We cover them for the first time since they were called Keyakizaka46…

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[6.83]

Juana Giaimo: At a time when Western pop music seems rather downbeat and leaning towards slower melodies, “BAN” sounds refreshing. The fast and powerful guitar strum and the all the vocal harmonies (I especially love the “uuuh” and “ahhh” in the second part of the chorus) complement each other really well. I’m still not used to group singing (I’m always looking for the individuality of each voice), but this song cheered up my day and that is already a lot. 
[7]

Jeffrey Brister: There’s a sweet spot that smashes the Nostalgic Jeff Sitting At The Playstation 2 button, and this is it. That driving, jazzy, energetic music heavy on harmony, filled with little bent note lines over its duration, with drums that you can feel in your chest — like you’re about to just wild out playing Auto Modellista or Capcom vs. SNK 2. It’s a fleeting feeling, one that’s probably colored too heavily by memory’s inexactness, but “BAN” captures it more clearly than anything I’ve heard recently.
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Ian Mathers: Given how much is happening here, and how much it all feels like it’s happening, it’s kind of neat that the bit that sticks with me the most is that frantic acoustic guitar running through it all. 
[6]

Thomas Inskeep: Extremely high-energy pop (not hi-NRG) that yet sounds organic, thanks in no small part to the flamenco-esque guitars winding their way through the arrangement. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really go anywhere, the musical equivalent of running in place.
[5]

Vikram Joseph: This is so chaotic; it’s like “Little Talks”, “Despacito” and several anime theme tunes put in a blender, which still doesn’t quite account for the bit where it threatens to morph into “La Isla Bonita.” To be clear, none of this is necessarily bad.
[7]

Michael Hong: “BAN” gets run through the digital shredder. The acoustic guitar line stutters like it’s being ripped apart, eventually morphing into razor-sharp synths. Sakurazaka46 match that same energy, delivering lines with the same sharp intensity. Do I wish there was a bit more range to their vocals? Sure. But the dynamics of “BAN,” its rapid-fire barrage, and those peppy chants make up for it.
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