There's more than one reason this song is called Puzzle.

This is one of their songs where Akane relentlessly pushes everything forward with her beat change-ups.

Saiki sung her heart out in this one

Champ, I’ve never heard a rock band that has 5 WORLD CLASS MUSICIANS that together produce such INCREDIBLE ROCK MUSIC! They are “off the charts” talented and, in my opinion, blow everyone else away! I can’t name a rock band past or present that I like better! They have won me over completely! HAIL TO BANDMAID!

Puzzle is a master class in songwriting. That's the easiest way to describe it. :-)

Who can take an original ballad with dramatic lyrics, then turn it into a melodic rock and roll song, but with hard/heavy sounds adding bluesy solos, touches of industrial and finish it with punk-rock energy? Band-Maid: Yes.

I love your breakdowns. There's plenty of reactions that only catch the surface level stuff. Yours, I really look forward too because of the extra level of appreciation it brings!

I've been in bands all my life, I've played jazz, swing, rock, classical, (even some new romantic back in the 80s I'm embarrassed to say) but I've never heard a band arrange a track as expertly a these 5 talented ladies. They make it all look effortless. This takes a shit load of practice and some serious ability!!!

This is a song that documents Kanami's generosity and even some her profligacy. She packed so many riffs in this song that for another artist would have enough for 2-3 songs.

The song composition itself is an actual puzzle and all the pieces fit perfectly

Puzzle is such an amazing song, packed to the brim with ideas. Fast paced, high-energy, great vocals. Kanami in near constant shred mode. What's not to like. Together they achieve perfection. I had to smile because you were so surprised at how many riffs and how much creativity the ladies throw at us listeners. Great reaction, again.

This song is a Masterpiece!

Good to see Miku getting some praise. She isn't on the same level as Kanami, MISA and Akane (understandable, as she didn't take up the guitar seriously until about a year after the band was formed) but her playing not only adds a 'crunch' to their sound, but it allows Kanami the freedom to take what she plays to more interesting places.

Yep, one of their most dynamic songs. Relentless quality Rock N' Roll, _Band Maid_ style!

It's like different pieces of a Puzzle have come together to make a beautiful picture.

I love this song. It's white knuckle the whole damn way.

A power trio sustaining a vocal power duo where one singer also takes a major part in building the rythm.Then you realize that Miku is like the fragile gravity center for 4 massive planets orbiting around her.

When Miku does her Voacals....exaactly my reaaction to it....! She melts me with that

Thank you, The Champ! You and Chase Carneson are the best reactors on YT. You know your stuff and you're always on point with professional analysis and review. Thank you for bringing music education to people in accessible language.

utterly incredible... wow

Ultimate compliment in a reaction video is always immediately going back and listening again.

There is, I don't know, an urgency to this song that is compelling and irresistible and that all 5 Maids contribute from beginning to end.

Puzzle = Masterpiece "secret My lips" is another one

The emotion this song brings to the broken hearted. "Let us break it again, good this time and heal it afterwards" I tell you, Puzzle is closure no matter what. Saiki sings it perfectly. Arigato Band-Maid ii Puzzle! Arigato.

They performed this song during their online concert last Sunday and it sounded just as awesome as the 2018 concert recording,. Had tears of joy streaming down my face, because it is my all time favourite Band Maid song.

My favorite song from them. Miku's vocals really complete the song. For a change of pace, try Daydreaming or Awkward.

Another great reaction!!! Every time I listen to this song I’m amazed. It’s just one long guitar solo for Kanami and all of them playing lights out. One of my favorites for the complexity of the song

I found them myself about a year ago on accident. Spent 4 hours listening to their stuff. I fell in love. My favorite band hands down and they only keep getting better. They are special and i feel personally they are the best band out there.

This is still my favorite Band-Maid song, was from the first time I heard it and has always held the number one slot since. It really is a masterpiece! All the members of the band in absolute sync, just killing it in every way possible. I love to listen to this song. I focus on a members part one time and the next time to a different members part and so on. Each of them just kick ass. A wonderfully composed track, a killer arrangement, great lyrics and executed with talent and confidence. Blooming has moved up to the two slot and I really love that as well, but, it just can't get by puzzle for all it's greatness.

Interesting part for me is, Kanami basically doing solo for the entire song. Not overplayed, just fit in there

This is simply a Band Maid Treasure, it will be a timeless classic

Been in my top 3 BM performances since i first heard it. Even the lyrics for this is amongst their best. We're used to Kanami killing it with the riffs and how she arranges them but with this she freakin buried it with a tombstone reading "Masterpiece" I don't know much about songwriting but for a song to have so many variations and still feel like one big transition flowing smoothly from beginning to end, has got to be a rare magnum opus even for Kanami herself. This song feels like something that got crafted from a single piece of material, rather than putting different pieces togather. It has that very uniformed feel despite the variations.

Kanami the Tsunami keeps it rolling in this one. I don't think they run out of energy, I have not seen it. Love these women.

It's amazing to be able to analyze this complicated, truly puzzle-like composition of music with just one hearing. It is a wonderful reaction that cannot be seen in other reactors, which tries to convey to the viewer by analyzing the contents of music and performance in detail at a high level. I can't wait for the next reaction.

They are the so,so, good.Best band in many of years.

Still picking up new bits after 4 years of listening to them on a daily basis, sometimes you've just got to give up and immerse yourself in the beauty of it all. 🤘🤘

While Blooming is my favorite band maid song sometimes I feel my brain is too stubborn to admit maybe I like puzzle a little more but this is definitely one of their best! Shame about the acoustic version but if you can ever get your hands on seeing it please do. Also worth finding the translation to the lyrics and comparing the regular and acoustic. Same lyrics but completely different tone and emotion.

One of my favorites

His genuine respect, love, and awe for everything they do and what they put into their music..

There is so much going on in their songs at the same time... Nothing is superfluous and, by the same time, nothing is missing.

Akane’s bass drum sound like a third guitar playing power chords sometimes. It’s hard to explain exactly what I mean. They just sound like power chords sometimes. This song, even though it’s in a language I don’t speak, just sounds so desperate emotionally speaking. Band-Maid are so good at crafting songs that have a sense of desperation and longing to them and you feel that through the music and Saiki’s performance. This song is like that, “You.” is like that, “Daydreaming” is like that. Their songs are just so expressive. They’re kind of like The Cure in that way. It’s astonishing. Thank God they’re not an emo band because I’d never be able to get out of bed.

My favorite bit of this song is the transition between the first chorus and the second verse, where Kanami throws down the chorus line of "Onset" just for fun.

Really great reaction!!! This is one of the songs that made the BAND-MADE famous. The lyrics of this song are the best! This song touches my heart every single time.

I have never seen an up and coming band that was more stadium ready than they are. They may be tiny girls but they produce a wall of sound. Amazing songwriting.

Yes sir, what a great job you have done with the analysis of this song. This is probably one of their best performances, the song wins a lot live. It perfectly expresses the anger at a broken relationship (in the acoustic version, however, they interpret it as sadness). It is designed as a chained riffs puzzle, masterfully written by Kanami Tono and performed by the entire band as a perfect masterpiece. Thanks for this time.

I had the same reaction when Miku came in with that backing vocal when I first heard it. It was maybe the 5th or 6th song I heard from them on the 4 hour no sleep binge I went on when Dice magically appeared in my recommendations almost 2 years ago.

This could easily be my #1 song by them, but I just love Moratorium a tiny bit better.

Excellent analysis and you should change your title from reaction to analysis as you go way beyond what most reactors do, you listen, breakdown and analyze what's happening in the song, great job. Your comments about what you're hearing helps us fans appreciate BM even more, you catch more of what's occurring during the song and I've listened to this song a lot and missed the part where Miku is playing notes rather then chords and my already high respect for Miku just keeps getting higher and higher. To think that she started playing guitar only 6 years ago while managing the band's future with her relentless PR work is just amazing.

Love this song, dude, so damn good.

Songs so good I came back for a 2nd watch 2 weeks later. I actually really like your commentary/breakdown of the song too. It's such a complex song. Just a masterpiece of composition.

my favorite Band-Maid song 🤘

Yep his legitimate and overwhelming respect.. and overwhelmingness for this group says everything.

BTW, I appreciate the DC in the background. DC+ Band-Maid is my dream collab. Kanami is just a beast on guitar. Every time she finishes a solo I want to give her an engagement ring or something because goddamn you want to hear those solos for life.

I’ve watched this multiple times and it makes me laugh every time. The parallels between your reaction to hearing a song like Puzzle for the first time with mine and I’m sure many other fans are definitely there. It’s that combination of disbelief and admiration for both their musical and songwriting talent. That “was this song as crazy good as I think it was?” and immediately listening again to confirm. It’s been a while since I found a band that did that to me. Fun watching you experience that too.

React to Secret my lips!!!!!! This song has a classic guitar tone and Akane puts on a drum clinic of fills.

You have such great breakdowns/ analysis of songs. Great videos. Puzzle is definitely a masterpiece of a song. The composition is next level.

It's great to see a musician do reactions. I'm a guitarist, when I pick apart songs to cover them I usually find myself thinking of "improvents" once I've nailed the general construction. Not so with Band Maid... Kanami is not only a incredibly talented guitarist, but a creative composer and arranger. Misa and Akane are one of the finest rhythm sections I've ever heard. Must be nice going to work each day knowing you have bandmates that can pull off anything you can compose. Having effectively two "frontmen" adds to their unique and powerful sound. Keep rockin' 🤘

Great reaction. This is one of those weird songs of theirs that just siren-calls me back again, and again, and again for a listen (there are actually quite a few of theirs that do this to me). And it's a live performance. If you can find Awkward live from the same performance, you'll get a double-dose of this addicting alchemy.

The live version of this song is so different than the recording, I ripped the audio off the video and almost listen to this version exclusively....that guitar riff that drove the entire song is so haunting is awesome. Works so great with the lyrics too.

MISA!!!!! MISA!!!! MISA!!!!! ................ I'm glad you found a version to react too. Excellent breakdown and recognition of all 5 musicians. I hope you get to find the acoustic version

dude i absolutely love your reactions dont stop f n great thank you

i come back now and then to the reactions to this and the acoustic version and it still blows my mind how complex musically this version is with a fast paced beauty that gets you moving yet the acoustic version is so meloncoly and moving yet beautiful..it really is a credit to the whole band that 1 song can feel so different and both times be amazingly beautiful for different reasons.. and i think if you played 1 version to someone who didnt speak japanese or was familiar with band maid then the next day played the other version its quite possible they would think them 2 different songs

Great reaction and happy to hear you're going to do band maid twice a week. I hope you find the acoustic version of puzzle because its going to blow your mind. :) looking forward to your next reaction

Sub'd. Great band. Appreciate your analysis and genuine affection for the music. Good catch about Offspring in beginning. I hear it too. I hear familiar bits in Band Maid songs. Like all great artists I bet they've borrowed or been inspired by the best bits from other bands, but give it a fresh spin. I hear Van Halen, Offspring, Santana, Black Sabbath, and some riffs I recognize but can't recall from where. I think you'll enjoy picking apart "Blooming." Lots of layers and transitions. Really well-rounded song, compositionally. I keep coming back to bands that invent their own genre-Jinjer, Tool, RATM, Maximum the Hormone, Band Maid. Glad you found them. Thanks for the great reactions!

Believe it or not Miku is an absolute beginner as a guitar player! How awesome is that to learn a song and then play it live in a few weeks!!

Great reaction! You are good at this.

There's a level of perfection and precision that goes into what they do that I almost wonder if it could be replicates anywhere else outside of Japan.

Secret My Lips is another amazingly composed song by them.

Dude, I totally enjoy watching your reactions to our Band-Maid! There’s nothing I can say, all I can do is sit back and smile when seeing you get amazed at what they do! This version of Puzzle lifts you up! Just wait until you react to the acoustic version, now you also need to react to song two Anemone, both songs will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions as You hear Saiki tell the story! My favorites! Keep up the awesome reactions man!

A masterpiece of middle number. Kobato's crying lyrics.

Band Maid masterclass TCoM great reaction/review

I watched all your B-M videos so far and enjoyed your journey with them very much. This is not a reaction channel, and you are not a "reactor". You're like a unicorn - and you never see those on youtube either. Glad you found this band. (your little "rant" at the end on "onset" about "reaction" speaks for self-awareness ;) so i logged in, subscribed - which i rarely do on youtube - and decided to write something and it was longer when expected - apologies for the long ass wall of text sorry for mistakes, english is not my native language and I'm a bit rusty I doubt anyone will fight you on this you actually put it pretty well at the end: "if it's not my favorite song, it's the most impressive song I've heard from them so far" - i like that, sums it up perfectly. The english lyrics on the internet are very weird, it's like a google-translation. I do speak 3 languages - not japanese sadly - and know how hard it is to translate between them. For the most part, if you manage to get the meaning across, it's fine, mostly. Mikus lyrics in japanese seems to be very thoughtful but also very indirect... makes it also very hard to translate properly, i guess What I get from "Puzzle" is basically - a relationship comes to an end (some think there was cheating involved, ... i doubt it), you love that other person still, and after a while that other person moves on, but *you don't*. So you know he/she is in a new relationship with someone, and besides all the pain, anger and/or jealousy (sleepless night, constantly thinking about him/her, not being able to move on yourself, "going crazy") - you still love that other person. and you actually want for him/her to find happiness. the build-up in the last part is basically the conclusion that you want and wish him/her to be happy, but also the realization that he/she will be - without you. that "he/she" parts i put there are simply *insert your type here* as to my understanding isn't written from a purely female point of view Miku stated in interviews that she isn't writing about herself. Well, watching this "Band-Maid" performance and given the fact, that none of them is smiling during this song - not even Akane - it's hard to believe it isn't personal for any of them... Fantastically written and performed! "Puzzle" is one of my absolute favorite songs from B-M. I can't actually decide which one it is, so I just ... don't :P i would say, these three "Puzzle" "Blooming" "Secret My Lips" i personally see as their masterpieces. Each one of whose songs has enough "material", that other bands would make whole albums from (if they are lucky). "Blooming" has a very good live version available on the latest BD/DVD release, and was very good in their online show from jul, 23. The MV is VERY good, the part you mentioned in the "DICE"-video, that you can't hear Mikus vocals in MVs isn't a problem there... (i mean to say, if - when - you do this one, the MV is fine) "Secret My Lips"... hmm... well. As good this is as a song, there is sadly no perfect version of it. Studio Coast DVD live version from 2017, which is the most recommended live one, has the rhythm g. way too loud in the mix. On other parts it's fine, but then it is, it's kinda distracting. The MV is fine, but has the guitars way too low, something is off there. The "Zepp" 2018 DVD-live version simply isn't the best performance - the Coast one is much better, despite the r.g. mix. "Puzzle" well, you heard the best one. The acoustic one is great too, some might prefer it, I prefer the original one. Sadly they don't play it often in their recent live shows. And when they do, it's the acoustic one. fun fact - both "Secret My Lips" and "Puzzle" are from the same Album ("Just Bring It"). And that album has a couple more of the goods. I'm not a musician. I listened through a lot B-M songs basically on repeat and tried to analyse them. I do hear the little things they do, can't describe it, but I do get it. I hear the little nuances they're doing, but I needed a lot of listens - you kind of hear a lot of it in 2-3 maybe 4 repeats :D I don't actually want to name my least favorite B-M songs, because I simply want you to find out for yourself. Ask any B-M fan about tops and downs and you'll get very different answers. Ok, even the downs will be considered good or at least average *on your reaction again (analysis would be a proper word)* that look at 01:10 - yeah, cool, it's gonna be good and then from about the 2nd minute in, you can see, it took an unexpected turn, and you never recovered from that ;D nice editing by the way as soon as Mikus vocals came in. and from the unusual second verse "band-maid-style" onward it just never stopped. i remember one other reaction to "puzzle". the dude was (is) a lead guitarist metal-head himself and was also very fascinated by the rhythm guitar in this song. Yes, Kanami is basically soloing through the whole piece, and the rhythm g. isn't particularly hard to play - but it adds soo much. He was like, yes - Kanami, awesome, solo awesome... but that rhythm part! You just kind of reminded me of him. It also shows, that you didn't show Kanamis solo on your second hearing - as soulful as it was (and I consider it one of her best), it wasn't even the best part of this song. 5:06 "Kanami is insane, she takes no breaks" yes, she is. she seems to be very hard on herself. that band on the right lower arm is probably there for a purpose :D (she had one on the european tour, as i recall, when she had problems with arm musculature) none of them seems to have much upper body strength, yet they still play their ~2h gigs nearly flawless through and then go for a drink. tells a lot about their stamina. The "Domination" live video you saw for example, was the second to last song in that particular show - and they were still going nearly as fresh as at the beginning oh, and well, about upper body strength - only Miku does actually haha In your first Band-Maid reaction you were asking yourself if this was "the band of your dreams". And I was like "yeah, well, it might be, dude". 8:50 and 10:15 ff - yes it is btw - your arm tattoo sums up the band pretty well for me :D PS: and yeah... youtube or their label taking videos down... I guess it's what happens when people upload the entire BD/DVD concert they *just* released, corona kicking the world hard, all their live gigs in 2020 basically cancelled instantly etc. This was literally the only thing they had going at the moment. Their first online live concert a couple of days ago was truly great, but you could also kind of see them being a little out of shape. For a band that feeds of the audience, and having no audience, you felt they miss live performing so much and haven't for a long time, the stamina wasn't the same. They played live on a regular basis in japan, and then it stopped completely :/ So the label higher ups gone mad aware of it and taking simply all videos down and not just the new ones (hardly anyone would actually care which one to take down - dvd-rip? -> IP -> down), is just how it works... so, well, it's unfortunate, it sucks, but i get it. the band itself didn't seem to mind older videos floating around or reaction channels. it basically started their success with "Thrill", so... at least they released a couple on their own y-channel, "Onset" ie. so i think they will release some other as well in the future... even just for the sake to stay relevant oh, and if you consider to buy one of the 2020 BD/DVDs - just do it. the previous ones gone out-of-print. and japanese being japanese and never frick'n reprint once it's sale is done. good luck finding one then. even more luck finding one at a "somewhat reasonable" price. So learn from others pain looking/searching for "Studio Coast"-live and "Zepp-Tokio"-live :/

Puzzle is my favor band maid song

This was a good show. I love Play and Daydreaming from this. Who am I kidding I love this whole damn show. Freedom, Secret My Lips, Domination.

I won't be fighting you champ, I bloody love Puzzle

Kanami is my queen. and puzzle is the best song

Your reactions are very interesting, I really appreciate how much you meticulously listen to the song. I would be reeeeeally interested to see how you’d react to NCT 127’s “kick it” and “punch”, if you haven’t checked them out yet!

Moratorium LIVE might top Puzzle. I love both songs! Great reactions!

Wow! I already thouroughly enjoy this song, but your insights made it even more enjoyable. Thank you and keep the reactions coming.

Band-maid is Awesome! Your reaction is also Awesome！！

another reaction within the next days? .. wohoooooooooooooooooooooooo cant wait!!!!

you said something to the effect that what miku is doing vocally and on guitar cant be understated...that is so spot on, when trying to find the weak spot in Band-Maid and choose Miku you have made the greatest error coming to realize she is the strongest! Smartest tricky pigeon ever...GOAT?

This song is a beautiful melody, but I like the lyrics even more.

One of my favorites, had to listen to it 5 times to really grasp everything going on. Somethings that stick out to me; Kanami lead riffs, Saiki's breath control, Miku's backing vocals, and of course MISA and Akane. This is what you get from a top composer and lyricist. Added bonus top drummer and Bassist who pretty much create their parts within the song. The opening is off Kanami's laptop, she records the keyboard riffs at home and brings them with her on tour. Remember if you think you play a musical instrument very well, there is a Japanese lady who plays it better!

I don't have near the ear you do, so for many BAND-MAID songs I'll have to listen to the song at least five times, take the right bud out, take left bud out, & concentrate on each individual instrument & vocal just to piece the song together. Great reaction!! It's a little late now, but I would have loved to see these girls open for someone like Rush.

Great reaction. Love this song. Each member so good and all so good together. Band-Maid greater than the sum of the parts and in this band the parts are already awesome. My journey to realization.. (1) Cute Japanese women in maid costumes playing rock, could be good for a laugh. (2) Oooh, nice riff, she can sing, those drums are good... I wasn't expecting that guitar. (3) Several MVs later-this is some of the catchiest, most fun and energizing music I've ever heard. (4) Saw some internet comments recommending live, but the sound will certainly be crap-listened to Puzzle and almost fell over. (5) Acoustic, surely, surely they wouldn't be able to pull that off convincingly?-listened to Puzzle and Anemone acoustic and well... I hope you get the chance to hear it some time.

This is One of my Favorite Songs by them I cant explain Why. Just so Epic and so much to discover and some of Saiki s best vocals

Sucks the acoustic version is gone, i think you would really appreciate Saiki's vocals and sheer emotion that comes through in that performance. Also its nice to see Miku getting more praise, shes only learning guitar for 6 years now, but shes doing better and better everytime (with a teacher like Kanami its no surprise) Love your analysis as usual, thanks! If you are thinking of making Lovebites, they dropped a new live video few days ago on their channel! Music is Thunder Vengeance.

Another great reaction. Thanks for that! Still going to stay after you to do “Real Existence” Live. Worth the listen. Much harder edge similar to Dice or Domination and it has a bridge/solo that is straight bad ass, hard driving rock.

My favorite BM song.

Remembering your first reaction .. maybe 2nd. Is it safe to say you found the promise land. Haha Great reaction, go back a repeat whatever if not we still do it 😄. I suggest to do the song ALONE. will not regret it. Like puzzle you can appreciate how all members excel

Great breakdown! Really sucks that the acoustic live version has disappeared - the juxtaposition between the two is amazing (BIG hint: Saiki's voice is showcased. The emotion she displays is incredibly moving.)

A fantastic song. At the same venue, same performance, the song “Moratorium” precedes this song and it slays. Band Maid are virtuoso musicians. Saiki is an amazing lead vocalist and Miku harmonizes beautifully. Kanami, Miss, & Akane are music Goddesses.Sadly, it seems KZfaq has pulled many of the live performances from this specific venue. If you can still find them, look for “Matchless Gum” and “Play”, as they are fantastic performances. BTW, great review.

this is my top 5 song from them

The stuff Kanami is doing throughout this song....my god.

I must say that puzzle since I heard it for the first time, it is in my top ten of Band Maid songs (top that falls short with this band), I know it was not on purpose but I am from Argentina so the Spanish subtitle was great. Amazing reaction, un abrazo capo!!

Yes! Love your Band-maid reactions, breaking down the sounds for us. 👍👍👍 I too can't find that puzzle and anemone acoustic performance. 😔 But for Puzzle, they really brought out the right mood for the song for acoustic version which is a sad song actually.

You have amazing listening skills

My standards for my own arrangements keep getting pushed higher by listening to this band and watching videos like this. Something that strikes me is how no one part of the song stands on its own. Kanami's riffs depend on Miku's chords, and vice versa. Miku playing those chords so sparingly in the one chorus wouldn't make sense without Kanami's riffs, and none of it would work without Misa holding it all together and Akane driving it forward. And all of that creates the canvas for Saiki's vocals. Thinking about all that reminds me that I'm just one guy of only middling ability, but that doesn't make me want to give up, I just need to practice more.

they are my favourite rock band of all time. there is nothing better past present or future