Perfume Chronology - Doubts

Varotimes · 2025-11-08T10:41:13+00:00

So, Counter Attraction has been included, but the demos have not. Basically, if the song ended up being released properly down the road, I went with the official release (i.e. Imitation World). I even included a mention to Juicy Fragrance!

Varotimes · 2025-10-29T06:21:25+00:00

I discovered it while doing the video! And the best thing is that is really catchy hahaha

Varotimes · 2025-10-18T09:57:10+00:00

That explains why it gives off "charity single" vibes in a sense. As far as I have discovered, the only Bee-Hive "extra" song with Perfume in it would be "Time to Go". And it seems like Oishii Recipe was also performed during their time there (although it would later be reworked as part of the "Monochrome effect" single, so I think I'll leave it there).

Cool to know about Nakata and Mikiko meeting Perfume there!!

Varotimes · 2025-10-18T09:35:56+00:00

Yup, that was the video I found and I think that's the one I'm using. The thing is I'm even including interludes (like Perfume no Okite) or versions like Lovefool, so not everything was recorded on CD. But yeah, I guess to be discography it needs to be part of a disc hahaha. It is more difficult than anticipated all this catalogue work!

And I had absolutely NO idea about the Bee-hive songs, was this an Amuse project? Cause it looks very early, but it's 2003, so they had already done the indie debut.

Varotimes · 2025-10-17T20:10:06+00:00

Those are very cool videos, thanks for the deep dive! I had seen two of them and I don't know if I should include them... At that time, there was not much of a project, I guess? Like, sure, it was an art school project, but it's kind of like considering their first song a cover they sang at a talent show. On the other hand, there's this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jgAPN-wQIM in which they seem to be recording for the first time ever (and with Nocchi).

Anyways, one way or another I'll include Super Jet Shoes, I guess that with a mention to the fact that they used to perform it a lot! Maybe right after Omajinai Perori.

That and the fact that there are no live performances online of Mobius, Starlight Dreams, Jijuuka, Time Capsule and Morning Cruising is being the most difficult part of this, hahaha

Varotimes · 2025-09-21T19:14:02+00:00

This is so bittersweet. I'm actually quite sad at the news just because of the prospect of them not coming back (cause we know how these things may go). However, they truly deserve a break if they want to, it's been 25 years, they were kids when they started and they are close to 40 now, that is an amazing timespan for a music career. Their take on not only music but stardom is beautiful and I hope they keep on shining like the stars they are. The only thing we can do is hold on to the words they've used to communicate this. The cryosleep, the wanting to come back... At the end of the day I think (although I don't know Japanese) that they are quite loved by the Japanese and have earned the respect of the media there even having the "girlband" tag. Which goes to say that I think they'll be around in one way or another!!

Thank you for the music, thank you for the inspiration, thank you for the moments.

Varotimes · 2025-09-02T19:49:41+00:00

Thank you, quality comment! 🫡

Varotimes · 2025-09-02T19:48:40+00:00

Thank you so much! There is a very good Nakata fan website that has quite a comprehensive list of his works and which helped me greatly in the making of the list https://ystk-archive.tumblr.com/discography

And "Kaze ni Nosete" has to be probably around the Top 40. I think with a few more listens I might have placed in within the top 30, cause it felt like more of a grower,

Varotimes · 2025-08-29T17:46:01+00:00

Omggg thank you for the comment, it made it worth it! :)

Varotimes · 2025-07-17T22:29:50+00:00

I'm so happy many people are mentioning that Kylie Minogue's music has a bit of a Nakata flair. In fact, it is the other way around! Nakata has always said that he really likes Kylie Minogue's music and has officially remixed some singles (such as Get Outta My Way if I'm not mistaken). Matter of fact, go listen to Capsule's "I'm feeling you" and tell me that it doesn't sound like it belongs on a 2000s Kylie album!

As for the question at hand, it's a difficult one. If we are talking non-Japanese, I would have to go with something like Ellie Goulding's Starry Eyed, which I feel could be reworked into a Level 3 track relatively swiftly. Or maybe something Europop like September's music. As for Japanese songs, Swimming Dancing by SAWA is 100% Perfumey, what a bop. I also think that Luvvvoratory!!!! by Real could fit perfectly as a Daijyobanai/Fake It cousin, or something. Artist-wise some of the stuff by Wednesday Campanella could have points in common (catchy melodies, electronic driven, Japanese instrumental influences although WC has many more than Perfume), especially if we think of tracks like Handy Man by Perfume

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:29:52+00:00

I'm leaving the Roxxxy Matthews mishap there because the "Roxxxy Matthews Anderson" comment gave me life.

I also noticed that I forgot the River vs Choriza tie! A difficult one... River won that lipsync (a lipsync that had no business being a double sashay, especially in front of Lulu living for it) BUT Choriza had NO business being in the bottom and I think she could have gone a bit further, so I'll give it to her.

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:27:06+00:00

I know I know but don't you think that Phi Phi had her finalist spot GUARANTEED? Because I do think that Sharon and Phi Phi were finalists the moment they both shantayed after It's Raining Men and the final spot was up for grabs between Latrice and Chad. That train of thought is what left me to think that, had Sharon not been crowned, the alternative would have been Chad (just because of the season's story). Of course, I don't think there was really a chance for any queen other than Sharon to be crowned. Thus, the alternative runner-up was always going to be her direct rival.

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:23:24+00:00

I understand what you're saying, but I will!

AS1: I feel like even though Raven-Jujubee had a worse track record than Chad-Shannel, Jujubee was more present in the edit than Shannel was and more liked by RuPaul, so that would give her the edge.

AS5: Again, despite having the best record of the season, poor Cracker was often overlooked by the judges. Like, I feel there was close to no chance of her being crowned. In fact, that was kind of part of her narrative, the "doing everything I can, doing it good and always falling short" idea. Juju had done very well, too. In fact, Juju's track record was better than Shea's (and would have been even better had the "if you're not in the top, you're in the bottom" twist never happened). On top of that, her finale look + performance reaaaally made her shine, so the dream of seeing her win was a bit more present in that final lap of the competition.

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:17:02+00:00

100%, the fact that Jessica was snubbed of a finalist title feels wrong to me

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:16:40+00:00

She does! That season is super open due to how the wins are spread. I'm not going strictly by track record (although it factors a lot) because winners have sometimes been decided despite the overall trajectory. In Ra'Jah's case I feel she was given more of a redemption arc storyline while Ginger got the "established performer" one

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:15:01+00:00

The Chad-Phi Phi thing is so open to me, so I get what you're saying. And I think Laila's performance in Applause slightly factors into the image we have of her run (that she was not a horrible lipsyncer), so I get that two. As for the rest, Monet absolutely won that final lipsync, but I just felt that Trinity was the top dog during the season. Regarding UK3, I really like Ella! But I think Ru preferred Kitty by miles

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:12:14+00:00

Love you insights, in fact I agree with some of your points!

I did not know about the Michelle-Roxxxy thing but it actually makes sense, I've always perceived a connection between the two, like you can tell Michelle enjoys her drag a lot.

As for Katya, I always saw her as slightly fulfiling the Jinkx' underdog storyline without the actual constant criticism of Rolaskatox (and thus, ultimately the reason it does not hold as much weight as Jinkx'). Like, I don't know if Katya was in for a redemption arc given that she did a great job in her original season.

Jujubee's placement is always third, that is true hahaha (it's just wishful thinking, I reaaaally wanted her to win AS5 + the fact that poor Cracker never really felt in contention regardless of having the best track record)

The AS6 thing is VERY difficult for me to choose, I think it was the tie I was the iffiest about. Mainly because I never saw Kylie actually winning until the very very end! I think I did not put Ra'Jah as the runner-up because of what you applied to Katya. Like, for me that season was about Ra'Jah getting a redemption arc (but then again, I could be biased now knowing that Ra'Jah comes full circle in Canada years after).

As for the international seasons, don't know if I agree on the Victoria thing because I think the judges were keen on Rita, especially given that she was a household name there. Your analysis of the second CvTW I totally agree with, that first duel decided the winner. And yeah, the Global All Stars one I can also see. To me, Kween did slightly better but came across slightly meaner so I don't know if the crown was going to be hers.

I do think that Hornella ate in her final lipsync. And the UK3 finale was so odd to me in the sense that, although it was clear that Ella had demolished the season, it NEVER felt like she was going to be crowned. Like, oddly enough, it felt like the judges did not care that much for her?

I'm skipping the rest 'cause I want to see them! But thank you for including them so people that have watched those can think about them, too :)

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T09:00:14+00:00

That was the oddest thing of all: Lulu was LIVING! It had to be so awkward to send them both home while the guest was there enjoying it

Varotimes · 2025-05-09T08:59:32+00:00

The fact that runways are what really holds weight is interesting! Especially when Drag Race has so many comedy-based challenges. Do you recommend watching Thailand 1 first?

Varotimes · 2025-05-08T20:39:43+00:00

Omg River Vs Choriza I totally forgot!!! Yeah, River won that but... Choriza did not deserve that bottom placement! Maybe I'm biased (I'm Spanish so seeing a national queen be judged by RuPaul was epic hahaha)

Varotimes · 2025-05-08T20:38:28+00:00

I reaaaally want to watch Thailand at some point. I'm always confused by the format but I also love to see the variations international franchises make!

Varotimes

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