SixTONES was the third group I discovered from STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, and without a doubt, they’re one of the best. Album after album, they consistently deliver. From electrifying anthems that demand to be played at ear-shattering volumes to heartfelt ballads that tug at your emotions, they are easily one of the most vocally versatile groups at the agency.

This passion was a driving force behind my first trip to Japan in April, which I planned specifically around seeing them live in April 2024. Experiencing the VVS Tour in person was unforgettable and a memory I’ll treasure forever. They also played a role in helping me shape the dates for my second trip. This time coinciding with the release of their fifth studio album, 『GOLD』on 15 January. 

The timing meant that in addition to getting my hands on great music, I got to spend my last hours in Japan at Tower Records to get a first hand account of what it was like for a STARTO ENTERTAINMENT release day.  

It was, in a word: Fantastic.

Tower Records had a great set up that not only showcased the group, but also allowed fans to take selfies and create our own memories of the day.

The album itself came in three different formats that allowed fans to choose between a standard version of the album and two that came with either  DVD / Blu-ray.  I bought all three.

🎧Regular EDITION💿

｢Golden｣

An epic orchestral opening to a kick-ass pop song is always a good choice to open an album and  with SixTONES signature sensuality to their sound – makes this one of the best opening numbers to any of their albums – and one of the best songs overall. Ever.

｢THE BALLERS｣

The first release from the album is catchy and fun, seamlessly weaving together pop, rock, dance, and even elements of funk in a way that only SixTONES can. 

｢GONG｣

The insert song to the Nippon TV fantasy drama ACMA: GAME アクマゲーム starring group member Juri Tanaka, is fever of rock-n-roll sex appeal that proves why they are among the rulers of J-POP!

｢PUNK STAR｣ 

This is one of my favorite songs on the album – and another favorite over all from the group. It’s rough. It’s hard – and hearing Jesse sing-shout “I don’t give a shit” was the turn on I didn’t know I needed. 

｢Fiesta｣

Adding a touch of Spanish flair to their sound, this song adds to an ever-growing list of “these boys just want to have fun” songs.  The same with  ｢Underline｣

｢音色｣

A rare look into the softer side of Sixtones, NEIRO is a song about reflection and friendship. Somewhat autobiographical, there is a moment where the music fades and it’s the six of them harmonizing together. It’s a beautiful song.

｢BORDERLESS｣

A dance-club dance song. It’s playful, sexy, and the perfect warm-you-up on these cold winter nights kind of song. 

｢恋のバタリアン｣

Translating to Love Battalion – the genre bending song goes from summer-pop love song to funny-funk confessional, to scream-punk and back to summer-pop love. It’s ridiculous – and one of those earworms that will make themself at home in your mind. 

｢Focus｣

To put it simply it’s an easy breezy SixTONES party-romance song.

｢ここに帰ってきて｣

Translating to “Come back here Because I want to see you” was the theme from the film Secret: A Hidden Score starring group member Taiga Kyomoto is soft, sweet, and romantic.

｢WE ARE ONE｣

Another autobiographical song. This power-ballad showcases the group’s greatest strength:  the beauty of the breadth of the group’s vocals. 

｢SHOCK ME｣

It’s a song about sex – and in the words of the great Paris Hilton.

｢SPICY -GOLD ver.-｣

T slight extension to the old-school rock-n-roll sound of the song that is the commercial song to Mercedes-Benz’s electric car (the new EQA/EQB). 

｢Melodies and Memories｣

A simple love song for the fans, it’s very sweet. 

🎧LIMITED EDITION A📀

｢Midas｣

The only audio bonus track is sensual and seductive and fun. Silly like ｢Cat Call｣ it’s another earworm.  

Video extras center around ｢THE BALLERS｣ including the full music video,  a ‘dance only’ performance, and the making of which shows just how much fun the guys had making the music video.

🎧LIMITED EDITION B📀

｢PARTY ANIMAL｣

This unit track by Yugo Kochi and Juri Tanaka is exactly as it sounds. I love his pairing. The two are just dripping with sex appeal. The song (obviously a party song) is a TOTAL RAGER BOP!

｢Don’t Know Why｣

I think I’ve been pretty vocal about the fact that Shintaro Morimoto is my bias for the group (though he’s neck and neck with JESSE) but there’s something about his pairing with Hokuto Matsumura for this grunge-pop song. 

｢You are the only one｣

Of course, Jesse and Taiga Kyomoto would choose a ballad. The simple strings and piano really allow the two to shine on their vocal delivery. The two sound beautiful together. 

The video extras for This version are the videos for all three unit songs.

★★★★★

GOLDEN EXPERIENCE

Music is magic, and spending my last few hours in Japan at Tower Records, surrounded by posters, displays, and other fans of SixTONES, was a great way to end an already incredible trip. I even made some new friends who kindly cheered me on as I took a selfie beside a larger-than-life Shintaro display – they were very happy that he was bias. 

The experience of being part of the SixTONES release day celebrations created a comforting memory—a bright spot against the harsh reality of returning home to a city on fire and a country drowning in political turmoil.

There will be more SixTONES soon so…

Stay Tuned!