ATARASHII GAKKO! - Tokyo Calling (Composer's Honest Reaction)

[@cuttysark8017]

Atarashii Gakko No Leaders (New School Leaders) were formed in 2015 by the Asobisytem agency. Mizyu (the one with two ponytails) had already worked with Asobisystem as a back up dancer to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and she was joined by Rin, Kanon and Suzuka. Suzuka's extrovert personality and strong voice make her the obvious front person, but Mizyu is the oldest and in early press was sometimes described as the leader, but there's no official leader. They initially didn't have much success and were dropped by their record label, Victor, in 2020 which is when they were picked up by 88Rising. They gained an international following through KZbin and TikTok and broke out in Japan with the "head bobbing" dance of "Otona Blue". Outside Japan they now go by just Atarashii Gakko. They do all their own choreography and collaborate with producers on the songs and write a lot of the lyrics. These central artistic contributions set them apart from most J-pop groups. The dancing is a big element of their shows and AG! perform with a freedom, fun and ease seldom seen in other idol type groups. Their music ranges from hip-hop, Showa era pop to jazz and rock. Their motto is "with individuality and freedom I'm going to stick out" and they sing about some challenging themes and have appeared at Pride events. Their international profile as risen since 2020 and they were a big hit at Coachella 2024 and are now on a World tour. In "Tokyo Calling" AG! are singing about the difficulties of living in modern Japan and how it can seem pointless and alienating. They use imagery from old Japanese superhero and monster (kaiju) movies and cast themselves as superheros to motivate people to break out of their rut and move forward. The ending is a call to solidarity. I recommend you now react to their performance of Otona Blue on The Frist Take and a recent live performance of "Nai Nai Nai" in Cologne. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b36xgadjr9GtY5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4W2ZaGHfr6Jo7M

[@KenjaTimu]

As a songwriter you should really hear 'Otona Blue' it's just one of those songs that is a great song and nobody knows why.

[@jinggaddi]

I love how the song starts out with a sound-the-alarm vibe, and transforms into a call for unity towards the end. From something totally negative to something totally positive. Musically, the change can be seen from the shift from a minor to major harmony towards the end of the song. Pure genius. Plus the choreography is killer.

[@criseldasamson2470]

AG! One of a kind!🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@tackle47]

Really great breakdown, I don’t see the ending quite as nihilistic as you. The group started as Leaders of the New School and Atarashi Gakko was added as they moved to an international audience. They started in high school and really hit at a lot of societal and issues of youth. The basic idea is to push for individuality in a society that is not individualistic in nature. The use of kaiju is brilliant as when in their school uniforms they are like Godzilla storming Tokyo for change. When in the helmeted uniforms they are the authorities, like 8n a A Godzilla movie panicking as change moves forward. At the end they are marching for change and eventually the authorities join in signifying victory. Like many Japanese groups they are not set in a style or genre but are pop, jazz, hip and rock based in songs. My favorite is Koi Geba which is also about a heavy issue, has a great mv, choreography that is so unique and a different musical style.

[@jinggaddi]

Dig your reaction and analysis, dude! My recommended AG songs fir reaction: 1. Seishun Wo Kirisaku Hado 2. Otonablue 3. Mayoeba Toutoshi 4. NAI NAI NAI 5. Pineapple Kryptonite The songs are quite diverse as you'll soon find out. But such diversity is one of the lovely traits of Atarashii Gakko. Have a blast listening! 😊

[@roberthradek7100]

This song is very unique, it's just taiko drumming and godzilla brass horns with a shouted punk style. You may like their song "Seishun wo Kirisaku Hado". It's a bit more rock, though all of the girls have more harmonic singing.

[@Gr3nkutz]

interesting analysys, would love to hear what you think about "Koi Geba"

[@munecadoll7399]

Love AG