Naniwa Danshi’s third year post-debut has been a whirlwind of activity, marked by solo film and TV projects, lucrative sponsorships, and the release of their highly anticipated third studio album – + Alpha – I am not sure the group ever really came up for air!
Their momentum has continued with the global digital streaming of many songs from their extensive catalog on various platforms. The ‘+ Alpha Tour’ will also take their infectious energy overseas, with stops in Taipei, Seoul, and Hong Kong!
♪️♪️Musical Xanax💊
As the group is my go-to anytime I need a mood lift, ‘+ Alpha’ shows real growth from the group – not only in their vocal ability but also in the maturity of their songs. It’s still filled with their signature bright and colorful style, but also so much more.
The album opens with ‘NEW CLASSIC’, released several months before the album. This anthem of change was featured as the commercial song for AOKI’s new graduates campaign, making it the perfect anthem to usher in the season of renewal.
As the snow thaws, life comes back, and hope starts to grow again after a cold and colorless winter. Vibrant colors fill our world, and new adventures await. Similarly, graduation marks a pivotal moment in the lives of young people, as they bid farewell to childhood and take their first steps into adulthood. With Naniwa Danshi’s seven charming members reassuring listeners that everything will ‘be alright’, ‘New Classic’ embodies a magical quality that inspires confidence and encourages embracing new experiences.
The energetic rock-infused ‘Kick Start’ is sandwiched between ‘New Classic’ and the album’s official lead single, ‘Alpha’, which – as a musical theatre nerd – is one of my favorite Naniwa Danshi music videos. Filmed in the style of classic movie musicals of the golden age of Hollywood, it’s another candy-coated pop song of empowerment.
‘Missing’ and ‘Make Up Day’ were also included, along with ‘Girlfriend’, which has a summer-rock/60’s surf vibe and is one of my favorites on the album.
‘Live in the Moment’ is an ABSOLUTE banger. There’s a gruffness in some of their vocals, and there’s power in that rawness. At its core, it’s a club song, but woven from threads of jazz and funk mixed with a hint of Spanish guitar. It’s a beautifully constructed piece of music.
However, the group really shines in their unit tracks.
Daigo and Ryusei were the duo I didn’t know I needed in ‘恋やけどめ’, while ‘ウルリルラリラリ’ performed by the trio of Kyohei, Kento, and Kazuya is the most Kansai of the songs I have ever heard from the group. While I feel like Jo-Kun would have ROCKED ‘ウルリルラリラリ’, it was nice to hear a new side to him on the country-western-inspired ballad ‘Precious One’ with Michi.
🧸ADORABLE COLLECTIBLES 📨
The physical album was released on 12 June 2024 in three separate versions. Another platinum chart topping success, the album spent 12 weeks on the Oricon charts.
Each version of the album came with the same first fourteen tracks.
- NEW CLASSIC
- Kick Start
- Alpha
- Namonaki Tabibito (名もなき旅人)
- yuuniji (夕虹)
- Snap!
- Make Up Day
- Arifureta Koi Ja, Mou Mitasarenai (ありふれた恋じゃ､もう満たされない)
- SATISFACTION
- Missing
- Girlfriend
- I Wish
- So Good
- Live in the moment
- Chuki Chuki Honeymoon (ちゅきちゅきハネムーン)
- TOKYO AM1:00
- First Press Extras include: seven clear solo trading cards (one for each member).
- Happy Happy Birthday
- Video content includes the “Alpha” Music Video – and dance version – as well as the music video for ‘New Classic’ and a ‘Making Of’ Featurette.
- First press extras include: an acrylic standee.
- Video content includes the “Alpha” Music Video – and dance version – as well as the music video for ‘New Classic’ and a ‘Making Of’ Featurette.
- Happy Happy Birthday
- Video content includes the music video for each unit song as well as a ‘Making Of’ featurette.
- First press extras include: 3 unit themed CD Jackets.
+Alpha is, in my opinion, one of the group’s best releases. It’s also the album that launched them onto online platforms. All tracks from +Alpha can be streamed or purchased worldwide from all retailers, including Qobuz, which offers a 16-Bit/44.1 kHz stereo download. It’s a new age for the most sparkly boys in J-POP, so there will be MUCH more to come…
Stay Tuned!”
Life In Cartoon Motion 