Miyavi’s Strike It Out premiered at the very beginning of this year, and I assumed it would remain an OST without additional promotion. I don’t often write “buried treasure” posts for J-pop, but this would have been an easy contender. All’s well that ends well, because I get to cover Strike It Out months later thanks to a new music video that ties killer imagery to this already-fantastic track.

If you enjoy one Miyavi song, you’ll probably love them all. He has such a recognizable style. Gritty, dynamic guitar meets cathartic hooks and searing vocals. His music often embraces intense emotion, going for the jugular in a way that’s so compelling. Strike It Out plays like one long climax, climbing and climbing without end. Both verse and pre-chorus offer the sense of build that’s usually doled out sparingly in pop tracks. Strummed guitar meets electric riffs to craft a varied tapestry that’s big but never boring. Similarly, rap and vocals meld together to ensure a steady sense of movement.

If Strike It Out’s verses deliver constant acceleration, the song’s chorus becomes a series of exclamation marks, sucker punching the listener with relentless fury. This isn’t Miyavi’s most melodic track, but its structure is taut and it’s delivered exceptionally well. You know I love my anthems, and he’s one of the few artists I can always count on to deliver. Strike It Out is immense, and will have you feeling like you can conquer entire worlds.