に送り出してもらいたい。

[@AndrewHartley]

@@shojinsangen1971 これ以上ないほど同感です。

[@zilch634]

@@shojinsangen1971 だからこそ5年以上前からレコーディングしていたmonochromeで過去の象徴のような3人の白装束と小さな手のひらを取り合う描写が出て来たのだと思います。その頃は未だYUIさんがいた事から、ここに置いて行く思い出とこれから進む覚悟のようなものをラストのSUさんの表情から感じるのです。日経エンタのインタビュー記事からの推測ですが…SUさんにとってこの曲はもっと軽快なイメージだったらしいけど…つまらない世の中を私たちがカラフルで楽しくするよ！あわだまフィーバーみたいな感じですかねw

[@jeremyboynowski3784]

@@AndrewHartley I agree, I think it is both to pay respect to Yui, since Yui WAS still a member of the band when this song was originally conceived, and Su and Moa have stated in the past that Yui will forever be a part of Babymetal. But I also think it is a hint of the new member to come. I think the new member is one of those ladies in the white robes. Sort of like a rite of passage. So to me it is kind of killing 2 birds with 1 stone kinda.

[@crimson0119]

After hearing this, they should really make an unplugged album, and do this for all their songs....🤘🦊🤘

[@AndrewHartley]

That would be great

[@kitkat6407]

昨日発売された2冊の音楽雑誌でのインタビューで、SU-METALは新しい曲を自家薬籠中のものにするために、どれ程何度も聞き返し、感じ、考察しなければならないかを語っていました。このピアノバージョンの収録にあたっても周到な準備が為されたことは、この歌唱スタイルの違いからも明確に分かります。彼女にとってテクニックとはそれを誇示する為のものではなく、潔癖なまでに、表現手段としてのみ駆使されます。 彼女は素敵です。

[@AndrewHartley]

それらは良い点です。演奏スタイルにこだわる前に、しばらく曲と向き合うというのは、とても理にかなっていると思います。それは結果にも表れています。

[@AidilAfham]

I really like that we get to see Su’s expressions when singing purely, with all the nuances of her head positions, muscelature around her jaw and neck. Looks like she has singing techniques that she often talks about that we get to see up close for the first time. This is how she looks like in the recording booth

[@AndrewHartley]

Exactly. That's why I love this channel.

[@Psyggie]

Agreed!

[@labpedro]

Thank you Andrew, for this wonderful reaction. I simply cannot listen to this song without crying, I don't know why. Su's vocals have matured so much from the early days of BabyMetal and are simply perfect. I think it's the perceived undertones of Monochrome and the bombing (depending on who or what you listen to) which makes me so sad. Su then add's her voice into that and honestly it scares me just how much she can affect me just by singing. I have listened to 5 reactions today to this F1rst Take, and have cried on every single one. Thank you again Andrew, this is amazing. Ray

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks, Ray!

[@robertkilroy5699]

I have yet to listen to any playing of this version of Monochrome without tearing up. I think Su-metal sings with real heartache and longing in her voice, which reduces me utterly to tears. Awesome!

[@davidtollefson8411]

In all of my long life there has never been a singer that makes me tear up as intensely as Su.

[@AndrewHartley]

I get that

[@davidtollefson8411]

@@AndrewHartley No Rain, No Rainbow from Legend S and Akatsuki unfinished version from Legend 1997 get me every time as well. My favorite singer, though Ado is getting close.

[@evifes9182]

@@davidtollefson8411 In Ado's last "First Take performance" was that a kitsune for Babymetal or Chainsaw Man? 😀

[@Psyggie]

This one was definitely a tear jerker. I usually can't get through a single play through of the normal version without at least tearing up, not one single time. Yes, this was a perfectly nailed performance and I'll be watching several times!

[@htusda1]

Same with me! I saw this LIVE three times, and cried every time. and that is even when Su is singing,"Just smile." !

[@mrkdwld]

Su has always been a superb live vocalist, with some epic performances to prove it. She hit a new high here, touching the deepest corners of my soul.

[@AndrewHartley]

Me too

[@williamdeane3380]

She makes this song so emotional that's how good she is

[@user-tf9ep6ks4l]

自分が歳をとったせいか、生々しい歌声に涙が溢れてくる

[@AndrewHartley]

その気持ち、わかります

[@pocopen8741]

何というか・・・抗えないですよね

[@user-pu7cj7ny1s]

同じです😢

[@chikaraudon6854]

The biggest upgrade of BABYMETAL in The Other One is Su's vocals🤘🦊

[@Wombatmetal]

This is why Babymetal is a step above everyone else. Strip away the Kami, lights, pyro, dancing, spectacle, let Su's voice do all the carrying, and it is perhaps the most impactful performance they have given

[@AndrewHartley]

Agreed.

[@takuyam5342]

BABYMETAL's 　女の子がメタル曲で騒いで歌っているだけのイメ－ジでした。 このビデオをみてイメ－ジが変わってしまった。 こんなスロ－曲をめっちゃ気持ちよく聴かせてくれるんですね。このビデオでファンになりました。

[@AndrewHartley]

これは嬉しいことです。一部の人が思っている以上に、彼らは才能があり、複雑だと思う

[@Hadesillo]

Yep I was tearing up and I am not an emotional person at all. It is just beautiful, a great present to all of us.

[@AndrewHartley]

agreed

[@davidfrazer2303]

Don't worry, it looked like Moa was fighting back tears (1:18). Great reaction and analysis as always.

[@flugelhornoldman1362]

Gteat analysis and thanks from Japan 有難う💛。What I can say now is ... Thank you BABYMETAL. And thank you Koba for your serendipity. You certainly discovered something amazing and sacred for us 13 years ago.

[@AndrewHartley]

Thank you too! I appreciated you're giving me the heads up. I hadn't seen it the announcement till you mentioned it!

[@agarza6475]

Just saw this video yesterday and now I see that ANOTHER Babymetal "First Take" video is out. Can't wait to see your reaction to that one. And yes, these are very powerful and emotional takes on their song. Absolutely brilliant!

[@AndrewHartley]

Already posted :)

[@michelm.6033]

I’ve been waiting too long to see Babymetal on The First Take. Su is just unworldly and watching in this stripped down format just highlights the emotional delivery. Of course Moa is a perfect compliment to Su. I can’t stop watching this.

[@AndrewHartley]

Me too!

[@brentfordsandy6271]

Embarrassingly emotional... No embarrassment here... I'm consistently reduced to a puddle of tears when I hear Babymetal...59 year old metal head cry baby here, and proud of it.. I absolutely adore everything about Babymetal... Especially Moa... Great reaction.. Thanks

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks for the comment!

[@shinjukutokyo2023]

SU’s voice with melodies always reminds me of the good old days in my childhood. Thank you for taking up BABYMETAL and introducing your ideas about this song.

[@AndrewHartley]

My pleasure

[@Grington300]

Sorry I'm late - I wanted to wait until there was no chance of any distractions before I watched your reaction and analysis. Loved it.🦊

[@Slytherkins]

This was a treat. Thanks, AJ.

[@AndrewHartley]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pickelskin9848]

happy to share this moment with you it will be my first listen as well

[@HahnKirby]

It is very surprising to me that Su didn't really consider this to be a very emotional song. I really hope all of the Hiroshima interpretations didn't put her off in any way.

[@zetto-metal6051]

I'm Japanese and fully understand lyrics, but what's amazing is that SU-METAL's voice created emotional affect 😭 at the EXACT SAME MOMENT as I did. I've seen this phenomenon before with other reactors who don't speak Japanese language also. Can't explain by just words only... Please be prepared for "Light and Darkness". That's my favorite "emotional" song from THE OTHER ONE so far.

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks! I'll get to it soon.

[@zetto-metal6051]

@@AndrewHartley BTW, You mentioned in the video that "Monochrome" was originally recorded 5 years ago. Is that written somewhere in the magazine or heard from someone in person? I'm curious because 5 years ago was when Little Guitar God Mikio Fujioka had passed away, and my personal impression of the "Monochrome" song (not from MV) was his funeral...

[@funnytoss]

@@zetto-metal6051 Hello Zetto-Metal, In an interview with 2023 Nikkei Entertainment Magazine (April), MOAMETAL remarked: > MOA「Believing」が1番古い曲ですね。「Monochrome」も4、5年前からレコーディングしていました。 > MOAMETAL: I think “Believing” is the oldest song. We also started recording “Monochrome” a while back; maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have the original text available on my blog for your consideration, which you should be able to find if you search the name of this interview!

[@zetto-metal6051]

@@funnytoss Thank you! I don't have the Nikkei Entertainment Magazine and didn't know it was mentioned there.

[@funnytoss]

@@zetto-metal6051 I can't link it directly, but I have the entire magazine contents available to read on the blog

[@Killem911]

Thanks for getting your take out so quickly! Edit: After watching almost to the end now I had to compose myself before adding my thoughts. I had almost the same reaction as you at certain points of the video (and I probably shed a few more tears tbh). Interesting talke that Su changed her approach or understanding of the song after seeing what BM fans thought of it. I think the original studio recording also sounds pretty serious but with the usual positive message that Babymetal always is trying to incorporate and deliver. Given that the song was recorded so long ago it came to no surprise to me that Su was able to express even more emotions with her vocals now. And dang did she a fantastic job! Moa also sounded a lot more serious and not as uplifting as in the studio recording. The three characters in the back could hint towards the new Babymetal or be a reference to their old performance. I am leaning more towards the new Babymetal tbh since BM is always about moving forward. Either way thank you for that very emotional but also very analytical “first take” AJ! ❤🤘🔥🦊

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks! I'm glad to not be alone in my response :)

[@SarkanySotetseg]

I just love your react, it's so honest. This version of The song make me cry, and You Made me cry again, greets from Mexico I love your channel.

[@AndrewHartley]

Thank you so much!

[@ktcworks]

I was impressed how they did "the first take" with creating live stage like sphere into it.

[@tanamach]

Great reaction. I don't know if 5 years ago Su-Metal would have viewed this song as relatively less serious than No Rain No Rainbow, but rather lighter. I can only imagine, but it seems to be more about the relationship with the fans and how it speaks to them, rather than a larger event like a war or disaster in the background. What I just don't understand more is why listening to Su-Metal's voice brings tears to my eyes. Is it an imprinted reflex? Is it a longing for childhood or pity for what I have lost? No, there was no such thing from the beginning, and I feel as if I am being taught by her singing voice just now. She always ends her songs early, so the listener is always left to imagine. It's like a Zen question or a haiku.

[@AndrewHartley]

Interesting. Thanks. Yes, a lot of people feel the same way as you, I think

[@tanamach]

@@AndrewHartley Thanks for your reply too.

[@AlizeeDefan]

Am I the only one that feels songs like these, may have a direct link to what happened in SU Metal's home city, Hiroshima? '45 It feels that [personal. ( No need to elaborate)

[@AndrewHartley]

No, you're not alone, and I think it's a fair point. I wonder if sometimes we--as outsiders--tend to read anything to do with Hiroshima in terms of the bombing, though it has been a beautiful and thriving city for over half a century. That said, a lot of people have had similar responses (and I talked about it some in my video walk through of the original visualizer video for Monochrome).

[@AlizeeDefan]

@@AndrewHartley Thanks for accepting my opinion

[@wuoshi1004]

Mr Hartley... I just want to say that I think you're a beautiful human being. You aren't afraid to show your heart, and frankly, there isn't enough of that left in the world. Thank you, for everything. ALSO, this recording session might be my favorite Babymetal performance EVER. (MORE lower register Moa voice in the future please)

[@AndrewHartley]

That's incredibly generous of you. Thanks.

[@MSIContent]

Excellent reaction. I’ve watched many, as I love this version so much - however - your shared passion and obvious love for the girls really made this one special. I’ve been a huge fan since the early days, and I feel like a proud brother (perhaps Father: I’m 59 lol) watching these beautiful (both inside and out) girls excel on so many levels is just so gratifying. ❤

[@AndrewHartley]

Thank you so much!

[@Icipher353]

Damn, this was fast. You must be pretty hyped for this one to get it out so quickly. I'd literally never heard of The First Take until yesterday, but it was pretty cool and everyone seemed super hyped, so I gathered it was big deal. Anyway, my hot take; it was an incredible performance and Su has become an even more accomplished vocalist than I had previously given credit for (and I already thought she was world class). It almost feels like Monochrome was MEANT to be like this, and I think that with time, this will become the definitive version of the song. I'm definitely in the camp who read it as a melancholy and reflective song, but I agree that people (including me) were probably reading a bit too much into the whole Hiroshima allegory when Babymetal lyrics tend to be less specific than that. Su's take on the song and her surprise at the fan reaction was very interesting. It would be pretty cool if she has chosen to adapt her performance to the fans interpretation for this performance. When they performed it at Makuhari in January, it was pretty much like the studio version, but with Su humming the melody in the breakdown, which was sweet and and kind of whistful. Given that we now know that Monochrome has been knocking around in development for four or five years, I wonder if they experimented with a minimalist version of the song in the past and this performance was a throwback to an earlier iteration? It also might explain why they sounded more confident singing it than than some of the other new songs at Babymetal Returns at Makuhari in January.

[@BadEnd98]

It may not really big deal in term of how big BM is now, but it's great way to gain more exposure for them, and it's the first time we have them performing on something other than their official medias 🤣

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, I think you are right that they experimented with different takes on the song. I love both versions, even though they have very different energies.

[@Roin8]

Su deserves to be listed as a cultural heritage of humanity.

[@wadewomack5109]

This is simply, organically, beautiful!

[@giacomofenoglietto6687]

I can't add to what others have said about Su's voice. May I suggest that the Babymetal team deserve real credit for writing high quality songs and arrangement for Su to sing. I believe that the writers and arrangers understand exactly who they are writing for and how to highlight Su's unique skills. They are carefully following her growth as a singer and applying that to the current songs.

[@AndrewHartley]

Totally agree. The singer needs decent material to work with. One of the things that drives me crazy about a lot of pop is that you hear some great voices wasted on sub par material...

[@giacomofenoglietto6687]

@@AndrewHartley I really enjoyed the format of this reaction/analysis. The immediacy of your true "first take" reaction captured as it happened, with the analysis and commentary inserted at important moments. I did not find that it was disruptive, as some other might, but rather found it to be a very effective strategy for a most enjoyable reaction.

[@Olias056]

a year later and I still have the same feelings and response as I did the first time

[@MacTaipan]

I was looking forward to your reaction, because I knew it would tear at your heart, and I love to see when they do that. I have seen the video maybe eight times now, and it made me cry every time. Su's voice is so powerful! I knew that, but it still surprised me, and so did the dynamics and clarity. I would go as far as saying that this made me see her in a new light. This is not the evolved version of that little girl in Sakura Gakuin. We have made a cut and are now presented with Su, the top class professional singer. This performance has really driven that home for me. And another surprise is the pure existence of this performance. Who would have expected this? Yes, they are still in character, but it feels much more intimate than everything we got from them for many years. I have never seen Su so up close when singing, and it's very interesting. The way she shapes her mouth and things like that show the effort and diligence she puts into it. It's no coincidence that her vocals sound so unusually clear.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, I was so happy when I heard they were doing this show. It really separates the sheep from the goats. There's just nowhere to hide.

[@montanasacra278]

Great reaction video! BABYMETAL!

[@francisnavarette1583]

First time here but I never thought I would ever hear novelist, Shakespeare professor and Baby Metal Fan in the same sentence.

[@AndrewHartley]

Welcome :)

[@sando-san-metal1864]

My brother, and I reserve the right to call you that, not only because we are Baby Metal fans, but because we are young the same..Don't worry about analyzing and being a fan at the same time. You did it really perfectly. As for the music, my first thought was Joe Hisahishi, but you nailed it better. Your analysis was compelling and persuasive, but your facial expression when you looked was clearer. I reacted the same way. I couldn't find words after seeing this video for the first time. What SU and MOA brought up here is out of this world and will always be remembered by me and us. Thank you for your effort and dedication as a fan and analyst. With the greatest respect I now remain as a brother for you and the Babymetal community. Thank you very much, BRO!!! Kitsune-Up!!!!

[@AndrewHartley]

Thank you, brother Kitsune.

[@marcusc3237]

I have teared up every time I’ve watched this as I’m crying now! Very solemn and endearing! I love this so much! Thank you AJ for your take on it!

[@AndrewHartley]

You are so welcome!

[@yoshimi6200]

確かに他のアーティストは歌う前にコメントがあったり、ラフな服装でパフォーマンスしたりが多いですね おそらく世界観を保つためだと思います🤘 まさかFirst TakeにBABYMETALが登場するとは思わなかったので、理由を考えてしまいます…🤔 今後の活動内容のヒントがあるかもしれませんね😌

[@Rxlrpl]

I cried too. I never cry ( except when our kids were born). This is different level BABYMETAL. We can sometimes take Su’s excellence for granted and then she goes and does this. It’s very, very powerful and she is in a league of her own. Moa, too, was excellent. As for the three figures? Well I don’t know but it could be anyone under there, like Su in the Distortion video. Luckily it’s not too long until we find out . I meant to say that, yes there is a definite Ryuichi Sakamoto sound to the piano & Merry Christmas,Mr Lawrence is excellent, Sakamoto acts in it too.

[@AndrewHartley]

Totally agree. She goes from strength to strength.

[@i.shuuya3231]

I love how we all got emotional.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yep :)

[@TheTeufelpanzerVI]

Great reaction and discussion, as always, Professor Hartley. I must say that when I heard the "teaser", I thought that is was going to be of "The One"...specifically the Living Legend version. It was simply fantastic though....I do hope they did record a second song.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, I heard similar guesses from others. I had kind off hoped it would be something new (an acoustic roll out of a ballad) or a version of Forbidden Colors but I was pleasantly surprised by what we got.

[@th1234567jp]

素晴らしい、ここまで感情移入ができ、自分の気持ち、感想を説明できるあなたをリスペクトします。

[@AndrewHartley]

どういたしまして！コメントありがとう。

[@bleedsmetal]

Bravo Emotional

[@brandonmagee7262]

I'm just so happy they did this show... if only to show everyone how brilliant of a vocalist Su is. Her phrasing and technique is unbelievable. And, I like the fact that the whole thing was done in a very Babymetal way. There is still mystery and intrigue. As there should be. It does remind me a bit of Akatsuki (Unfinished version) in terms of bringing a completely different type of emotional reading to the song. And, perhaps, in a way... showing that she always had that technique to make everything super emotional.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, the Akatsuki unfinished is a good comparison.

[@ralfklonowski3740]

As always, professor, thanks for sharing your insights and reaction. If your two Monochrome videos have shown us anything, than it is that you are not only a gifted analyst, but also a very perceptive watcher/listener, taking note of many minuscule details on the first go. I could especially relate to "reacting to the visuals, not the song". For some weeks, I absorbed Monochrome through this video only and couldn't understand why so many people talked about nuclear bombs. When I saw the three white-clad shapes, my first thought was "Karate music video". The three hostile shapes facing Babymetal that, after the masks have been broken by Su's soundwaves, are revealed to be in some way a part of the girls themselves. Recorded in 2016, probably the happiest year in BM history up to that point, when the three were still together, before some things started to go terribly wrong. It might be an overinterpretation, but I am totally convinced that Monochrome - The First Take, is, amongst other things, Su's and Moa's final farewell to Yui as an active bandmember, before she was finally replaced for good just a few weeks later. It took almost five years. You can't say they rushed it. I found your channel through the Metali! video and have now realised that I want ALL your BM content. So the only way forward is to go back to #1. See you there!

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks! I hope you find the other videos interesting. As you say, there are a lot at this point :)

[@lorokatou90]

赤ちゃんの泣き声のように心に直接響いてくる。2人とも美しい女性になったなぁ

[@kinaarareFULL-MOON]

私もその通りに感じます。赤子の泣き声、心をかき乱す不協和音の様な声で「色褪せてゆく」の所で心がザワザワして感情が揺さぶられます。

[@AndrewHartley]

そう、彼女の声には、何か直感的なものがあり、その繊細さと痛々しさは、思考を超えたものである。

[@funnytoss]

Professor, you have that rare gift of making us think *and* making us feel! Your students have been lucky to have you, as are we in this community. I largely agree with your observations/speculations in this song; thanks for putting these feelings eloquently into words! When I translated the interview in which Su remarked that "Monochrome" felt "light" to her at first, it struck me as very interesting indeed, because the lyric video certainly didn't give me that impression (and the heavy music certainly reinforced the impression that it was a "serious" song). I don't mean that a "light" song can't also be "serious" at the same time, of course. But I do agree it's fascinating to imagine that they created this Piano version of the song in part after absorbing our feedback and taking it into account; I absolutely wouldn't be surprised if this were the case - Su humming the song gently at Makuhari 2023 (something that she doesn't do on the studio track) may very well have been a relatively late adjustment as well. They may have started recording the song 4-5 years ago, but now she feels differently about it compared to back then, and thus performs it differently. That's great! Songs that are performed live should not remain static, but should change with the artist if possible. "Doki Doki Morning" performed in 2023 is not the same song as it was when performed in 2010! BABYMETAL has said many times that the fans complete their songs, and I don't think this is just marketing-speak, or speaking simply of "hype at live shows". They generally refrain from dictating "one true answer" regarding the meaning of a song, and I think this First Take appearance reinforces that idea. The song was not "complete" when they released the studio version -they observed how it was received/interpreted by fans, took that into account as they reinterpreted it, and perform it once more, now with an alternative take that adds - rather than takes away - from what was created in the past. And this may very well be a never-ending process until they retire a song for good.

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks, I think that's absolutely right and nails part of why the songs have such power. Your sense of the way the audience completes and modifies songs makes perfect sense to me. Remarkable.

[@jakemuller8626]

Thanks Andrew for giving us another heartfelt analysis just like we expect from you regardless being a BM fan just like us. I heard about the interview and what she said about this song too, i think maybe she and the BM group understimate the power of this song reaching places nobody knew. For me the three figures dressed in white could be a tease for the new member coming or just the new BM mirror unit. Now i can't wait for the live proshot version of this as well the new live shows. See you next time.🦊🤘🌈

[@AndrewHartley]

Yeah, I think the hooded figures could be looking forward or back. Nice either way. And thanks! Appreciate the comment.

[@searlecom1]

Being colour-blind to the point where I give up trying to tell what colour something is, this makes this song mine. I am a monochrome! For me it is about how beautiful colour is. Sadly this is something I will never know however if it is anything like how Su's voice makes me feel in this song, it is beyond words. I cry everytime I hear this version of the song but I will never stop listening to it, as it is my song. Thank you Babymetal.

[@AndrewHartley]

A fair view. Thanks.

[@JMWWFLY]

Su's vocal is amazing!! If you want another beautiful Japanese vocal, then listen to Aimer

[@RoperPryde]

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and emotions with us, AJH! Here, without the metal foundation, the filters of the studio version, a band blasting, amped to 110% behind Su, it feels to me that she is almost too much for this kind of performance. By that I mean that the arrangement almost cannot contain her powerful voice. And she does it so effortlessly, where other vocalists need to exhaust their entire body to get not even close to her level of expression. And Moa... I knew her natural register was quite low, you can hear it in interviews, but finally we can hear her natural tone. And it is so soothing and adds that stable anchor to Su's soaring lines. Moa sounds much more mature than Su, actually. And you can hear that also her voice is naturally quite strong and full. Finally, when Su's and Moa's voices overlap, it is a perfect match. I hope that in the future they build upon this, letting them harmonize with each other more often during softer, calmer sections in their songs. And yes, whoever watches / listens to this without getting the feels: "He who ne’er was able, weeping stealeth from this league alone!"

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes! Personally, I like the way this format show cases her power and would love to see them do more of this kind of thing. And yes, it's great to hear the way their nature voices work together. Thanks for the comment!

[@ScanlonrocNYC]

Great video 🦊

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks!

[@martinmetal7481]

Love this version and love your thoughts on this. I dont know about a cuppa ( tea ?) I need a whisky after that performance 😁♥️♥️♥️🤘🏼🦊🤘🏼

[@AndrewHartley]

I recommend a Metal Kingdom martini ;)

[@user-kd8vg5oe8n]

歌声に情動が直接揺さぶられる。

[@AndrewHartley]

その通り

[@Psyggie]

I wanted to add a bit more of my thoughts about Babymetal in general. I still haven't familiarized myself with every song so far but I've into very few that I don't love and I've noticed something. They create an emotional draw to them. Now, some of it I understand is purposeful and constructed, such as catchy choruses and LOTS of crowd chants and crowd participation. I want to see them live more than anything now, but I also noticed that the majority of their live videos, due to good editing and whatnot, oftentimes I feel like I actually was there. Another thing, the range of their messaging is so fascinating and is part of what draws me in. They sing literally about wanting chocolate, playing hide and seek, then they sing about the trauma brought on from bullying, and keeping the conviction in your heart to fight the resistance encountered when you try to accomplish your dreams. Now, some of these serious messages are deep and important but fairly basic and repeated before. So why do they feel so much more effective when we hear them from Babymetal? THAT is the main question I'm digging in my brain for! A part of it of course is the genius of everything that blends together to create that emotional pull and deep connection. Big production, big props, theatrical performances, top level musicians, pyro l, strobes, lighting, backing tracks, the synchronization of the dancing helps to hypnotize (not literally I think), the stage presence of the ladies, the incredible vocals, the crowd participation (I didn't go watch Babymetwl perform, I went and performed WITH Babymetal. THAT thought is a powerful emotional pull!)

[@Psyggie]

When I first got into them three months ago, after watching the courage and conviction those young ladies showed at Sonisphere in 2014, I thought instantly "I would do anything for these ladies" why would I feel such a strong emotional pull that quickly for strangers? I believe its a mixture of the powerful messaging and the charisma and stage presence of them. As much as Babymetal is a mixture of a LOT of elements, these powerful ladies are the key, I believe. They have very important things they want to tell us and know how to convey it well, and they are trying to bring the world together. What say y'all?

[@AndrewHartley]

In truth trying to approach this question was part of why I started making these videos: to explain some of what I understood to others and to try and figure some things out for myself, including their power. For me the bottom line is about their sincerity and earnestness which, for various reasons, makes them seem both powerful and strangely vulnerable. Maybe I'll make a video about this specific question.

[@funnytoss]

​@@AndrewHartley I think there is a very interesting mix of J-pop and metal that works in their favor. Generally speaking, J-pop is somewhat different from K-pop in that the performers are not quite so polished as they are in K-pop, where it feels like a "completed product" very intentionally. Part of the fan experience for many J-pop groups is watching (relatively) unpolished youngsters grow and improve, moreso than watching perfection. This oftentimes inherently creates a protective feeling among fans, partly due to the youth of the performers in most cases. Combine this with metal, where "gimmicks" are the name of the game. Similar to wrestling, you have to do something silly in a serious way - if you believe in it, the audience will too. So basically, I see it as an instinctive "I want to protect and love them" J-pop heritage, combined with a "do something absurd/unique with utmost sincerity" that has allowed them to stay relevant, more than your typical group that perhaps relies more upon their looks/fanservice. I would add that for me, AG (which I also like, but not quite as much) is similar in terms of "doing something absurd with sincerity". But I also think they don't have quite the same J-pop heritage, and that makes it harder for fans to grow attached in the same way as BM (for better and for worse). The music is part of it too, of course (but I'm biased).

[@Psyggie]

@funnytoss those are some insightful interesting ideas! I myself have had (until now I guess) no exposure to K pop. J pop, or the kawaii culture. It sounds like that could part of that emotional pull. I do wonder though if I would have been as curious and quick to fall in love many years ago. Interestingly..I did listen to Gimme Chocolate when it came out. My wife and I went to A Kon in Dallas that year. I wasn't familiar with much anime at all but the experience was a blast. But that's where we heard the name Babymetal first. I was confused, fascinated, but ended up loving gimme chocolate... but .. I did sort of write it off as a gimmick and didn't venture further into it. The last 3 months It feels like I've gotten to experience their career, the highs and lows, until now, on an emotional level and that made it very easy for me to get that emotional pull quickly. Would I have felt the same if I did a deep dive during gimme chocolate? I have no idea! Maybe. But they didn't have as diverse a catalog..nor big storybook moments like Sonisphere 2014. It's definitely a very fun interesting conversation!

[@Psyggie]

@funnytoss oh I had a thought and I wanted to know what your thoughts about it are! This First Take event .. it feels like a dramatic historic moment for them as a group. Not as huge as Sonisphere 2014, but definitely in the same ballpark. I saw it got a million views in less than 2 days. Now, I hadn't heard of the channel but it seems like it's pretty big. I'm barely now getting into this culture. Do you think I'm way off base in thinking this could be a big turning point for them?

[@emb5091]

Su really showed off her vocal control and skills in this performance!!! Her skills are shown in the little tiny beautiful details. This was just so beautiful and felt more hopeful to me than the original due to the arrangement that felt a little more uplifting. But, you brought up a great point that the visuals from the music video is what made the song very sad for me even though the lyrics didn't sound as sad as the visuals made me feel! Now i need to just listen to the original version!

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, agreed. Sometimes I miss the days when music was just music and not inflected by video, but I do like the visuals. Of course, in the past I assume that the choreography was devised close to when the song was recorded, but with this song I guess the video was made significantly after the fact, so maybe their sense of the song changed in the interim. Interesting, I think.

[@emb5091]

@@AndrewHartley Oh thats an interesting idea that the sense of the song may have changed over time!

[@emb5091]

​@@AndrewHartley Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" is probably the first video where the video influenced what I believed a song was about. The video didn't really reflect the lyrics and because the visuals were so cool to me at 11 years old, I didn't realize what the song was really about.

[@lokiakai]

これはまさに私が求めていた詳細な分析です。魂を消費し、耳を恍惚とさせ、心をとらえる、なんと素晴らしい聴覚の旅なのでしょう。

[@AndrewHartley]

楽しんでいただけたようで、とてもうれしいです。ありがとうございます。もちろん、こんな素敵な曲の話は簡単なんですけどね！

[@sduffman7015]

Once again thank you very much AJ. I hope you appreciate your contribution to better understanding the nuances of this band. Love the reaction and the song. I believe Nakamoto Suzuka is a treasure of our times. A truly wonderful voice. The Japanese idea of team work applies here. Babymetal would not be as successful without all involved. Su's voice makes you forget the worries of the day and brings peace to your kokoro. Thanks again and please keep doing these. Would love to see an analysis of the groups evolution and development. 🤘🦊❤️ less we forget 🍅.

[@AndrewHartley]

Absolutely. The individual in a community.

[@10Shun]

That "Bokurawa" shout out will be a Babymetal battle cry for a long long time.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yep.

[@pocopen8741]

初見時は同じく言葉にならなかったなぁ・・・ようやく泣かずに見られるようになった

[@AndrewHartley]

私だけでなくてよかったです :)

[@MIO_816]

Thank you, AJ! These are emotional times I can see, for you as much as me! Thanks for this & looking forward to us weathering thru to the next FOX DAY & BEYOND!

[@ShizuoNakamoto]

It will take me a little longer to recover from Ryuichi Sakamoto's passing, but your video made me realize that he lives on in the music we listen to today. Thank you.🎹🦊 (Translated from DeepL)

[@AndrewHartley]

That's a great way of looking at it. Thank you.

[@steenbronkegmail1]

That monochrome is from 2018 was stated in an interview for some magazine, can't remember which

[@funnytoss]

That would be Moa speaking in 2023 Nikkei Entertainment Magazine (April), that it wasrecorded 4-5 years ago.

[@AlizeeDefan]

16:19 to 16:29, almost sounds like BACKWARDS VOCALS, something The Beatles would pull off ...

[@TS-xb8qg]

I can always count on your reactions and breakdowns to bring out the true spirit of babymetal/ performances .. they really captured the moment here all the way from the walk on sound of their wardrobe.. i really wish i understood Japanese to fully appreciate what they do on their level ... thankfully they are so good language is not much of a barrier . Glad im here to experience a new album release.. 🤘🦊🤘

[@AndrewHartley]

Thank you! Glad it's not just me :)

[@Sirotan.666]

Beautiful 🦊 🖤🖤🖤

[@stevechevy3382]

Nice reaction. It's not unusual for artist to record songs years before releasing it. Sometimes these songs never get released. Some of these songs the artist doesn't want to be released. They're songs but that doesn't mean they're good songs. I wonder how much this song changed from the time they first recorded it. Su saying, she thought of the song in a lighter manner. Might be because when she first recorded the song it sounded like that. So now she thinks of the song in that manner. The 5-year mark in my head says the song might have been written with the 3rd album in mind. But it also makes me think how many other songs have they recorded over the years? Su has held at least one song that we know of, off an album because she wasn't ready to put it on an album. How many other songs will she be ready to release on an album later? I like when they do alternate versions of songs. Or any artists really. There seems to be something special about it. Could this have been on the album in this form? I hope they do this version in concert. showstopper comes to mind. Those waving towels will become crying towels. Imagine this version and No Rain No Rainbow back-to-back. Emotional damage.

[@AndrewHartley]

I even wondered if they had thought of it for Metal Resistance, or that it could have grown out of that album but didn't sit right for MG. And yes on teh emotional damage issue :)

[@Arafax]

Very interesting what you said about this potentially having been around for a while and repurposed, not unprecedented but it's interesting since the tendency is to assume everything was tailor made for their current vision when sometimes all it takes is a small change to really alter the tone of a piece. I'm glad to see you feeling the emotion of this song as I do, I saw someone comment earlier that while it was a technically solid performance they didn't detect even a hint of emotion in it and I find myself wondering how that could even be possible. Also kudos on the posting speed, you didn't waste any time at all!

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, I've seen a few responses from people who weren't enthusiastic and I don't get that, particularly the idea that it needs to be heavy to be powerful, or actively weepy to be emotional. I think it was a perfectly balanced and heart felt performance.

[@Varksterable]

I got the new album a while back. Spent last weekend organising my devices and PC so all 4 albums were on and sensibly organised. Somehow, I've still not listened to it yet. I want to actually _listen_ to it, rather than just 'play it' if you know what I mean? (Plus, I'm a bit nervous TBH.) The only new song I've heard so far is Monochrome. And I was blown away by it. So; no problem watching this too, right? (Never even head of this format before now. Seems like a good idea.) Turns out the problem is threefold. 1) I broke some bones in my foot a few weeks back. It's healing fine, but pulling myself up stairs has put a lot of extra strain on my torso, which is now rather painful. 2) I get emotional pretty easily. I don't play 'No Rain no Rainbow' while driving because it could be dangerous, lol! 3) Su. She's just too good. So I was blubbing like baby at the pure perfection of Su's voice and clenching my teeth at the pain of blubbing like a baby at the perfection of Su's voice. And I've probably never been happier. Thank you, great reaction and analysis, as always. And once I hear The Other One properly, hopefully more of your analysis to enjoy. Good Times once again!

[@AndrewHartley]

I think you're going to like this album a lot :)

[@Varksterable]

@Andrew Hartley I'm encouraged by that. Thank you, sir. New songs generally take a while to seep in with me. Maybe that is what I'm nervous about. There's maybe something interesting or profound about our first reactions in general to be explored there. Certainly, a lot more than just music is reflected and amplified by music. To me, a song has some sort of 'life'. Does that sound weird, pretentious, or just plain wrong? Maybe I anthropomorphise maybe a bit too freely in a society that doesn't even treat teddy bears as full citizens. (JK)

[@paulbroady4141]

Yep, the girls , or should I say , ladies have done it again. Beautiful. Su just reinforced my claims that she clearly is the best singer on this planet . I don't think there is much you can say about this performance really. The emotion she drags out of us is all the reaction we need. Just imagine No rain No rainbow being given the first take treatment. I think it would finish me. ( in a good way.) Not long to wait now. See you soon. 🦊🦊☔️🦊🦊

[@mrv3405]

The fact that I don’t understand Japanese intensities the vocals. I haven’t cried so much over any artist/song since Joni Mitchell-and I had lyrics to work with there. Woke up this morning choked up with the last verse of Karate running through my head.

[@AndrewHartley]

I get that. I'm a word guy so I need to know what things are saying, and often for me that deepens the emotional specificity of the thing, but not always, and I understand that some people would rather paint their own content onto the feel of the song. Cheers!

[@mrv3405]

@@AndrewHartley Words 🤔 Slight tangent… Joni was lyrics + delivery-her first albums through Court & Spark (a bit on the popish side) were pretty ‘raw’ in that she let her soul show through; got a bit too jazzy after that and smoking destroyed the sweetness in her voice. Lyrics: Recently ‘discovered’ Elton John’s ‘Love Song’-had it for decades without so much as a listen; he was a bit too flamboyant when he first appeared (I was listening to Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, etc.) but 50 years later it actually means something to me. How that ties into BabyMetal for me, in their case, it’s more about delivery than meaning (I don’t feel you can directly translate their lyrics into English-e.g., Eskimos have 40 words for snow’ or whatever the number is). I grew up in a multilingual household and remember my parents reverting to their native tongue when they couldn’t find the right English phraseology. I can turn subtitles on for ‘Monochrome’ but I think I’m missing something-it doesn’t flow-and that takes away from my immersion. But that’s just me. Whatever works for you-and it was a good review/reaction. Kitsune Up!

[@t_siroto4166]

I also agree like a Ryuichi Sakamoto . And Su is supper vocalist.

[@AndrewHartley]

Thank you!

[@maota6366]

I totally agree with you . The song was released on March 10, the day Tokyo was burned with napalm bombs at 1945 .

[@JWPanimation]

Baby Metal is all grown up now.

[@talleyrand-perigord]

この動画が公開された3月10日は東京大空襲、3月11日は東日本大震災がありました。日本にとって辛い記憶のある日です。78年前に東京を無差別爆撃したアメリカは12年前に日本を助けてくれました。 悲しい歌詞の曲ですが、私は彼女たちの素晴らしい歌に希望を感じました。彼女たちの歌や踊りを現在進行形で受け止めることができる幸せを失いたくはないですね。

[@AndrewHartley]

それは面白い視点ですね。個人的には、（曲の中の明確な言及ではなく）状況証拠に基づいて、あまり正確に意味を特定することには慎重ですが、あなたの感覚では、この曲のオーバーフィーリングは納得できますね。

[@zerozeroKatuhisa]

I said it was very thought-provoking when I mentioned Aogiri in my last "Monochrome" video. I also think that it is not good to assert based on the impression received from the video. However, March 10th, when this video was released, is the anniversary of the Tokyo air raid by the US military. Coincidence is causal.

[@AndrewHartley]

Agreed.

[@yesivgotone9638]

i think this song was always about YUI her illness Her leaving the band There whish for her to stay and there hope of her return This may be why this song has not been released until now If a new third member or returning member is on the way in april The three become come one again YUI be healthy and happy Not a dry eye in the house Always a surprise and different thats what i love about this band

[@DavidLee-xz2tl]

Very Ryuichi Sakimoto, to the point where I really hoped they'd had a chance to work together before he died earlier this year.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, that would have been great.

[@BadEnd98]

Su really show off her vocal in a live singing setting when she focus entirely on it without jumping around doing choreo!

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes. This is why I really wanted to see her do this show. You can't hide on First Take.

[@autohmae]

One Japanese fan communicating with a western fan pointed out: March 10, the same date the video was unveiled on The First Take channel, was the big firebombing raids on Tokyo in 1945.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yeah, I've seen that too but I'm skeptical about it being significant without some clear pointing to it from the band. March 10 is also the day the first Nazi concentration camp opened. Is that relevant? What about the Alexander Graham Bell's first telephone call, or the premier of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I could make a case for all these being somehow relevant, but I don't think anyone would be convinced. I do feel the lyric invokes a catastrophic event from which hardship results, but the song seems pointedly unspecific, and to nail the meaning down too firmly seems to me reductive.

[@autohmae]

@@AndrewHartley I'm 100% convinced the song is meant to not be specific to any event. A general song about hardship and the horrors of human life and hope and release from those kinds of terrible events, maybe even personal or the world wide events. As most Babymetal songs are unless they are about the girls (like talking about squid in Uki Uki Midnight). But that doesn't mean they didn't pick that date for a reason. The imagery in the MV might even fit better than the a-bombs people thought about at first (I'm no expert on the topic)

[@AndrewHartley]

@@autohmae Yes, I agree with the larger point, and that the video imagery fits the fire bombing better (I thought of Graveyard of Fireflies which was about the firebombing of Kobe). Still wary of the idea that key elements of meaning are in some kind of hidden code which isn't actually a part of the song. If you're right, and it's deliberate, I think it a failing of the song. We should be able to understand it by listening.

[@autohmae]

@@AndrewHartley I very much lean in the direction, it's not gonna be very specific. Based on some of the interviews I've read over the years: Kobametal in interviews has said he wants Babymetal songs to speak to everyone in their own way. And I think Kobametal doesn't even tell Su-metal (much) what the song is about unless asked. He just gives a few specific instructions. We know from interview with choreographer Mikiko that his instructions are more about audience participation than anything else. We know from the interview with the t-shirt designers that he has some specific instructions (about the event the shirt is for), but he leaves everything else up to the creators (they were very much confused at first about Babymetal as they were idols and the t-shirt designers are used to making metal shirts about skulls and gore, etc. They thought Kobametal contact the wrong person). And from an interview with Su-metal when she was 15 or 16 she said, she takes 6 months or more to take in the song. [To form a full opinion on the subject and every single word/sentence so she can best perform it with feeling]. So this very much confirms Kobametal doesn't sit down with her and explains everything. He also has said he doesn't explain much about metal music to the girls, he just answers questions they have. He wants them to discover it at their own pace. She probably has a faster process now, she was much younger then. But as we know Japanese Babymetal lyrics can be pretty ambiguous so that's part of the process.

[@AndrewHartley]

@@autohmae That's an excellent point. Thank you.

[@seregamolodets5286]

🍅💀🍅 🤘🏼🦊🤘🏼 " Just smile " x 100

[@keithsowerby8179]

The three girls obviously herald the future- apart, then two hold hands and then three. I love the evocative Ghibliesque (Shakespeare got away with neologisms) piano to heighten the emotion. The song does after all have echoes of loss and survival

[@AndrewHartley]

Agreed. And we should always strive to be Shakespearean :)

[@darcmadr6500]

Good to know I’m not the only one.😢. Just so you know, I’ve teared up at Pa Pa Ya as well, so…

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, I know that feeling :)

[@mikecronis]

Early on, this upcoming "concept album" is supposed to be Su and Moa travelling to different worlds and taking note of their condition on a journey, or so the Skeleton representative said in Japanese. My interpretation was it was about a dying sun destroying the world causing iminent environmental devastation and extinction (such as Superman's, Krypton) with the hope that a Norse-ain "rebirth" would occur, which jives with a lot of Japanese culture, to include snow and "freezing rain" as a Yukito Kishiro element of death/rebirth symbolism, and later still, Ridley Scott, to accept that process. You can see it with some of their pop culture like Mothra and Neo Tokyo themes. Finally, the chorus imagery back this up, their past is white as ghosts, their future is solitary and darker through experience, perhaps reborn.

[@nevebianco]

Sir, you really should visit Hiroshima, Genbaku Shiryo Kan if you would like to know the origin of the pureness of Su's voice. We Japanese always welcome .

[@lingo374]

Thank you Prof. Hartley. It was a wonderful wonderful performance, SU always has the ability to fck up any composure I might have and I applaud your constitution especially in this video! By the way I thought I noticed SU doing more catches to her voice in this album and I was happy to hear your comment on that. She really didn't do many of those and the one I always love is in some rare performances (most notably BFF)of Megitsune she'd do one right at the very end of the あ~あああ just before she turns her head away😵‍💫. Looking forward to your next ^^

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes. She's also experimenting with phrasing more, breaking the natural rhythm in order to play thought and feeling. Great stuff.

[@CyberChunk77]

I wish you'd just cried your way through this with me, dmca be damned 😢well done though!

[@lencooke944]

Thanks Professor, this was a stunning vocal and an immaculate performance, particularly by Su. I sat up 'til midnight last night to watch the premiere as it was released. I went to bed disappointed as the version I watched last night was so out of sync that it looked as if both Su and Yui were lip syncing. I was devastated. However, watching the version you watched when recording this I could see the video I saw last night must have been affected by the number of people watching it and that must have caused a lot of lag. There was no comparison and now my disappointment has turned to incredible joy at the beauty of this performance. I was moved to tears as well, so don't feel bad. Thank you for your breakdown. You were amazingly fast in getting this one out.

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks, Len. I'm so glad this made up for your disappointing first experience. It really is special.

[@user-cp9cp4cp9j]

この曲を全世界に発信してほしいです。❤

[@AndrewHartley]

努力はしている。ありがとう！

[@ericchild8845]

Awesome content! Thank you, Professor. Oh, your cocktail is delicious, I am happy to report. Had to go to the bottle shop for some gin, but I had some sake already, hahaha.

[@AndrewHartley]

I am SO glad you tried it! Excellent. I'll work on some more recipes.

[@isaacostlund]

Humanity looks up as the lights of the night sky begin to fade, knowing the heat death of the universe is inevitable. Like fireworks, the blazing glory of all stars is short-lived in the grand eternal march of endless time. Eventually, all that is left is our imagination of what the starry sky once looked like. Ragnarok then, and the unyielding darkness of a cold universe. Until, after countless and boundless time, a light again emerges in a new morning. My personal reading of the song, with ties to The Last Question by Isaac Asimov.

[@AndrewHartley]

Interesting. Thanks!

[@isitmeoryou2543]

As a massive fan of David Sylvians work I get the connection with Forbidden Colours an Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Tom Conti was the name you where looking for!

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks!

[@glenkelley6799]

Congrats on making it thought this performance instead of collapsing in a quivering mess. How I wish this happened 8 years ago so that we have a baseline. Su's voice is so clean, my old ears are probably not able to hear every nuance, but I don't hear any harmonics when she sings and I'm not sure how that is possible.

[@AndrewHartley]

Ha! Indeed.

[@hedobannord1184]

It's really a moving take on an already moving song.

[@DeePal072]

I was surprised too that SU doesn't look at Monochrome as a sad song, maybe it's because in the end, it has a positive message. But I still think it is about a bombing, though I agree, definitely not Hiroshima, even reading the lyrics again, while I'm listening to this version (BTW they added English sub), it's pretty inevitable. Anyway, an amazing 🎁 this one, is it? 🤘🦊⚡️

[@DeePal072]

I think I definitely need that Martini right now 🥹🍸 🤘🦊⚡️

[@AndrewHartley]

Try it and tell me what you think!