Although KAT-TUN weren’t the primary J-pop act I ever listened to, I credit score them for absolutely making me a J-pop fan. They’ve launched a few of the finest music I’ve ever heard and I’m delighted that that music is now lastly out there for everybody to stream worldwide. If you happen to’ve been feeling down about 2026’s choices up to now and have by no means explored KAT-TUN’s discography, put together to have them soundtrack the remainder of your 12 months.
Fairly than undergo their complete 300+ music catalog, I made a decision to highlight the songs I’ve personally rated a “9” or increased. With that stated, there are SO many different bangers and highlights on their singles and albums so in the event you like these tracks I’d extremely suggest doing a deep dive.
Actual Face (2006)
Speak about an iconic debut! This music has aged so effectively and is an undisputed basic inside J-pop. It’s such an exciting little bit of anthemic pop/rock, again when bands cared about being huge and additional with their music.
Ranking: 10
Don’t U Ever Cease (2008)
KAT-TUN doing a Michael Jackson homage just isn’t one thing that occurred almost as typically because it ought to’ve, however they received it proper with this totally unimaginable single (and music video!). It’s so funky and the guitar crunch is ultra-satisfying.
Ranking: 10
Rescue (2009)
I’ve already written a prolonged “legendary songs” put up about this so I’m undecided there’s far more to say. Their finest music ever?
Ranking: 10
Change Ur World (2010)
An enormous rock banger to shut out this period of KAT-TUN earlier than they moved into one thing even higher.
Ranking: 9
Final Wheels (2011)
Led by an ornate strings part, Final Wheels melds the rock of their early years with the extra theatrical textures of this period. To me, this kicks off their most fruitful interval (2011-2015), which can also be one of many strongest runs of any act ever.
Ranking: 9.5
Make-Or-Break (2011)
Ah, the beatbox is again, joined by one of many funkiest synth loops of their profession. It’s so enjoyable and retro!
Ranking: 9.5
White (2011)
That is quintessential J-pop to me. The melodies unfold with such objective and sense of storytelling and the instrumental provides anthemic heft. It feels very anime in one of the best ways doable.
Ranking: 9.5
Run For You (2011)
That opening synth line is pure ear sweet and the music solely accelerates from there. A defining single, I’d say.
Ranking: 9.75
Cosmic Youngster (2011)
The title just about says all of it. That is spacey and synthy and simple superior.
Ranking: 9.5
Lock On (2012)
Such a killer rock music. I like the punchy manufacturing and the refrain is totally huge.
Ranking: 9.5
One Day (2012)
This nails the anthemic sound KAT-TUN accomplish that effectively. I’ve been obsessive about the layered vocal melodies within the refrain for over a decade now and it nonetheless sounds as engaging right this moment.
Ranking: 9.5
Kusabi (2013)
A beloved fan-favorite for a cause. That is beguiling pop music – melodically good with payoff after payoff. It’s considered one of their most iconic songs in my view.
Ranking: 10
Hearth And Ice (2013)
The refrain! The refrain is IMMENSE! It’s like a dance-rock opera!!
Ranking: 9.75
4U (2013)
The platonic preferrred of a fan music, which means its saccharine and candy but in addition buoyed by unimaginable melodies and a brisk tempo. As at all times, the refrain is good.
Ranking: 9.25
Phoenix (2013)
Possibly their most operatic monitor? They create the total bombast of an orchestra to this one and the result’s beautiful.
Ranking: 9.75
Face To Face (2013)
Previewing the superior Useless Or Alive that might come two years later, Face To Face injects a way of symphony to the group’s pulsing electro sound.
Ranking: 9.75
In Reality (2014)
One other electro dance monitor with unimaginable stomping power. I like the repeated vocal hook within the verses and the explosive refrain that follows.
Ranking: 9.5
Imagine In Myself (2014)
There’s this little guitar flourish that wraps up every refrain and I believe it is perhaps my favourite particular person sound of any 2010s monitor. This has such a brisk power and anthemic heft. One in every of my most performed songs ever, truthfully.
Ranking: 10
Harmful (2014)
Pure funk goodness. It’s very SHINee-coded, which is at all times an excellent factor.
Ranking: 9
Come Right here (2014)
For some cause, this has at all times jogged my memory of one thing an SM group might need recorded round this time. It’s on the brighter facet for KAT-TUN, bringing a scrumptious dose of energy pop.
Ranking: 9.5
Triangle (2014)
My favourite b-side from the group? I’ve written about it on the weblog earlier than and there’s a cause for that. It’s simply pure guitar-powered bombast in one of the best ways. The refrain and ensuing guitar solo have etched themselves in my very own musical historical past. Perfection.
Ranking: 10
Faux (2014)
I like when KAT-TUN targets the dancefloor and this standout album monitor has a thumping power that’s not possible to withstand.
Ranking: 9.25
Emerald (Kamenashi solo) (2014)
Ah, that opening piano riff is simply transcendent. That is the form of glowing, emotional EDM I am keen on. The refrain is such a second and Kamenashi’s voice pulls it off completely.
Ranking: 9.5
Cover And Search (2014)
Rounding out my 9+ highlights from this killer album, Cover & Search merges KAT-TUN’s ultra-dramatic (nearly symphonic!) sound with a pulsing dancefloor drive.
Ranking: 9.5
Useless Or Alive (2015)
Oh my god, can I even clarify how epic this music is? The opening alone is sort of a full-on piece of cinema and the monitor simply continues to develop and blossom with increasingly grandeur. It’s a shocking spotlight of their discography.
Ranking: 10
Race Goes On (2015)
That is my form of chugging dance monitor. What can I say? The group is aware of what I like. Simply take heed to the best way that refrain opens and soars!
Ranking: 9.5
Ask Your self (2018)
Now we’re entering into music I’ve truly reviewed on the weblog in actual time. This tries on a home beat to nice success. It’s their final 9+ rated single for me.
Ranking: 9.25
Great World (Kamenashi solo) (2018)
Kamenashi appears to be a fan of those bounding pop/rock anthems and that is additionally a sound I like so that they at all times work for me. That is considered one of his finest.
Ranking: 9