I Like Pink Lemonade, but AT Restaurants

By KG

There is a difference between being excited for Psychic Fever to release music and being excited about the music itself. Going into DIFFERENT, I was firmly in the first category. After Psychic File II  and Psychic File III, I wanted to hear where the group would go next. But as the teasers arrived, anticipation turned into “maybe the full album will do it for me.” Now that all ten tracks are here, the title delivers on its promise. Whether that difference works is another conversation.

“If You’re Mine” opens strong. JP THE WAVY and Psychic Fever remain a combination I’m happy to hear, with a chemistry that gives the members room to shine. Ryushin, Tsurugi, and Ryoga are particular favorites here. If this was the introduction, I was ready to listen.

Then came “Masterpiece.” The vocals were vocaling, but the beat threw me off throughout. Even Jimmy couldn’t sell me on this one. Personally, I’d look for a masterpiece elsewhere. Next.

“I Got Ways” did little to build my excitement as an early release, and the album context didn’t change that. Neither the production nor the lyrics gave me much to hold onto. A nothing burger, unfortunately.

“Diamond” followed with an introduction that never quite developed into something captivating. I kept waiting for the chorus or bridge to change my mind. My favorite part? The ending. Respectfully. Thankfully, “Cinderella Pt.2” remembered we were here to enjoy ourselves. Cute, catchy, and backed by vocals that actually kept me engaged, this track single-handedly moved my rating from 2.5 to 3 out of 5. Otherwise, I might have gone back to Deftones. One question, though: what happened to Part 1?

“Into You” also earns its place. The slow opening had me preparing to skip until the beat shifted and Ren’s “Falling into you, baby” pulled me back. Jimmy’s entrance sealed it. Ren opening a track has been a very good sign on this album.

“Dream Flight” offers a softer landing. Dreamy without demanding attention, it feels made for a car ride with the windows down. Not every song needs to fight to be the centerpiece.

“Uh Oh,” however, lives up to its name. Rap heavy tracks aren’t inherently the problem; I still need a beat and verses that make the whole thing connect. Here, the outro made the most sense to me. Getting there was work.

And “Pink Lemonade”? Present. Accounted for. Lukewarm. Repeated listens didn’t sweeten the experience. I like pink lemonade, but I’ll order mine with a meal.

Fortunately, “Glowing” closes the album beautifully. Warm and easy to settle into, it gave me room to unwind after the previous two tracks. Find a patch of grass, lie in the sun, press play. DIFFERENT  has songs I’ll return to, but its range rarely comes together into an album I want to revisit from beginning to end. At times, it feels like mixing Play-Doh with concrete and hoping the result holds.

The talent is there. Several tracks make that clear. I just wish the rest gave me as much reason to stay.

Rating: 3/5

And yes, give JP THE WAVY his flowers. That combination still works.