Midnight Grand Orchestra and the Art of the Perfect Key Change
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- Опубликовано: 30 окт 2023
- Every time I think Midnight Grand Orchestra, the collaborative project between Hololive VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei and producer Taku Inoue, can’t possibly get any better, they manage to one-up themselves. Today, I break down their newest single, "Midnight Mission".
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Midnight Mission by @midnightgrandorchestra4965 Credits:
Released on: 2023-10-25
Vocal: Suisei Hoshimachi
Lyrics & Music / TAKU INOUE
Compose&Arrange: TAKU INOUE
• Midnight Grand Orchest... 
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Sometimes, you just... know you gotta talk about something. This is one of those times. Hope you liked my analysis of "Midnight Mission".
BTW, the song at the end is a little sketch I wrote based on the chord progression of the verses. Fittingly, I'm going to call it "Comet". I might upload it on its own at some point.
As someone who owns Overture physically and swears by this dynamic duo, this is lovely to see. It’s astounding how many holo-listeners, even those who are Sui fans are unaware of MGO’s brilliance. Some of these songs make me feel ways no others can.
For sure this duo needs more eyes on it. I feel like this group is on the ascent and their best work is yet to come.
It is honestly disappointed how MGO hasn't hit the mainstream yet even to those who listens to Suisei. All songs in Overture are pure bangers, not to mention the otherworldly concert they had. Cant wait for more analysis of their stuff!
I agree. I do think Starpeggio is going to be their breakout project. Between Midnight Mission and Yoru no Matsu Yo it's shaping up to be a top shelf project.
I knew from the moment I heard it that this song was special, so it's good to see a musician's analysis of what it did so well.
It's a phenomenal song. They really crushed it.
I don't think I have or ever will be disappointed by Midnight Grand Orchestra song they are absolutely perfect. Inoue and Suisei always work so well for me, from Stellar Stellar to Rat a tat, it leaves me on the ground rolling in tears everytime.
They really are a golden duo.
I have almost no experience in music but the way you explained the notes made it easier for me to understand and appreciate this banger even more. Great video!
Thanks! Glad it was helpful for you.
Im so glad to see other people takeing up the genius of MGO, today it's this duo that gives me hope that "pop music" is a veeeeerry vast genre. Thank you for the video
Glad you liked it!
Really good analysis! Thanks so much!!
Glad you liked it!
this video gonna blow up very big soon, this is really nice analysis video
Thanks! I appreciate it.
My monkey brain heard noises beyond my comprehension, noise so immaculate, note progression so clear that I seized to think.
Good beeps and bops 👍
Good beeps and bops indeed.
thank you so much for doing this ive been itching to find out what the hell happened there, i just knew it tickled my fusion jazz brain
Something about Japanese Fusion just hits different. Glad you liked it.
Excited for your future MGO videos. I'm sure Starpeggio will blow our musician brains out.
I honestly can’t wait.
not only did I find a fellow, cultured midnight grand enthusiast, but I also gained some actually interesting knowledge. Good sir, your channel is underrated, imma subsribe and keep it up!!!
Welcome aboard! I appreciate it!
I love it! We need more analysts in this fandom and I'm happy to find another. Keep it up!
I appreciate it!
Midnight Mission is such a banger! The rhythmic landscape and the super smooth transitions really establish the futuristic vibe, and the melodies and the animations are just so enticing.
For the introduction, though, I think the more intuitive analysis would be to see the intro as in D major and the verse in B minor. If we choose this view, then the string tutti ends in A, the fifth of D major, and the F# would be the V chord of Bm. This means the transition now involves bridging the two keys' V chord.
Analyzing the verse as in B minor would make its chord progression much easier to explain, and the melody contains nearly no G# in the first place. This would also make the transition between the verse and the chorus more understandable.
Of course, there's still a lot of chordal gymnastics to the song. The transitions, in particular, are mind-boggling, just as you said.
That’s an interesting analysis. Part of my rationale for keeping the verses in A is that Suisei outlines that same pentatonic motif from the string intro a few times.
Thanks for the input!
Thank you for the video! You're like a hidden gem to me. I can't believe these videos are only worth 2k views. It's simply not fair. I also like watching you with my friends and getting them to know more about Suisei's masterpieces! I'm patiently waiting for your upcoming breakdowns. Thank you!
Thanks! I really appreciate it!
There are so many music theories involved in this song, and I'm really glad someone analyses the great stuff behind MGO's songs
Awesome video!
Thanks! I appreciate it!
There is a channel called Ravenclaw Reacts that reacted and analyzed entirety of Still Still Stellar and Overture, if you want more Suisei/MGO musical analysis.
2nd’ing Ravenclaw. She’s awesome. (And a lot smarter than me lol)
Just adding that the chorus section can also be seen as a A Lydian, as it can always lead to resolve in the same opening A, and these Lydian progressions is fair common in "anime music". But the passages and modulations in this music are spyce, very spyce, and turn every common ground that the simpler progressions in verse and chorus can make into ashes.
Another amazing video btw.
Interesting insight. Thanks! Glad you liked it.
I don't know much about music but this video appeared in my recommended and I think that was a great analysis! I really like Suisei's songs and I think Midnight Great Orchestra is an amazing duo!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I greatly appreciate your analysis of Vtuber songs I love this type of content 🙏 you have my devoted sub
Also another music analyzer of sometimes Vtuber music is "ravenclaw reacts"
Thanks a lot! I'm a fan of ravenclaw reacts myself. I really like her analysis. (and she's way smarter than me lol)
I really like how you describe the verse with modal interchanges!! but I hear it more as a simple Im- bVIM-V7 chord progression.
The intro indeed starts in A major, but after AM, the the string outlines F#major triad. Since F#maj(or dom7 in its triad form) is V in the key of Bm, I hear it as a key change from Amajor to Bminor. The Bm in verse would have sounded like IIm if the piano was playing minor13 to outline the dorian sound, but throughout the verse, we oply hear minor pentatonic
Amajor - F#7(Pivot Chord, V7in Bm) ->
Bm(im) GM(bVIM) - F#7(V7)
also, it is worth noting that if we look at the chorus as IVM -IIIm - Vi in key of EMajor, the B right before the chorus acts also as a pivot chord! It isn't tecnically the pivot since B minor is not diatonic in key of Emajor, but modulation using chords such as V7 or III7(V7/VI) right before the chorus is pretty common modulation in this kind of music using IV III VI chord progression!
I can definitely understand that perspective. Part of my rationale for keeping the verses in A was that Suisei outlines that pentatonic phrase multiple times. Obviously, my word is the furthest thing from gospel, but I suppose this is just how I heard it. I'm more than happy to take the L if it turns out I'm completely wrong lol
They have references to lotta their other songs which is amazing. like Rat a tat, SOS, Highway, etc
Yeah, I elected not to cover them since it didn't really fit with the topics I covered, but it was cool to see all the references hidden in the video.
Amazing analysis!
Thanks! I appreciate it!
My man pulled a whole ass Charles Cornell analysis on a vtuber song. Amazing stuff, I only understand like 40% of what you said but I like it when music people explaining why a song has its magic.
Thanks! As a Charles Cornell fan, that means a lot to even be in the same breath as him.
6:50 Here are some missing information, the crazy transition your talking about, I am pretty certain the guitar line is written by a guitarist called tepe (RUclips channel "tepe / Veill")
I thought 3:12 was just a one time collab thing but nahhh, they'd gone beyond
It is quite the interesting story.
Suisei and InoTaku reached out to each other nearly simultenously (I think he was first in actually doing that thought). The former for him to compose Stellar Stellar, the signature song of her first album Still Still Stellar. And the latter for her to sing his major debut single 3:12 (while a well known composer already it was with 3:12 that he joined a major label, Via/Toy's Factory in this case).
In some interviews he was asked why he choose a vtuber to be the vocalist of his major debut and he answered "I didn't choose Suisei because she is a vtuber, I chose her because she is a great singer" or something along those lines.
After successful cooperation in these two songs they decided they got along well so formed Midnight Grand Orchestra. From what I've heard the first album, Overture, was mostly based on songs he had already composed back in school but according to clips I have seen of them talking about it Suisei was very involved in the lyric writing process (well, she did write the lyrics of Stellar Stellar as well, alongside some of her other original songs).
all I understand is that it is a good song and sounds great lmao
You got it lol
4:17, the magic here for me isn’t only the banger chorus we get as well as the stunning visuals, but that wink she does. That dang wink is what gets me every time and I keep listening for where the wink appears 4:45
Very comprehensive explanation. As someone who loves music but doesn’t understand it’s theory this video helps a lot. I just know it’s unique and catchy but can’t explain why. By the way, can you review Blackhole Dancehall also from Starpeggio album. To me, it’s a high bpm edm but with jazz genre in interlude and ending. I really want to know your take and how you deconstruct the music. You just earned yourself a sub 🎉
I really appreciate it! I'll probably circle back to Starpeggio at some point. Blackhole Dancehall caught my attention, as did Igniter, so there'll definitely be more MGO content in the future.
2:58 Truly a JiPpIeE moment but fr tho, this guy not playing music anymore, he is playing WITH music. Inue's a crazy son of a gun
Man's got a gift for sure.
I have no clue what this about, but Midnight Mission is great, ain't it not?
It sure is.
awesome analysis! love this song
Thanks!
Loved the video! It was very informative, I haven’t had a lot of time to get into music theory, so these analyses really help.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@VirtualDiscog Gotta agree you made it super easy to follow. I'd love to see you talk about the key change in Soiree too I still think the writers are geniues, but freaks, the key change in the chorus from A to G and back for like 4 bars??? gets me everytime.
I definitely plan on talking about Soiree at some point. There's a short that Suisei uploaded with the actual chord progression and I was giggling like a kid in a candy store.
i'm trying to study music because i'm learning to write my own songs, and this analysis video is pretty helpful in developing my knowledge.
you've earned a sub, hope to learn more from you !
I'm glad I could be even a small part of your musical journey. Best of luck!
I recently found this channel and I've really enjoyed your videos so far! Its really nice to see analysis content on a specific niche obsession of mine like hololive music, and even though I know very little about music and music theory I have been interested in learning more recently, so I look forward to seeing more in the future! If you plan on doing analysis videos on other holo songs, I'd personally love to see a video on Fubuki's KINGWORLD someday. Ever since I first heard it I thought it was insanely catchy yet unique in a way I couldn't really explain and it still stands as one of my personal favorite holo songs.
I'm glad you're enjoying the content! I'll definitely get to our beloved Fox Friend one of these days. Her music is always so catchy.
Great video :)
Thanks!
I'm not a music person. I love Suisei and her music but I don't understand any of the details or effort that goes into it. And honestly, when I first heard "Midnight Mission", I didn't really like it. I thought it was too "messy" is the only way I know how do describe it, I could in no way explain how, I just don't have that understanding or vocabulary to describe it. But watching this video has been fascinating! It's wonderful seeing all this effort being put into the music of MGO and people being able to recognise it! I think you did a largely good job of explaining, but one thing I would have liked is when you were explaining bad key changes if you used an example to help get across that point. As an absolute layman, I don't know what a bad key change sounds like in comparison to a good one. But I really enjoyed the video, excited to watch more and hoped you enjoyed Starpeggio now that it's out! My personal favourite is Igniter, but once again, I couldn't tell you why 😅
I really appreciate it! I thought about giving an example of a "bad" key change, but it's kind of a hard square for me to circle. I'm largely of the opinion that there's no such thing as "bad" music or "bad" musical form, just music that's not to your taste.
Starpeggio is great though. I might circle back and make a video on Igniter at some point because that song's incredible.
@@VirtualDiscog Well I'm glad to know my favourite song is the "incredible" one lmao. Watched some of your other videos now and have subbed, you've got really good audio quality (which would be ironic if you didn't lol, but I have a bit of experience with this and your mic setup is very clean) and you've got good pacing and editing, keep up the good work, man!
@phoenyck Thanks! I’m glad you like what I’m doing.
This video reminded me of how much I don’t know music theory lol. Seems to be a good analysis though
I appreciate it. Glad you got some enjoyment out of it.
Thank you so much for explaining basic music theory! I got a question though, do I need to learn music theory if I want to transcribe songs?
imo no. Though it really helps to quickly notice common movements. you can just use a guitar/piano(or anything else), to figure the underlying bass and slowly add the more complex sounds 👍
I'm gonna agree with @freds5751 here. That's how I started. Some things just come to you naturally the more you play around. Then once you know a little from what you've done, you can branch out into more concepts. Like I said in the video, a lot of musicians rely on "Does it sound good/cool?" when writing.
4:30 the bass in the chorus sounds like A G# C# **Bb** so isn't the fourth chord of the progression supposed to be something like Bbm7b5 (Bb half diminished) or Gb/Bb?
and the last (8th) chord of the progression the bass sounded like it went up from C# to F making it C# Major but it isn't that obvious knowing its the g enius taku inoue who made it so i'm not very sure but let me know if im wrong
nice 9 minute analysis though, the first part of the chorus without the drums was very unique, then adding the drums later it goes hard
Honestly, I think you're right about the bass. For how much I listened to it, I might have just mislabeled it.
That said, I think it's still a C#m7, just over Bb instead of B. Great catch regardless.
As for the last chord, I did simplify the bass progression, since I was more focused on the main chords, but it does make that jump to set up restarting the progression.
Thanks for the insight! Glad you liked the video.
For me, the verse is just a plain old b minor, and the prechorus just adds the bmajor, and then chorus goes to c#minor from that major.
I could see that. Part of my rationale is that Suisei sings that A pentatonic line multiple times throughout the verses. But, if it ends up being the case that it's as you heard it, I'll happily take that L lol
real listeners belike:
Suisei Suisei Suisei Suisei Suisei Suisei Suisei Suisei Suisei Suisei
.
Speciously tho I fucking LOVE her music, Have you also heard of Inabakumori? He is my 2nd favorite artist behind Suisei
I can’t say I have, but I’ll look into him. Thanks for the recommendation!
What are the albums over 2:12? Some have no name written.
JPOP: Distance (Hikaru Utada, 2001)
JRock: Time to Destination (Every Little Thing, 1998)
City Pop: Ride on Time (Tatsuro Yamashita, 1980)
Synth Pop: 真璃子 (Mariko, 1986)
Fouku: Kisha ga Inaka wo Toru Sono Toki (Wataru Takada, 1969)
Jazz: Introducing Jun Fukamachi (Jun Fukamachi, 1975)
@@VirtualDiscog You are a good feller, thank you very much.
@@ringoreddo308 No problem! 👍