Although sometimes we put all our efforts into achieving what we dream of, the obstacles that appear unexpectedly along the way are something that we must all accept and assimilate. Not everything is in our hands nor is it possible to have complete control of what happens in our lives, so the most important thing is not the complications you have to overcome to get where you want to go, but the resilience with which you face them. King & Prince is a clear example of how to face difficulties and deal with them without being discouraged, despite what the whole world may say. In 2023 after going from being a group to become a duet with the current members; Ren Nagase and Kaito Takahashi, decided that giving up was not an option, that they were worth it despite what people might think and would continue to fight to achieve their dreams.
Therefore, not only did they not give up but 2023 and 2024 have been two years full of projects and hard work that gradually see their reward by having achieved a new Domes tour only 2 years after such major changes in their music career. But if we want to pinpoint the exact moment where the members decided to stand up and walk again without looking back, we can find it on 2nd July 2023, at their fist fanmeeting “King & Prince to Uchiawase” at Ariake Arena. With their first single recently released, they still had more works almost finished and ready for their fans to enjoy, they just needed to announce them. And so it was announced that the first album as a duo would be released on 16th August 2023, just two months after their first single.
First Press LE A
First Press LE B
Regular Edition
Dear Tiara Edition
The title of this work is a clear reference to the way Kaito Takahashi and Ren Nagase fit together perfectly, as in a puzzle. There are no gaps or cracks or any way for the image they want to convey to be incomplete, because as we have been seeing throughout these two years, they complement each other without difficulty. In this way “both are key pieces for each other” and can transmit what they want to create with their music: “happiness”, “peace” and “fun”.
This album was released with 13 music tracks in all editions except for “Dear Tiara Edition” which had an extra music track: “TOGETHER WE STAND“, again a clear statement of intent for those who know how to read between the lines. The lyricist of this song was CLAUDE S; the composers: Erik Lidbom (who also did the arrangements), Christofer Erixon and Joakim Bjornberg. The song, with part of its lyrics in English, conveys messages of hope in the face of difficulties and encourages to never give up, keep your head up high and unshakable pride, with phrases like: “Good vibes for life I got your back“, “Keep your head up high, Let’s reach out to the sky“, “Spread your wings and fly“, Do you think that at some point they even considered giving up the sky, these guys? I don’t think so.
Contrary to their last album released in 2024, where they make clear their intentions to explore new musical styles, in this first album the songs are compiled without any kind of pressure, they simply follow each other like a parade of melodies through each of the tracks. They are songs that both wanted to sing at that moment. The design of the jackets is also full of colors and symbolism showing the two members in a totally relaxed and unpretentious attitude. They are simply still there enjoying each other’s company and support.
In addition, in this work we also find at last the long-awaited first solos that the fans could not have enjoyed so far. “Kimiiro” by Ren Nagase, is a love song, pop and fresh, where although at first he did not plan to write the lyrics, when he started to do it he thought that maybe it was not such a bad idea and was carried away by the story of the song that he himself had created, revealing that he decided to write such an over the top and sweet lyrics that it would be embarrassing to listen to them. It was the first time he tried his hand at writing a song for the first time so he received help from YUUKI SANO in both lyrics and composition, leaving the arrangements in the hands of Taishi Noguchi.
For his part, Takahashi, who had already written and participated in the production of other songs for the group before, decided to ask Sekaikan Ozaki from the renowned band CreepHyp to write and compose the music, as well as to arrange, interpret and sing the chorus of his first solo “Wareware wa koibito doushi da”, a much rockier piece than he had been used to so far.
The title track that unveils the album is “My Love Song“, a classic pop love song about confessing again the love we feel for the people in our lives even if they already know it. A love reconfession within the reach of all audiences, ages and genders. The MV was released on their official YouTube channel on July 20 and consists of a scene where they themselves deliver a bouquet of flowers to the person they love and another where they sing from the heights cut out against a night sky full of fireworks. The choreography of the two crossing their fingers during the introduction, the finale and the chorus conveys a clear message: “Together forever”. Reaffirming the duo’s own ideas for their fans. Also in the first limited edition A an additional video “My Love Song Music Video Shooting Behind the Scenes” was included as an extra where the duo talks about their own feelings for this musical work, as well as about the scenes that were recorded during the day of the recording, where both of them are playing in a relaxed way on the lawn.
The release of this album was accompanied by the launch, on August 16, of an original TikTok effect called: “King & Prince Pinpole Challenge”, where a game is presented in which points are obtained by passing different colored pinball balls through the hoops to the rhythm of “My Love Song”, also calling those who were encouraged to participate to tag the video with the hashtag #KingandPrincePinballChallenge.
Thanks to this work King & Prince embarked on the arena tour “King & Prince LIVE TOUR 2023 ~Peace~” which kicked off on August 27 and managed to attract over 270,000 people in a total of 24 performances in 7 different locations across Japan.
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