Sunset Kiss (feat. Polyphia)

Sunset Kiss explores the profound and bittersweet emotions associated with parting and the endurance of memory. The central metaphor of the "sunset" represents a transitional state—the beautiful but inevitable end of a period of light and warmth. The lyrics suggest a relationship or a significant connection that has ended or changed, leaving the protagonist in a world that still holds the "warmth" of the other person but lacks their physical presence.

The song juxtaposes the cold reality of the present (the "cold wind" and "hollow voice") with the vibrant, burning imagery of the past (the "sunset sky" and "faded face still etched in memory"). This contrast highlights the pain of holding onto something that is slipping away, much like trying to grasp the setting sun.

The repeated lines "It won't be long" and "I won't be alone" offer a complex layer of meaning. They could be interpreted as a hopeful mantra—believing that a reunion is imminent—or as a denial of the permanence of the separation. The "kiss" of the sunset serves as a symbolic benediction, a final touch of grace that seals the memories before the "night" (symbolizing absence or moving on) takes over. Ultimately, the song conveys that while love may turn to tears, the beauty of the shared experience remains burned into the soul like the afterglow of a sunset.

The song unfolds as a poignant narrative of separation and memory, set against the backdrop of a fading day. It begins with the protagonist recalling words spoken by a loved one in the past, noting how that gentle voice still resonates within their world. Despite the physical absence of this person, a lingering warmth remains, suggesting a bond that transcends distance. As the narrator gazes up at the sky, a pure and innocent melody drifts down, contrasting with the cold wind that tightens around their heart, whispering with a hollow emptiness.

As the scene shifts to the visual dominance of the sunset, the lyrics describe the loved one gradually fading or melting into the burning sky. This imagery serves as a metaphor for loss and the passage of time. The protagonist expresses a desperate desire to chase after this fading figure, extending a hand toward the disappearing light, but realizing it is already out of reach. The emotional climax reveals tears overflowing and spilling, acknowledging that while love often turns into tears, the love that wakes from a dream inevitably follows this sorrowful path.

The recurring refrain emphasizes a determination not to be alone despite the sorrow, or perhaps a reassurance that the separation won't be long. The narrator searches for the loved one in the sunset sky, only to have their flowing tears swallowed by the coming night. Ultimately, the sunset sky colors both the narrator and the memory of the loved one, tinting their shared past with the golden, melancholic hue of twilight. The song concludes with the evocative image of a "sunset kiss," symbolizing a final, fleeting moment of connection before the darkness sets in.

Sunset Kiss marks the second major collaboration between the Japanese kawaii metal unit BABYMETAL and the American progressive rock band Polyphia. Following their successful 2019 collaboration on the track "Brand New Day" from the album METAL GALAXY, both groups expressed a desire to work together again. The song was officially released on August 8, 2025, as a standout track on BABYMETAL's album METAL FORTH.

The collaboration was teased by Polyphia guitarist Tim Henson in early 2025, who mentioned in interviews that the band had finished a "second Babymetal collab" specifically for BABYMETAL's record. The track features the intricate, technical guitar work characteristic of Polyphia's Henson and Scott LePage, blended seamlessly with the high-energy production of BABYMETAL's team, led by producer KOBAMETAL. The song's composition is credited to MEGMETAL and MK-METAL, with the instrumental arrangement heavily influenced by Polyphia's signature math-rock style.

The song made its live world premiere before its official release, performed during BABYMETAL's special arena show at The O2 Arena in London on May 30, 2025. This live debut generated significant buzz among fans, who praised the seamless integration of City Pop aesthetics with the band's heavier roots.

The song employs a rhythmic structure that balances the complexity of math rock with the infectious groove of pop. The lyrics generally follow a loose, free-verse structure typical of modern J-Pop, focusing more on syllable count (morae) to fit the melodic contour rather than a strict Western rhyme scheme. However, there is occasional end-rhyme and assonance, particularly in the chorus sections (e.g., matching vowel sounds in sora ni and nomarete).

Rhythmically, the vocal line is syncopated, weaving in and out of the intricate guitar patterns. The tempo is upbeat yet relaxed—a hallmark of the "driving music" feel of City Pop—creating a sense of forward motion that contrasts with the lyrical theme of looking back. The interplay between the stuttering, precise guitar rhythms and the flowing, legato vocal melody creates a dynamic tension that mirrors the struggle between holding on and letting go.

Musical Techniques: The track is a fusion of City Pop and Technical Metal. It utilizes Polyphia's signature clean, rapid-fire guitar riffs and complex harmonic tapping (math rock elements) to create a "sparkling" and sophisticated soundscape. This is contrasted with heavy, driving percussion and bass lines typical of BABYMETAL. The arrangement features lush, jazz-influenced chord progressions common in 80s Japanese City Pop, creating a nostalgic, breezy atmosphere that belies the technical difficulty of the instrumentation.

Vocal Delivery: SU-METAL employs a vocal style that is both powerful and emotive, utilizing a softer, more breathy tone in the verses to convey intimacy and vulnerability, before soaring into her trademark clear, piercing belt in the chorus. The backing vocals (MOAMETAL and MOMOMETAL) provide ethereal harmonies that enhance the "dreamy" quality of the track.

Literary Techniques: The lyrics use juxtaposition (warmth vs. cold, sunset vs. night) to build emotional tension. Personification is used in phrases like "the cold wind... whispers with a hollow voice," giving the environment an active role in the narrator's emotional state. The structure follows a cyclical narrative, returning to the image of the sky, reinforcing the inability to escape the memory.

Sunset Kiss garnered immediate acclaim upon its release, celebrated as a successful evolution of the "Kawaii Metal" genre into more mature, progressive territories. It solidified BABYMETAL's reputation for successful cross-genre collaborations, bridging the gap between the idol pop world, the technical guitar community (represented by Polyphia fans), and the metal scene.

The song's City Pop influence coincided with a global resurgence of interest in 1980s Japanese pop music, making it timely and culturally relevant. It became a fan favorite for its "drive-friendly" vibe, often featured in playlists for night driving or summer evenings. The collaboration also highlighted the growing trend of instrumental bands like Polyphia influencing mainstream metal and pop acts, showcasing how technical musicianship can serve accessible, melodic songwriting.

The lyrics of Sunset Kiss are rich with atmospheric symbolism centered around light and time:

• The Sunset Sky (夕焼け空 - Yuuyake Sora): Represents the threshold between presence and absence. Just as the sunset is beautiful yet fleeting, the memories of the loved one are vibrant but fading into the past. It symbolizes the inevitable end of an era or relationship.
• Melting/Fading (溶けていく - Tokete iku): The image of the loved one "melting" into the sky suggests a loss of physical form, transforming from a person into a memory or a feeling that permeates the atmosphere.
• Cold Wind vs. Warmth: The "cold wind" symbolizes the harsh reality of the present moment and loneliness, while the lingering "warmth" represents the enduring emotional impact of the past relationship.
• The Night (夜 - Yoru): Symbolizes the unknown, the void, or the future without the loved one. The tears being "swallowed by the night" suggests that the sorrow is vast and consuming, hiding the narrator's pain in darkness.
• Sunset Kiss: A metaphor for the final moment of contact or the stinging beauty of a farewell. It is a "kiss" that does not promise a future, but rather seals the past.

The most significant recurring phrase is the English refrain in the background vocals: "(Oh-oh, I won't be alone)" and "(Oh-oh, it won't be long)". These lines act as a rhythmic anchor and a counter-melody to the Japanese lead vocals. Their repetition serves as a mantra of reassurance or perhaps denial, providing a hook that is instantly memorable and singable for international audiences.

The phrase "Yuuyake sora" (Sunset sky) is repeated throughout the verses and chorus, grounding the song in its central visual motif. This repetition ensures that the listener remains immersed in the specific atmospheric setting of the song—a world perpetually bathed in orange twilight.