#notequalme

Hi everyone! I took a 6-months-break without meaning to hahaha (⌒_⌒;)...anyway, last release of 2023, and it's Anti Confiture, the 8th physical single by ≠ME, which was released on the 20th of December...right on the edge of the year hahahaha perfect for a last-second-Christmas-gift though.

I already learned that the cover only represents the vibes the A-side is going to have, while speaking nothing of the B-sides so, I'm now making my guesses more focused on the title track. This image gives me elegant, pure but hauntingly vibes, with maybe youth and abandonment centered lyrics, because of all the flowers surrounding the girls...maybe that last one is a reach hahaha I'm excited either way!! Let's listen ♥

Update: Pondering the scores...we get ♥♥♥♥ overall!! The more I listen to the songs, the more I like them, so I'm truly grateful for this release (´꒳`)♡. Now, what's next?

Anti Confiture - 8th Physical Single (2023.11.28) ♥♥♥♥♥

The way I knew this would be peak the moment I pressed play and listened to the first second. You know the Glowing Man meme? I was him with just the first seconds of the piano playing, and THEN, the choir started and I swear to the goddess, I started levitating. This song is mostly piano, a fast melody paired with dark chords, and a heart beating bass drum during the verses, just soft piano keys with haunting FINGER SNAPING in the pre-chorus and a sort of runway-meets-orchestra when we reach the chorus...this song is a whole experience!!! (⊙_⊙).

And LET.ME.TELL.YOU about the vocals!!! First, the choir -> I need that injected into my veins right fucking now. Second, the background voices whispering and mumbling in the second verse -> gives me goosebumps (//ω//). Third, Nanaka's and Momokyun's high note just before the chorus hits, with Moeko following closely behind -> absolute madness!

The cinematography is also one of the best (if not THE best) ≠ME has had since their debut. The flower portraits, the dark hallway of "statues" (especially when they start finger snaping), the close ups during the whispering section...uf, the director, QQQ, brought their A game for this MV ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡.

Also, the girls commented we should pay special attention to the choreography, so I did, and they really surpassed themselves (*¯ ³¯*)♡ Like, the neck isolation?? the clockwork formations?? the delicate and elegant arm movements in the verses to then go full force in the last chorus?? These girls are going to make me lose my mind...

Hatsukoi Comeback - Tanizaki Saya's 2nd Center Song (2023.12.17) ♥♥♥

Woah high-school first love meets adult setting...cute (///￣ ￣///). While the production and melody of the song doesn't surprise me or change my life, it's still a pretty nice and soft love song, definitely enjoyable. However, the lyrics and MV are the real treasure IMO.

"Nostalgic purikura, old instant camera, winter sky, just the two of us walking to and from school" or "I found joy in the changing seasons, the two of us slowly changed and drifted apart", just some lines to show how the song tells a whole love story, from when they were just friends in school, the classic one-sided-love BUT THEN the adult class reunion, and wait, sparks are flying?! (❤ω❤) with the MV selling the nostalgic concept, with the girls (and guys with no faces hahaha) having fun drinking as adults juxtaposed with their hangouts as teenagers in school.

Sayayan also shines in this song, she really embodies a highschool lovestruck girl well, and the rest of the girls look so lovely in their uniforms and one-pieces, especially Shiorin...and Moeko WITH HER BROWNISH RED HAIR (ᗒ⩊ᗕ). Just look at the photo!!

Heroine to Ookami - 4th Co-Center Song (2023.12.19) ♥♥♥♥

HAHAHAHAA why furries tho?! The song is surprisingly soft and vibey, especially with that bass and trumpets, it reminds me A LOT of QU4RTZ actually...maybe that's why I really enjoy this one \(^ヮ^)/. The choir chants are really fun too (woo woo!, hey hey! chu chu ru), and the electric guitar is so funky??? Shiorin keeps getting better with her singing, perfectly blending her soft low voice with Miruten cute nasal tone...I strongly recommend this one if you're looking for a happy funky song (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧.

Now, the MV...again, why furry????? That wolf is so mean, leading on my sweet girls with his games (＃`Д´). "You said you'd be kind to me and now you're smitten with another girl!", truly unforgivable (ﾉಥ益ಥ)ﾉ. What I don't get is their kemonomimi outfits? And why yakisoba pan and badminton for courtship? Yoshikawa Eri, I'm afraid I don't get your vision :c

We have arrived to their 1st (and only as of yet) full album Springtime in You! Released back on March 20, 2024, it has 14 songs on the tracklist with 5 of them being completely new to us, and if you were lucky enough to buy the limited-edition Blu-ray Type A, you could also enjoy the 26 performances they did during their 2023 National Tour...what an album...

Now, what to expect? Pretty much anything, 5 new songs released over 2 months can be eerily similar, nothing alike or everything in between so...maybe something spring-like? (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) I just know it will be amazing and fun hehe.

Update: We began kinda meh in school, hit a few home-runs in adulthood and ended relaxing on the beach...quite the journey...a ♥♥♥♥ journey you could say hehe.

Last Chance, Last Dance - 1st Album Lead (2024.02.17) ♥♥♥

If you wonder what a basic idol love song is, this is your answer. It's pop-y, energetic, girly cute, school-focused, talking about an unrequited love...really, this should be used as the dictionary definition. And sadly, this means it's a nothing-burger-song for me (￣ ￣|||).

The lyrics don't touch my heart they way other songs have, the instruments are playing very safe melodies and the MV is...really bright?? Too bright for my eyes when they're dancing in that empty pool actually, it's quite blinding haha

What's the strongsuit for this release IMO? The choreo, hands down. IT'S SO COMPLICATED. So many position changes, fast hand movements, fun group formations and I swear they're idol hopping ALL THE TIME. Nanaka, the center you are...I respect you so much (//▽//).

Guuzen Symphony - 5th Co-Center Song (2024.03.17) ♥♥♥

Hana and Hitomi's center song...it's a little bit gay (*ﾉ▽ﾉ) yipeeee. I gotta say the chorus is quite catchy, but maybe it's because "suki da x 4" repeats over 5 times and the same scheme twice in every chorus (suki da, kimi ga or suki da, kore ga)...like, it's impossible to forget. And the voices are so prominent that I constantly forget to focus on the music ･ﾟ･(｡>ω<｡)･ﾟ･.

And why do I find this classic young love song kinda gay? Well, maybe 'cause during the whole MV, Hanyatan looks completely lovestruck with Hiichan ahaha. Hiichan smiles, Hana smiles; Hitomi runs, Hanyatan runs after her; Hiichan leaves to talk to the other girls about some guy, Hana gets sad; and the cherry on top: Hanyatan tries to read a shoujo manga while looking absolutely bored while doing so, with images of a happy Hiichan appearing on her head. I totally get you Hana hahahaahha oh to fall for a pretty lady, tale as old as time.

Date Zenya Requiem - 10th Unit Song (2024.03.19) ♥♥♥♥♥

HOLY SHIT, TIME TO ROCK!! The cutest trio, with gothic lolita dresses rocking out? It's more likely than you think (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)!!! Wow, this is so good, the electric guitar and drums going full throttle, with a very powerfull bass and magical keyboard...are they trying to rival Guilty Kiss or something????!!! Like, check out that guitar solo at 2:17 ٩(♡ε♡)۶And the hardcore instrumental with the cute voices, truly a match made in heaven hahaha Miruten really surprised me, what happened to her nasally voice? She sounds so grown-up here (❤ω❤) Hiichan and Sayayan must have taken her under their wings and taught her the range an idol can have...

And Miruten dominates with her stage presence, like Saya and Hitomi are really good too, but wow Miyuki entered the zone, she takes control of the camera every times she appears...

Marcato - 11th Unit Song (2024.04.03) ♥♥♥♥♥

I'M TOO GAY FOR THIS, ARE THEY TRYING TO KILL ME?! It's so chic, dark, cunty, and THAT KEYBOARD THO (or synthethic xylophone??). The verses have such a misterious flow, and paired with the rocky pre-chorus makes everything feel so elegant and mature; AND THE EDM BRIDGE THAT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE??? Also, Nanaka and Nattsuu's vocals are too die for (//ω//). The only part I quite don't vibe with is the empty chorus and the fact the song ends very abruptly, like, that's it? (￢_￢;).

So, why 5 hearts instead of 4? BECAUSE THE MV IS GORGEOUS, AND ELEGANT, AND MINIMALISTIC, AAAAAAAAHHHH. The red background in the middle of the desert, with the black outfits with dark green accents, laced boots, GOLD ACCESORIES...they look like empresses (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄). Nanaka embodies her queen status, Shiorin looks sharp af, Kirarin is a siren AND NATSUMI DYED HER HAIR BROWN-CORAL PINK AND LOOKS SO AAAAAAHHHH (you'll have to see the video to appreciate it, because in the photoshoot for the album, her hair was brown).

Haru no Koibito - 12th Unit Song (2024.04.05) ♥♥♥♥

I present to you, #Ofushorunitto calm sister ╰(▔∀▔)╯instead of starting the group date at Tokyo Station, we begin on Shinjuku Station xD

The song is quite cute and soft, despite the trumpets and very full production, and Moeko girl-next-door-image fits the vibe perfectly, with my favourite part being all the girls voices blending on the chorus. The lyrics sell the mood really well too: "I'm not scared, with you, I can go anywhere", "This spring is a little hot, it's because of the two of us", "An angel is blushing at the two lovers". A perfect spring song, very flowery ヽ(o^ ^o)ﾉ

The MV, like I hinted before with my comparison with #Ofushorunitto, consists of a group date between Moeko, Momokyun, Hanyatan, Nacchan and Mirei, enjoying trains rides, flower fields, the beach and viewing cherry blossom trees, while ocasionally dancing with 50's style dresses hahaha #girlhood.

Today, I have for you all ≠ME 6th single, Tenshi wa Doko e (Where are the angels?), released on April 12, 2023...and if I'm counting right, it seems Natsumi and Shiori were still in their hiatuses at the time of this release (╥_╥). This single maintains the habit of 1 title track + 3 b-sides, but it can fool you when you look at the track listing because ≒JOY is back again with another coupling track!! I wonder if they're also going to have 3 coupling tracks before their own EP or Single, like ≠ME did at the beginning of their careers...

Anyways, the cover and name is giving me angsty vibes, so I'm expecting at least 2 dramatic and vocal heavy songs (like Peonies, Hakumei Kousen, Momoiro Daybreak, etc), 1 soft cutesy song to contrast (Kimi wa Sparkle or Suki da!!! style), and maybe 1 dance-focused song? It has been a while since Watashi Accent...well, we shall see!!

Update: The cover was meant to confuse because this might be their cutest and youthful release since Su, Sukijanai! Overall, it gets a ♥♥♥, and I hope I like the next one more hehe.

Tenshi wa Doko e - 6th Physical Single (2023.03.31) ♥♥♥

Call me a fortune teller, a witch, a seer, whatever you want, because this right here is a dance-focused song and I FREAKING CALLED IT!! I should buy a lottery ticket while my divination powers are still on...

Celebrations aside, this is an EDM track through and through and, sadly, I tend to not like them very much (look at my short review of Watashi Accent), but there's something cute about this song being so 2010's musically. For example, that kind of dance break is way too overused by 2020's standards but the 1-second-delay before the chorus hits is really cool, the sound effects in the production are incredibly bad (like the record scratch) but the girls voices sound both angelic and devilish at the same time which is new and fun, and it's like that with everything else in the song too.

The visuals also give me a feeling of déjà vu, with the girls' light blue uniforms looking very similar to Twice's in Fanfare, and their party/street outfits being kinda reminiscing to Weeekly's in After School.

Now, to the important points: SHIORI AND NATSUMI ARE ON THE VIDEO!!! Shiori dances and sings with everyone else, while Natsumi (BLONDE NATSUMI BTW) appears in some shots singing her lines. I missed them so much ｡ﾟ･ (>﹏<) ･ﾟ｡ However, someone else gets the shout out because of her visuals this time, and that one is Hitomi with wavy her and WITHOUT BANGS!! She looks like such a baddie omg ♥ sadly, I cannot find a good HD photo of her like how she appears on the MV, so you all are just going to have to watch the video to know what I'm talking about lmao.

Kono Mama de Momentary - Kanisawa Moeko's 2nd Center Song (2023.04.08) ♥♥♥

2 for 2!! This is a soft cutesy song! I'm nailing these predictions hahahaha

Now, being serious, I find this song quite alright (¯▿¯) the instrumental parts sounds good and non-intrusive (I like those small bells sounds), and the vocals are soft and high, like, it almost sounds like an anime ED. And I didn't expect Moeko to be the center on a song like this, if I'm being real, especially after her perfomance in Peonies...it just goes to show she can do anything!

The lyrics are also nothing out of the extraordinary, having a youthful and innocent twist to them: "I send my gratitude through this melody, I’ll send it on the wind", "The needle of my heart plays a delicate sound, I want to be your support, can I be?", "Coloring the everyday routine, I need you", etc. And the MV captures perfectly the vibe of the song, with all of the soft pastel pinks, blues and yellows...perfect for the season this was released too!!

Niji-han Rock'n'Roll - 8th Unit Song (2023.04.16) ♥♥♥

Well, where to begin? First, I love the rock'n'roll sound! I usually like all retro music and this instrumental is no exception o(>ω<)o the funky keyboard and electric guitar, the low-key drums during the majority of the song...it brings to my mind a cute rock session while vibing on the beach hahaha

Second, I have learned that the name of this adorable duo is Shiomiru! And that Shiori prefers to be called Shiorin, and Miyuki, Miruten, so I shall do that from now on (*´▽`*).

Third, I do not like how their voices sound in this song at all (￣ ￣|||). They're a little shouty (especially Miruten) and the productions makes them sound so far away??? Like the music is on the front while the girls are way over on the back...I don't know how to explain it properly haha also, they're not singing much, it's more talk-singing with a whiny accent. At least it's cute...?

Marshmallow Float - Suganami Mirei's 1st Center Song (2023.04.17) ♥♥♥♥

These are my favourite uniforms so far!!! My light academia heart is awestruck (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) I want their whole outfit (dress, beret hat, shoes) for Christmas please hahahaha

And the song is also adorable!! They all brought their cutest voices to the mix, but Mirei really is a beast on her own (//▽//) she sells the whole cute but incredibly-confused-by-everything-that's-happening in-the-MV-look 100% and her high cute nasally voice ties the entire concept together with a delicate white bow╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

Unexpected moment? How well Saya and Miruten sound together! Check out minute 0:32-0:37 to see it for yourself hehe o(≧▽≦)o

I have arrived to their 4th physical single Su, Sukijanai!, which is also the opening song for the anime "Saikin Yatotta Maid ga Ayashii" apparently??? Now, because of the title, time of release (summer) and it been used as an anime OP, I'm fully expecting a genkii song and brightly cute B-sides (except for Bokutachi no Image…that gives me calm and reflective vibes for some reason…). I usually don't like very bright songs, but if they are like Kurukuru Kakigori or ≠ME (the song!), I will have a good time listening (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧.

Update: And the overall score is ♥♥♥♥!! Truly the cutest single they've released so far (I've only checked out 4 out of 11 hahahah). This goes straight to my cute playlist hehe ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡

Su, Sukijanai! - 4th Physical Single (2022.07.04) ♥♥♥♥

This is so Love Live coded, I'm not even kidding, it reminds so much of Aqours, and especially, Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai ("Aozora Jumping Heart", "Our P13CES", "Colorful Dreams! Colorful Smiles!", "KAGAYAKI Don't forget!", etc) (✧ω✧). Like, it's so fast and frantic during the chorus but melodic and sweet in the verses, it has many "call-and-response" moments, a very prominent electric guitar and keyboard...an idol song through and through!! And if the songs mentioned above didn't already give me away, I like idol songs hahaha (≧ω≦)

The beginning is so iconic already, and it's thankfully only used twice during the song because chants can get old very quickly, so to put it at the start and then in the bridge, after the guitar solo, was a genius decision <(￣︶￣)>. The song also fits well enough with the anime IMO.

As for the MV, the award goes to Nanaka!! She was incredibly cute while preparing her love letter (female lead, of course ♥) and soooo funny at the end when she realized everyone also wanted to confess to her crush hahaha though Shiori and Miyuki deserve a shout out too, with their 1) suspicious potion making and 2) cute and small celebration after finishing their love letters first, so adorable o(≧▽≦)o

Kochira Happy Tanken-tai - 4th Unit Song (2022.08.10) ♥♥

Well, they really are HAPPY explorers...way too happy and genkii for me maybe haha this song perfectly follows the energy the title track established and rumps it up to eleven, with all the digital instruments they could find playing (electro-pop to the max!) and high cute vocals explaining the rules to be a happy explorer ("greet everyone cheerfully!" "positive and energetic"). Sadly, Su, Sukijanai! is the limit of energy I can endure in a song before it becomes too much for me...and this is too much... (×﹏×).

This song also has so many random sounds playing and ringing at every moment, I guess in hopes to make the song sound cute and energetic, but to me it just appears as messy and annoying (￢_￢;). It reminds me a lot of Teyuuka, Miruten-tte Nani? but I like this one just a smidge more...

On a positive note, the choreography is perfectly energetic and cute! Shiori sells the hell out of it, idol dancing to a T! Natsune also works really well as the center of this unit, tho because of their statures, she looks like the adult leader of a group of girlscouts haha (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) and last but not least...Miyuki with braids healed my soul omg (look for minute 1:28-1:34 to see some Shiori & Miyuki duo action hehe is too moe!).

Bokutachi no Image - Single Type A Edition (2022.08.12) ♥♥♥

This song is way calmer than the first two but not as much as I had hoped...and dare I say, I tad forgettable (￣ヘ￣)...there's not much going on musically wise, all of their voices sound way too similar and soft, the verses-pre chorus-chorus-post chorus sound mostly the same, and I've been playing this song non-stop while writing this and I still can't get my brain to retain how the song sounded after it ends, it just disappears in my memory xD

Ok, that's I lie, because I can remember one part still: Hana, Mirei Kirari sound AMAZING and angelic together omg, is this the first time they've had a part together? I know Hana and Mirei have sung together in a unit before (#Ofushorunitto) but it seems Kirari was the missing piece all along! Check minute 0:30 to 0:42 if you want to be awed (*♡∀♡). On an unrelated note, Hana slays with the bob cut ♥

As for the music video...while the beach is beautiful and cinematic, seeing the wind trying its hardest to blow the girls away is really funny xD also, some of their dresses are so ugly IMO like what are Saya and Natsumi wearing???? and why is Kirari in a nightgown?? Truly a mistery....

Summer Chocolate - 5th Unit Song (2022.08.23) ♥♥♥♥♥

CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!! Ponytail Kyrun x Chouzetsu Heroine collab!! It's so girly, and cute, and happy, and adorable and aaaaaaaaah σ(≧ε≦σ) ♡ they literally say "nyan nyan" at one point in the song hahahah

Saya and Hitomi really are the queens of girly idol dancing, like this is j-idol music to a T!! and the bridge with just the claps and their cute voices?? AMAZING!! I need a concert video to see that part live pleeeeease. And it seems everyone agrees this song is peak because how else can you explain this b-side having 4.4 million views??? IT TIES WITH THE TITLE TRACK!! For comparison, the other tracks of the single have 500k and 600k views.

And their idol outfits?? My eyes can't handle their cuteness, they're sparkling!! (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) and the background with the fairlylights and soft blue and warm yellow illumination makes everything look straight out of a dream...they look like fairies (*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡.