Track Overview: Kis-My-Ft2 – Cherished One

The music video for Kis-My-Ft2’s latest single has been out for just a few days, however I’ve been holding off on writing about it as a result of I actually couldn’t determine how I felt in regards to the music. For many who have by no means heard of this group, they boast my favourite J-pop discography, largely as a consequence of songs like this and this and this and this (and lots of extra). Nonetheless, they haven’t launched a traditional monitor since 2019 and haven’t even launched an album since 2020! After their vocal powerhouse left the group to go solo final yr, I wasn’t certain how they’d sound going ahead.

I heard an prolonged clip of Cherished One just a few weeks in the past and was immediately excited. It appeared like a return to the widescreen attraction of 2016’s Sure! I Scream (an ideal pop music). And whereas Cherished One exists on this identical soundscape, I can’t muster up an analogous enthusiasm over the ultimate product. I like its drama, I like its practically 5 minute working time (virtually remarkable today!) and the prolonged pre-chorus/construct hits all my melodic pleasure facilities. However there’s additionally a ton of cloyingly simplistic “1, 2, 3, a, b, c” model rap, doubtful vocal turns and the disturbing lack of a refrain.

In brief, I’m very conflicted in regards to the music and that’s a bizarre place to be while you simply wish to activate music and luxuriate in. I are likely to put large expectations on the acts I like most, however that’s solely as a result of I do know what they’re able to at their greatest. I’m very completely happy Cherished One isn’t some boring, self-serious dirge the way in which Starto Leisure acts of Kisumai’s age are likely to ship. Its bombastic power is refreshing and simple to get misplaced in. However fairly than merely “good,” Cherished One might have been one other traditional.

Grade: B