SKE48 – Utsukushii Inazuma (Theater Edition) (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

1. 美しい稲妻
2. 夕立の前 (SKE48 – Kenkuusei)
3. SKE48 12th Single Medley
4. 美しい稲妻 off vocal ver.
5. 夕立の前 off vocal ver.

SKE48, the sister idol group of AKB48 that is based in Nagoya returns with their 12th CD single “Utsukushii Inazuma” (which translates to “Beautiful Lightning”), a track which becomes the group’s eighth CD single to reach #1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and their second single to sell over 600,000 copies in its first week (first week total was 632,994, their last single “Choco no Dorei sold 671,623 copies).

The single will feature new changes with the group as Mina Oba of AKB48 will now be part of Team KII and with the nine graduations earlier this year, the group has now promoted nine kenkyuusei members to the team. And now Yuka Nakanishi will become the Captain of SKE48 and Team S, Akane Takayanagi as captain of Team KII and Rena Matsui as captain of Team E.

With “Utsukushii Inazuma”, a total of four CD single versions were released. TYPE-A, TYPE-B and TYPE-C (Note: Limited and regular edition of all three types have different covers) will include a DVD. The theater edition comes with the main title track, an exclusive Kenkyuusei track and a SKE48 12th Single Medley. Also, it does not come with a DVD.

The version I will be reviewing is “Utsukushii Inazuma” (Theater Edition). The CD insert is a bi-fold featuring all 16 members featured on the front and back insert cover, while lyrics and production credits are on the inside pages.

The first track on the single is “Utsukushii Inazuma” (which translates to “Beautiful Lightning”) and the sound is upbeat pop but with a sense of maturity when compared to “Kiss Datte Hidarikiki” and also “Choco no Dorei”. While I do like the beats, immediately I felt it was a song that would showcase strong choreography but also wondered if fans would miss their sweet idol pop style of music.

The summer track is about loving someone and struck by a beautiful lightning, struck by love and on the beach the heightening of emotions to be close to that person you love.

The second track is titled “Yuudachi no Mae” (which translates to “Before the Morning Shower”) and is performed by SKE48’s Kenkyuusei. The upbeat idol track is very catch and has a captivating hook.  The song is about the hot weather and being out with a person and noticing that an evening shower is coming as the blue sky has suddenly become dark.  And the person wanting to be out there with that person, even if it started to rain and both are soaked.  But it’s a one-sided love, wondering if that other person will eventually take notice.

The third track is titled “SKE48 12th Single Medley” and features a sample of all songs on all four “Utsukushii Inazuma” types.

The remainder of the two tracks are the instrumental versions of the first three vocal tracks.

“Utsukushii Inazuma” (Theater Edition) is a pretty cool theater edition.  While I tend to prefer the singles that come with the DVD’s, “Utsukushii Inazuma” (Theater Edition) has two solid tracks and a medley featuring a sample of all songs on the “Utsukushii Inazuma” types.  But the reason to buy this single if you own Type-A, B and C is for “Yuudachi no Mae” by SKE48’s Kenkyuusei.  The song is wonderful.

Overall, “Utsukushii Inazuma” (Theater Edition) is a solid SKE48 single for the SKE48 on a budget!

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