In honor of Kis-My-Ft2’s complete videography being uploaded to YouTube (in edited form, of course…), I can’t resist writing about each single. To put this in context for Bias List readers, Kis-My-Ft2 (or Kisumai, as they’re often known) are my J-pop version of Infinite. That’s how much I love them and their discography.

Yet, I rarely write about them because finding online links to their music was so hard… until now!

My Resistance (2013)

I get the sense that My Resistance is somewhat underrated in Kisumai’s discography, but it’s one of my favorites. The song strips away all gimmicks and focuses on fantastic pop melody. I tend to turn to music for a sense of lift, and My Resistance offers this positive energy, rewarding a slow-burn structure with a transcendent payoff.

It’s all about melodic drama when it comes to tracks like these. My Resistance’s emotive tune is echoed by orchestral production that emphasizes piano and strings. A driving beat fuels the entire track, making sure it never succumbs to dull ballad territory. The chorus is huge and super satisfying – theatrical in its grandeur. But, we don’t reach the song’s best moment until two minutes in. The melody shifts into a secondary refrain and the whole track lifts. The air clears and we’re shuttled to a more cheerful energy. It’s a fantastic turn, and no matter how many times I hear My Resistance I still wait for this moment. That’s what we call a killer key change, folks! There’s nothing better.

This song and video represent a more serious shift in tone for Kisumai, but if that’s not your thing, don’t despair because its double a-side brings the cheesy fun. That song’s up next!