Hey! Say! JUMP have returned with their new album “Juliet.” Overseen by members Inoo Kei and Takaki Yuya, it is a true reflection of the members’ experience in the idol industry just ahead of their 19th anniversary (14th November).
While the album has only just been released, the songs have been teased for some time, with the track “HANIKAMI” being released all the way back in February. It is a light-hearted song that makes you feel like you are walking on air as you listen. From the airy introduction to the beat coming in, there is a feeling of being in a fairy tale, emphasized by Inoo’s unique voice starting the song and each of the members following. It has the same aura as a warm hug. The purity of the video, with the members dressed in white and the narrative of fans on a date with them, is the best way to showcase the group’s identity: a safe place for so many fans.
Similarly, “CUE CUE CUTE” was also a pre-release and once again has a perfectly suited cute theme with simple but impactful choreography. With its Hollywood theme, the song feels like it belongs in a musical, with catchy verses and a repetitive chorus. Each member’s voice is so distinct, and it plays perfectly to their lines, whether Inoo’s theatrical line, Yaotome Hikaru’s bashful words, or Chinen Yuri’s playful verse. Paired with the video and the use of narrative, using the members as the actors and staff makes for such a fun watch.
Like many J-Pop groups, Hey! Say! JUMP is full of actors, and the track “Saikaiai Lie Kitaishite Cry” is the soundtrack for Takaki’s drama Hadakanbotachi. It was very different from the previous two songs, with a much darker feeling to the melody and video. With a quick guitar intro, it immediately shifts to a fuller beat as all the members are seen in what looks like a waiting room, with more serious expressions. Takaki starts off with his velvety vocals, and as the members come in, the song builds momentum. One of the highlights is the falsetto during the pre-chorus with all the members, especially the oldest member, Yabu Kota. With such a different tone, the use of palette is really unique, utilising black and red, but then also brighter colours like pink and blue to show off the different scenes. For fans watching Takaki’s drama, it is the perfect fit for the story of love and deceit.
The track “Romeo & Juliet+” is extremely special because it was first released by the group in 2010 but has been re-recorded for the new album. Like the original, the three youngest members, Yamada, Arioka Daiki, and Chinen, show the maturity of their voices, expressing the same love for being idols, but 16 years later. It also applies to the other members, each having their own moment to shine and show off their beautiful vocals. In particular, the video is extremely romantic and truly epitomises the story of “Romeo and Juliet” with the white horses, beautiful backdrops, and the members all looking like princes.
Shortly before the album was released, Hey! Say! JUMP surprised fans by releasing “TRUE,” and while it is a beautiful song, the message lies with the video. It is the perfect representation of how much idols can impact their fans, with videos and photos of people doing “oshikatsu,” which are activities done to show support for your favourite idols or characters. The clips are extremely relatable, and seeing the members’ reactions and hearing their words make it feel like a message from the group to the fans for all the love they’ve received over the years.
When the whole album was released on October 10th, it really emphasised that it was an album to celebrate Hey! Say! JUMP.
“Tohikosen” feels like a proper dance track, with a strong beat and instrumental that wraps the members’ voices together to create something modern and catchy. The song has different layers, from the techno verses to the more melodic pre-chorus, and then the up-tempo club aura felt in the chorus itself. It is very different from the other tracks on the album but shows off the group’s diversity. On the same note, “GO BANANAS!” is also a more upbeat song that is a lot of fun and truly captures the essence of J-Pop, with a classic Starto Entertainment twist. The repetitive chorus will be extremely effective when performed live, and the performance concept will be fun and light-hearted.
From the opening bars, “Fractal Heart” has a more jazzy aura, which is complemented by Inoo’s voice. The piano instrumental in the background with the melody works with the vocal parts, but also the breathier moments where it feels like a take on rapping. As the song progresses, the introduction of a big band makes it feel like a huge show and spectacle. Altogether, the song feels mature, with the idea of a live performance evoking sexy visuals.
While it has a similar name to the rejuvenated “Romeo & Juliet +,” the song “&Juliet” couldn’t feel any more different. It also has a sexy, mature aura, focusing on a more nostalgic melody that wouldn’t seem out of place on some of the group’s older discography. Yet, as the song comes to an end, the crescendo with opera voices feels like a perfect movie, better fitting the album’s overall concept.
The song “I LOVE YOU NO EVIDENCE” was also familiar to fans as it was the soundtrack for the group’s Netflix series ONE NIGHT VOYAGE. During the show, the members went in twos to explore different cities in Asia at night, and this song evokes the nostalgia and emotions fans felt when they watched the members having fun away from the idol life. The track itself is light and positive, taking the purest parts of the members and bringing them together in one song.
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“IMPACT” is a song that feels like a celebration. As it starts with Yabu’s voice, the tempo is fast and uplifting, and as the song gets into the chorus, it is just as positive. It is one of the songs released for fans, but in the form of a performance from the group’s recent concert. Without any fixed choreography, it allowed the members to just feel the song and let their bodies show the emotions they want fans to feel. One of the most poignant parts is the falsetto part that starts with Yaotome and then brings in the members to harmonise.
The album ends with “KAKUSHINHAN.” Like “IMPACT” it feels like a song that has a meaning, but the instrumental feels classic and fits the album title Juliet. With a slower tempo and the aura of a ballad, the track picks up pace and brings in the energy while still keeping a more emotional tone which is the perfect way to finish a completely diverse and unique album.
Hey! Say! JUMP debuted in 2007, but almost 20 years later, the album continues to show why they are one of the biggest and most-loved groups in J-Pop.
Hey! Say! JUMP can be found on X here, and you can listen to “Juliet” here.