THE MONSTER POST OF MONSTER
Because once upon a time Monster made me cry real tears, and the rest of the time it makes me smile, it's time to give this single back some love.
Let's start at the beginning, as you would, with how we open: the members hype everyone up, step aside to make a path for Ohno, Ohno approaches, and then... oh then, Ohno crooks his finger and invites you to join in the magic that is MONSTER.
Into this evening's darkness, a monster luring you in
While Monster is certainly upbeat, sparkly, shiny boymanband fun - I wouldn't really classify it as a typical pop song. If it was released for anything other than a drama I think it might get a confused head tilt or two. But that's okay! Because Monster is special. Monster requires suspending a little disbelief. When you listen to Monster, when you watch a performance of Monster, you sign yourself up for a brief moment of fantasy.
Don't you want to enter the Monster world? Ohno beckons you!
By the time you notice, you're already caught by the monster There's no escape
LETS TALK ABOUT: THE CHOREOGRAPHY
As we established above, you've been pulled into the performance with a pretty seductive come hither. You've wandered into a room with no doors (or "You're going to be trapped in a dark room~" - Aiba in the making of the PV).
But what I love about the choreography is that they deliver on the promise of the mysterious, weird, something romantic but wicked this way comes premise that the tone of the song indicates. After all, what the hell is Matsumoto Jun doing flailing on the ground?
I have no idea! ... but I like it.
I like it a lot.
Why is there a dance move that requires them to spread their arms and legs as far as they can and then pivot like a mummy/robot?
BECAUSE MONSTER THAT'S WHY.
Some of my favorite moves belong to Sakurai "Spellmaster" Sho, as I am fairly positive he is playing a wizard version of himself each performance.
HE'S THERE...INSIDE YOUR MIND.
Don't fight it.
The only thing more powerful than the wandless magic of Sakurai (which Hogwarts house, guys?) is this ALMIGHTY HAIR FLIP OF NINOMIYA THE GREAT.
He'll search for you for you even if he's reborn!! Might have a little trouble finding you with those bangs, but HEY. ♥
Also possibly more powerful than magic?
This sassy Aiba pose that I noticed during the Hawaii performance. YES PLZ (© Sho's recent jweb)
But my absolute favorite part of the choreography, of course, is the waltz. OH BY THE WAY, DID I MENTION THAT MONSTER HAS A WALTZ BREAKDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF IT!? How many of your favorite songs just decide to be a waltz halfway through? Other songs wish they were Monster. Other songs wish they were transporting you to a world of wind-up gentlemen in what might be a dusty castle tower.
All jokes aside, I love that so much. SO MUCH.
Let's Talk About: THE SETTING
How do you know that you're about to enter the realm of MONSTER? Clocks. Always the clocks.
Other than the clock requirement, you can really switch it up.
Monster can be in Hawaii, with fire dancers.
Monster can be in an ice palace with projected classical art.
Monster can be lasers!!!!
pewpewpew
So long as we're all clear that it's Monster time, anything goes.
Let's Talk About: THE BEAUTY
Look at it.
Look at it in Hawaii.
Look at it in a row.
Look at it on fire.
Let's Talk About: THE PASSION
Feel it.
Let's shout this ten thousand year love
Let's Talk About: THE MAKING OF THE PV
In all honesty, the making of this PV is so delightful I have a hard time not just sticking the video in here. In order to not blatantly break rules, I will refrain, but you should really just go watch it again if you haven't in awhile.
One of the best parts of the making of this PV is that we are told very early on that Aiba has lost his mind.
HIJIKI... BOMB!
But also there are shenanigans with 3/5 Arashis accidentally singing Ohno's part and making excellent faces.
Excitement over Ohno's drama~
Dramatic fight sequences!
Fun with foreign language!
A loveable attempt was made
A conga line of butt touching!!
And more! Including Aiba saying Sho looked nice "Like a hairdresser", Nino shouting "Now's my chance!!" and quickly attacking Ohno while a stylist watched helplessly on, and Aiba's famous KOKORO dance move ♥
IN SUMMARY: Monster is its own magic gem of perfection in the glittering discography of Arashi and it should be cherished.
And if you disagree, I will fight you.
RAWR
Let's start at the beginning, as you would, with how we open: the members hype everyone up, step aside to make a path for Ohno, Ohno approaches, and then... oh then, Ohno crooks his finger and invites you to join in the magic that is MONSTER.
Into this evening's darkness, a monster luring you in
While Monster is certainly upbeat, sparkly, shiny boymanband fun - I wouldn't really classify it as a typical pop song. If it was released for anything other than a drama I think it might get a confused head tilt or two. But that's okay! Because Monster is special. Monster requires suspending a little disbelief. When you listen to Monster, when you watch a performance of Monster, you sign yourself up for a brief moment of fantasy.
Don't you want to enter the Monster world? Ohno beckons you!
By the time you notice, you're already caught by the monster There's no escape
LETS TALK ABOUT: THE CHOREOGRAPHY
As we established above, you've been pulled into the performance with a pretty seductive come hither. You've wandered into a room with no doors (or "You're going to be trapped in a dark room~" - Aiba in the making of the PV).
But what I love about the choreography is that they deliver on the promise of the mysterious, weird, something romantic but wicked this way comes premise that the tone of the song indicates. After all, what the hell is Matsumoto Jun doing flailing on the ground?
I have no idea! ... but I like it.
I like it a lot.
Why is there a dance move that requires them to spread their arms and legs as far as they can and then pivot like a mummy/robot?
BECAUSE MONSTER THAT'S WHY.
Some of my favorite moves belong to Sakurai "Spellmaster" Sho, as I am fairly positive he is playing a wizard version of himself each performance.
HE'S THERE...INSIDE YOUR MIND.
Don't fight it.
The only thing more powerful than the wandless magic of Sakurai (which Hogwarts house, guys?) is this ALMIGHTY HAIR FLIP OF NINOMIYA THE GREAT.
He'll search for you for you even if he's reborn!! Might have a little trouble finding you with those bangs, but HEY. ♥
Also possibly more powerful than magic?
This sassy Aiba pose that I noticed during the Hawaii performance. YES PLZ (© Sho's recent jweb)
But my absolute favorite part of the choreography, of course, is the waltz. OH BY THE WAY, DID I MENTION THAT MONSTER HAS A WALTZ BREAKDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF IT!? How many of your favorite songs just decide to be a waltz halfway through? Other songs wish they were Monster. Other songs wish they were transporting you to a world of wind-up gentlemen in what might be a dusty castle tower.
All jokes aside, I love that so much. SO MUCH.
Let's Talk About: THE SETTING
How do you know that you're about to enter the realm of MONSTER? Clocks. Always the clocks.
Other than the clock requirement, you can really switch it up.
Monster can be in Hawaii, with fire dancers.
Monster can be in an ice palace with projected classical art.
Monster can be lasers!!!!
pewpewpew
So long as we're all clear that it's Monster time, anything goes.
Let's Talk About: THE BEAUTY
Look at it.
Look at it in Hawaii.
Look at it in a row.
Look at it on fire.
Let's Talk About: THE PASSION
Feel it.
Let's shout this ten thousand year love
Let's Talk About: THE MAKING OF THE PV
In all honesty, the making of this PV is so delightful I have a hard time not just sticking the video in here. In order to not blatantly break rules, I will refrain, but you should really just go watch it again if you haven't in awhile.
One of the best parts of the making of this PV is that we are told very early on that Aiba has lost his mind.
HIJIKI... BOMB!
But also there are shenanigans with 3/5 Arashis accidentally singing Ohno's part and making excellent faces.
Excitement over Ohno's drama~
Dramatic fight sequences!
Fun with foreign language!
A loveable attempt was made
A conga line of butt touching!!
And more! Including Aiba saying Sho looked nice "Like a hairdresser", Nino shouting "Now's my chance!!" and quickly attacking Ohno while a stylist watched helplessly on, and Aiba's famous KOKORO dance move ♥
IN SUMMARY: Monster is its own magic gem of perfection in the glittering discography of Arashi and it should be cherished.
And if you disagree, I will fight you.
RAWR