Free Hugs! Explained

Free Hugs! (フリーハグス) is the eighth original album by Japanese boy band Kis-My-Ft2, released on April 24, 2019, by Avex Trax.^[1]

The regular disc includes solo songs by all members for the first time in three years since "I Scream". The solo songs are "hugs with music," with each member contributing music, as well as other artists.

The DVD of First edition A contains the music video for "Hug & Walk" and a making-of documentary. The music video for Hug & Walk, the album's signature song, was shot in Singapore. This is the first time they have shot a music video overseas.^[2]

The DVD of First edition B contains "KIS-MY-TV Special!" which is a new type of variety challenge that could be called the No. 1 operation in the history of Kis-my benefits.

With this album, a dome tour "Kis-My-Ft2 LIVE TOUR 2019 FREE HUGS!" was held from May 6 to July 14, 2019.^[3]

Chart performance

Kis-My-1st recorded first-week sales of 205,000 copies, reaching No. 1 on the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking dated May 6, 2019. This is the ninth consecutive album since their first album "Kis-My-1st" to reach the top position on the same chart. It also broke the record for the most consecutive first-week sales of over 200,000 copies since the first album. This is the second-highest record in history after KinKi Kids.By December 8, 2019, it had sold a total of 235,335 copies and ranked 12th on the annual Oricon Album Ranking for 2019.^[4]

Product specifications

The album was released in three formats:

• First Edition A (CD&DVD) - (AVCD-96288B)
• First Edition B (CD&DVD) - (AVCD-96289B)
• Regular Edition (CD) - (AVCD-96290)

The Regular Edition includes the solo songs by members Hiromitsu Kitayama, Taisuke Fujigaya, and Yuta Tamamori, and a bonus track introducing the members, "We are Kismai!" as a bonus track. The DVD included with the first pressing A and B will feature the songs from the album along with drama, comedy, variety, anime, documentary, and dance projects. The first disc A will include "KIS-MY-TV" and the first disc B will include "Kismay Sports Championship". In addition, the first pressing B includes seven jacket cards with visuals of the members.

Track listing

CD

Normal Edition, First Press Edition A

1. "8th" Overture (inst.) [0:59].
2. Hug & walk [4:01].
3. A.D.D.I.C.T. (read: A.D.) [3:45]
4. This crazy love [3:46].
5. L.O.V.E. (read: L.O.V.E.) [3:40].
6. Saturday Life [3:52].
7. #1 Girl [3:37] (read: number one girl)
8. I love you [4:39].
9. I can't know love without you. [4:26].
10. Bring It On [3:29].
11. Distance [3:39].
12. Hugtime [3:34].
13. Yeah E Yeah!!!!!!! [3:18]
14. You, me. [5:04] (Japanese only)
15. Lulalulala [4:50]/[6:19].

Bonus CD

• Regular disc only

1. Love=X2U (read: Love crosses to you) [4:03] - Taisuke Fujigaya
2. Let's play catch [4:59] - Wataru Yokoo
3. My own princess [4:30] - Toshiya Miyata
4. I miss your smile [4:53] - Kento Senga
5. Don't wanna die [4:35] - Hiromitsu Kitayama
6. Hugsuta [3:00] - Takashi Nikaido
7. Love Story [3:30] - Yuta Tamamori

DVD

• First Edition A

1. Hug & Walk -Music video-
2. Hug & Walk -Lip ver.-
3. Episode of Free hugs! -Overseas shooting

• First Press Edition B

1. KIS-MY-TV Special! -Kiss Hug Operation

External links

• Free Hugs! (Kis-My-Ft2 Album) - MENT Recording (in Japanese)
• Kis-My-Ft2 Official Website - MENT Recording (in Japanese)
• Kis-My-Ft2 Official Website - Starto Entertainment (in English)

Notes and References

1. Web site: 8th ALBUM『Free Hugs!』. 2019. MENT. 24 April 2024.
2. Web site: キスマイ、シンガポールで撮影した新曲「HUG & WALK」のMV公開. 5 April 2019. spice. 20 April 2024.
3. Web site: Kis-My-Ft2、5月より全国ドームツアー開催. 5 March 2019. natalie. 24 April 2024.
4. Web site: Kis-My-Ft2、平成最後のNo.1アルバム KinKi Kidsに次ぐ歴代2位の連続初週売上20万枚突破【オリコンランキング】. 30 April 2019. oricon. 24 April 2024.