BE:FIRST Turn Five Years of Growth Into Forward Motion on BE:4U

By Cena Haddad

Five years into their career, BE:FIRST are no longer focused on introducing themselves. On their fourth album, BE:4U, the Japanese group looks back at how far they have come while making clear where they intend to go next.

Released on November 3, the 13-track album arrives as both a fifth-anniversary celebration and a statement of intent. SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, and LEO move freely between hip-hop, pop, R&B, cinematic production, and softer, vocal-led moments.

That versatility is central to BE:4U. Motivational declarations sit beside romantic uncertainty, while intense rap performances give way to gentle piano melodies and layered harmonies. Rather than making the album feel scattered, those contrasts reveal different sides of BE:FIRST while keeping the project cohesive.

Confidence and Experimentation

“NOW U KNOW” immediately establishes the self-assurance driving BE:4U. Its energetic combination of melody and rap feels celebratory and commanding, while the natural mixture of Japanese and English complements the group’s increasingly international direction. Deep vocal ad-libs give the chorus additional weight, making the opener feel like a declaration that BE:FIRST know exactly who they are.

“BE:FIRST ALL DAY” carries that momentum forward with a motivational message about continuing to work without losing sight of their ambitions. Its lower-register chorus is delivered with impressive control, while a smooth bridge places the higher voices at the center before transitioning naturally back into deeper tones.

The tropical-inspired “Exercise” provides a lighter, more relaxed change of pace. Its playful vocals, summery production, and lower-register rap continue the album’s early focus on motivation and self-love while giving the opening stretch room to breathe.

Greater emotional complexity arrives with “Why, Why.” An old-school piano introduction gives way to horn accents and a lively beat, contrasting the song’s upbeat sound with a relationship caught between attraction and genuine connection. The question “Is this love or lust?” introduces romantic uncertainty, while inventive runs and ad-libs showcase the members’ ability to blend their distinct voices.

The unit tracks allow smaller combinations of members to explore contrasting sounds. SHUNTO, MANATO, and JUNON bring intimacy and Latin-influenced R&B-pop production to “Diva,” with refined harmonies supporting the affectionate declaration “You’re my diva.”

SOTA, RYUHEI, and LEO take a more playful approach on “#Conbini.” Electronically processed vocals and rapid-fire rap give the track a futuristic edge, while its title – derived from konbini, the Japanese term for a convenience store – becomes a metaphor for remaining available to someone 24/7. The concept risks feeling gimmicky, but its humor, sincerity, and confident execution allow it to work.

The Album’s Emotional Center

“It’s not a bad life” marks one of the album’s most powerful moments. Deep opening vocals lead into prominent drums and layered effects, while the pre-choruses showcase the group’s vocal range before giving way to a slower, heavier chorus. Its message acknowledges hardship without surrendering to it, offering reassurance that difficult circumstances may not be as hopeless as they appear.

A slight vocal growl adds raw passion to the bridge, establishing the track as one of BE:4U’s clearest standouts. That emotional force becomes more explosive on “Rondo,” which begins with a ceremonial, almost medieval battle call before dropping into intense, cinematic production.

“Rondo” continues escalating as commanding vocals alternate with aggressive rap. Despite its scale, the track remains controlled, giving equal importance to both performance styles and delivering one of the album’s strongest displays of BE:FIRST’s full range.

After that intensity, “for you” provides a carefully placed moment of softness. Gentle piano, warm vocals, and delicate harmonies create a romantic R&B-pop atmosphere without overcrowding the arrangement. Its bridge introduces a more sensual tone before angelic background vocals surround the final chorus. Created by MANATO, JUNON, and LEO with producer Shintaro Yasuda, the track demonstrates how effectively BE:FIRST can use restraint.

“Missing” lifts the pace while preserving that emotional warmth. A subtle bass drop energizes the chorus, rap returns naturally in the following verse, and high pre-chorus vocals build anticipation without disrupting the track’s smooth atmosphere. Together, “for you” and “Missing” approach longing from different directions – one through quiet romantic intimacy and the other through a brighter, more rhythmic sense of absence.

A Confident Finish

The album’s final stretch begins with “H.A.R.E.,” a guitar-led track pairing smooth vocals with an easygoing sense of independence. Its mellow rap verse reveals a softer side of the group’s rappers, while the song’s relaxed energy makes it one of the project’s most immediately enjoyable moments.

“街灯,” meaning “Streetlight,” continues that positivity through crisp beats, light bells, and layered production details. Its festive quality is intentional, as the song originally served as a tie-in for FamilyMart’s 2025 Christmas campaign. Beyond its seasonal context, the streetlight becomes a metaphor for direction and the uncertainty of deciding whether to stop or keep moving forward, while the production rises and falls naturally alongside the members’ voices.

“Mainstream -2026 ver.-” closes the album with growl-like vocals, forceful rap, and technological effects that add texture without overwhelming the performances. As a new recording of one of BE:FIRST’s defining songs, its placement carries additional meaning on an anniversary project. The final declaration, “We mainstream,” feels like the conclusion to the argument presented throughout the album: BE:FIRST are no longer asking whether they belong.

Taken as a whole, BE:4U remains cohesive despite moving through multiple genres and emotional tones. The members’ vocal chemistry provides its foundation, while the balance between singing and rap ensures that neither side feels obligatory.

“Rondo,” “for you,” and “It’s not a bad life” emerge as the clearest highlights, each representing a different side of the group’s identity. BE:4U does not reinvent BE:FIRST, but it refines the qualities that have carried the group this far. Five years into their career, they sound confident in what they have built and prepared to keep moving forward.

Listen to BE:4U

BE:4U is available to stream and download now.

Watch the official music video for “NOW U KNOW”.