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!

Unmei Girl (2013)

We’re back on the roller skates for Unmei Girl (“Fated” Girl)! Paired with My Resistance as a double a-side, Unmei Girl delivers the rollicking power pop last heard from Kisumai on 2012’s Wanna Beeee!!!. In fact, they mashed these two songs together for a standout performance on their 2017 Music Coliseum tour. If you enjoy one, you’re pretty much guaranteed to enjoy the other.

Unmei Girl has such a classic pop melody. It’s punchy in the best way, fueled by scuzzy guitar and an instantly catchy melody. There are some strong 60’s influences in the sound. The instrumental reminds me of surf rock, beefed up for a modern audience. I love how the song’s choruses follow the same melody but change up the lyrics. This happens somewhat frequently in J-pop and it’s a cool way to keep a track fresh and surprising without upending momentum. Unmei Girl is such fun to sing (and clap!) along to. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

The music video is Valentine’s themed, drenched in the color red. And as a bonus, it’s the first of these videos to exist in its full version on YouTube! I’m not sure how this is decided, but it’s nice not to have a random fade-out during the track’s final minute.