Well, my favorite J-pop group has finally dropped their entire catalog on streaming today. I’ve already reviewed every Kis-My-Ft2 single in-depth on the blog, but I think I need to finally do an overview of their discography now that it’s available worldwide.
Earlier today, I took a look at the group’s massive singles’ catalog, but a lot of their best material is exclusive to their albums. There are some of my all-time favorite albums included in this feature, and I’m excited for you to check them out!
Pretty much all Kis-My-Ft2’s singles are also included on the albums, but since I already covered those in detail I’m only going to feature the “new” material as part of this post. Again, make sure you check out the singles’ post as well!
Kis-My-1st (2012)
9+ rated songs: Dancing Star is a high-octane, mega-entertaining 80’s pastiche. It’s absolutely massive.
Other highlights: This whole album is brilliant. Kickin’ It is super fun power pop. The Girl Is Mine is exactly the kind of boyband cheese you crave. Take Over has a dramatic, guitar-fueled sound suitable for arenas. Tabidachi no Uta (タビダチノウタ) gets your energy going. Tell Me Why is a great slice of mid-tempo R&B. Unit and solo tracks Love Meee, Sanagi (蛹), Catch & Go!! and Sing For You are all fun representations of this era.
Kis-My-ZERO (2012)
9+ rated songs: Fire Beat is an iconic pre-debut, fueled by rock intensity. Endless Road is the kind of theatrical cheese that only Starto (Johnny’s, at this time) can produce. It feels straight from Broadway.
Other highlights: Inori (祈り) is a fine single. Kis-My-Me-Mine is a blazing power pop track. 3D Girl is fun early-2010’s dance pop and Smile has beautiful melodies.
Kis-My-ZERO2 (2012)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Tension (テンション) is another high-octane dance/rock hybrid. Unit track No.1 Friend is cheesy and sentimental in the best way. Hair is pure rock bombast, while Ame (雨) is very melodically satisfying.
Good Ikuze! (Goodいくぜ!) (2013)
9+ rated songs: Strawberry Dance is pop perfection. It’s just sunshine in a bottle with absolutely fantastic melodies. Meanwhile, Fujigaya’s solo xLunaSx is the perfect EDM song. Back to back perfection, here! I’ll also draw attention to the album version of Ai No Beat (アイノビート), which blends the rock and dance versions from before. It’s a gargantuan-sized track.
Other highlights: Black & White is a stuttering dance track very emblematic of this era. Forza! is a World Cup anthem in the making. JET! SET!! GO!!! and Catch Love are supercharged J-pop dance tracks. Chance Chance Baybee is quirky fun.
Kis-My-ZERO3 (2013)
9+ rated songs: Brand New Season is one of my favorite Kisumai tracks. It’s just so rousing and melodically satisfying.
Other highlights: Try Again is a great power pop anthem. Shooting Stars has great rock energy. Rocking Party has a pounding electro beat. Unit tracks Think U X and Rock U each bring out the star quality of their respective performers.
HIT! HIT! HIT! (2014)
9+ rated songs: Refer to the singles’ feature for all the great tracks here.
Other highlights: The group’s first greatest hits album only has one new song and it’s not a favorite of mine. The singles are incredible, of course.
Kis-My-Journey (2014)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Promoted tracks Seven Journey and 3.6.5 are both fantastic pop songs. Striker is a fun dubstep track. Fire!!! is also fun EDM, but overall this album is one of my least favorites.
KIS-MY-WORLD (2015)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: Brand New World is a very cool single and matured their sound in new ways. Be Love is an iconic BL unit track from Tamamori and Miyata. Follow chugs along with nice intensity. Unit track Double Up injects some hip-hop, while Halley is a nice rock banger.
I SCREAM (2016)
9+ rated songs: This is where my favorite trilogy of Kisumai albums begins, starting with certified legendary song YES! I SCREAM. What an utter joy bomb. Summer Breeze is nearly as good. I play the hell out of this every summer. I love the mighty EDM energy. Psycho mixes traditional elements with hip-hop for a very cool effect.
Other highlights: Unit track & Say is so catchy and unique. I Scream Night employs Avicii-style EDM to great effect. Flamingo has a beautiful lilting melody. Mega Love and Wanted a huge bangers. Tamamori explores EDM on Alive.
MUSIC COLOSSEUM (2017)
9+ rated songs: The mighty Explode is a certified legendary song. It’s just immense. Dream On is my favorite Kisumai ballad. The rock bombast and children’s (?) choir is perfect. Meanwhile, line! (いいね!) is impossibly cheerful and so addicting.
Other highlights: VersuS is a blazing mix of traditional elements and rock. R.A.C.E. is a massive electronic banger. Let’s Go!! is a high-octane blast of rock, while One Kiss is and LDN Noise-produced tropical house highlight. Bang! Bang! Burn! is more rock greatness while Kiss Shityauzo (キスしちゃうぞ) is a silly sing-along.
YUMMY! (2018)
9+ rated songs: This album is so incredible. Freeze is a certified legendary song, produced by guitar-god Miyavi. Break The Chains is utter rock opera perfection. Super Tasty! is so bonkers and tightly wound yet experimental. Mr. Star Light is and EDM-charged mega-banger. Unit track Real Me is another perfect shot of rock bombast. Just epic stuff.
Other highlights: Selfie is a singalong summer tune that brings to mind road trips. Shinkirou (蜃気楼) is brilliant emotional EDM. Invitation is a fun, funky opener. Seishun, Don’t Stop!! (青春 Don’t Stop!!) is pure energy while Fujigaya’s Toxxxic is frantic EDM goodness. Tamamori’s Clap-A-Holics is upbeat fun while Kitayama’s Kakushigoto (カ・ク・シ・ゴ・ト) takes an old-school funk approach. This is probably my favorite album overall.
FREE HUGS! (2019)
9+ rated songs: Yeah E Yeah!!!!!!! has a singalong power pop quality I really love. It’s the best melody on the album. Bring It On has the banging rock-meets-dance energy this group does better than anyone.
Other highlights: Promoted song Hug & Walk is extremely fun pop-EDM. A.D.D.I.C.T. and Distance are two great rock cuts. This Crazy Love is light, mature EDM with a good chorus. LULALULALA (ルラルララ) is a very ambitious choral track that’s quite stunning. The sprightly Tequila! is just pure fun. CHUDOKU is moodier, while #1 Girl and HUGTIME are fluffy, feel-good pop. Boku wa Kimi Nashi de Ai wo Shirenai (僕ハ君ナシデ愛ヲ知レナイ) is quite dramatic and has a classic J-pop feel. Among the solo tracks, Kitayama’s retro Don’t Wanna Die is the best. Nikaido’s Hagusuta (はぐすた) is also a fun hip-hop track.
To-y2 (2020)
9+ rated songs: Make You Mine is definitely the strongest track here. I just love this powerful dance sound for them.
Other highlights: To Yours uses some cool found sounds. Cannonball is a fun party track. Real Love is a glistening dance song. Positive Man has a fun sing-along quality. Letting Go is slower but has a nice build. COUNT 7EVEN is very interesting. It sounds like Vegas. Unit track #No!No! is funky fun. Bakuteria (バクテリア) has a really interesting melody and sound. Oukokunochou (王国の蝶) uses traditional instrumentation well. Unmei (運命) has a great chorus after slow verses.
BEST of Kis-My-Ft2 (2021)
9+ rated songs: none
Other highlights: The promoted single A10TION is pretty good, especially if you like jaunty upbeat sounds.
10th Anniversary Extra (2021)
9+ rated songs: Kitayama’s Haininarumaeni (灰になる前に) is the definite standout here. I written about it a few times on the blog.
Other highlights: This is an odd collection of previously unreleased solo work. Senga’s Buzz is pretty fun. Kitayama’s Chikara (チカラ) is a good throwback and Fujigaya’s Before The Dawn is an interesting jazzy aside. Tamamori’s Dinga is stupid fun.
Synopsis (2024)
9+ rated songs: Single Sweet Melody is tacked on as a bonus track and thank goodness for that. It’s the best thing on here by far.
Other highlights: After such a killer run, this is a big disappointment. I only wanted to listen to the album once. Promoted track Loved One is an echo of past glories but not as good. Keep It 100 alternates between fun and obnoxious. B-Side is kind of quirky in an enjoyable way. Waratte Naite (笑って 泣いて) is the best b-side, recalling their power pop triumphs of the past. There’s some truly awful material on this album, though.