Hello! 2023! Let’s see what you have brought for us fans this year?

Here we are again for another go-around with H!P and this was a pretty interesting year all things considered, but how was the music?!?  Well let’s dive into the year that was 2023!

Morning Musume ’23

Morning Musume was in a pretty odd place this year I feel like.  Mostly because they were pretty absent for the first half of the year, only really having news in May when auditions finished and we came out with two winners, Haruka Inoue & Ako Yumigeta.  Though when they did release music at the end of August with the kind of best album/self-cover release, Morning Musume Best Selection ~The 25 Shuunen~, it was kind of a weird moment (especially since the 2 new members debuted under one of the songs).

Though it wouldn’t be too long before they released a single to commemorate Mizuki Fukumura‘s  looming graduation with Suggoi FEVER! / Wake-up Call ~Mezameru Toki~ / Neverending Shine.  Mizuki would graduate at the end of November.

•  NOTE: Considering that most of the self-covers are just new vocals on top of the old arrangements, I’m going to skip those because there’s really not much to talk about them really beyond that if you like Mizuki and Sakura…then there ya go xD.  This also ties into Juice=Juice as well, but I’ll mention why there.

GREAT SONGS

• HEAVY GATE – As the main promotional song from the best album, HEAVY GATE definitely reminded me of their aggressive EDM songs back in circa 2013 like “Makeru Kishinai Kon’ya wa Shoubu”, “Bouya”, and “A B C D E-cha E-cha Shitai”.  I do like the overt amounts of filters on the vocals for most of the track and the energy is there, so I was happy to see a song like this return.  I mean we are drained dry over the whole EDM phase of the group, but HEAVY GATE just kind goes back to when it was big for the group.  What a way to kick things off!
• Wake-up Call ~Mezameru Toki~ – At least the single had one really good track with Wake-up Call!  It’s wild atmosphere is kind of fun to listen to and yeah it feels like another song that’s cobbled together from parts of different songs stitched together to make a track (not make it cohesive, mind you).  The crazy raps throughout all adds to this clusterfuck of a song that just rides the energy so hard that I can’t but love it here!  Though I do question giving Miki that auto-tune before the final chorus though.  It’s a ridiculous song, but this is the most excitement I’ve gotten from Morning Musume in a hot minute!

OK SONGS

• Nanzansho Souzansho – When I was talking about Haruka and Ako taking part in ONE song off the best album, Nanzansho Souzansho felt really cool because all of the members got solos in and throughout the song.  Even the two new members as well (Ako’s vocals are pretty deep and Haruka’s are nice, but still green in ways).  Outside of that, the song is kind of a cutesy upbeat track and while I think the chorus is pretty dull, I do like the verses and the quickness of them changing between members and all that.  It’s not bad though, just kind of there.
• Kanashiku Naru You na Rainy day – So the best album had split groupings and this was strange because one of these was the last of the new songs (while the other two groupings were doing covers).  Sung between Erina, Ayumi, Sakura, Miki, and Akane, I thought this was an odd track to include because of why its there.  Hearing it though, it’s a mid-tempo R&B track.  There’s something that reminds me of “Tsumetai Kaze no Kataomoi”, but it could just be me.  Not bad, but strange as the 3rd new original track from the best.
• Last Kiss (23 Ver.) – Like I said, the other grouping songs were of covers of Tanpopo and Petitmoni and I found that curious.  Regardless, we have Last Kiss first and it was resung by Maria, Reina, and Rio K.  Obviously, it wasn’t going to be handled as well as the original trio (Kaori, Aya, and Mari).  The vocals though are kind of nice and clean and I finally had a surprising feel to hearing Kitagawa’s vocals in the song as she sounded so good!  Maria was decent and Reina…well…her voice is a choice here especially since she led the first chorus.  Interesting choice of ladies and I did notice a few added things to the song’s arrangement (like guitar in the bridge?).  Good cover.
• Chokotto LOVE (23 Ver.) – So Mei, Homare, and Rio S. take over the Petitmoni song and it’s passable too.  Same kind of things applied here when it comes to the arrangement being 95% the same, it’s just little things added.  Vocally, this song always felt like it was meant for younger voices (though not to slam the original of Sayaka, Kei, and Maki), but the youthful tones are a nice, welcoming sound for Chokotto LOVE (which is why I kind of enjoyed S/mileage’s take on it as well).  I will say Sakurai’s vocals are a little more in tune of the original trio (her voice is a little lower than the duo chirps out of Mei and Homare).  Still, solid cover!
• Suggoi FEVER! – I really wanted to love this one as Suggoi FEVER! was quite the exciting disco-funk track that Momusu seems to downpat.  Though the one thing that holds me back from it is that damn ~suggoiiiiiiii, ha ha ha ha~ parts from the incredibly unnerving voice.  It just sounds incredibly creepy and annoying especially since it’s part of the hook.  Getting over the creep voice, the rest of the song is nice, I do appreciate seeing both Rios getting solos though and the energy and chorus is fun to listen to.  Decent song, but hmmm…next time don’t include such a voice!

MEH SONGS

• Neverending Shine – Of course the song that I enjoyed the least would be the song used as Fukuchan’s graduation song with Neverending Shine.  Granted, these kind of songs never do it for me in the past, so it’s no surprise to me.  It’s just that kind of fluffy, positive sound mixed in with Morning Musume’s kind of string/trap beats/light EDM sound that’s kind of boring to me.  Since the song is sung entirely by Mizuki by herself with the rest of the group doing background vocals.  I will say, Mizuki sounds pretty and fits the light-hearted mood of the song.  Don’t know what was going in with the dubstep inclusion in the bridge, but eh?  Not much to say here, it’s an OK sendoff song, I suppose.

Predictions from 2022

Obviously, the biggest takeaway is that we will get winners from this current audition running, I say maybe 2 or 3 new members perhaps?  It really depends on who is going to graduate next after Fukuchan here and I’ve been counting on letting the old guard finally decide to move on from the group, but it hasn’t worked out for me the last few years til now, has it?  I also want to see Rio S. more and Homare too, I feel like the latter really hasn’t popped up on my radar here recently and I’d like to see her get pushed to the front for an A-side or 2.

Actuality: Surprisingly, all this at least came true, maybe like 80%?  We did get two winners in Haruka and Ako and so far they’re kind of fitting in, I do hope we get to hear more from them in 2024, but right now, they’re on their first year so…  Still only Mizuki graduating this year is kind of surprising since now Eripon is going to become leader for the next year.  As for current members, I feel like I finally get Rio Sakurai and Homare now more than I did last year which is good!

Predictions for 2024: With Erina becoming leader (I think of both Momusu and H!P), I kind of wonder how her leadership will be like…maybe it’ll be exciting considering how long Fukuchan has led.  Of course more Haruka and Ako as I’ve said and with their vocals, they could both be potentially good.  Not much else to say other than not to pull off a half year of no releases again >.>  There is an audition for H!P proper going on, but I don’t think Momusu needs more members right now.

ANGERME

I would definitely say that ANGERME had the busiest year within H!P.  We started off with the fact that Akari Takeuchi was graduating within the year and they were not kidding by starting it off strong with the group’s 4th album, BIG LOVE in March and then following it up with Takechan’s graduating single in June, Ai no Kedamono / Dousousei before she finally graduated towards the end of the same month and Moe would become leader.

A short while later, like two weeks later in July, news would pop up that two members would be joining ANGERME, Hana Goto & Yukiho Shimoitani and they would end up debuting in their December single, RED LINE / Life is Beautiful!.  Though the it wasn’t all the news as towards the end of the year, Rikako Sasaki would announce her graduation for 2024.

GREAT SONGS

• Survive ~ Ikiteku Tame ni Yume wo Min da – As the first song off the 2nd disc of their “BIG LOVE” album, Survive is a pretty energetic way to open things with a very aggressive dance beat and sound, kind of being similar to many other H!P songs out there, but this actually sounds fun and I love hearing all the members get at least one solo throughout the track.  Maybe in the grand scheme of things this might not stand out in their discography, but this is really good!
• Nekkara Playboy – Since the album did split the members up for a few songs, I came across the first one (sung between Akari, Ayano, Shion, and Yuki) and honestly this was a really great track.  It did take on that funk vibe that we’ve seen in stuff like “46-okunen LOVE” and “Mirror Mirror” which isn’t surprising as the group can handle that.  Though what I wasn’t expecting was to see Yuki being a powerhouse in the song, possibly moreso than even Takechan!  Props also for Shion who also sounds really good in the song.  Yeah, this quartet really fit the song and I enjoyed this a whole lot!
• Ai no Kedamono – Now we’re onto Takechan’s graduation single and Ai no Kedamono was the leading track and honestly, this to me has a vibe that a little more aggressive like how “Ai Mashou” was, just with a jungle-esque paint job on top of it.  Maybe not as loud and full of sound as the aforementioned song as we get to hear the group a bit more fully.  I do like that everyone has a line to stand out with and the beat is catchy.  Definitely a fun song to listen to.
• Dousousei – As I finish talking about “Forever Friend”, Dousousei comes out which was the other A-side off Takechan’s grad single and honestly, I get similar vibes from the two despite obviously the latter is kind of the group saying goodbye to Akari.  The biggest differences is the more booming percussion and saxophone (or a synthed-up version of it) being included.  There are parts that stand out more from this track than the aforementioned track like the catchy chorus and Rin K.’s high note solo in the 2nd chorus (is she starting to become a secondary vocal front perhaps?).  The bridge adds a guitar solo which is odd (considering there’s choreo involved in the PV too, loool).  Just a perfect way to send Takechan out I would say!

OK SONGS

• 23ji no Persona – I definitely felt the drum n’ bass elements being present for this track and after the weird vibes of “Bukkowashitai”, I was definitely approving of this song!  I just like the synths here and the group sounds decent as they try to sing in a lighter tone after the previous two tracks on the disc.  Nice song overall!
• Top! – Not to be confused of the Morning Musume song of the same name, this track is actually sung between Rikako, Moe, and Rin K.  This grouping felt a little more suitable together as I feel like the 3 could handle a bit of a cooler song even if it’s a little more basic sounding and focuses on the 3 members involved.  There’s not much to really say here other than it’s an OK song, could’ve used a bit more music besides the beat lol.
• Sister Sister – Damn, was not expecting Yuki to open the song up with ad-libbing, but I am here for it!  The track is a bit more of a cuter song from them, maybe a little more poppy because of that notion.  Little surprised that Rin H. and Shion didn’t get a solo in this song despite that it’s a song that could easily have given them lines.  It’s a decent track, I believe.
• Forever Friend – As the final song off the album, Forever Friend kind of wraps things up in a pleasant bow with it being kind of a mid-tempo and breezy-ish kind of song.  I do like the addition of strings and acoustic guitar in the song and just has a feeling of togetherness that isn’t a ballad which I appreciate a lot!  Though it does set up the songs off the next single, which is something I wasn’t more or less into.  It’s a nice closing to “BIG LOVE” though.
• Ikanakucha – Takechan’s final single ends off with a solo song with Ikanakucha.  This song also feels like something that was made after the thought of “Forever Friend” happened as this song has a bit more of an upbeat acoustic pop kind of sound to it.  I will say as a solo track, Takechan definitely makes the most of it and it sounds nice for her.  Though graduation songs never really stay with me for long, I will say this is pretty nice overall, if not a little simple for my tastes?  
• RED LINE – As the group’s last single of the year and the first without Akari and first with new members Hana and Yukiho, I was very curious where the group was going since Takechan was one of the more leading members in terms of lines.  RED LINE was a surprise as it was more of darker song for the group which I tend to enjoy a LOT.  I will say that the verses caught my attention especially since we get lines out Wakana, Rin H., and Rin K. a little moreso than normal which I really liked to hear.  As for the new members, Yukiho gets one line and I don’t remember much, but Hana gets two and one of them shows off some power and I am excited to see her moving forward!  Though what gets me is that like “Bukkowashitai”, the chorus comes off weaker and the odd upbeat, bright mood peeks through which I don’t like seeing in songs like these.  Still, first song post-Akari was good!
• Life is Beautiful! – Huh, it feels like it was just recently that we got this kind of track, last year’s “Aisubeki Beki Human Life” with a similar upbeat and frantic kind of sound.  I do enjoy that Hana and Yukiho get solos at the front of both verses of the song and everyone else gets one throughout other places.  That said, I don’t think this song is as good as the aforementioned song because I had a harder time finding a hook and the energy is a little too loose.  Then again, it’s been a year between the two songs, I don’t know if we needed this yet.

MEH SONGS

• Bukkowashitai – Next track was a bit more disappointing to me than “Survive” though.  I mean the song kind of sounds cool initially, especially the intro and shouting between Shion and Rikako!  Then the verses were a bit more funky and I remember Yuki’s line a whole lot, she has a lot of grit which makes me happy.  Then the chorus happens and honestly, it just falls apart for me.  It’s that shfit of positivity that throws the song off for me and almost sounds like some light generic motif for me.  The rock elements and verses are what I think is the song’s best parts, but no, that chorus is meh…
• Maa, Ii ka! – If there was anything that really threw the album off for me, it’s this track sung between the remaining members (Layla, Rin H., and Wakana).  I really wasn’t expecting a song that sounds like a child’s song come up…especially since this style was more in line with S/mileage back in the day moreso as an ANGERME song.  Granted, Layla sounds really nice and hearing Rin just moreso than any other song off the release is good.  Wakana also sounds pleasant too!  Though, the song is just kind of a little too kiddy sounding for me.

Predictions from 2022

Honestly, out of all the H!P groups, I feel like there’s not much to predict for ANGERME.  Of course a LOT more music as they’ve been pretty light this year and last year so they need to make up for that in the new year.  As for anything else, I’m not sure, but maybe a graduation but I have no clue…though Takechan is…so…hmm

Actuality: Yeah, ANGERME didn’t leave me much to predict with for this year.  They did release a lot of music this year (the most of any H!P group funny enough).  Of course, I knew of Takechan’s graduation before the year ended so that obviously happened.  I didn’t expect 2 new members joining in the aftermath of Akari’s graduation though, but I should’ve expected that.

Predictions for 2024: ANGERME seems to be continuing the unsure haze of things that can happen with the group.  Obviously, seeing Hana and Yukiho grow into their roles is obviously something I’d like to see.  Of course pushing Rin H. and Rin K. just a little more would be nice.  As for graduations, I think maybe two will leave?  Rikako is the eldest and since she didn’t take up leadership roles in the group (Kamiko is leader and Kawamuu as sub-leader still), I feel like she could be the first to go (EDIT: that is before she actually did announce it before the end of the year).  I also think Ayano will graduate too, but it’s more of the age factor to me…maybe a new member, even?

Juice=Juice

Juice=Juice in 2023 was a little busy, but it also felt very light as well from the group.  After the craziness of the last few years dropping many members (most of them original members), Akari ended up becoming leader of the group and we started off pretty late with the group releasing a single in July, Pride Bright / FUNKY FLUSHIN’ though in junction with the promotion, they were also given a new member from the Kenshuusei, Mifu Kawashima.

In August though, it was announced that Akari Uemura was going to graduate from the group in 2024.

The only other thing they released was their first kind of best album (also self-cover album) in October, Juicetory.

• NOTE: Just like with Momusu, I’m going to overpass most of the Juicetory album with the exception of three tracks because most of the other songs were basically just redone vocals (which focused a LOT between Akari, Ruru, Rei, Riai, and Yume mostly).  Just would be beating a dead horse at that point.

GREAT SONGS

• Pride Bright – Leading the single release, Pride Bright was a pretty cool, but calculated from the group as I feel like this song is really in their comfort zone.  Though after all the member changes, I think Pride Bright does a great job of really bringing the group together as they are right now.  I really do love Ruru and Kisaki opening the song, especially the latter since I feel like Kisaki hasn’t had a chance to stand out since “Plastic Love”.  I’m kind of surprised that I didn’t hear Akari E., Risa, or even Sakura get a solo line anywhere.  Ok technically Risa does get the final word, but like…WHY.  Still, the song is funky and energetic and I do like the current vocal fronts, so it’s not the worst problem.  One of the stronger A-sides out of H!P this year.
• FUNKY FLUSHIN’ – The other A-side released, FUNKY FLUSHIN’ continues the group’s pattern to at least cover one song each single and this one was originally a 1979 Tatsuro Yamashita single.  This one was definitely continuing that city-pop meets summer vibes and I was really grooving along to the song.  Though I appreciate FINALLY hearing Akari E. and Sakura getting a solo and they both sound pretty green still, which is fine as this is their 2nd single as part of the group.  The track is just cute and bouncy and really carries such a easygoing vibe.  I really like the bridge/final choruses where Kisaki, Risa, and Ichika kind of whisper the chorus for a bit before Aarii just solos it and by god she’s grown so much.  May argue that this is BETTER than “Pride Bright”

OK SONGS

• Romance no Tochuu (2023 10th Juice Ver.) – As I said above, “Juicetory” was both a best album and a self-cover album, but two of the tracks got new arrangements since they both were kind of promotional material for the release.  I was a little surprised to see them redo their major debut song here.  I will say the updated band arrangement is nice and very much an update.  I was surprised that Akari E. and Sakura were kind of forgotten in the song, but new member Mifu does get a solo line and it’s OK, I think we need a proper song to get more out of her.  Overall, decent retread!

MEH SONGS

• Wonderful World (2023 10th Juice Ver.) – Already coming into this, it wasn’t going to change my thoughts of the song for the most part.  I do like the acapella opening of the chorus in this version, but once the arrangement with the harp, strings, and chorale in the background just kind of tunes me out for the song.  I will say that Riai keeps impressing me with her vocals nowadays and just hearing her in the first verse is just so good!  Regardless though, the song is still pretty vanilla to me and just another version of it existing is kind of bleh.
• Bon Voyage ~Omoi no Kiseki~ – The only NEW track off “Juicetory”, Bon Voyage was not a song I was expecting to be there since it was the only new one of course.  I was expecting something strong and upbeat, but Bon Voyage is actually kind of a ballad.  Kind of was a little bored of this one after a while and while I believe Mifu is in there somewhere, I don’t think she gets a solo (but then again neither does Sakura and Akari E. once again…  This was just kind of…mmm, too vanilla for them lol.

Predictions from 2022

More releases of course, but honestly, I hope to see more push for the newest members, Akari E. and Sakura…this single was OK, but didn’t really propel them far to give them a big notice.  We will see moving forward how well the duo will do, but that’s all I’m hoping for out of them.

Actuality: I feel like I didn’t really predict too much and even with these two, it didn’t seem to quite come true as I wished it did.  While they did release a single and an album, the latter was just re-recordings of past songs…hell the new tracks themselves were LESS than in 2022 which is pretty sad I’d say.  I guess the new vocals to old songs could be interesting, but having Morning Musume ALSO doing that this year was a bit overkill IMO.  

Predictions for 2024: With Aarii already announcing her graduation, I’m curious as to who will take her place as leader.  I have a feeling it might be Ruru, but there’s also a chance that Rei could also be there as she’s been in H!P a bit longer (from her stint in Kobushi Factory).  We’re also going through an issue with the group’s newest member, Mifu who is suffering from hearing loss, so I hope we don’t lose her as this would be a truly sad way to leave the group.  I also really hope for a push out of Endo and Ishiyama, it’s their 2nd year with the group and they still don’t really have much of an appearance in the group yet, so I wanna see H!P work with that a bit.

Tsubaki Factory

For also having a smaller year as well (actually every group here on had a small active year it feels like).  Tsubaki Factory kind of also went through quite a bit of change within the year.  We already knew from last year that Kiki Asakura was graduating and that final single came in the form of February’s Machigai ja nai Naitari Shitai / Skip Skip Skip / Kimi to Boku no Kizuna feat. KIKI before she finally graduated in April.

Then two weeks later, it was announced that Riko Yamagishi & Yumeno Kishimoto would both graduate towards the end of the year.  That however got a bit cloudy when in between, Kishimon would go on hiatus due to adjustment disorder, which pretty much sat her out until a few weeks before graduation, meaning she didn’t get a graduation single.  Riko on the other hand did with September’s Yuuki It’s my Life! / Mousou Dake Nara Freedom / Demo…Ii yo before the two of them finally graduated at the beginning of November.

GREAT SONGS

• Machigai ja nai Naitari Shitai – Gosh I do love when Tsubaki does more serious songs with their exciting dance-style thrown in.  I really love the dramatics in the song and the members just sound wonderful here, especially the lower tones they hit during the verses.  There’s a lot going in the arrangement on top of being able to hear a LOT of each member, mostly impressed by Yuumi, Yumeno, Kiki, Saori, and Runo in this track, their vocals are definitely strong in this one for sure.  I feel like the song is a bit under the radar, but it’s really good!
• Yuuki It’s my Life! – Now we get into Riko’s graduation single starting with Yuuki It’s my Life!  I already really liked this one as this was bright and upbeat and just has this kind of sparkly quality about it that felt right for Riko since this one focused on her a lot.  That chorus is just so positive and sweet.  Plus hearing so much Riko in the song is really refreshing for me.  Still a bit bummed that Yumeno missed out on this to be honest.  My only negative may be that sudden ending, but still great A-side!
• Mousou Dake Nara Freedom – We definitely needed a sillier Tsubaki Factory song and this one is pretty much their take on ANGERME’s “Manner Mode” in both the song and the wackiness of the PV!  I also could see Buono! tackling this song too funny enough.  The busy pop/rock arrangement and the craziness I’m hearing from the ladies is just fun to hear.  This definitely makes up for how strange “Idol Tenshoku Ondo” turned out.
• Demo…Ii yo – Normally ballads really don’t capture me but for whatever reason, Demo…Ii yo really interested me.  From the intro adlibs from Shiori that were mesmerizing and then Yuumi’s vocals that kick off the verse really impressed me somehow.  Then just hearing Marine and Runo even do some really great things during the song cemented their place in the group.  I REALLY liked that about this one.  The song itself is quiet and light and while the chorus spends a LOT of time having the group be in the higher register of their vocals, I find it kind of nice?  Really though, best ballad for me this year by far!

OK SONGS

• Skip Skip Skip – I feel like Tsubaki does these cutesy songs once in a while and yeah, I’d file this near “Waratte” and “Shunrenka” to be honest.  I do feel like it’s been a while though so we were due for a song like this.  That said, I feel there’s something missing about this one in particular, maybe it’s a hook that I feel like this track is lacking in.  I really do like hearing the new members get a hefty solo batch in the bridge at least…but I feel like this one is a bit forgettable, but the happy-go-lucky energy is there.

MEH SONGS

• Kimi to Boku no Kizuna feat. KIKI – Since this was Kiki’s goodbye song from the group (not her actual graduation song, we’ll get there soon enough), I wasn’t surprised this was like that breezy mid-tempo kind of track that we’ve seen SO MANY times before and after that it just lacks anything that really makes it stand out amongst the others.  I think the most interesting thing is that the whole “feat. KIKI” is kind of odd?  This song was performed before this happened and it’s not like the rest of Tsubaki isn’t missing as everyone sings in the track.  I will say that Kiki does get a lot of solos (and the PV has a lot of her featured as well).  Still, the song is just boring to me so I’m passing this up.

Predictions from 2022

DEFINITELY more releases, granted they are the first H!P group to have a single coming up in the new year, but I REALLY hope they don’t go for this 6 month gap between releases again.  After Kiki graduates, not sure…this is a group that I’m still getting used to the new members, so I hope next year they stick onto me more.

Actuality: One more single than last year’s, I suppose is a win, even if that’s still very small but still another 6 month gap is a bit ridiculous.  At least I can say for sure that Yuumi, Marine, Shiori, and Runo definitely came in strong this year on both singles as they’re kind up in the front (though very much sharing the spotlight with the other members equally).  Outside of Kiki though, I really wasn’t expecting losing two more members especially leader Riko and face of the group, Yumeno…this is going to be an interesting 2024.

Predictions for 2024: Coming off of losing members and now that Kisora is leader (and Ami is sub-leader), I’m hella curious to see where the group goes moving forward.  I could see a member being added to soften the blow of losing 3 members in a year.  I’m expecting an album considering the group has 3 unreleased songs currently, so it’s probably the best move (I really hope they don’t follow the self-cover best route like Momusu and Juice=Juice did this year though).  

BEYOOOOONDS

Really, REALLY?  AGAIN?!?  Yeah, it seems that BEYOOOOONDS would once again only pull a single release for 2023 and the worst part was that this single, Motomeyo…Unmei no Tabibitozan / Yume Sae Egakenai Yozora ni wa was released back in April and the group has been missing since then!  I mean they’ve been doing stageplays, but otherwise in releases, it’s been pretty bone dry.

OK SONGS

• Motomeyo…Unmei no Tabibitozan – It’s not really a surprise that BEYOOOOONDS would lead with a pretty quirky and random track such as this as their music has kind of always been that way for the most part.  Not sure if I was really all that interested in Momohime’s spoken dialogue so quickly after the explosive intro.  Most of the song is fine and cute and upbeat and sounds like a slightly slower “Koshi Tanta Turn” in some ways.  Though I think the spoken dialogue (Utano gets one of these before the 2nd verse as well) takes me out of the song a bit.  I do like Shiori’s high note before the final chorus though.
• Yume Sae Egakenai Yozora ni wa – The other A-side is a bit more interesting to me though.  I do like the intro where Rika and Minami sing and the melody of the track is more or less like a lullaby.  Things do luckily pick up when a full band comes in and there’s a lot of interesting instrumentation included like woodwinds and brass on top of Honoka doing the piano in the song.  Just the musical touch really elevated this song up for me and while I can’t put it on the great, I appreciate a song like this in their discography.  Also just kind of funny seeing whales randomly pop up in the MV, what a twist! lol

Predictions from 2022

It’s hard to tell where I think the group will go for next year, I’m still hoping the sub-groups will get a single to themselves instead of backpacking on the main singles, but I doubt H!P would shelf the money for such an idea.  Maybe two singles at best for next year since the album happened already.

Actuality: I was really off this year.  Nothing I predicted really happened and unfortunately not in a good way.  Another year with one singular BEYOOOOONDS release and even worse, the sub-groups were pushed to the back as they made no such appearance in the year.  

Predictions for 2024: MORE GODDAMN MUSIC!  Like this is the 2nd year BEYOOOOONDS have only given up one sparse release and otherwise been incredibly quiet on the music front over 2/3 of the year!  I really hope H!P gets their act together and push the group for next year.  I also have this gut feeling that at least one of the girls will graduate, but not sure who.  Reina?  Honoka?  maybe even Kurumi?  It’s just a feeling I have.

OCHA NORMA

OCHA NORMA too also has a surprisingly empty year with just one single at the end of July, Chotto Joucho Fuantei?…Natsu / Ocha no ma Maharoba Ikoinoba ~Showa to Reiwa wa mo Watchawacha~ / Shekenaare / Yoridori ME DREAM a first for H!P as a quadruple A-side release.  Outside of that, I don’t think they did too much besides touring of course.  

GREAT SONGS

• Ocha no ma Maharoba Ikoinoba ~Showa to Reiwa wa mo Watchawacha~ – Of course the song I really like this year from OCHA NORMA would be the one with the awfully long name lol.  Though I will say that this song was a bit more like what they pulled off last year with “Uchira no Jimoto wa Chikyuu jan!” with it’s more electronic arrangement.  I do like the longer solo lines out of this one and I really can tell that members like Kirara, Natsume, Roko, and Kanami are kind of the powerhouse vocalists (with Momo of course, but she gets the cool 2nd verse line again, but also the bridge as well lol).  Though again Nanami seems to pop out for me.  Honestly this was great for showing vocal prowess IMO.  Though the speeding up the tempo near the end was really fast and out of nowhere for me…but it ended well.  Great song!

OK SONGS

• Chotto Joucho Fuantei?…Natsu – As the leading A-side from the single, Chotto Joucho Fuantei?…Natsu is what I would call your typical Summer fun track.  I will say the explosive intro from Roko and Miku caught me by surprise, though after that the song gets under way and we’re given a surprisingly cute and fun track for the group to get.  I kind of love each of the members getting a solo line and just giving their best cute performance.  Also I noticed more out of Miku and Nanami in this song.  Even better is the sax solo in the track, that was pretty cool.  Decent track at least!

MEH SONGS

• Shekenaare – After the previous two tracks on the single, Shekenaare comes next and versus those, this feels a bit too light, which is odd considering its got an anime tie-in and what not.  The arrangement is cute and upbeat, but those synths sound like something out of Mario Kart for what ever reason.  If I had to be honest, this kind of sounds like a song old 4-nin S/mileage would release as it has their energy and sound down.  It’s vocally fitting for the group, but just not for me.
• Yoridori ME DREAM – Unfortunately, it carries to the last A-side which was also known as an unreleased song for quite some time before making onto the single as the 4th A-side.  From the beginning it was giving me BEYOOOOONDS’ “Furefure Everyday” vibes with the jig sound of the synths.  Likewise, this is another S/mileage-esque song for me and also doesn’t quite vibe with me really.  It feels kind of generic and maybe should’ve been a B-side.  

Predictions from 2022

Like with BEYOOOOONDS, they’re the new unit, so I don’t have much in predictions to be honest beyond a new single and potentially an album (the group has 2 unreleased songs currently).  Yeah, just letting OCHA NORMA continue to grow together and getting more time to perform is pretty much all I have.

Actuality: I mean they did give us one single for the year and 4 A-sides (H!P’s first Quad A-side), so I can’t be too upset, but they performed MORE unreleased songs during the year which is kind of frustrating lol.  As for the group’s dynamics, I feel like the group is more evenly spaced out this year as there’s not a real vocal leader yet, I do see all the members getting some spotlight, though maybe they’ll lean on Kanami, Kirara, Momo, Roko, and Natsume to hold longer solos versus the other 5 right now.

Predictions for 2024: Really not much to say on the matter for predictions as 2024 will mark as OCHA NORMA’s first album release in the new year, beyond that…maybe another single before the year’s end?  Really unsure what to really predict with OCHA since they’re still such a new group for me.

Hello Pro Kenshuusei / Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit ’23

What’s there to say with the Kenshuusei this year…surprisingly quite a bit, well…maybe?

News started around March when 3 new Kenshuusei members were announced; Toa Makino, Niina Hayashi, and Soara Kawano.  They actually ended up taking part in the Kenshuusei Test Recital of that year!  

Cut to July when many announcements were made regarding the KSS.  Hana Goto & Yukiho Shimoitani were both joining ANGERME, Mifu Kawashima would be joining Juice=Juice, and Hinoha Yoshida & Rena Kamimura would be joining the ongoing Kenshuusei Unit ’23 to which the announcement was made that the group would be debuting in 2024 with a possibility of additional members.  

Of course, KSS Unit has performed 3 original songs already, so it’s a bit wild right now, amping them up for debut.  Though it does leave us with Toa, Niina, and Soara as the only pure Kenshuusei left right now…

Other H!P Releases

Interestingly enough, the only H!P releases that didn’t fall under a group were all graduation songs from Tsubaki Factory members, kind of an odd thing to see to be honest.  Takechan and Fukuchan’s graduation songs were on the group’s singles so that’s also funny to see.  I would’ve thought one of these 3 would get an original track, but no they’re all covers of other H!P songs.

OK SONGS

• Kacchoii Uta – Oddly enough, Riko gets the pop/rock track to graduate with and it’s the B-side from the Hello! Project Mobekimasu single (the everyone is here single) and I was surprised she chose this song because it is a joint-effort kind of song and remembering the ManoEri solo of the song kind of made me cringe because she wasn’t the best vocalist to tackle the song alone.  Add that Riko was also not the strongest in Tsubaki made me worry, but she held her own quite nicely. I will say she does kind of sound winded a little towards the end, but overall this was fun to listen to.  
• BE – I think this was the strangest pick for a graduation song to be honest.  While we were missing Kishimon in the latter half of the year, I was happy to see at least she would grant the fans one more song before her graduation and it’s the Berryz Kobo song from “5 (FIVE)”.  I liked the idea that it’s a ballad, but the background vocals and kids are 100% less fitting in this song versus the original and Yumeno is in her higher range and not belting her power lines so it’s not THE best representation of Yumeno’s time in H!P, but that’s my opinion.

MEH SONGS

• You’re My Friend feat. KIKI – Not entirely sure why the whole “feat. KIKI” would be here considering this is a solo track from Kiki regardless loool.  Anyways, I was surprised by the song choice because it’s an album track originally done by Buono!  I will say I was excited because Kiki chose to do a pop/rock song, but nope!  The arrangement was changed up to be more ballad with piano, strings, and percussion.  That said, the song was less memorable and while I liked Kiki’s voice…just wasn’t my thing to be honest.

Gains & Losses

Gains

• Toa Makino
• Soara Kawano
• Niina Hayashi
• Haruka Inoue
• Ako Yumigeta
• Hana Goto (to ANGERME)
• Yukiho Shimoitani (to ANGERME)
• Mifu Kawashima (to Juice=Juice)

Losses

• Kiki Asakura
• Akari Takeuchi
• Riko Yamagishi
• Yumeno Kishimoto
• Mizuki Fukumura

My H!P Member Ranking for 2023

• 71. Haruka Inoue (NEW)
• 70. Ami Tanimoto (-8)
• 69. Ruli Hiromoto (-3)
• 68. Erina Ikuta (-11)
• 67. Utano Satoyoshi (-12)
• 66. Mei Yamazaki (-19)
• 65. Mifu Kawashima (NEW)
• 64. Rin Hashisako (0)
• 63. Sakura Ishiyama (+5)
• 62. Kisora Niinuma (-6)
• 61. Minami Okamura (-3)
• 60. Homare Okamura (+5)
• 59. Ako Yumigeta (NEW)
• 58. Ayumi Ishida (-16)
• 57. Yukiho Shimoitani (NEW)
• 56. Madoka Saito (-2)
• 55. Akari Endo (+14)
• 54. Reina Yokoyama (-4)
• 53. Saya Eguchi (-7)
• 52. Rio Sakurai (+15)
• 51. Sumire Tashiro (-15)
• 50. Ayano Kawamura (-18)
• 49. Maria Makino (-6)
• 48. Shiori Yagi (-14)
• 47. Ichika Arisawa (+12)
• 46. Miku Nishizaki (+15)
• 45. Wakana Matsumoto (-24)
• 44. Miki Nonaka (-25)
• 43. Hana Goto (NEW)
• 42. Kisaki Ebata (+9)
• 41. Risa Irie (+19)
• 40. Marine Fukuda (+13)
• 39. Honoka Kobayashi (-7)
• 38. Yuumi Kasai (+2)
• 37. Reina Ichioka (+2)
• 36. Saori Onoda (+8)
• 35. Nanami Kubota (+14)
• 34. Rin Kawana (+18)
• 33. Miyo Hirai (-23)
• 32. Kokoro Maeda (-7)
• 31. Natsume Nakayama (-11)
• 30. Yume Kudo (+5)
• 29. Momohime Kiyono (-23)
• 28. Shion Tamenaga (+1)
• 27. Kurumi Takase (+14)
• 26. Mao Akiyama (-3)
• 25. Kirara Yonemura (-11)
• 24. Kanami Ishiguri (+2)
• 23. Rikako Sasaki (+10)
• 22. Rei Inoue (+8)
• 21. Riko Yamagishi (+27)
• 20. Roko Tsutsui (+25)
• 19. Rika Shimakura (+12)
• 18. Akane Haga (0)
• 17. Runo Yofuu (0)
• 16. Mizuho Ono (-9)
• 15. Momo Kitahara (+1)
• 14. Yuki Hirayama (+8)
• 13. Kiki Asakura (+2)
• 12. Shiori Nishida (+24)
• 11. Rio Kitagawa (+23)
• 10. Akari Uemura (+17)
• 9. Yuhane Yamazaki (+2)
• 8. Moe Kamikokuryo (-4)
• 7. Yumeno Kishimoto (-5)
• 6. Layla Ise (+2)
• 5. Mizuki Fukumura (+7)
• 4. Riai Matsunaga (+9)
• 3. Ruru Dambara (+2)
• 2. Sakura Oda (+1)
• 1. Akari Takeuchi (0)

Kenshuusei

• Toa Makino
• Soara Kawano
• Hinoha Yoshida
• Honoka Hashida
• Rena Kamimura
• Niina Hayashi
• Ayana Murakoshi
• Hasumi Uemura
• Karin Onoda
• Yulia Matsubara

Well that’s that!!!! Not a busy year, not a bad year, but could’ve been better…hopefully 2024 will do them better!!!!!

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