Professor Hartley, the biggest researcher and critic of Babymetal - as a phenomenon - in the world. We need your analysis always so sensitive and enlightening. I guess this new album represents the transition, the rite process to the adult world, definitely. It is a delicate moment, sensitive and profound, existentially. May they achieve success and happiness in this hard passage. May they never forget his childhood origins and that enchanted all the fans, who understood that it was not just another band, but the real representation of the existence of those girls, today young women. Babymetal is a human and cultural experience through Art.

Very good reaction. At the end of the film, it turned into color, which was very shocking...

I'm crying with you, professor. So emotional, tears inducing voice and instrumentals. I have never felt the music so hard in my 40 year life, like with BM, especially Monochrome

I saw the flowers in the images as well. Instantly thought of a lotus 🪷 flower.

疫病、戦争、自然災害、この狂った世界で、私は今夜もこの澄み切った声を抱きしめて眠りに就くことでしょう。

Thank you so much for your beautiful reaction and analysis. Typical you! （さすがです！）Too many profound observations for me to respond to, so just one = your description of Su's "Pure" voice being not just of hope but conviction hit my heart. Yes, that has always been at the core of BABYMETAL! Every time I hear this song, I am smiling with tears in my eyes.

As person from Russia that images hurts me so much that I cannot hear this song without instant tears. I can't think about this song without connection to the current context and it... yes, hurts so much...

Su METAL の歌声は琴線に触れる。 私の中でもベストな楽曲の１つです。 『モノクロームの花火なら、僕らは虹色で包もう世界を、笑顔で』 Su METAL が歌うから説得力があるし、BABYMETAL だからこそポジティブなメッセージになる。 見事な考察を有難う御座います🦊👍🦊

Excellent as always, thank you. I think you said everything that needed saying and the comments below covered anything else I may have thought to add about how this song makes me feel.

Nice reaction. With all that's happened in the world in the last few years. This song hits it right on the head. The blending of the Norse mythology with the real-world atomic bomb dropping is brilliant song writing. But when you add in the images they used for a so-called lyric video. Stunning. This should be called a story video. While all of this could be taken in many ways. That is a Babymetal hallmark to their lyrics. Folk can relate to the lyrics individually. Fighting depression during covid lockdowns is a real thing. For many it feels like the world was monochrome and might still feel that way. A surrealness to the world. I've seen many post on how Babymetal have gotten people through some very tuff times in their lives. Babymetal delivers on yet another strong positive message song. No matter how bad things are now. You can survive and We can build a better life. Which is part of the Ragnarök myth. There are survivors who build a better world. Babymetal for me as well dig into their roots here. That opening is reminiscent of Babymetal death. But also, Lyrically Catch me if You Can. A song about a version of hide and seek. At the end of hide and seek. The tagger would call out in a sing tone to anyone still hiding that it was safe to come out. That feels like that's what Moa is singing. Lockdowns are over it's safe to come out and see us in concert. Ok I just want it to be safe to see them in concert. I'm sure I'm not alone in that thought. And the idea of seeing them in concert does bring a smile to my face. Babymetal brings us a song of hope through tragedy. Babymetals back and the color returns to the world. They're still the happiest place in metal.

素晴らしい👏 コメントですネ👏 貴方はBABYMETALです❗ Ｗｅ are BABYMETAL 🦊

Perfect Reaction !! Thank you!

私は、ベビーメタルがこの世界と現実に真摯に向き合う姿勢が好きです 🦊☔🌈

I have often been told that I have the emotional capacity of a brick, BUT I have listened to this a few dozen times now and I still tear up every time I hear this. What else is waiting for us with the other new songs? I can't wait. Great reaction and analysis Prof Hartley.

Thank you for doing this again ! At first I thought Hiroshima and maybe Suzuka is the girl with the umbrella, but maybe it's Sasaki Sadako ? You might want to look at this SG-diary entry as well (translated by onji-Kobe) 🌸Diary 2010🌸 SG students' diary 20100806 Suzuka SG students' diary 20100806 Suzuka Title: Hiroshima We go to school on August 6 every year, although it's during summer holidays. It's the day of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony. At 8:15am, we observe a moment of silence. At night, we have Toro Nagashi Ceremony. Now I can enjoy singing, I can laugh, because of the 'Peace'. This year, I've turned the 1st grader in middle school. Sasaki Sadako-san, the girl of the origami-cranes about whom we've learned at the class of peace-education in elementary school, passed away at the same age with me. She only lived for 12 years. She must have wanted to live longer. She must have wanted to do more and more things. I listened to 'inori' of Kumiko-san, and that made me think of Sadako-san again. With gratitude for being alive, with thankfulness for being able to do what I really love -- singing!, I'll do my best in the coming event. Ｓｕｚｕｋａ 【August 6 is the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. "Toro Nagashi" is a ceremony where people hold a memorial service for the spirits of the deceased by floating paper lanterns and other offerings in a river. Wiki about Sasaki Sadako. 'INORI' is a song which sings about Sadako and her origami-cranes (There is a legend that anyone who folds one thousand origami-cranes will be granted a wish). Footage. Lyrics in Eng】

Masuji Ibuse's novel "Kuroi Ame" compares the ash fall of an atomic bomb to black rain. Su-metal is from Hiroshima and received peace education from an early age. The black umbrella in this video clearly represents the fear of nuclear weapons.

6:59 i had the exact same reaction

Hiroshima, Hibakujumoku Trees, and Endless Rain Most probably already know what the song BABYMETAL - Monochrome tells, which is a story about a glimmer of hope from the citizens of Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb that devastated the city which is also the birthplace of Suzuka Nakamoto And the Hibakujumoku Tree became a Symbol of Hope after it was the only tree that survived the Atomic Bomb Attack The name of the title of the song Monochrome also reflects the situation of Hiroshima which became pitch black and the rain of nuclear contamination that continued to fall. #BABYMETAL #HIROSHIMA

Awesome analysis… thank you

It's a beautiful song...

Man I always love your analysis, but with the actual first time reaction included, this video is absolute gold! Well done :) 🤘🦊🤘

Great content again Professor, you never disappoint. I agree that Monochrome is top tier Babymetal, I just cannot wait to see what they do with this song live. As you have pointed out this song oozes melody, both in instrumentals and vocals. It now sits firmly in my top five favorite Babymetal songs. I would like to pick up on just one thing: I haven't seen this talked about in other reactions, but I can't believe that no one I have watched has mentioned how much Su's voice (when she goes into the almost crying, frustrated kind of scream at about 3:17 in your video), sounds like Delores O'Riordan from the Cranberries in their song 'Zombie'. For me, this links the present situation in the Ukraine to the Irish Troubles and to Hiroshima and Nagasaki (this is a long bow, I know). Monochrome appears to carry a war theme. However, I also feel that later in the song there is an environmental aspect when the planet depicted has its atmosphere is destroyed and cartoon Su (can tell by the ponytail) only has her umbrella as protection against the forces outside, be they meteoric or objects more nefarious. There seems to be so many messages in Monochrome that I see something new every time I watch the video. I can't believe that I still get emotional watching this song, even though I know what is coming. The song is so good.

Is a great song and whatever is the meaning behind will still be a great track with a beautiful message.... _"Just smile"_ Thanks for sharing this Andrew.🦊🤘🌈

SUMETALの無垢な歌声に打たれました… まるで数年前に戻ったかのようです… 歌詞の内容とも相まって、寂寥感を感じます まさにBABYMETALにしかできない表現だと思います 今回も教授の分析を興味深く拝聴いたしました ありがとうございます

I say this time and time again, but I think it bears repeating - the quality of this comment section compared to that which is oftentimes found elsewhere on the internet is yet another indicator proving that you've been doing something very valuable through your video explorations (and other endeavors in life, of course). Your work inspires people to think about our entertainment in a more thoughtful manner, and I think that's quite fitting as BABYMETAL continues to grow, and start to have even more insightful things to say. Thus far, Monochrome definitely feels like one of their most "personal" songs, and I'm all here for it. I enjoyed the "little kids being metal cheerleaders" era very much for what it was, but I'm so looking forward to seeing what they do next!

Beautiful.

Always delivering such a profound analysis of each BM song…amazing

Great reaction and analysis as always. Great stuff AJ! 🤘🦊🔥

Listened to BM for about 6K hours now. and I wasn't actually hyped at all about the new album. It'll be there when it is, and that's all. But. I almost accidentally clicked on this (no offence meant, AH; I'm a big fan) and within about 4 minutes I'm blubbing like a child. This is Babymetal, back and bold. I'm not sure if I'll even finish watching this vid, or just wait until the album comes out. But it is SO beautiful to know that they are still out there and there is still hope of further ONEness. I miss Yui with all my heart, and always will; she was certainly the cutest thing this world has ever seen. But at least we still have this legacy, and hopefully future.

Thank you, AJ. Always enjoy your discussions of BM music. Cheers, man!

As always love your very informative reaction and breakdown . The high note Su hits with the last " We Will " gets me every single time . Su's vocals just make you feel ❤️ I can not wait to see Su , Moa and the Kamis perform it live and see Su putting her full emotions into the performance 😁🤘🦊🤘

Possibly my favorite BABYMETAL reaction of yours. Arigatou! 🦊🤘 #notacult #justsmile

Had been looking at quite a few reactions to "Monochrome" after hearing it on a reaction channel, when I came across yours. Would like to express my appreciation for the analytical and emotional content - the combination of the two is so interesting, inspiring and, above all, informative. I've probably been someone who arrives at connections with songs typically via their emotional impact, but your analysis has vastly added to my appreciation of the thematic content of this song. I first heard of Babymetal around 2014, and hoovered up everything I could pretty much straight up, as I found them a fascinating 'concoction': viscerally interesting and musically fascinating, but also a little challenging, as they were vastly different from any music blend I'd previously experienced, and I had a niggling concern about it being a performative marketing exercise in combination with a vague feeling of exploitation in a 'work for hire' sense. But as time, and their careers, progressed I felt less concerned about that aspect, as their longevity stretched and the girl's own personalities found their way to the surface. I feel their progression and maturation as performers has been interestingly notable: it has changed the nature of their music in an evolving way, and has enhanced their credentials greatly. The first substantial step in this evolution was ,for me, the song "Karate", and now "Monochrome" is to me another quantum leap for the group. Their best song ever? - feels like it to me, until the next leap arrives, if the future allows it. Anyway, thanks for the reaction - look forward to more new content, and working my way through your back catalogue. Cheers.

excellent content Professor Andrew-Metal, as always your BABYMETAL insight is wonderful. I see that you had a few emotional moments, as do several kitsunes that feel BABYMETAL's music, myself included.

I have nothing more to say. Great thanks AJ-san.

As always, professor, thanks a lot for sharing your insights and in this case also emotions. My own interpretation is on a far more personal level. Dieing dreams , old age, crumbling relationships, but if you find a significant other you can dream with, than the colour can come back. But then, I got to know Monochrome via The First Take long before I really watched the visuals, and I understand now where this "nuclear" interpretation comes from. I am also aware that my take on the song might say more about me than about the song. Again, thank you for your time.

Hadn’t noticed the similarity to Death, but yeah… so looking forward to the album. For me, the umbrellas remind me of pictures of D-Day parachutes.

There's a post on the BABYMETAL subreddit with a lot of info

Excellent commentary and analysis that has added to my internal picture and understanding of the song. On first listen I found myself simply in awe of the tonal quality of Su-'s vocals in the opening verse. I heard this somewhat in Divine Attack, but here there is an ease to her singing I have not heard from her before. Not the driving, cutting clarity of young belting Suzuka. This is not the "sing as loud as I want/can" of the Su-chan Flet's angel. Nor the intense-she has a death-glare-power of Su-metal. I have not heard this style of vocal in a top-tier artist since Karen Carpenter. (soprano vs contralto notwithstanding.) I have fallen in love with her voice all over again. Great song.

Thank you for your reaction. I enjoy all your analysis of BABYMETAL and your love for them. This is a very emotional song for me and every replay makes the tears pool in my eyes. Su and Moa are masters of emotion projection and I don't think Koba could have chosen anyone better. There are many related interpretations to this song at many levels from obvious to subtle, past to present and public to personal. (And it hits me personally about my previous depression) I think this makes Monochrome a very, very beautiful and meaningful song of epic level. The intro always reminded me of something familiar but I could not place it until you mentioned for reminiscent of BABYMETAL Death. That hits it perfectly!! Thank you again! 🤘🦊🤘

Always great to see these breaksdowns, AJ. You always find details and connections that the rest of us miss. My two bits is that they are drawing a parallel between the destruction and rebirth of Hiroshima, and Ragnarok in which there is also rebirth after the destruction of the main gods. I think that the underlying theme is rebirth or creation out of destruction that pain and grief have to be suffered through to find hope on the other side.

Powerful, emotive, thought provoking, with a myriad of possible interpretations yes classic Babymetal The opening vocals pure tinged with a sadness, almost a lament for something lost, the umbrellas are interesting 🤔 l thought of Matsuji Ibuse's novel Black rain. Which l read as a teenager, and at that age it was all too vivid but l don't feel it's ment as any direct reference to Hiroshima as such, but a more general comment on nuclear warfare. The Norse mythology is a nice touch and give the whole thing as you say a very Tolkienish feel, especially the emphasis on the tree or nature. As you say the Bokura where the music drops out is especially emphasized. We're all in this together and perhaps it's only when we collectively make a change that beauty or colour to the world can return. I also get a sense of their being beauty even in a monochrome world, that in such times beauty can still be found. So their is also a ring of hope though out the whole track. Each individual can draw varying pictures so brilliantly done.

🍅💀🍅 🤘🏼🦊🤘🏼 " Just smile "

LMAOO the clickbaity thumbnail hahaha. I don't know who is editing your videos, but for sure is doing an incredible job. Extremely entertaining to watch on top of being informative!

Love your reaction and this is my favorite babymetal song for sure.. Amaaaazing

That was sooo... good! Thank you. This grittiness initially upset me. But under this carpet you feel - without effort - the positivity of this song. 🤘 🎸 🤘

The previous BABYMETAL was something to watch in a way. The new BABYMETAL is a full-fledged METAL band when you listen to them, but when you watch them, I'm waiting for next year's concert in anticipation of an experience that will establish them as BABYMETAL 😁. Think! And feel! That is the one and only new BABYMETAL😊.

I love all the speculation on the meaning of this song, in other words yet another great Babymetal song. I have given it plenty of thought, and there are good arguments for most theories. I think that is maybe because the song fits a lot of different things, for example as an exercise I considered if this song was about depression and mental health issues and sure enough the lyrics and symbolism fit perfectly as well as the overall message of persisting and fighting to a better future, so perhaps the song is just that, the same message as in so many other Babymetal songs.

Yeahh!! 🤘🦊🤘 Beautiful reaction man.. thank you🖤

Such an amazing reaction and talk through of your feelings Andrew. Its great to see that Su's voice can still affect people like she does to me...haunting, melodic, hopeful and simply beautiful. The first 2 tracks from the new album have been so good and it fills me with joy to think we are so close to more BabyMetal songs. I had read that there was talk of this track being around Hiroshima, but your explanation makes a lot of sense. Thank you again for the reaction. Stay safe. Ray

この曲大好きなので、リアクション動画出してくれて嬉しいです😊

I have probably listened to Monochrome 200 times since it came out last week. As much as I love Babymetal... as much as I listen to Babymetal... there has never been a Babymetal song that has completely grabbed me like this one. Is is the best Babymetal song ever? I think the mere fact that I can't dismiss that possibility shows how strong a song it is. I think there are some Babymetal fans who are looking for the "craziness" that was the old Babymetal without recognizing the "craziness" that is the new Babymetal. I keep thinking in my head... if this is a Pop song... why is there a 45 second instrumental to begin the track. If this is Metal, why isn't there a guitar solo in the middle. There are three verses... and each one has a different musical bed. There are three choruses that are all subtly different. There are strategic places where they drop the music so that only the voices can be heard. Moa is so important with the backing Woo-Oh-Oh's that bring a lightness to the song which is so heavy in meaning. And... only at the end does Su join her. They have found a way to meld everything so it doesn't sound completely foreign anymore... yet it is. I find that absolutely fascinating. I could talk just about the structure of the song for paragraphs and paragraphs (and I might at some point). It is a stunning piece of art. And, in terms of Babymetal's future... I see this being just as important of a song as Megitsune (which took them out of Sakura Gakuin and into their own). I came into Babymetal relatively late and maybe because I came in with Distortion, I don't have the same mental baggage of being there from the beginning. Or, maybe it's just that I don't want any band that I like to not continue to evolve. Evolution is what we should all be striving for (in my opinion). And, Monochrome is exactly the type of song I hoped they would make. I'm glad they did.

I love to see that I'm not the only one picking out connections to previous BabyMetal songs in this: BabyMetal Death and Road of Resistance as you mentioned, of course. I also hear beats that remind me of From Dusk To Dawn (verse), The One (chorus), Catch Me If You Can (intro), Kagerou (the alt-rock base) and especially Karate (the overall composition), among others. I wonder if you've seen that too, and whether that might show a potential shift from taking genres and styles of other metal bands as they did for their first 3 albums and changing that to take their own stuff and start mashing them together to create their own unique sound that pushes through another boundary, and what that might mean for them moving forward. From my perspective, that is exciting. I really want to see where that could take them.

Thank you professor for your wonderful response. The surviving tree that is said to symbolize the atomic bombing of Hiroshima is the "Aogiri". "Aogiri" means Chinese parasol tree in English. Umbrellas imply many things.

Wonderful analysis! To me this song is very hopeful and energising, i love that you pointed to that inspiring, ensuring last chorus that's like a call-to-action: WE WILL illuminate this monochrome world with colourful light. There is a progression, a narrative, in the (last lines of) the choruses: First one 'What colour can we imagine the night sky?' comes from a place of uncertainty, what can we do against this darkness? The second one, 'we will imagine the night sky in rainbow colours': we found an inner spark of hope, we can already envision a brighter future. Then the last one, accentuated by the music dropping during the 'bokura wa': 'we will illuminate the word in rainbow colours' is turning that inner spark outwards, actively changing the world together. The power of imagination!

I also agree with you.

"When you hear Su-metal sing..." Yep 😭

another amazing job! Please, never stop doing these :)

Loved this thoughtful reaction - there's been way too much kneejerk "this is too poppy and slow" and people getting bent out of shape that we aren't just getting Doki Doki Morning or Gimmie Chocolate all over again in a lot of the reactions I've seen.

I'm glad somebody else "gets it". Your response mirrored my own upon my first watching. Thank you! The intent from the band was a "concept album" where Babymetal visits different worlds, in this case, a dying Sun on a planet with the promise of rebirth. There are other concepts that you've mentioned of course as well, which makes all this work accessible to everyone like true art.

You make me cry.

Such thoughtful commentary and reaction is much appreciated. Babymetal is deep and multilayered..so many levels!. This is one reason i have been drawn to them since day one. So thank you professor. You have a new subscriber. 🦊🦊🦊🤟

🖤🖤🖤

I have heard that Su-Metal has written the song Divine attack. Su-Metal is actually from Hiroshima, so I think she actually also wrote this song. I think you are right this song is about the bombing.

Pure Bliss

The copium on that "Please" at 4:22 haha I was waiting for this reaction. Thanks!

Was waiting for your reaction. And not disappointed at all. Also liked the fact that you immersed yourself into the music first, rather than dissecting. Sometimes, it's good to do what Su said - don't think, just feel.

The beginning Guitars remind me of Early Rise

Watching your Reaction to the New BM in this Track. and listening to your view of the imagery, and my mind went straight to Hiroshima. an average citizen is going threw their daily routine and Bang. Monochrome. desolation, disaster. but by the end. the Color returns. Albeit a raged vision of how the day started, but the Color is back. Hope survived. and will prevail.

Let it out, let it all out

Thank you sir. We saw babymetal live in kuala Lumpur and the song was just epic

私はあなたに救われました。 BABYMETALのファンを続けることができます。

Sugoi 🤘😎🤙

Regarding "Hotaru no Haka" ("Grave of the Fireflies"): This is the most devastating piece of cinematography I've ever seen! If you remotely have this thing called empathy it completely destroys you. I have watched this movie twice in the past (with around ten years between the sightings) and I swear I will never ever watch it again! I have to admit that I got a little bit (maybe more) traumatized by it. This said: Everyone should watch this movie once in their lifetime!

This is the one Nice review Kagerou/brand new day vibe

Do you see a mushroom cloud in the silhouette of the girl with the umbrella at the end of song?

Great video as always. Thanks. This song may be the most extreme contrast of heavy (music) and light (vocals) in any BM song yet. And, yes, Suzuka's singing has no irony or sneer, and I would add no kitsch either. She uses very little vibrato and few slides or runs. No unearned sentiment, just tone, amplitude and real emotion.

We have been waiting for you. Thank you for your always implied reviews. I believe that Babymetal was forced to change course markedly by the plague and war immediately after the release of their third album. I guess that's why it's The Other One, and I'm sorry to think that they had a true fourth album on their hands. I'm sure there were many bright and fun songs on that album. But I also think this reaction is what rock music is all about. It is really sad and painful. The many falling umbrellas look like the incendiary rain from "Grave of the Fireflies," and when Ragnarok is brought up, the subject seems to be universalized to include the bombing of Dresden. So, for me, the fact that Su is a third generation A-bomb survivor overlaps with Kurt Vonnegut, Jr, whom I respect. But I don't think Su intends to show it off too much. More than that, this song sounded like they were worried about the Russian fans who came to the Moscow concert three years ago. BABYMETAL values their fans more than anything else.

Both the two new songs there is something different in the way they have layered Su's vocals. Previously they always seemed to be fighting over the music. Here she is clearly standing on top and above. Clear, strong, powerful AND mature (the girlish tones now gone). This is a woman at the very top of her vocal skills.

"The longing, the yearning, for something better." Happy to see I wasn't the only one who was emotionally affected by this song. As always, GREAT analysis and first reaction. Edited: One additional note about the color pallette, I think the monochrome palette is supposed to represent soot and ash aftermath. That's indicative of the sudden splash of color on the tree of hope for a better tomorrow.

I hope one day I will hear this anti-war song on stage in Ukraine. I was impressed by the singing ability of Su-metal Charm without tricks😢 arigatou🙋

Great reaction and review Professor. In my opinion this song convey sadness and hope beautifully just like in NRNR. And good call for umbrella and Grave of the Fireflies there. IIRC Fireflies and Totoro was released as double feature in Japan. ✌️

Yes they're back, and so are you! Thanks to your video it's helped me better appreciate Monochrome for its worth as I'd initially thought it would be one of the rare occasions of a BM song where I didn't quite get it the first few times but would eventually grow to love eventually. So... will you be attending Makuhari Messe? 😊

Monochrome was the word observers used to describe the color (or lack of) during the first A- bomb test. Suzuka Nakamoto's message isn't subtle, it's the Japanese way. Su chan' s generation doesn't want nuclear weapons used on populated cities ever again. They are right! And as a Westerner, I am on Su-metal's side. Her internal beauty shouldn't make anyone uncomfortable. Having a connection with her on something this important to her shouldn't be missed.

as a soon to be concept album, I wonder what are your thoughts about the correlation to singeki (which I heard they've changed it from cavalry) here I am wanting to dig deeper thanks to you professor 😜

What is an atomic bomb if not a monochrome firework and what is a nuclear attack if not Ragnarök? Also: the survivors used umbrellas to shield themselves from fallout and there were some trees that survived which became kind of mythical in a very real way. Beautiful song. I'm very excited for the direction of this album.

I love this song and the video really adds something to it. I love the parts on both new songs when Su sings softly. Was interesting to hear your thoughts on the umbrellas because that was the main thing that I couldn't up with much of an explanation for when trying to understand what was going on. Regarding the part with the flower. I've seen some people saying they think it might be a lotus and the explanation for that makes sense but my own idea is that it's an Oleander. Oleander is the official flower of the city of Hiroshima, having been the first to bloom following the atomic bombing of the city in 1945. I could be wrong but it fits with the theme and in my opinion it matches the appearance of the flower in the video more closely than a Lotus. I hope the backing vocal for this song is sung live at the concerts and they don't decide to use a backing track for it. I suppose it depends on how intensely Moa is having to dance during and also if a similar sounding can be done live and outside of the studio.

Amazing reaction/discussion... again. Thanks! Just wanted to point out that the flower looks quite a lot like a Nelumbo nucifera, best known as lotus flower. It is a sacred flower in Hinduism and Buddhism, where represents the path to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Although I still prefer "Divine Attach" musically, "Monochrome" got me from the lyrics perspective. And that's amazing! Until next time!

Yeah I got similar conclusions and images myself, even the Grave of the Fireflies feeling, but I think I never mentioned it because thinking about that movie brings me back PTSD xD I had never thought on the umbrellas as an image of protection, to me those clips with them falling are a metaphore of the area bombings. There is a short image at the first part of the video with a set of lines grow like a mushroom cloud, but if you look slowly it's really making the form of the metal bars in an umbrella. I think it is making a relationship between the two things. But then it does not fit very well with the girl wearing it for protecting her from the rain later. Other stuff that I noticed in the video... -The relation between the firework and the fire flower, that for someone who does not have a notion of japanese might not make the relation on the play on words. The hanabi made a symbol of destruction but also of rebirth. -The stylistic choice, that reminds of a 40s video, with a lot grain and black and white color. I think it is made with the whole intent of bringing you to that era of conflict. -How it revisits common themes in the BABYMETAL history. How it is playing with the light and the rainbow as a spectre of the light being the same. We travel from the dusk til the dawn through the long night, never stranding from our road of resistance. We see the rainbow spectrum coming after the rain, reaching a brand new day. -If we check the distortion music video we see fight against giants in this destroyed city landscape, it might be also reminiscent of the ragnarok. -I am not sure of what happens in the end. I think the girl approaches the tree, the fire blossom then grows inside her, and she rises as a new sun, who then makes the stars (The One?) bright stronger and together they bring back the light. I am not sure if it is exactly what is happening at the end, but maybe. Su sacrificing her life to become the sun and bring light to the world through her singing is another very recurrent theme in the BABYMETAL legendarium. What happens here at the end, if it is what I think it is, it is very well explained in the two kamishibais that played before BABYMETAL DEATH and THE ONE at Legend S. --- I also never expected them to go this way. I thought the big Amuse suit guys would make them go for a more mainstream approach, a product for this people that collect Moa gifs like if she was one more of the girls in KPop bands. But they have gone to the total opposite and made a product with big depthness and emotion, made for a weird person like me. For that I am very grateful. And Su, how good she is. That part before the first chorus when the first firework rises to the sky rips your chest.

The tree - Hibakujumoku (Japanese: 被爆樹木; also called survivor tree or A-bombed tree in English) is a Japanese term for a tree that survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945

Bokurawa will now replace Imananji as my go-to Babymetal chant! Well outside of Nametara Ikanzeyo )))

personally I think the song/video had more to do with the destruction of the environment then war, which can be seen with image of the world then outer shield disappears, showing the depletion of the Ozone, also the rain (as acid rain), the umbrella (for me) is the band aid solutions people come up with, no one wants to address the real problems cause well money and greed, which can also apply to the title itself Monochrome (single color) or my interpretation single mindset

Ah, I was waiting for your analysis of this song - great as always and as close to a "normal" reaction video as we'll ever get I suppose. ;-) I really like "Monochrome" and it has to be one of the best and most intricate lyric videos ever done (at least of those I've seen). It seems to me that the album will be a lot darker and more cohesive than their earlier stuff. Which on the one hand is great and will make for an awesome album which may get more people interested in BABYMETAL who may disgarded them as gimmicky before. But on the other hand it may make them more like a conventional metal/rock band which would be a bit sad (for me). What drew me in to the BM world was the original juxtaposition of the cute and the dark/heavy and the playfulness and musical ecclecticism, etc. So when they get rid of the kawaii and fun part I may have a harder time to be as fascinated as I was before. The Metal Galaxy album wasn't really my cup of tea and I was afraid that they would go on in that direction - but it seems that The Other One will be an unusual album for BM. Not as "weird" and crazy as before. Btw there are japanese bands who perfectly manage to combine kawaii with seriousness and maturity (and the band members being in their 20's or even 30's) so it's not mandatory to drop this part of their style just because Su & Moa are in their mid 20's now. But it seems that's what they are going for, at least with TOO. But that being said, I'm still very happy that the first two songs turned out to be very very good which gives me hopes that the album will be some kind of a banger. 🙂 "Monochrome" isn't a song that I will listen to on repeat but it will fit perfectly on the album and I will enjoy it in that flow, I can feel that.

I've known babymetal from the beginning, but never really listened to them. The occasional video on youtube two or three times a year but that's it. Then I heard the first take version of monochrome and I was blown away. I've listened to the piano version so many times I lost count. Now I am hearing the full orchestral version the first time. I'm sure I'm going to love it.

One reading of this song I like is it's a "goodbye" to Yui. A fond and tender one, at that.

Thanks for the emotional and thoughtful reaction. I confess I took a while to appreciate this one. The production on the two singles so far has confused me: I am so used to being able to hear hints - even in studio tracks - of what a live performance might sound like. With these new songs I've not really been able to get that feeling beyond a vague sense that live is, indeed, the context in which they will really shine. I also see the iris and pupil of an eye in that ambiguous form in the sky that seems to be tree, umbrella, nuke mushroom and flower simultaneously. The drop where just Su's voice remains is devastating. I'd also like to see/hear a third performer but so long as we manage to keep Su and Moa I'll be happy. I'd also like to see more visibility and open acknowledgement for the Kami Band. I don't know any fan who doesn't have a wish list for the return.

Another level of meaning rooted in the personal. Su is from Hiroshima and had survivor grandparents. Growing up before moving to Tokyo she would know the stories of neighbours and the memorials, including the main survivor tree in the centre. I read that there were 190 trees in the Greater Hiroshima area; now reduced to 170. Unlike on Divine Attack Su is not credited as a lyricist on this one

Dr. Hartley, are you able to translate the japanese characters that are skewed in the video? Are they just the lyrics in one of the character sets?

Another reactor immediately recognized the flower blooming as a Lotus which makes sense .The Lotus has significance in both Japanese and Buddhist culture associated with purity, transformation, renewal and enlightenment.

The verses have a nursery rhyme feel to them at points. Or is that just me?