J-Pop idol group Snow Man has returned with their 6th album, Amenity!
As one of the biggest groups in Japan, they made the official announcement for Amenity during a surprise live stream. With a “hotel and hospitality” theme, the video and photo teasers created a whole new world for fans ahead of the album’s release. Yet, with the release date scheduled for October 7th, STARTO Entertainment had a surprise in store for fans, releasing 9 of the songs on streaming sites on August 24th.
Before the album was even announced, four of the songs had already been released for fans, with three being soundtracks to projects starring the Snow Man members and the final debuting on a music show.
In February, the first song from the album was released, titled ‘オドロウゼ from the film The Specials, starring Sakuma Daisuke and NCT’s Yuta.
While the film follows a group of assassins who need to enter a dance competition to complete their mission, the movie’s comedy seems to be the inspiration. It is a classic dance song that evokes 80s disco, with an upbeat tempo and a catchy chorus. But the rap bridge from leader Iwamoto Hikaru brings something fresh to the song.
In particular, the music video captures nostalgic 80s vibes from the very start. The sets feature vintage televisions and old games, looking like something out of a variety show. The members themselves are also dressed very brightly, whether it is the more formal outfits for the choreography section or the unexpected array of costumes for the more comedic moments. The song’s happy, energetic nature also perfectly fits Sakuma’s personality, as an idol known for being a mood-maker who radiates positivity.
Meguro Ren starred in the live-action remake of the hit anime Sakamoto Days, and the group released the song “Bang!” for the soundtrack. The song is fast-paced and dynamic, capturing the essence of Meguro’s character. The feeling is much darker and more mysterious, showing off the different tones of all the members.
While the group has released three different videos related to the song, the main music video is just as powerful as the song. All of the members have their own distinct style, and the story of the group battling their own “enemies” fits perfectly with the story of former assassin Sakamoto in the film. The colours seem muted, but the brightness from the members perfectly balances it out, from Sakuma’s pink braid to the yellow in Raul, Watanabe Shota, and Abe Ryohei’s outfits.
Sadly, due to overseas schedules with Meguro Ren filming for Shogun 2, the idol only appears in two songs, but netizens are anticipating his return.
The final song in the soundtrack trilogy came from Miyadate Ryota’s drama Terminator to Koi Shichattara ( ターミネーターと恋しちゃったら) where the idol plays a robot who is sent to the past to protect a normal office worker. ‘
“Save Your Heart” is a perfect representation of the show, with the melody and sound effects sounding robotic and technological, and even the members adapting their voices to create a more static effect. The video combines elements of the drama’s identity, from sci-fi settings to classic computer graphics, but the choreography is the star. With the members’ sleekness and synchronicity, every move looks calculated and precise, like Miyadate’s character.
After a wave of songs, months later, the final track to be released before the album announcement was “Good Time.” The song was first performed on THE MUSIC DAY and instantly stood out for the high-tempo and positive vibes from the group, exuding summer from the very first bar. When the music video was finally released, it perfectly captured the song’s positive feeling. It was filmed in Paris, featuring people from all walks of life and embracing the beauty of coming together, creating an authentic video that showcased the group’s passion.
The previously unreleased continue to emphasize the versatility of Snow Man as a group.
“ALL SUITE” is the perfect way to start the album, featuring classic sound effects that fit the “hotel” theme. Starting with Miyadate’s velvety voice, the song sets the tone: while it has a strong beat and rap sections, it feels like modern jazz, especially in the chorus. “奇跡” is a beautiful ballad that showcases the members’ softer, more melodic voices, particularly allowing the oldest member, Fukazawa Tatsuya, to shine. “マドラー” also has a slower pace but a much sultrier, sexier vibe. “GO HARD” is a club anthem that evokes 2000s Europop, and while it doesn’t seem to fit the album’s narrative and aesthetic, it is perfect for the performance kings.
The final song of the album was “show time…” Considering all the surprises for fans, Snow Man weren’t finished as they announced the release of a video for the song. On first listen, the track had an old Hollywood feel that was jazzy and easy to listen to. It perfectly combines the unique vocals of all the members with a melody that focuses on a bold instrumental. Alongside the video, it truly feels as if Snow Man is transporting fans back to the “Golden Age,” with their own twist. The members all play different roles in the hotel, from security to hotel workers, but they all share a secret mission. That narrative runs throughout the video, with an old-style performance woven into the story. From classic suits to the choreography and the song itself, it is truly a classic song, and something new for Snow Man.
The tracks yet to be released are raising more anticipation, with the belief that they will include the classic Snow Man “unit” tracks as well as other tracks. Yet Amenity has already made a huge impact, combining everything fans love about Snow Man into a diverse album that reflects the members’ versatility.
STARTO Entertainment is seemingly trying to adapt to the fast-paced music industry. Hopefully, it continues with Snow Man and the other idols, making content more accessible to international fans.
Snow Man is on X. You can listen to “Amenity” here.
