Motto ugoke yo

This is the third time for me to review HSJ's single and songs. But this time, I'm gonna rank them based on my liking and then give my comments.

Our Days
This is considered ballad, right? Yeah. I'll consider it ballad. My definition of ballad is when a song can be a great background song when I feel down or whenever I want to listen to it if the weather is bloomy. Sort of like that.
No one can deny that the opening sounds almost too alike with Canon. It almost frightened me that theyight get sued because of this but nope JS wouldn't let that happen. When it comes to ballad, either Yabu or Yama stand out or given more lines but the fact that in this song, mof the time they sing together and almost no single line for each member until the bridge. I love that they're giving other members a chance to enhance their singing. Same with the previous singles, I learned to appreciate Chinen's voice more. Though I like it more when he's rapping, he did great with his solo line here. I have the tendency to be overly-critical when it comes to my bias, like what I usually do with Takaki. In his acclaimed solo line in the bridge, I find his long note ("hana") flat. No doubt he has a great singing voice but what he lacks is the dynamics unlike Yama and Yabu. But in all, this is one of HSJ songs I could never skip whenever it comes next in my playlist.

Funky Time
This is the B side that also has a PV but let's talk about the song first.
It sounds clichè, idealistically happy, moments with friends, kind of song. The ones you would usually play in your roofless car on the way to the beach with your friends (pretty much like 'Kira Kira Hikare') But I don't mean to give it a negative note. I love the light, easy-going feel to this song but I appreciate it more because of the PV.
I've always been looking forward to a JUMP PV with amateur, candid shots and just the boys showing their naturally dorky sides. And SURPRISE, we really got it! With the red double-decker bus and English suits, they've reached end of the boy band spectrum. I was not surprised that most people on twitter find the PV too One Direction-esque. This PV wasn't promoted at all so I just relied to the boys' description of it being fun and natural and so when it came out, tobikkos almost forgot about Over The Top.

Vanilla Ice
I don't know why but this reminds me of Traffic Jam from the GML single. I didn't really like this at first but as I repeat and paid more attention to the ad-libs I've come to appreciate it more. Mature JUMP strikes again. This song sounds so erotic and sensual with all the whispering and those (unholy) moans in the background. Right, please help me distinguish the one who whispered "feel it, feel it, feel it, love" at the end of the first verse because I swear if it's Takaki, (I greatly suspect it to be him) I'm gonna lose my shit. I neef someone confirm this. But bias aside, this is Takaki's song. They alwayd take advantage of his sexy, low voice for this kind of song that would showcase JUMP's adult side. Also, I noticed that they always pair Takaki with Daiki when it come to singing. Maybe because yeah their voice complement one another. "So annoying. Takaki here, Takaki there." Then let's talk about how they're starting to give attention to Keito's voice recently. Thanks to whoever is distributing the song lines for the recent singles.

Over The Top
It's like the song has been playing in my head since the day the short version was released for the opening of an anime. Before the actual release, even before hearing the full song. A bad case of major Last Song Syndrome for me. I was so delighted because Yabu stands out so much. He owned it and even he is aware of it (he mentioned it in his e-mail, I think?) and his line in the bridge is my favorite line.
When the preview for the PV of this song was supposed to be released, I stayed up with a lot of tobikkos on Twitter and we've gone nuts with how JUMP looked overly-cool with just plain black shirt and black pants. Simple costumes. Sleek dance. The warm tone of the PV. More when I watched the PV and witnessed how equal the screen time for each member was. (Though some Yama biased were complaining that he wadn't the center enough. Like yo. That was supposed to be the case at the first place.) But honestly, I haven't seen the full PV making as of this time but as I've seen from some clips and translation, this only proves how awful the making was for the GML PV. Fun, lively relationship between the memebers is a must. Also, it's OTP wonderland for Takaino, Ariyama but most esp Yabuhika shippers.

Party!!
Let's talk about Keito again. Okay. His deep voice here is like a dirty talk to my ears. So teasy! But honestly, I never really liked party songs and this song is not an exception. They're not trying hard to be original with this song. The chorus was to conventional especially with the "Say Yeah! Say Ho!" Though, I was playing this song yesterday while showering and I just can't help but to dance along. No denying that this song is fun. I'll give it a chance.

Hey! Say! JUMP's latest single, Give Me Love, was supposed to be released officially yesterday (14 Dec) in Japan. But for some unknown reason, some fans already have their copies of the single and all of its edition on hand the day before (13 Dec). I just don't know how early releases work, really. Like, what's the whole point of the official release date? If it's exclusive for fans club members or for raffle winners then there will be no confusion but it was avaliable to most stores already, like whuuut?

Okay nevermind that rambling, it not really a big deal and I'm not here to talk about that. But in relation to that, I've downloaded the digital copy of the single and would like to give my opinion of the songs in it including a //little// talk about the PV and making of Give Me Love song.

Give Me Love
      Matured. That's the word to describe this song. Away from the usual happy-go-lucky, whimsical image of JUMP. TaDaiki previewed this song on their radio show, BayJUMP, and also this is the closing song for Yamada's drama, Cain and Abel. With that, I already know the song and wasn't excited anymore because I was so convinced that the almost 4-minute preview will be the official version. But I was wrong. Again. Everyone did well in this song, though the line distribution wasn't the best and few lines were given to the "lesser-known" members. But what caught me off guard is the second verse. The moment when the beat dropped, I literally let out an amused gasped. More when Yuya's line came that got me to a sitting position. Just a bummer that that phrase was his only solo line in the whole damn song *cough cough biased cough.* And that's it. The rest of the song was just meh because again, I heard from the previews several times already. Bad side of preview really.
     About the PV, I've seen it and to be brutally honest, I don't fully understand what it's all about. I enjoyed the concept of acting and the several rooms with IKEA-showroom style (not that we have IKEA here in my country but hey we have google here.) What I understand was that Yamada, Inoo, and Yabu; Chinen, Keito and Hika; and Yuto, Daiki, and Yuya are living in the same world. Each scenarios show desperation or in need for love and affection. But that's it really. A lot of questions has been bothering me like why is Yamada looking at the camera at the first and last scene? What's the connection of Keito, Yuya, and Yabu waiting in the park and and forgetting to bring umbrella in the context of the song? Again, what's the connection of burning in hot coffee? Why only focus on the interaction between YamaInooBu but not the other two worlds (not sure about this but I can't be bothered to rewatch the PV really)? If someone could explain it to me for me to enlightened, then it would be great. Because what it seems to me is that they just want to give love to us fans by giving fanservice (eg. InooBu anf especially in the YutoYamaChi section.) I've seen a lot of screencaps with the 3 and to be honest, that's the reason why I'm not really in the hype to watch the making.

Traffic Jam
    Whenever I listen to this song, I could imagine myself being stuck in a Traffic Jam and honking my horn together with the beat of the song or the feeling of listening to this during a long road trips back to the busy city from a week of vacation. Damn, I love matured JUMP. The intro was Yama and verses of it has pairs singing (not really sure but based on my ear's judgement, Yuto-Chinen; Daiki-Yuya; Keito-Yabu; Inoo-Hikaru,) making me pleased because everyone got their spotlight. Not to mention Keito's "thing" (don't know the technical term) at the bridge. YES KEITO, GOOD JOB. YOUR HARD WORK IS FINALLY GETTING PAYED OFF.

Toy
    And Keito again with the opening. I'm so happy that they're giving him attention now. Same feeling with Yabu also standing out. But for sure, this song is Keito's. I can imagine JUMP as rich boys being arrogant like those Western MV about raining cash, awful sexualizing of girls, luxury cars, and huge mansions. Better yet just them drag racing, being boying and cool as fuck. Moreover, it sounds kinda high class and fancy, that I feel like it could fit in the Dear album.

Baby I Love You
     This song was also previewed in BayJUMP and at that moment I know I'm gonna love this song. One thing, because it is sort of a band song, and if you know me or you've read my past entry (in which you don't because really, who would waste time to read those irrelevant stuff?), I love JUMP band. This could fit to be a summer song where you could envision JUMP going and being dorky in the beach, if not just for that "Happy New Year to you." Second thing, and excuse me for being biased, YUYA'S I LOVE YOU OMFG. Formula of my favorite song: BandJUMP + Yuya fanservice = BEST SONG IN THE SINGLE!

Glorious
      We're back with the old-fashion boy group sound with this song. Each got to sing their own solo line and that's a good thing, I guess (I'm all about fairness here.) This could be a song they could sing when riding the floaters during concerts while throwing signed balls to the fans or the background music to the documentary of their achievements for their 10th anniversary. It gives the feeling of nostalgia of their Glorious moments. Now I'm hoping.

Ashita Hallelujah (明日ハレルヤ)
      Will I consider this ballad? Yes, I will. Yabu in ballads has now become a tradition. His voice is standing out again. And why won't Yuya sing more ballad? I would have like this song more if it's not for that ending part. TOO REPETITIVE. TOO LONG.

After all the issue with Give Me Love PV, this single must be my second favorite singles from 2016, next to Fantastic Time. I understand that some tobikko aren't really fond of this single but we all have different opinions. That's why I'm voicing out mine.  

Hey! Say! JUMP broke not only records but also the Internet with the release of their newest single a few days ago, which is Fantastic Time with four accompanying songs.

I, living in the Philippines and being a lame-ass fan, don't have the physical copy of the single. Fortunately, a generous tobikko gladly shared her mp3 rip with me. That definitely made me proud to be in this fandom. I felt greatful for her because without her, this review wouldn't be possible.

So here we go, I got my digital copy of the single and this time I want to give my opinion on the songs in this single.

Fantastic Time
  I already gave my opinion on this song on the day of its unofficial release so I will not include it here anymore.

Never Let Me Go
    If you look at the title, it has a ballad vibe to it. But oh boy, it is not. It was said that Yuri and Daiki was the main focus of this song especially the rap part so I felt excited. I've got to listen to the preview of this song on Twitter and what I can say that time and same with today is that THIS IS MY JAM! It has a KPOP feel to it maybe because of the rap I dont really know. Chinen's voice definitely improved a lot as time goes by (I used to dislike his voice because it sounded ear-y and annoying to my ears but time and opinions change.)  As expected of Daiki, he never failed to amaze me with his unique borderline mature and cute voice and did I already mentioned that I super love it whenever he raps?
    In conclusion, this has got to be my favorite in the single. Good job, Daiki and Yuri and of course the rest of HSJ.

Wonder Road (ワンダーロード)
    The vocals trio, Ryosuke, Kota, and Yuya, was the focus of this song. And oh JUMP with their English song title, they just don't learn at all. Don't misunderstand me, I love the song it's just that I find it awkward yet funny to listen to their mispronounced English words (it's not such a big deal tho.) Yuya was given the task to hit the high notes of this song and though he's my ichiban, I still somehow think that whenever he has got to sing high notes, he seemed to lack confidence resulting to it being "bitin" or sounding like it was forcibly cut-off (same thing happened to his high note in Pet Shop Love Motion) but still, his voice quality is awesome.
    It is a fun song that has a oldies feel to it. I also thought that it sounded a bit like Sexy Zone's Cha-Cha-Cha Champion (I don't know, maybe I'm just being random lol.)

What A Feeling
    A focus on Keito's recently discovered talent which is rapping, together with Hikaru's specialty. The song starts off with Hikaru's bass exhibition and oh heck it sounds so good same with Keito's English ugh. I could imagine exhausting lively dance moves for this song, same with the moves in Fantastic Time or maybe a part 2 (because the theme is there.)
    I enjoyed this song so much that one time I was like "why does this end so fast????" and when I looked at the duration, it was only for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. WHY HEY! SAY! JUMP !!!!!!!!!

Seijaku no Asa, Kimi to Iru Sekai。(静寂の朝、君といる世界。)
    So here comes the ballad song. Yuto and Kei was the main focus of this song but for me it didn't felt like so. It's more of like Hikaru or Yabu's song (Yabu and his ballads ugh. His voice just stands out in ballad songs because such fit his voice so much.) Granted, it's a nice song but it felt weak for me (not to mention that it somehow felt out-of place.) Maybe if JUMP could practice their harmonizaton more (they should focus on the vocal aspect also not just their dance, but isn't it too late to learn this thing just now?) or if this song was with the soon-to-be-released Give Me Love, maybe I could appreciate it more than I do right now.

To sum it all, it's a great single. Mature JUMP is definitely here already and we might get more from these dorks acting all matured lol. I honestly didn't expect much from this single (because of the trouble with the Fantastic Time song) so I should learn not to judge way too soon. Same with my opinions here, these might change in the future so don't take it seriously, okay?