My Oh My ME:I ~ Hiya every one. This can be a little bit of a very long time approaching my finish. I’ve been not so secretly invested in ME:I, since I watched Produce 101 Japan the Women again in 2023. It had weekly uploads on Youtube with subtitles, so I used to be in. I may care much less concerning the unique Produce 101 collection (too many controversies), and have obscure consciousness of this system’s boy teams in Japan (I feel JO1 and INI are alright. No opinion on DXTEEN). But when it’s woman teams signal me up!
I received’t go full throttle into the drama that went down with Produce 101 Japan the Women since that might be redundant. I used to be rooting essentially the most for Ishii Ran, former Girls² member and Watanabe Miyu former pretty2 member. My LDH Leisure bias is actually leaping out right here. I had one or two different ladies outdoors of them I hoped would make it too in fact. Of my picks, solely Ran made it which I’ll take. She completely deserves it, and I’m past delighted for her. I’ve opinions concerning the ultimate line-up as an entire, however not related so I’ll maintain it shifting.
The present was a contest present, the place 11 ladies could be picked on the finish for the ultimate line-up in ME:I. The ultimate member line-up, structured by official positions first, then by age: Kasahara Momona (heart, chief), Ishii Ran (sub-leader), Kato Cocoro, Sakurai Miu, Iida Shizuku, Takami Ayane, Shimizu Keiko, Sasaki Kokona, Murakami Rinon, Yamamoto Suzu, and Ebihara Tsuzumi. They had been picked on December seventh 2023, and their official debut was April seventeenth 2024 with their EP “Mirai”.
Their debut EP comprises 4 title tracks: “Click on”, “Sugar Bomb”, “&ME – ME:I Model”, and “CHOPPY CHOPPY – ME:I Model”. Tracks “Click on” and “Sugar Bomb” being 100% unique to ME:I as their first a-side and b-side respectively. Tracks “&ME” and “CHOPPY CHOPPY” had been unique songs carried out inside Produce 101 Japan the Women, with each debuted and un-debuted members. Therefore, they’ve the indicator that these variations are ME:I particular. In the event you’re curious concerning the in-show variations, you may take heed to these right here.
Some fast basic ideas is that this EP is for positive, geared to a youthful than I crowd. It’s clear that ME:I’s goal demographic is teenagers and early 20’s. I wouldn’t fairly put it in pure bubble-gum pop, the manufacturing is a bit too slick for that title. It does fall very a lot into LAPONE’s (ME:I’s firm) bread and butter of ‘Kpop however make it Jpop’. That’s not an inditement or something, I’d argue it’s an extremely profitable components for this EP and their firm. Only for anybody on the lookout for a gaggle rooted nearer to Jpop customary, would possibly stroll away from ME:I upset. Whereas, I may see this netting some Kpop followers moving into Jpop or at the least ME:I. I’ve been pleasantly stunned by the web reception simply… good luck to Kpoppies adjusting to Jpoppie tradition. It’s two totally different world for a motive.
Anywho, going ahead that is me doing a free overview of “MIRAI” as a debut EP. You possibly can pay attention together with me by way of ME:I’s Spotify, or Youtube in the event you’d like. It’s all opinions going ahead, be happy to drop me yours down beneath!
CLICK
Being 100% clear, I didn’t suppose “Click on” was all that nice when it was first launched. It’s manufacturing whereas clear {and professional}, was too jarring and messy of a observe. It was stepping into so many alternative instructions and never considered one of them actually caught with me. It has upon extra re-listenings genuinely grown on me. I discover myself buzzing the hook typically.
The lyrics are fairly secure general. The above MV really has English subs which can be on par with my interpretation to reference. It’s largely speaking concerning the future the way it’s each thrilling, however makes you nervous to think about. It’s optimistic in tone, because it’s reference that YOU & ME, a play on their fandom identify YOU:ME, are going to face it collectively.
I can’t deny that the road “秒針 Tick Tick 運命 Choose Choose” or “Secondhand Tick Tick, Destiny Choose Choose” is a very slick homage. It’s a pleasant callback to PD 101, but it surely blends in with the music seamlessly. Sadly, the strains distribution was about what I used to be anticipating. Whereas each member will get a line, some are simply stronger vocalists in order that they had been extra favored this time round. Fingers crossed that because the group develops every members will get a bit extra time within the highlight vocally.
Aesthetically it’s every thing LAPONE’s first woman group ought to have in an MV too. It’s obtained some glitzy visuals, between the CGI and different property seen inside the manufacturing. Among the imagery, the actually fuzzy automotive, motorcyles and umbrellas are little complicated at instances. It actually does really feel fairly whimsical, with out coming off as infantile.
Most significantly the idea on the MV and lyrics manages to go well with all of the members, who’re on the time of writing between the ages of 17-23. I’m somewhat upset that their outfits are kind of garments verses costumes, however that’s what Kpop does so it is sensible. I wouldn’t be stunned to listen to followers shopping for particular items because of ME:I’s affect.
“Click on” does have a number of points. LAPONE is displaying their favoritism a bit too early. It was rumored Ran was their ‘decide’ for the group. The very fact she’s heart so typically and has a complete dance break was a daring selection. As a Ran-stan, I’m in fact cool with this. I can solely hope the identical alternatives might be allotted to the opposite ladies in future releases.
Additionally, I completely adore Tsuzumi and am so glad she’s allowed to sing reside for his or her music present performances. He studio supply of the road ““輝きだす Story” or “Glittering Story” is nice. However I want somebody to softly remind her that in reside performances, she wants to observe her supply on “story” as a result of it comes off slightly odd. In any other case, completely adore the reside model of “Click on” too.
Sugar Bomb
As a die-hard fan of iScream, who additionally had a b-side of the identical identify on their debut EP… there was a tiny little bit of aspect eye on my half. That doesn’t imply I’m suspicious of ME:I within the slightest! I simply occur to tense up for no matter motive when teams have comparable/similar titled tracks. I’m not pitting the women in opposition to one another both, I desire a collab as quickly as doable!
This was a observe the place I used to be as soon as once more, fairly stunned by the manufacturing. It’s nonetheless smooth, but additionally somewhat slinky and funky as nicely. I wasn’t positive the place this observe would land on my radar. In the event you’re not paying consideration it appears like a pair totally different songs smashed collectively at instances. It does have a pleasant rolling undercurrent that retains it securely snapped collectively, and has me hooked. It jogs my memory loads of f(x)’s “4 Partitions” period, and that’s a really excessive praise from me.
I’m a bit extra impressed with the road distribution this time round. It’s somewhat extra disjointed because it’s little extra communicate/rap then tremendous lyrical. Nonetheless if the assorted color-coded line distribution movies I watched and listened to are to be believed – I’m extremely impressed with Cocoro’s supply right here. The primary time the lyric “ほら心Sugar Bomb, 私の体動かすの,まだ見ぬ景色へ” comes up that’s her voice and I used to be completely hooked. Granted they cross this phrase to different members in a while, however Cocoro completely killed it right here. Additionally for followers of Rinon, she will get a fully iconic line, on par together with her adjusted rap throughout her “Bijin” efficiency.
The reside performances too are actually slick. The choreography is slightly subdued, no large dance breaks or loopy tips. I’m a sucker for a superb mic-stand incorporation, and ME:I actually had extra distinctive utilization of them right here! It’s additionally good to see that the women aren’t being run into the bottom eradicating props then leaping as quickly as doable again into choreography. I really feel it seems method higher to have members easily stroll to their subsequent place and bounce in on the proper time, then to consistently rush on and off stage to me.
&ME – ME:I Ver.
I’ll admit that this being included with their first EP was a little bit of a shock. I might have thought “想像以上 (Souzou Ijo)”, which was carried out as reverse of “CHOPPY CHOPPY” would have been the coupling observe. “&ME” is without doubt one of the pre-debut tracks that has the very best quantity of debut members on a single music so it is sensible it was put right here.
Lyrically, I feel “&ME” has a number of the most intelligent phrase play I’ve seen in a Jpop observe in awhile. The juxtaposition of “Butterfly 高く, 倒れても まだ飛べるよ” adopted by “However I fly 見てて, 大きな風 巻き起こして” is just too good. I hadn’t appreciated that through the present.
I dig the reworked model with 11 members. It’s clearly been re-keyed to higher go well with their line-up’s vary. The unique was only a contact too excessive for that group. It does really feel somewhat extra cluttered vocally, going from 5 members to eleven members will do this. On the plus aspect, I do admire that Tsuzumi, Cocoro, Momona, Miu, and Suzu’s signature elements had been stored as is. Particularly since Tsuzumi’s vocals actually maintain this music locked down. ME:I didn’t shrink back from correctly re-distributing the music so it flows nicely.
As a aspect word: I additionally actually dig the re-worked choreography they did. It’s tremendous dynamic and genuinely fascinating to view.
CHOPPY CHOPPY – ME:I Ver.
I’m so sorry to followers of this observe, however I can’t. I’ve by no means preferred this music. Wouldn’t have picked it to be re-released so quickly. I hoped it might be a primary full album filler at greatest. The unique vary of the music was simply by no means hit my ears proper.
Upon investigation, “CHOPPY CHOPPY” did have extra debuted members within the unique efficiency of the music through the finale. So begrudgingly, I’ll admit it’s a wise enterprise transfer to incorporate early on. The ME:I model is barely extra in vary for the group which helps rather a lot. It’s additionally a flex that from what many colour coded lyric movies present, the half distribution may be very strong. Iconic elements had been stored with the unique vocalist, however they didn’t shrink back from redistributing elements fairly pretty.
I do know that is only a me factor for the reason that music is nothing however upbeat, candy and constructive. I simply can’t get into it. The shouted be a part of refrain on the finish whereas I get it’s suppose to be unifying the group sounds so low-cost. To not point out the fixed repetition of “CHOPPY CHOPPY” kills me within the worst type of method. It’s not even an ear worm for me, simply outright annoying.
Additionally I’m only a nit picker, however I nonetheless can’t make heads or tails of what “CHOPPY CHOPPY” is suppose to be in relation too. It’s completely tremendous to have a nonsensical title to get the group going, however this isn’t my factor. I’m giving this music the advantage of the doubt that it (in all probability) goes over extremely nicely as a reside efficiency factor, not a studio model factor.
General, I’m fairly impressed with ME:I’s debut. I wasn’t outright received over the primary pay attention. “Click on” did genuinely develop on me as a favourite observe as the times have handed. I’m extremely hopeful that we get extra B-sides like “Sugar Bomb”. I feel that path reveals unimaginable promise for the place ME:I can develop into. The PD 101 re-recording are a 50/50 cut up for me. “&ME” will all the time be my favourite. Can’t say the identical about “CHOPPY CHOPPY”.
If there’s something I can depart this weblog submit on, it’s that I’ll be sticking round and testing extra of ME:I when and the place I can. I can’t fairly decide to the fanclub, however belief me if funds had been higher I’d be proper up there. If there are any fellow YOU:ME’s studying this, let me know and let’s be large followers of the group collectively!
BONUS
A little bit of my pet theories relating to different PD 101 unique tracks that ME:I hasn’t re-recorded but. I’m working underneath the very obscure assumption that almost all, if not all, pre-debut/PD 101 tracks might be re-recorded in some unspecified time in the future. It’s just a bit unclear in the event that they’ll be ME:I’s b-sides or possibly given to the upcoming LAPONE ladies group. I may see it going both method, however I’m pretending they’re all going to ME:I right here.
Unsure the way it labored out for JO1/INI’s seasons however for the women’ season all of the songs charted pretty nicely, and appeared to have been nicely obtained by the broader public. I don’t need ME:I to simply keep on with re-releases so they could trickle out in some unspecified time in the future, most definitely of their first full album on the newest. At the very least, that’s what I’m assuming “Leap Excessive!” and “FLY UP SO HIGH” will find yourself. I simply can’t see these as b-sides for singles or EP’s.
I’m hoping that “想像以上 (Souzou Ijo)” will pop up eventually. I regardless of the failings as a result of it’s somewhat disjointed in execution at instances, am an enormous fan of it. Perhaps as a B-side for the second EP? It charted very well because the PD 101 model. I feel it was just a bit too near “&ME” and “Sugar Bomb” so as to add right here. I additionally assume it wants a bit extra re-working then “CHOPPY CHOPPY”.
“AtoZ”, and “Popcorn” for me are take it or depart it. I truthfully didn’t take care of them within the present. I’m unsure how nicely they might be integrated with the members as they’re now. Until, they had been remixed and re-themed considerably. It sounds terrible, however these tracks learn as barely too immature for what ME:I’s doing primarily based on their unique execution.
“Baddie”, and “Poisonous” I’m additionally take it or depart it. I most popular them extra then the aforementioned tracks. They do lean extra into the woman crush idea, which isn’t precisely what ME:I goes for at this level both. I’d advocate them being remixed and re-themed extra as nicely. I’ve some reservations concerning the youthful finish of the group performing these tracks, however which may simply be a me factor.
I may see them repackaging all 4 of these tracks as like sub-unit supplies sooner or later. It may even make for a fan engagement gig once more, with YOU:ME voting for who performs what music, and many others. It’d be fascinating to see what members ends being voted to carry out what. That may even be only a bit an excessive amount of PD 101 and never even ME:I so possibly not. Then once more, they may not come up once more since ME:I’ll need their very own unique songs verses rehashed materials from pre-debut… so many prospects.
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