Japan's favorite bachelor Fukuyama Masaharu sports a funny-looking perm on the cover of his 20th anniversary single Keshin, but otherwise he looks almost exactly the same as he did two decades ago. The same could be said of the forever-young singer-songwriter's music, soothing lilting ballads and hearty rock numbers that carry for years without aging.

His latest single Keshin is one of his most fun songs yet. Keshin kicks up the energy level straight off with a hyper-fast drum solo and a sprightly detective jazz intro. Keshin seems to take a page from Kuwata Keisuke with its jazzy, catchy rock melody, and the song's lively atmosphere pulls the listener in right away. From the edgy lyrics to the jiving arrangement to Fukuyama's low curling voice, Keshin carries a hint of sexy danger throughout, matching perfectly with the singer's heartthrob image and with the suspense drama Majo Saiban for which it serves as theme song.

Side track Michishirube is one of Fukuyama Masaharu's classic folksy lyrical mid-tempo numbers, the kind that make hearts melt. Not a love song but rather a song about love and life, Michishirube is packaged very simply, but travels far with its beautiful lyrics and clean campfire melody. Fukuyama apparently had his grandmother in mind when writing the song, and I had my mother in mind when listening to it. The affecting song brings up bittersweet images and mixed emotions while proffering a life-affirming message.

The second B-side is also a treat for fans, Fukuyama's self-cover of his Galileo theme song KISS Shite. This solo take sounds quite different from the previous light and breezy KOH+ version. Male vocals and the cleaner guitar rock arrangement at times feel less suitable for the nimble pop melody, but overall this solo version has a stronger and earthier vibe that actually makes it easier to listen to and like than the original.