author: Kay

After the single ∞saka Obachan Rock with its rock’n’roll feeling, it must have been decided that the seven boys of Kanjani∞ were to continue with mixing unusual styles to their music. The group has always been a little adventurous, especially with their enka influences, but this time Kanfu Fighting takes the listener on an aural adventure across the entire world.

The first destination is China, with the title track Kanfu Fighting, already with a pun to the Chinese martial arts Kung-fu. Starting off with a number of traditional instruments such as the erhu in the intro and a ‘Ni Hao’ (good day) from one of the members, the song changes into a medium paced song. Surprisingly, in the chorus a brass-section joins in, giving it a funky, disco like edge, complete with the boys going ‘oi oi’. Throughout the song, the Chinese instruments are present occasionally, mixing surprisingly very well within the song as a whole.

Then, with about the biggest contrast possible, the next track starts, which turns out to be a country-western song. Pro∞peller has an upbeat rhythm, complete with fiddle, banjo, accordion, and in general a rhythm that makes you want to go ‘yihaa!’ and tip your cowboy hat. In the verses, the members sing solo before they all join together in the chorus; overall, they do an excellent job on the vocals.

Then from the first two festive tracks, the mood changes for the latter half of the CD, starting with the melancholic Samurai Blues, which is of course, a bluesy song with piano and a mouth harp. The seven boys of Kanjani∞ do a great job of portraying the melancholy in their voices, alternating the vocal parts between each of them again.

The last track, Mirai no mukou e is a ballad, and there’s nothing strange or foreign about this one as it's simply a good, old fashioned tear jerking ballad. It's a really nice way to end the single and to calm down after all the chaos of the other songs!

Of course, just like with any Johnny's group, the vocals are perfect, the arrangement and the instruments recorded are perfect and the is song writing perfect too. Though, the thing that separates Kanjani∞ from all those other boy bands, is simply the fact that they stray from the old paths to something different. With this single, they showcase how diverse the members of Kanjani∞ can be with these four, really unique songs.