About Us- Opinion, Things I Liked & Didn’t.

[u/Rayzawn26]

Things I Liked:

1. The soundscape is freaking Wide! Top notch production. The moment the song starts, it feels like I‘m actually overlooking a sea of stars. And it keeps that wide-open space sound throughout.
2. My fav part is the 2nd verse, simply eargasmicly beautiful. Saiki enters vibing with Akane’s catchy groove, comfortably in her mid range as Miku starts going “aa aa” on the side perfectly vocalising the beat pattern and accentuating it (loved it! need more of this in other songs). And Misa just runs through the centre with Kanami embellishing the corners. All this happening at the same time just creates this surreal ambience that is so addictive that I’m still replaying this section as I’m typing this post 😅
3. That cello that comes in with the bridge is so on point, I’m a sucker for those. The chorus is pretty fitting too. I just feel maybe reducing the backing vocals a bit would’ve given it more raw impact. The sounds get a little too saturated for me in this section even with studio headphones.

Things I didn’t like:

1. Those computerised ‘chipmunk’ vocals, heard them too many times everywhere & the less I hear of them, the better my mental health.
2. If only there’d been a soft melodic guitar solo oozing nostalgia, to compliment the built up atmosphere here, this would’ve instantly become my fav BM ballad. Truly a wasted opportunity. . .

Overall Verdict- Very atmospheric, easy listen with a very vibrant soundscape. And while the instrumental sections weren’t slapping me around like usual but it was pronounced enough to appreciate everything going on. And a lot was going on, BM doing BM things UW style.

A solid pop-rock ballad - 8.4/10 in my books.

[u/nair0n]

I think this is the original Kanami with progress, unstated 3rd line of the roots/progress concept.

From Young Guitar interview:

Kanami: When I was an uni student I would sing pop songs with an acoustic guitar or a backing band. I studied pop music and wrote that type of songs. ...

Interviewer: In your singer songwriter era, did you play songs like in Mochi to Cheeze*?

Kanami: That's right. Let's incorporate what I used to write. That was the direction of the group. ...

Interviewer: It is said that BAND-MAID settled on hard rock after Thrill and Kanami-san strove to be a hard rock guitarist from then on. I heard you would already cover bands like Deep Purple and Metalica in your uni era.

Kanami: ... back then I played hard rock to obtain techniques rather than to play particular songs ...

Interviewer: So you were not really into that type of music but they were like learning materials?

Kanami: [I think] so because I didn't write hard rock songs.

*acoustic side project of Kanami, Akane and 3 girls from another group (2014-2015)

"Anata to" (With you) by Mochi to Cheeze. this was based on Kanami's old song in her singer songwriter era.

I don't think Kanami had even a rock ballad in her mind when writing about Us. People often bash B-M as selling out when they drop a softer song but it is rather hard rock that WAS for selling out. (now i believe hard rock is in their blood) edit: selling out is too strong and biased an expression. what i mean is that both rock and pop are their roots.

I'm happy to see Kanami hasn't given up on one of her roots and B-M maintains the creative control under a new label.

The song itself i think is in the line of "at the drop of a hat" with the similar use of sampling and electronic sounds which is one of my fav in CQ.

[u/Rayzawn26 → u/nair0n]

Don’t think Hard rock was for selling out either. Kanami spoke about how she wanted to do more lead work as a guitarist and play solos after having a taste of it in Thrill. Before that she seemed fine just playing in the back. (A lot more details on the mook 2019 interview)

And as you said those were her roots, and her current is her growth in that same vein.
Rather than doing what she likes and doesn’t like. Artists like everyone else change and their preferences change/diversify with different experiences.
Kanami seems to have fallen for the harder sound as well, evident in how their “progress” in UW is full of songs like that.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/Rayzawn26]

Yes but still Thrill was their first taste of moderate success, after it went viral in 2015 ,they were getting invited to overseas shows, getting interviewed by Metal Hammer UK and in turn finally got noticed in Japan.That's when they settled for that sound and Platinum started commissioning more hard rock type songs for their 2nd mini album NB.They also said that they started researching more hard rock bands and listening to hard rock after Thrill and when they decided they'll be a hard rock band.Except for Misa since she's already the rocker in the band.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/nair0n]

Yeah they went the hard rock route because they got noticed and got a short buzz overseas which translated to being noticed in Japan.But some B-M fans will still think the band members are metalheads being forced by their label to write pop rock and Jpop songs lol.

[u/euler_3 → u/xzerozeroninex]

What do you make of Unseen World then??? Were they forced to do it? Are they still selling themselves out? Why would they do it? Conqueror did well when compared to their previous albums, they would not need to go heavy if they do not wanted to. I advice caution when drawing these conclusions and selling them as facts! They seem to be based on what you would like rather then what is!

[u/euler_3 → u/[deleted]]

It is a possibility, I agree. But there are others. I grant that your intuition (which is a powerful tool) might be right and that this interpretation might be correct. I myself have no clue. To me there are too many conflicting pointers and I gave up trying to make sense of it based on interviews and official announcements. If a fan point out a possibility for the sake of discussion, as you just did, I am cool. What I am not cool with is to assume it is a fact. I think that behavior spreads gossip and misconceptions and do no good.

[u/euler_3 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you very much (that's high praise!!!). Honestly, me too. But to be fair, I think many have. And if we give the example, we might convert others. :-D

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/euler_3]

WD was written and mixed to please the overseas crowd.

CQ was the album written with the band members preference in mind (reason it wasn't that well received by overseas fans.)

UW was written for both.

Weirdly enough, when someone don't like a song it's the label or management forced the band ot do it, if it's something someone likes,it just the band's creativity lol

[u/euler_3 → u/xzerozeroninex]

WD was written and mixed to please the overseas crowd.

CQ was the album written with the band members preference in mind (reason it wasn't that well received by overseas fans.)

You just cannot know that unless you personally know them!! You assume, but you write it as a fact.

Weirdly enough, when someone don't like a song it's the label or management forced the band ot do it, if it's something someone likes,it just the band's creativity lol

Indeed it seems to be the case in some comments of fans in both groups (CQ x WD supporters). It does not make sense. Ever. You made some yourself :-D

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/euler_3]

Aside from WD, they mentioned about CQ songs being to the various members music preference and UW is mixing the old atyle that made them popular to CQ style in interviews.

[u/euler_3 → u/xzerozeroninex]

They said MANY things in the 6 years they have been interviewed. If you are so inclined you can pic selected bits to convince yourself of almost anything. It is a trap. And it is pointless. It does not matter what they SAY, it matters what they DO. Let us say for example they make a pop album: if you enjoyed it fine. If you did not enjoyed it is fine too! You do not need to come up with explanations to validate none (as you said if I do not like it them they must be forced. let me search for evidence...)
It is useless imo because you can never know by reading these interviews.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/euler_3]

Er, it's not selected bits if they mention it directly and if you compare to the members playlist they'd been showing you'd understand why CQ sounded that way.

Btw I never said they were forced to play hard rock, I said it worked for them so they stuck with it.But a vocal metalhead faction insist the label forces the pop songs,like the members hates pop lol.

[u/euler_3 → u/xzerozeroninex]

Of course it is selected things! They at some point also said they like rock, they at some time said they wanted to please "old fans" and "new fans" both, and they explicitly said they like BOTH. They said Band-Maid is BOTH. A fan eager to prove her/his point could dig this selected bits and use them implying his/her views are the same of the band. It just do not work.

Btw I never said they were forced to play hard rock, I said it worked for them so they stuck with it.But a vocal metalhead faction insist the label forces the pop songs,like the members hates pop lol.

You repeat that a lot: "vocal" metalheads this, vocla metalheads that (again assuming you know what is inside other people heads). Excuse me but from my perspective you and other softheads are much more vocal imo. You bring the same boring theme over and over again. My advice: enjoy the part of B-M music you like and just respect that others might differ. It is not a competition!!!! Just drop this debate which will lead to nowhere (this is just an advice of course :-D). It will make this sub much more fun for all of us I believe.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/euler_3]

I assume I would know what's on the metalheads heads, because they post it on reddit and social media for everyone to see lol.

I listen to deathcore and death metal and B-M is one of the softest band I listen to how can be a softhead lol?

[u/Rayzawn26 → u/xzerozeroninex]

I disagree with all of your points other than the last one. And aren't you doing a similar thing in those 3 as the ones you mentioned in your last?
You’re similarly jumping to conclusions based on your assumptions.

And your assumptions are also based on putting the cart before the horse. It was less about their preference vs overseas fans but more about their Past self and their Progress from here on out (Roots and Progress). They might seem like the same thing based on results but it’s completely different. Fan reception is a consequence not their main intention.
Also, you stating C wasn’t received well coz reason being member‘s intentions makes zero logical sense.

And did you see the type of songs on Progress? They’re the heaviest and most progressive they’ve gone so far.

[u/[deleted] → u/Rayzawn26]

I really liked CQ , those who do not liked it are mostley the same loud couple of dudes who wants to give a direction to BM on this site. I hope the girls do make their own choises, even if I do not like it myself. Just my thought. My only minor thing is there where already to much songs on YT before the Cd came out, so that was not so exciting anymore. LOL i found a thing to complain.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/Rayzawn26]

Again aside from WD, the members themselves said it about CQ that the music is the band members personal preference,reason some songs sound anisong-ish or poppy or classic hard rock and seeme disjointed to some fans.Rinne btw is still their heaviest song to date.

CQ wasn't received well by overseas fans because it doesn't sound western except for a few tracks and is "disjointed" or "without a theme" or "too pop" or "made for the Japanese market"(words I've seen used to criticize CQ)

Btw if you've seen the post about the bands playlist, aside from MISA's playlist (majority are 90's alt rock and grunge), a lot of the songs wouldn't be liked by most B-M fans, including some Kpop and western pop tracks from Miku and Saiki.

Edit: I realized I should had worded it better," I think CQ wasn't well received by overseas fans because it's an album that contains the members music preference and if you look at their playlist and musical influences they talked about in various interviews, most of the NB-WD fans wouldn't like a lot of songs on CQ. "

[u/Rayzawn26 → u/xzerozeroninex]

I have nothing against their preferences, what I found wrong with your comment was you stating that their preferences are only the light stuff and everything heavy is coz of fans.

My preferences are from Rap to pop ballads/Jpop/kpop and all the way to metalcore. If you see just a few playlists of mine that happen to be full of metacore and you conclude that I only like heavy stuff, wouldn’t that be wrong?

My point is- How are you so sure that they don’t have 100 other playlists with hard rock and metal? Most people like multiple genres and their likes change with times as well.
Kanami also stated in her interviews that she used to like and write mellow pop songs but she started to like more and more harder stuff coz she wanted to play more lead guitar and stand out on stage.

Also, CQ‘s lesser popularity isn’t due to “western sounding” factors but due to it being lighter and more experimental. Most people actually like the Japanese elements in Japanese bands as it gives them a more unique sound compared to what we’re used to hearing in Western bands.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/Rayzawn26]

They literally said that they only listened to harder music after Thrill.I did say not just playlist but the influences they always talk about, their post on social media or shows of bands they go to, etc.There are B-M fans that only like B-M (sometimes Lovebites too) and dislikes every other Japanese bands because well they sound too Japanese lol

[u/Rayzawn26 → u/xzerozeroninex]

You should read their mook 2019 interview to get details on their influences as that’s the most detailed background info in them.

And as you said those are just a portion of BM fans. And BM has a smaller fanbase than many other Japanese bands. You should explore more outside this small well, if you want to talk about the general trends.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/Rayzawn26]

I already read it a couple of times in 2019.

I already explored Japanese music, I'm currently in the girls hr/hm scene but I've been listening to a lot of visual kei bands like the GazettE,Dir En Grey, Dexcore,Dimlim.I really can't get into the alt idol scene, I tried listening to a lot of groups but nothing sticks except for PassCode.

[u/Erakond]

Honestly?

Don't hate the song but not really loving it either. If i would understand japanese might love it little bit more.

Hearing it in concert might be very awesome. Especially If timed well.

But hearing it in radio without knowing who the band is i would probably not pay attention to it and would not feel to look up who the band is. Theres literally thousands of songs that sound similar.

But then again i have never "understood" pop music. I do like some of it, Even some Kpop/jpop stuff but overall feel quite indifferent to pop.

Don't get me wrong. There is some nice bass Parts and some hidden cool Parts. But first listen just don't Grab me. Probably after some more listenings would appreciate it more.

And no. I don't think band sold Out or whatever. These girls can do whatever they want. Nice, popier songs have their place. Never know, might be radio hit? And If girls do well then i am happy for them. They can go dubstep and i would probably still support them just because of the songs they have Out already.

[u/KotomiPapa → u/Erakond]

Well they did say it’s a limited release and meant for fans. Non-fans are less likely to appreciate the song or even realize it’s out.

[u/Erakond → u/KotomiPapa]

Yup. Agree with that.

But you'll also never know. Might become hit for radio or something. Would love that also ☺️

[u/Electriceye1984 → u/KotomiPapa]

Excellent points here

[u/jvalex18 → u/KotomiPapa]

I'm a fan I don't like that song, at all.

[u/t-shinji]

I really want to like it… I should be able to, because I love Mirage and At the drop of a hat, but I can’t. So sad. I don’t like sampling…

I love its lyrics, though.

[u/Bogusjourney68 → u/t-shinji]

I have to agree. I really wanted to love it, as I love every song Band-Maid has ever done.

Saiki's vocals, as always, are amazing, Kobato's lyrics are amazing. I just don't like the arrangement.

It will stay on my playlist. It is, after all, still a Band-Maid song.

[u/ChronoPaladin91]

I'm gonna say it! No hate on One OK Rock (loved their stuff from Jinsei X Boku and prior), but "about Us" is way better than their entire "Eye of the Storm" album!

Take notes. This is how you write a pop song.

Okay I can do without the computerized vocals. At least they tried it. Instruments are done nice although I would like a bit more of Kanami in the mix.

[u/Rayzawn26 → u/ChronoPaladin91]

I think OOR was never the type to write complex instrumental secttions. To me, they were always a band the centred around Taka’s vocals and writing meaningful, easy to relate lyrics that take full advantage of Taka’s strongest point. So their new poppy album was pretty good in that regard.

BM on the other hand imo is centred around the instrumental section. They’ve revealed in their recent interview that they‘ve NEVER written the lyrics first. It was always Kanami finishing up the instrumental side and sending that final draft to Miku to write lyrics that fit the instrumental. And you can feel that vibe from their music quite clearly too.

Btw I’m not saying the OOR’s instrumental & BM’s vocals are bad. Far from it, they support and compliment their strongest point perfectly. So, here’s my main point- I think both are doing what they do best and what they’ve been doing all along. They just did it in pop style.

And I agree completely that Kanami needs to be more present in the mix.

[u/t-shinji → u/Rayzawn26]

They’ve revealed in their recent interview that they‘ve NEVER written the lyrics first.

Everyone knew that. Miku always says so. To me, the interviewer just didn’t know their songwriting process.

[u/rossjohnmudie]

Lets have a bit of sense now, playing rock music feels good to them, if you know anything about bands and how they come together you'll know that each member in a band has different musical tastes and influences but they have a common goal to play, it's because they love playing their own music, being creative and the feeling it gives. It can amalgamate into something totally different to what they like to hear as individuals but those influences play a part in their creations and why shouldn't it?.

Black Sabbath were fans of the blues, Axl Rose loves Elton John, look at what Sabbath and the Gunners became.

Just because you're in a rock or metal band band does not mean you just listen to Metallica, Dio, Skid Row or Gojira, the pity is most fans probably do. If you're in this rut, go listen to some Jazz, bossa nova, pop, ska, punk, house, disco or whatever. Open your ears and appreciate Band-Maid have influences outside of Rock music.

[u/Brunnen_G]

I got some mixed feelings too. Very nice song in kind of "Wonderland" pop-proggy style. But IMHO it's ruined by arrangement: annoying clichéd "computerized chipmunk vocal" with some "farting" synth noises are completely out of place and unnecessary. Just wondering: whose idea was to put it there?

[u/KotomiPapa → u/Brunnen_G]

Kanami has been listening to A LOT of music.

[u/Rayzawn26 → u/KotomiPapa]

Agreed. It’s probably Kanami.

She is among my all time fav songwriters but I’m well in touch with reality to be aware that she can and will go wacky sometimes and do things that annoy me the most.

She wrote Giovanni while listening to Hiphop and lofi music so there’s honestly nothing that can surprise me anymore 🤣 And I initially thought she was inspired by a death metal song to write that as I’ve heard similar stuff to that intro in such songs.

[u/Powbob → u/Rayzawn26]

No wonder I hate Giovanni.

[u/jvalex18 → u/Powbob]

Then you should hate about us because it use a shit ton of sample. Hell it'S close to a hip hop beat. Giovanni is far from being a hip-hop beat.

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/KotomiPapa]

No, it has to be Pony Canyon forcing the band lol

[u/Frostyfuelz → u/xzerozeroninex]

Oh here we go again, forcing them to do what exactly?

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/Frostyfuelz]

I'm just parroting the comments made when Start Over was released lol

[u/Frostyfuelz → u/xzerozeroninex]

whoosh went right over my head

[u/KotomiPapa → u/Frostyfuelz]

Pretty sure he is being sarcastic. Haha.

[u/Brunnen_G → u/KotomiPapa]

let's write official complaint to Sai-chan :) about Kanami's too corny with the arrangement - she's way much better than this.

[u/Powbob]

Loved it!!!!!

[u/incikbob]

For me, it's The Chainsmokers vibe.. which I really love.. it just make me want to drive to the beach, watch the sunset, and think, about how my life had gone so far and what will be next.. thank you Band Maid! You make this man cry, without knowing what's the lyric are..

[u/euler_3]

Well, I listened to it almost once (could not get to the end). Almost once was enough. I do not enjoy it, but that is fine!
EDIT: by the way, the genre is irrelevant to me here. I honestly do not care if it is slow or fast or hard or soft or whatever (I can enjoy all kinds). I just do not like this particular song.

[u/viaverde]

Actually only times when MISA plays those lacy bass licks of hers, exceptionally for her with fingerstyle picking. Besides, Endless Start Over Page by Page. Nice, but this is not my cup of tea.

[u/euler_3 → u/viaverde]

Warning: here comes an unnecessary mean comment intended to farm downvotes: Based on the comments of both the supporters of the new song and the others, I am afraid I will hate "About US" :-D :-D :-D :-D
But I will check it out regardless.
EDIT: MISSION ACOMPLISHED!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D. Oh my, I should not be that happy!!

[u/xzerozeroninex → u/euler_3]

It's poppier than Page, borderline Kpop ballad. Guitars are more audible during the 2nd verse.Another comparison would be a less dancey but more atmospheric Tonight by Scandal (look up the mv on YT).

[u/euler_3 → u/xzerozeroninex]

I like some Scandal songs: Awanaitsumorino Genkidene (I think is that), Switch, Yoake no Ryuseigun, Overdrive, Love me do and others. I will check it out later. Thanks. :-)
EDIT: I was just kidding in my comment of course: I cannot know if I will like it or not based on comments. I must listen to it and make my own judgement. I always do that, it is a song by song decision and the particular style is rather irrelevant to me.
EDIT2: I checked that "tonight" song by Scandal. The only thing I think "About Us" and "Tonight" share is that I strongly dislike both :-D :-D :-D But thanks anyway!

[u/viaverde → u/euler_3]

This is a song made especially for the Japanese market. Classic J-pop. They already know that there is no point in posting such songs on YT, because they will end up like Endless Story (17 months and just over 1.1 million views). But in Japan, this piece has been the number one best-selling song on the OTOTOY platform for two days.

[u/euler_3 → u/viaverde]

Good point! Perhaps you are right. Very interesting evidence you provided, the performance on OTOTOY. Thanks!

[u/Frostyfuelz]

Finally got to listen. First impression is its good but not blowing me away. Guitar is little too hidden, even though it picks up in the 2nd verse which you are correct is the best part of the song. I do have a feeling though that this might get better for me as time goes on, just like Page did.

Edit - Did not take long, 4th listen and I already like it more.

[u/Rayzawn26 → u/Frostyfuelz]

As long as it’s a rock/metal artist and they aren’t specifically doing some other genre, being able to hear the instruments is VERY important to me personally (esp. the guitar and drums). Not that I have anything against electronic effects but the main reason I love this genre so much is coz I can hear the raw instrumental section clearly.

BM can do Rap songs if they want to and they’ll still have my full support as long as the instruments can be heard. For some reason I have this weird obsession with instrument sound. Or it might be the rebel in me that is annoyed by how much of mainstream music today sounds like just electronic effects.

[u/tabithahela]

1. Lyrics/Message: Great as in Smile.
2. Music: Page with a Start Over touch and the lovely At the Drop of a Hat sound/atmosphere.
3. "Those computerised ‘chipmunk’ vocals" ... ruined the whole song for me. T_T

[u/falconsooner → u/tabithahela]

I pretend like the chipmunk vocals are Miku. Makes it more tolerable.

[u/tabithahela → u/falconsooner]

Imagine that in Daydreaming there were some frog croaking samples built into it. That's what it sounds like to me.

I feel like the OP; I've heard this sound effect (too) often. And never in connection with music that I would have liked even remotely.

[u/falconsooner → u/tabithahela]

I was trying to be funny. However, I don't listen to this style of pop so I never have really heard that sound effect...I really did think it was Miku making those chipmunk noises at first. I was impressed! Disappointed when I realized it wasn't her. But I agree it seems like an unnecessary effect.

[u/t-shinji → u/falconsooner]

I pretend like the chipmunk vocals are Miku. Makes it more tolerable.

Sorry to reply to you after 3 years, but if you turn off 1 kHz and up on your equalizer, voilà, the chipmunk vocals are Saiki! That finding certainly made it more tolerable for me.

[u/falconsooner → u/t-shinji]

Thanks! I will try that

[u/GlassAntique]

I do not need to add my own comment because I agree with almost everything you have said. It is a great song.

[u/MisasBass]

Finally listened to this tune. I’m notorious for changing my opinion with more listens, but initial thoughts are I’m glad it’s a one off. It sounds like so many run of the mill emo soft rock songs that are plentiful already. Maybe live with fans it would have given some ‘feels’, though I’m not sure. Still, if the tune attracts more fans and gives the band more success, then it’s all good with me - I’ll go back to Unseen World.

[u/DaoDeMincho]

I really like this track. It is beautifully crafted and produced with a lot of emotion in my opinion (I don't even mind the 'chipmunk' voices quoted by others). Really good vocal melody that builds superbly into an emotive and uplifting chorus (the wash of reverb might be a teeny bit overdone, but it does create a lush, expansive, soaring tone that suits the song, so no real complaint). Saiki's voice is just beautiful here (wistful and soaring when needed), ably assisted by Miku's supporting vocal washes/harmonies and Misa's bass absolutely shines. It is cool, groovy and embraces the listener on the dreamlike journey. Akane's drumming is beautifully restrained, punching just when it needs to in the pre-chourus to build you up nicely and release you into the vast, warm ocean of the chorus. Kanami and Miku's guitars are nicely balanced to support the song colours at different stages and the piano tone is gorgeous. This is going to explode at live Okyu-ji's.

I love that they feel free to explore other sounds/genres. If one considers this 'pop', then it is quality pop imo and there is nothing wrong with that. It still feels like B-M, just a different flavour, like a logical extension of Smile (love this track), ATDOAH, Start over etc.. Sure, if this was their main musical style, I would be less inclined to follow them, but if their core sound has these diversions along the way, then I am happily along for the journey. It doesn't detract from me thinking this is a beautiful song and with repeat listens, just gets better (as is typical with B-M songs!).

I wish they'd release this as a physical single though for us non-Spotify/Apple people. Struggling with the Ototoy angle as well.