IMP’s Cruisin’ is essential for a number of causes. First, it’s the official debut of former Johnny’s Junior IMPACTors, now selling underneath a barely totally different title. Second, it’s the primary launch from Hideaki Takizawa’s TOBE firm. Takizawa (or Tackey, as he’s usually know), was energetic as one half of Johnny’s duo Tackey & Tsubasa earlier than turning into president of the corporate’s “Johnny’s Island,” which nurtured the careers of junior acts and was immediately concerned within the debuts of future superstars Snow Man and SixTONES. After leaving Johnny’s late final 12 months, he launched TOBE and introduced a number of acquainted faces with him: V6’s Ken Miyake, Hirano Sho and Jinguji Yuta from King & Prince, and the now-renamed IMPACTors.
I’m fascinated with how it will all play out, particularly given Johnnys’ decades-long stranglehold on the J-pop boy group market. I used to be a giant fan of IMPACTors’ pre-debut work and hope that we’ll be capable of hear a few of these songs in recorded kind (although I doubt it). Cruisin’ is a swerve into lighter pop territory. It’s not miles away from what you’d count on a Johnny’s act to launch, which is sensible. I’m not an enormous fan of the tempo change earlier than the primary pre-chorus, however Cruisin’ brings us again with an ebullient centerpiece that’s catchy as could be.
Whilst juniors, IMP. struck me as an act that would compete internationally if given the suitable materials. I’m undecided if Cruisin’ would be the track to do this, however at its finest it gives a vibrant, strong sound that feels each welcoming and warranted. It strikes a pleasant steadiness between tacky enjoyable and a extra generic tackle world pop. I’m desirous to see the place the group goes from right here, and hope they return to a few of the edgier rock parts that characterised their pre-debut section.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
