A funky, feel-good storm of slapstick and soul, “WEST SIDE SOUL!” marks the 24th single from pop powerhouse WEST. and launches with a bang—literally.
Written and composed by Kansai music icon Tortoise Matsumoto, and produced by legendary rock band Ulfuls, “WEST SIDE SOUL!” pulses with a Never Give Up energy that refuses to be ignored and is infused with the WEST. spirit—equal parts chaotic comedy and genuine heart.
Funky grooves, uplifting horns, and catchy melodies come together to deliver an anthem for anyone who’s ever needed a little motivation—with a big side of laughter. And laughter is something that the boys of WEST. excels at, with “WEST SIDE SOUL!” being no exception! They’re loud, proud, and unapologetically outrageous.
The track is also the official theme song for the comedy film “Ura Shain. – Spy Yarasete Morotemasu”, starring all seven members of WEST. in a story full of chaos, cleverness, and friendship. The song and the movie share the same heart: Life gets ridiculous, but you push through—with soul.
It also plays like a love letter to the aforementioned never-give-up soul (ソウル) that defines both the group and the Kansai region they call home.
The MV opens with an unexpected twist (spoiler: a lightning strike) and unravels into an electrifying comedy adventure as center Daiki Shigeoka is rendered semi-transparent and the other six panicked members tries to revive him… using senbei crackers, interpretive dance, butt slaps, and pure group love. (Yes, really.)
But beneath the visual gags and brilliant nonsense lies a quiet emotional core. As many fans noted: if one of them falls, the other six will do whatever it takes to bring him back. This is a group where no one is left behind, and that message hits—between the laughs.
Only WEST. could turn their center transparent and still keep the soul of the group shining through—a perfect example of how their trademark silliness carries unexpected emotional weight, as many fans have noted. What begins as pure comedy slowly unravels into something surprisingly moving, proving again that with WEST., being outrageous and being sincere aren’t opposites—they’re two sides of the same, brilliantly chaotic coin.
The sound is unmistakably WEST., yet it echoes with nostalgia for Ulfuls fans—making this a song that bridges generations. From punchy horns to infectious grooves, “WEST SIDE SOUL!” is as sweet as it is silly and destined for eternal repeat.
From Shigeoka’s outfit uncannily channeling a young Tortoise Matsumoto, to puzzle pieces, fruit, and senbei crackers soaring through the air like confetti, the MV is packed with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it chaos. And somewhere around your tenth rewatch—once you’ve stopped laughing—you’ll realize the lyrics are actually really good.
This is a group that evolves without ever losing their edge—10 years in, and they’re still setting the bar for what it means to be genre-defying, high-sense, and joyfully absurd.
“WEST SIDE SOUL!” isn’t just a track—it’s a vibe, a vision, and a victory lap for the 7-member rainbow known as WEST.. Because after the rain, thunder, and storm, the rainbow emerges—bright and wonderful.
The other title track, “BIG LOVE SONG,” is a heartwarming tune that celebrates the love close to us. Delivered with WEST.’s warm vocals and an irresistibly uplifting rhythm, it’s a feel-good song that’ll make both your heart and body dance!
Each release version features unique coupling tracks!
- Limited Edition A includes “Kimi no Kirai na Kimi,” a high-speed band sound with piercingly emotional lyrics.
- Limited Edition B features “escape,” showcasing the ultimate cool and sexy side of the new WEST.
- Regular Edition includes two gems: “Harubiyori,” which emotionally captures the irreplaceable moment before a confession of love, and “Boku Dake no Chiisana Hana,” a light, breezy song that gently paints memories of a bittersweet first love.
Bonus Footage:
- Limited Edition A includes the music video and behind-the-scenes making-of for “WEST SIDE SOUL!.”
- Limited Edition B features the music video and making-of for “BIG LOVE SONG,” a sweet visual portrayal of BIG LOVE in everyday life, straight from the song’s heartwarming world.
Altogether, this release is a dazzling collection packed with WEST.’s diverse charms!