With such a busy slate of K-pop releases, I don’t always have a chance to rave about some of my favorite J-pop. This week, I’ll be giving an overview of some of my favorite acts and songs. Hopefully you’ll find a new obsession to add to your playlist!

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Why I Love Kis-My-Ft2 (and you should too)

You knew we weren’t going to reach the end of this J-pop feature without visiting Kis-My-Ft2, right?? I mean, I wrote about every one of their singles earlier in the year. They’re my favorite J-idol group and I’ve kinda made it my mission to spread the word. Music aside, the members hold a special place in my heart. I find their interplay more entertaining than almost any other act. To see what I mean, seek out any and all subbed content you can find. But most importantly, their music just matches my taste to a tee. Even the songs that wouldn’t normally be my thing just… work.

Beyond a fantastic singles run (which I’ll revisit in this post) Kis-My-Ft2’s discography is flush with excellent b-sides. In fact, oftentimes they’re stronger than the lead tracks! There are way more standouts than I can feature here, but I’ve beefed up the b-sides section to ten instead of five for this post.

What about other Johnny’s groups?

Trust me, I would love to do one of these features for groups like KAT-TUN, News, Hey! Say! JUMP or Sexy Zone. But unfortunately, it’s near-impossible to find embeddable videos to include in a way that’s user-friendly. Maybe one day, when the agency decides to make these songs more accessible, I’ll be able to rave about some of my favorite music ever.

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My Top Five Singles

5. Explode (2017)

Explode does exactly what its title states, building from a stirring series of melodies to a galvanizing chorus that’s an absolute rush. (full review)
Rating: 10

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4. Tonight (2017)

When it comes to sound and energy, Tonight is very much a companion piece to Explode. But over the years, I’ve come around to this one being my preferred pomp-rocker from the guys. (full review)
Rating: 10

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3. We Never Give Up (2011)

This takes me right back to my favorite schlocky “you can do it!” anthemic rock of the 80’s. The hooks are lethal. (full review)
Rating: 10

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2. Yes! I Scream (2016)

It’s not often you hear a carnival-like marching song promoted as a single. Yes! I Scream is sunshine in a bottle, buoyed by joyous synth and pinwheeling melodies. (full review)
Rating: 10

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1. Gravity (2016)

Though I haven’t made it official, Gravity could very well be my favorite J-pop song of all-time. It’s a headrush of musical euphoria, brilliant from beginning to end. (full review)
Rating: 10

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My Top Five B-sides

5. Brand New Season (2013 – though it’s a pre-debut song)

That acapella intro braces you for the powerful melodies to come as spiraling sweeps of strings add ornamentation to the mighty chorus.
Rating: 9.25

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9. On Your Mark (2015)

It’s all about the finale to each chorus, where the vocal ascends and electric guitar rushes in for the perfect blend. So anthemic.
Rating: 9.25

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8. Liar World (2019)

Kis-My-Ft2 are at their best when playing around with classic rock tropes, and Liar World is a compelling late-career example of this sound.
Rating: 9.25

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7. Dancing Star (2012)

This is every overwrought element of the 80’s merged to the hyper-maximalist EDM pop of the early 2010’s. In other words, it’s heaven.
Rating: 9.25

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6. Strawberry Dance (2013)

If ever there was a song designed for prancing through the springtime, this would be it. That funk synth is so light on its feet.
Rating: 9.5

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5. Break The Chains (2018)

The ridiculous bluster that opens this track always kills me. But, the guys deliver on this promise. Break The Chains is a mammoth pop rocker, driven by icy synth and surprisingly potent rap.
Rating: 9.5

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4. Dream On (2017)

Rousing, anthemic, emotional. The crashing guitar and chorused vocals are sheer perfection. This one gets me every time. It’s the brand of pop/rock bombast I live for.
Rating: 10

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3. Summer Breeze (2016)

This is one of those stealth tracks that’s crept its way up my list over the years. It’s perfect summer driving music and a staple of the season. The perfect EDM banger with a whopper of a chorus.
Rating: 10

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2. Ima wa Mada Toku hateshinai Yume mo (2017)

I already wrote a ridiculously long review of this track. It’s really special — so cinematic and stirring. I’m in love with the nuances of its melody, especially as we enter that soaring chorus.
Rating: 10

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1. Freeze (2018)

This song! The combination of Kis-My-Ft2 and Miyavi is one of those fan dreams you never think will actually come true. And when it does, the result is even better than you imagined.

I mean… that guitar riff! My fandom pretty much reached its peak when they performed this with Miyavi himself on Shonen Club Premium. And… lucky you because I found the video online for your viewing pleasure!
Rating: 10