AKB48 – Tsubasa wa Iranai Review

AKB48-Tsubasa-wa-Iranai-Cover

Release Date: June 1, 2016

Track Listing

Type A

  1. Tsubasa wa Iranai
  2. Set me free (Team A)
  3. Koi wo Suru to Baka wo Miru (Team B)
  4. Tsubasa wa Iranai (off vocal ver.)
  5. Set me free (off vocal ver.)
  6. Koi wo Suru to Baka wo Miru (off vocal ver.)

Type B

  1. Tsubasa wa Iranai
  2. Set me free (Team A)
  3. Kangaeru Hito (Team 4)
  4. Tsubasa wa Iranai (off vocal ver.)
  5. Set me free (off vocal ver.)
  6. Kangaeru Hito (off vocal ver.)

Type C

  1. Tsubasa wa Iranai
  2. Aishuu no Trumpeter (Team K)
  3. Yume e no Route (Team 8)
  4. Tsubasa wa Iranai (off vocal ver.)
  5. Aishuu no Trumpeter (off vocal ver.)
  6. Yume e no Route (off vocal ver.)

Theater Edition

  1. Tsubasa wa Iranai
  2. Aishuu no Trumpeter (Team K)
  3. Kimi wa Doko ni iru? (NGT48)
  4. Tsubasa wa Iranai (off vocal ver.)
  5. Aishuu no Trumpeter (off vocal ver.)
  6. Kimi was Doko ni iru? (off vocal ver.)

Review

AKB48’s 44th single is Tsubasa wa Iranai. A retro Japanese pop song centred by Mukaichi Mion. Normally one would expect a high-energy, faux horn-driven disgusting bikini song for AKB48’s summer single, but this bucks the trend. This year’s song is mid-tempo and hipster thrift store fully clothed.

As far as AKB48 a-sides go, it still has that summery feel and is most likely suited for a relaxing drive or sitting on the patio with an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverage in hand. Yup, put the light sticks away for this one; you will not need them.

The b-sides have teams A, K, B, 4 and 8 represented on each of the various versions of the single. The only sister group to get a new song is NGT48, available in the theatre edition. If you’re looking for new songs from the other sister groups, you’re out of luck this time.

There isn’t necessarily a deviation from the typical AKB48 sound for the most part when it comes to these tracks. The contributions from Team A (Set me free) and Team K (Aishuu no Trumpeter) tend to stand out the most or at least leave the most lasting impression once the song is over.

Besides the a-side, there isn’t much that hasn’t been heard before from AKB48. It’s business as usual from them. If you’re an AKB48 fan, this is a moot point for you. Otherwise, decide what version(s) suit you based on your taste.

 

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