Release Date: June 24, 2025
Track Listing
- DIFFERENT
- HOT (Japanese Version)
- Kawaii (Prod. Gen Hoshino)
Review
LE SSERAFIM’s Japanese releases up until this one have been language swaps of their Korean songs, with the original Japanese-language songs being relegated to B-side status. DIFFERENT flips the script and is LE SSERAFIM’s first original Japanese-language title track.
It’s safe to say that LE SSERAFIM’s Japanese songs don’t fall under typical J-pop fodder. The four they have released so far range from Hip-Pop to Pop-infused House music. DIFFERENT has the group dipping their toes in the Funk end of the pool.
The song certainly does its best to get your attention right away, given its short running time. In my opinion, songs with this type of groove need more time to breathe, and this one sounds like it could have used at least another minute to establish itself firmly. But I am not of the generation with five-second attention spans, so what do I know?
If you enjoy music from Japanese groups like Especia and CHAI, or indulge in a bit of City Pop, then this offering from LE SSERAFIM should be a good fit for your playlist.
The second original Japanese song on this single is Kawaii. It is the ending theme song for the Netflix anime My Melody & Kuromi. This particular song is produced by Gen Hoshino. Kawaii is a poppy UK Garage-style track that boasts a lighthearted charm, perfectly fitting the aesthetic of the anime it’s tied to.
Kawaii is performed completely in English, which may catch some people off guard. Of the two Japanese originals, I prefer this song not because it’s in English, but because it’s a more fully fleshed-out production that doesn’t abruptly stop, unlike the title track.
Sandwiched between the two Japanese songs is the Japanese-language version of HOT. It’s exactly the same as the Korean version musically, so there’s not much to report here. If you liked HOT when it was initially released, then you’ll get the same feels here.
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