チュムチュム (Chumu Chumu) PV review
Unlike most of my reviews, I won't get into details here, and it is most likely that this post would not even reach half the length of my other reviews. The purpose of this review is not really for the sake of analysis; but for the ramblings, praises and rants I thought I should deliver before I move on to the main course (which is reviewing the tracks in the album). Um, you know that I'm veraciously critical on sounds than on visuals. xD
Click to viewチュムチュム (Chumu Chumu) PV should have been one of NEWS' most remarkable PVs--if it wasn't for KAGUYA being released first, 5 months prior, with as colorful and sexy concept as in this new PV. But チュムチュム still has its stand-out points, and that should be the case for their first-ever Indian sound and theme.
The best thing in the PV is the dancing and choreography. We've seen fierce!NEWS especially at concerts but you don't have to be at a concert this time to notice how intricate the steps are, and the equivalent artistry NEWS applies to the dance steps.
Going to the theme, I guess we all have clues on how Indian concepts work, based on Bollywood movies to documentaries about Indian culture... Even just mentioning India you'd know it's about the exaggerations and exaggerations and exaggerations in exaggerating gobs. Why? They like to be fantastic. If we'd be to point one culture that's outrageous in everything, from the number of religious deities, to the everyday fashion style, there's no doubt (and no other options): India.
And so that's how I expected the PV to look like. Outrageous. Lots of random scenes, like flying carpets (I KNOW THAT'S ARABIAN BUT HECK I SAID RANDOM); a happy crowd of back-up dancers (think of Gangnam Style--I KNOW THAT'S KOREAN BUT HECK I SAID RANDOM); NEWS making weird faces in spite of the prevailing sexy concept; displays of Indian musical instruments just to know they are doing legit India; and most importantly, outdoor scenes. Yes, I hoped for a Bollywood movie-style PV.
Instead, I got a dance video of "Let's Zumba with NEWS while learning the basics of belly dancing from the back-up dancers".
This isn't to say that I totally despise the PV. NEWS is enough. No matter how bad a material is, it would always be good enough because we look at the idols more than we care about the background. Seeing their expressions, singing and dancing on camera is sufficient. Now, チュムチュム is even more special. Look at how it differs from KAGUYA even though both are sensual PVs. The other one is dramatic sexy and this is frolic sexy. Next to Koi no ABO, Chumu Chumu is NEWS' party PV. (But ah, we're not talking about a stray disco club in Japan here. We're in "India"!)
I quoted India because, the lack of Indian flavor for my critical taste does not hide the fact that visually, the video shouts no other but India. Musically and lyrically too. The members' faces tell us that they had a good time shooting the PV. Who wouldn't, if you have a very cool choreography covering three-fourths of your video? And who wouldn't, when you are an idol group that's given a chance to interpret themes like these?
I couldn't discuss the dance 'coz I'm uncomfy in that area (frustrated dancer here! orz). All I know is, the lots of jumping coupled with catchy footwork and sultry hand movements are some of the best I've seen from NEWS--in my opinion, this is one of NEWS' best dances--in my honest opinion, this is NEWS' best dance.
And in a dance PV like this, the one who naturally stands out is Massu.
In my Chumu Chumu (song) first impression post, I complained a little about Massu. Whereas in the PV, he's the outstanding one in my eyes. I'm guessing that it is because: A) The choreo excites him B) The costumes (he made) excite him C) His eyeliner excites him D) all of the above. Look closely. Massu is really, really fierce in this PV.
For the other members, I'll put it this way... While Massu shocks me with his fierceness, Koyama gives the adorably cute factor; like, he seriously looks the youngest! Shige is the gentlemanly one, the most fitting 'character' in the PV. If Chumu Chumu was a movie he prolly was the lead actor. Lastly, Tegoshi continues the Diva saga. As if you'd be surprised. xD
Overall, the PV would still have to grow more on me. But the dance is perfect, the costumes are pleasing, and NEWS is eya' hot!
Rating: ★★ for the PV
★★★★★ for NEWS' performance in the PV
For a fuller experience, download the PV and the single's tracks at darxina's journal!
Bonus:
(cr: kaguya-princess)
Come hither and I'll foretell your future... Future with me~ ♪