Ongaku Cafe (The ’90s): SMAP – Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~ (1996)

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1. はだかの王様 ～シブトクつよく～
2. 急がば回れ
3. はだかの王様 ～シブトクつよく～ (music track)
4. 急がば回れ (music track)

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Reviewed back in May 1996

Popular Johnny Jimusho boy band SMAP is going to go through some major changes as this single will be the final release to feature SMAP member Katsuyuki Mori. Mori will be pursuing his career as a motorcross competitor and is leaving the Johnny’s Agency indefinitely.

Needless to say, I wouldn’t be surprise if their 21st single “Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~” (The Naked King: Stubborn and Strong) ends up a #1 seller as fans will probably want to get the final single with Mori.

The single is an upbeat pop track and a single in which Mori’s voice is quite prominent. To tell you the truth, I can’t imagine SMAP without Mori, but I suppose we’ll see how things go when the group releases their next single. But “Hadaka no Ousama” is a catchy track and I have been listening to this song over and over.

As for the coupling track “Isogabamaware”, it’s an OK song but pretty much a no frills coupling pop track in which Mori’s vocals are quite prominent once again.

Overall, “Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~” is another enjoyable single and if you are a Katsuyuki Mori fan, you will definitely want to pick this single up as it will be his final single as a SMAP member.

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