Same Thing (EP): Difference between revisions

| alt = The album's cover art, featuring a block of artwork layed upon grass. The illustration features Hoshino drawn as a Buddha-like being, riding a wave in outer space. The top of the artwork features a heavily stylized version of the EP's title over cherry blossom leaves.

*[[Punpee]]

'''''Same Thing''''' ({{IPA|ja|seꜜːmɯ ɕiꜜŋgɯ)}}) is the debut [[extended play]] (EP) by Japanese singer-songwriter and musician [[Gen Hoshino]], released by [[Speedstar Records]] on October 14, 2019. Hoshino's first collaborative work, it includes features from British [[indie pop]] band [[Superorganism (band)|Superorganism]], Japanese rapper {{ill|Punpee|ja|PUNPEE}}, and English musician [[Tom Misch]]. The EP was developed after the commericalcommercial success of his fifth album ''[[Pop Virus]]'' (2018), which had left him unsure about how to proceed forward. He befriended the EP's collaborators during the album's touring effort and was inspired by the new ideas that came with co-writing music.

Hoshino shareswanted writingto andfocus productionon creditsmusic within Supeorganism,a Punpeepure sense, Rascaldisconnected from sales, and Mischfound the recording process reminiscent of when he began writing music in middle school. HeIt initiallywas invisionedinitially itenvisioned as a [[mixtape]] release, but changed this plan was changed due to Hoshino believing the mixtape culture would be harddifficult to promote in Japan. He shares writing and production credits with Superorganism, Punpee, Rascal, and Misch. ''Same Thing'' covers themes of [[solidarity]] and features bass-focused production[[arrangement]] similar to the Western music scene. The track listing includes the [[indie pop]] title track with SupeorganismSuperorganism featuring English lyrics, the [[Japanese rap]] song "Sarashi-mono" sung by Hoshino in conversation-like verses with Punpee, and "Ain't Nobody Know" featuring Misch, where Misch createdcomposed the beat and Hoshino wrote the melody to create a track that puts distance between their styles. Hoshino wrote the fourth and final track "Watashi" alone, featuring only his vocals and [[acoustic guitar]].

The title track was released ahead as a [[promotional single]] on October 4, 2019. Music videos were produced for all tracks, and "Sarashi-mono" and "Ain't Nobody Know" also received lyric videos. Critics regarded ''Same Thing'' as a new style for Hoshino and praised its musical and lyrical themes. Upon release, it reached first place on the digital albums charts of both [[Oricon]] and ''[[Billboard Japan]]'', and took numbers three and four on the ''Billboard'' [[Billboard Japan Hot Albums|Hot Albums]] and Oricon [[Oricon Combined Albums Chart|Combined Albums Chart]]s, respectively. In its release week, all four songs appeared on the ''Billboard Japan'' Streaming Songs chart and all but "Watashi" made the Download[[Billboard SongsJapan ChartHot 100|Japan Hot 100]]. At the end of 2019, ''Same Thing'' ranked at numbernumbers 3348 and seven on ''Billboard Japan''{{'s}} year-end Hot Albums and at number seven on the Download Albums chartcharts, respectively.

[[File:Superorganism - First Avenue - Minneapolis, Minnesota (30044920188).jpg|thumb|right|alt=Superorganism performing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2018.|''Same Thing'' is Hoshino's first collaborative work. British [[indie pop]] band [[Superorganism (band)|Superorganism]] ''(pictured in 2018)'' features on the title track and was the first collaborator Hoshino recorded with.]]

After releasing his fifth studio album ''[[Pop Virus]]'' (2018), Hoshino planned to take an entire year off.<ref name="InterviewBillboard">{{cite interview|last=Hoshino|first=Gen|author-link=Gen Hoshino|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/2847|title=星野源インタビュー <これから先の未来>|trans-title=Interview with Gen Hoshino: "The Future Ahead"|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610173859/https://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/2847|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|1}} His most comerciallycommercially successful release,<ref name="OriconCombined"/><ref name="OriconCD">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/324291/rank/album/|title=星野源のアルバム売上Top7作品|trans-title=Gen Hoshino's Top 7 Albums by Sales|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=June 22, 2024|archive-date=December 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227090258/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/324291/rank/album/|url-status=live}}</ref> it topped the ''[[Billboard Japan]]'' [[Billboard Japan Hot Albums|Hot Albums]] chart for four weeks,<ref name="HotAlbums_PopVirus">{{cite web|url=https://tower.jp/article/news/2019/01/17/tg004|title=星野源、大ヒット中のニュー・アルバム『Pop Virus』Billboard Japan Hot Albumsでも4週連続1位を獲得。CD出荷50万枚超えでレコ協ダブル・プラチナに認定も|trans-title=New Gen Hoshino Album ''Pop Virus'' Tops Billboard Japan Hot Albums for Four Weeks and Surpasses 500,000 CD Sales, Taking a Double Platinum Certification|language=ja|publisher=[[Tower Records Japan]]|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=June 22, 2024|archive-date=June 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622161511/https://tower.jp/article/news/2019/01/17/tg004|url-status=live}}</ref> and its three singles all charted atop the [[Billboard Japan Hot 100|Hot 100]].<ref name="FamilySong/Koi_Hot100">{{cite web|last=Shiba|first=Tomonori|url=https://realsound.jp/2017/08/post-104046.html|title=星野源「Family Song」、複合チャートでも納得の結果　'最先端のJ-Pop'生み出す流儀とは?|trans-title=Gen Hoshino Provides Convincing Result with "Family Song": What Is His Method to Creating "Cutting-Edge" J-Pop?|language=ja|website={{ill|Real Sound (website) {{!}} Real Sound|ja|リアルサウンド}}|page=1|date=August 28, 2017|access-date=June 22, 2024|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526191406/https://realsound.jp/2017/08/post-104046.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Idea_Hot100">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/gen-hoshino-idea-japan-hot-100-chart-record-8474070/|title=Gen Hoshino Becomes First Artist to Top Consecutive Weeks on Japan Hot 100 Without Physical Sales Points|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 7, 2018|access-date=June 22, 2024|archive-date=May 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513165609/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/gen-hoshino-idea-japan-hot-100-chart-record-8474070/|url-status=live}}</ref> Hoshino described the album as a culmination of his career. By its completion, he was unsure how to proceed forward, unlike his previous albums which had left him wanting to attempt new projects immediately;<ref name="InterviewBillboard"/>{{rp|1}} at some points, he considered quitting music.<ref name="Mikiki">{{cite web|last=Nakamura|first=Asuka|url=https://mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/23186|title=星野源『Same Thing』〈日本のスーパースター〉が燃え尽きた先でスーパーオーガニズム、Punpee、トム・ミッシュと作り上げた感動的なEP|trans-title=Gen Hoshino's ''Same Thing'' Is an Emotional EP Created with Superorganism, Punpee, and Tom Misch at the End of a Burnout|language=ja|website=[[Mikiki (website)|Mikiki]]|date=October 17, 2019|access-date=June 17, 2024|archive-date=February 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219231042/https://mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/23186|url-status=live}}</ref> During the album's domestic touring effort, Hoshino became friends with the British [[indie pop]] band [[Superorganism (band)|Superorganism]], Japanese rapper {{ill|Punpee|ja|PUNPEE}}, and English musician [[Tom Misch]]. They began to talk about creating something together and Hoshino realized that he had never properly done a collaborative project during his solo career. He nonetheless found the concept interesting and quickly began to come up with new ideas, throwing out his plan for vacation.<ref name="InterviewBillboard"/>{{rp|1}}

Throughout 2019, Hoshino attempted to connect with new people, such as by releasing his discography for international [[Streaming (music)|streaming]] and opening an [[Instagram]] account in August, writing in his first post in both Japanese and English: "I'm going to start a lot of things starting from today. In order to meet, connect with, and have fun with the people I love and people I haven't met yet."<ref name="InterviewBillboard"/>{{rp|3}} On October 4, 2019, Hoshino announced his debut extended play ''Same Thing'', describing it as a pastime, challenge, and his "cry as a musician".<ref name="AnnouncementNatalie">{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/350179|title=星野源の新作「Same Thing」にPunpeeら参加、Superorganismとのコラボ曲先行配信|trans-title=Punpee and Others Appear on Gen Hoshino's ''Same Thing'', Song with Superorganism Available Early for Streaming|language=ja|website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie.mu]]|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=June 17, 2024|archive-date=June 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617161146/https://natalie.mu/music/news/350179|url-status=live}}</ref> SupeorganismSuperorganism and Punpee were unveiled as collaborators on the same day;<ref name="AnnouncementNatalie"/> Misch was not announced until October 13, a day before the EP's release.<ref name="MischSpice">{{cite web|url=https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/257676|title=星野源の新作EP『Same Thing』にトム・ミッシュがプロデュースで参加|trans-title=Tom Misch Produces on New Gen Hoshino EP ''Same Thing''|language=ja|website={{ill|EPlus (Japanese company){{!}}Spice|ja|イープラス}}|date=October 13, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619192314/https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/257676|url-status=live}}</ref> Hoshino, SupeorganismSuperorganism, Punpee and his frequent collaborator Rascal, and Misch are all credited as songwriters and producers on ''Same Thing''.<ref name="Credits"/> In production, Hoshino wished to face music in a pure sense, not focusing on sales and instead putting attention intoto creating music with friends.<ref name="RockinOn3">{{cite magazine|last=Ogawa|first=Tomohiro|url=https://rockinon.com/news/detail/190597|title=星野源とトム・ミッシュのコラボ曲'Ain't Nobody Know'が内包する秘密の距離感について|trans-title=The Secret Sense of Distance in Gen Hoshino and Tom Misch's "Ain't Nobody Know"|language=ja|magazine=[[Rockin'On Japan]]|date=November 18, 2019|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611190028/https://rockinon.com/news/detail/190597|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="InterviewBillboard"/>{{rp|2}} He initially recorded using his own money with the intent of releasing the songs as a [[mixtape]]; however, this plan ultimately fell through as Hoshino believed it would be hard to promote the mixtape culture in Japan.<ref name="InterviewBillboard"/>{{rp|2}}

Superorganism was the first collaborator Hoshino recorded with. He recalled to ''[[Billboard Japan]]'' that the process was reminiscent to when he began playing music with friends in middle school, a feeling he said continued into the recording sessions with Punpee and Misch. With Superorganism, they utilized a conference room and brought their own instruments and computers, as well as candy and game consoles to create the feeling of their own room. The lack of focus on sales made Hoshino more comfortable co-writing and producing the songs, unlike his previous work where had felt obligated to take the intiativeinitiative himself, even during collaborations. He described the production as therapeutic.<ref name="InterviewBillboard"/>{{rp|2}}

''Same Thing'' contains four songs with a total runtime of fourteen minutes and six seconds (14:06).<ref name="AppleMusic"/> The EP sees Hoshino moving from a self-constructed sound on ''Pop Virus'' to something more open towards collaboration and co-writing.<ref name="RealSound">{{cite web|last=Mori|first=Tomoyuki|url=https://realsound.jp/2019/10/post-434610.html|title=星野源『Same Thing』レビュー　『Pop Virus』以降のビジョンと新たな刺激を求めて|trans-title=Gen Hoshino's ''Same Thing'' Review - Seeking Vision and New Excitement After ''Pop Virus''|language=ja|website={{ill|Real Sound (website) {{!}} Real Sound|ja|リアルサウンド}}|page=1|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611190028/https://realsound.jp/2019/10/post-434610.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Real Sound''{{'s}} Tomoyuki Mori wrote that it transitions from a Western-influenced but uniquely [[Japanese pop]] sound on ''Pop Virus'' into a sound that "directly links to the foreign scene".<ref name="RealSound"/> [[Solitude]] appears as a recurring theme in the lyrics and bass-focused arrangement appears throughout the track listing.<ref name="Liquidroom">{{cite web|last=Ogawa|first=Tomohiro|url=https://www.liquidroom.net/feature/2019/12/23/12027|title=『Same Thing』ー まるで本質論のような4曲|trans-title=''Same Thing'' - Four Songs of Essence|language=ja|work={{ill|Liquidroom|ja|LIQUIDROOM}}|date=December 23, 2019|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611190028/https://www.liquidroom.net/feature/2019/12/23/12027|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mikiki"/> Hirokazu Koike of ''[[Rockin'On Japan]]'' called the solitude one of expression, and described the EP as Hoshino announcing a "love-filled fuck you to the world" as he "[carves] departures into romantic songs".<ref name="RockinOn">{{cite magazine|last=Koike|first=Hirokazu|url=https://rockinon.com/news/detail/190233|title=星野源が『Pop Virus』という到達点から『Same Thing』という最高の実りへと飛躍した理由|trans-title=Why Gen Hoshino Jumped from ''Pop Virus'' to His Greatest Yield on ''Same Thing''|language=ja|magazine=[[Rockin'On Japan]]|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611190027/https://rockinon.com/news/detail/190233|url-status=live}}</ref>

The title track "Same Thing" features Superorganism. It was written by Hoshino with [[arrangement]] by the band. Its lyrics are exclusively in English; Hoshino first wrote the text in Japanese, which was then translated by the members of Superorganism.<ref name="InterviewBillboard"/>{{rp|2}}<ref name="AnnouncementNatalie"/> Hoshino sings of feelings of love as he uses harsh slang to express irritation and dissatisfaction: "To everybody, fuck you" / "It's been on my mind" / "You know I meant it with love".<ref name="RockinOn1_1">{{cite magazine|author=Nitako|url=https://rockinon.com/news/detail/191921|title=星野源の言葉を考察する - Same Thingは「聴いてはいけない音楽」なのか|trans-title=Analyzing Gen Hoshino's Use of Words - Is "Same Thing" Really Music You Can't Listen To?|language=ja|magazine=[[Rockin'On Japan]]|date=January 17, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2024|archive-date=June 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617195341/https://rockinon.com/news/detail/191921|url-status=live}}</ref> The song uses the word ''[[fuck]]'' seven times in its lyrics, which has resulted in unedited versions being banned from broadcast; in its debut performance on Hoshino's variety show ''Ogen-san to Issho'', ''fuck'' was censored by mouse squeeks.<ref name="Fuck">{{cite news|url=https://www.cyzo.com/2020/02/post_231826_entry_2.html|title=テレビから一斉に消えた!? 槇原敬之の“楽曲封印”で振り返る、有名アーティストたちの5大'放送禁止ソング'|trans-title=Disappeared from Air!? Looking Back at Noriyuki Makihara's "Song Seal" and the Five Big Broadcast Banned Songs of Famous Artists|language=ja|newspaper={{ill|Nikkan Saizou|ja|サイゾー}}|date=February 17, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2024|archive-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125003147/https://www.cyzo.com/2020/02/post_231826_entry_2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Musically, it features a early 2000s indie pop sound associated with Superorganism,<ref name="RealSound"/> with elements of [[Psychedelic music|psychedelia]].<ref name="Mikiki"/> "Sarashi-mono" is a [[Japanese rap]] song featuring Punpee, with Hoshino rapping for the first time in his career.<ref name="AnnouncementRealSound">{{cite web|url=https://realsound.jp/2019/10/post-425284.html|title=星野源、4曲入りEP『Same Thing』は初コラボ曲収録　Superorganism、Punpeeとの制作曲も|trans-title=Gen Hoshino Co-Writes With SupeorganismSuperorganism and Punpee on Four-Track EP ''Same Thing''|language=ja|website={{ill|Real Sound (website) {{!}} Real Sound|ja|リアルサウンド}}|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618191458/https://realsound.jp/2019/10/post-425284.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Over a mellow beat and piano loop with [[gospel]] and [[Music of New Orleans|New Orleans]]-influenced trumpet, Hoshino and Punpee discussesdiscuss in conversation-like verses how they started music with solitude, and the uncertainty and gratification they gained alongside larger fanbases.<ref name="RealSound"/><ref name="Mikiki"/><ref name="RockinOn2">{{cite magazine|last=Ogawa|first=Tomohiro|url=https://rockinon.com/news/detail/193259|title=星野源の'さらしもの (feat. Punpee)'MVを観て考えた――これは誰の物語か?|trans-title=Who's Story is the Music Video to Gen Hoshino's "Sarashimono" featuring Punpee?|language=ja|magazine=[[Rockin'On Japan]]|date=March 27, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619121156/https://rockinon.com/news/detail/193259|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hoshino co-produced the third song "Ain't Nobdody Know" with Misch.<ref name="Mikiki"/> Misch sent the base track to Hoshino, who added its melody; as a result, the beat harks on Misch's style whilst the melody reminds of Hoshino, with a feeling of distance between the two according to ''Rockin'On''{{'s}} Tomohiro Ogawa.<ref name="RockinOn3"/> Misch's contributions includes guitar and [[keyboard bass]] inspired by [[soul]], [[jazz]], [[hip-hop]], and [[Electronic music|electronic]] genres, backed by Hoshino singing with intimate soul-like ''[[falsetto]]''.<ref name="RealSound"/><ref name="Mikiki"/> Concluding the collaborative EP, "Watashi" was written, produced, and arranged solely by Hoshino, who performed it on only vocals and [[acoustic guitar]].<ref name="Mikiki"/><ref name="RockinOn4">{{cite magazine|last=Furukawa|first=Shinji|url=https://rockinon.com/news/detail/189939|title=星野源『Same Thing』の中で'私'が一番「新しい星野源」に聴こえる理由|trans-title=Why "Watashi" Makes You Hear the Most of the New Gen Hoshino on ''Same Thing''|language=ja|magazine=[[Rockin'On Japan]]|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209102726/https://rockinon.com/news/detail/189939|url-status=live}}</ref> Hoshino sings of both hope and despair, discussing how he'd rather do something interesting than live without hope: "Rather than kill that person" / "Let's do something fun" / "Eat the sadness and an ice cream bar".<ref name="RealSound"/><ref name="Liquidroom"/>

Alongside ''Same Thing''{{'s}} announcement on October 4, 2019, the title track was released as a digital [[promotional single]]. It was also announced that the track would be added to international [[online radio]] via the program of New Zealand DJ [[Zane Lowe]] on [[Apple Music]]'s [[Beats 1]].<ref name="AnnouncementNatalie"/> ''Same Thing'', the EP, was released via the [[Victor Entertainment]] label [[Speedstar Records]] on October 14, 2019, as a digital exclusive.<ref name="Speedstar"/> From November to December, Hoshino gave debut performances of "Same Thing" and "Watashi" during a four-show world tour promoting ''Pop Virus''.<ref name="PopVirusTour1">{{cite web|url=https://tower.jp/article/news/2019/11/25/tg005|title=星野源、「Pop Virus World Tour」開幕。ツアー初日の上海公演が大盛況で終了|trans-title=Gen Hoshino Opens Pop Virus World Tour with Shanghai Show|language=ja|publisher=[[Tower Records Japan]]|date=November 25, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619221806/https://tower.jp/article/news/2019/11/25/tg005|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RollingStone2">{{cite magazine|url=https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/32684|title=星野源、ワールドツアー千秋楽の台北で「私」をライブ初披露|trans-title=Gen Hoshino Debuts "Watashi" in Taipei During Final Show of World Tour|language=ja|magazine=[[Rolling Stone Japan]]|date=December 15, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619211754/https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/32684|url-status=live}}</ref>

A lyric video to "Sarashi-mono" was uploaded on the day of the EP's release, followed by a similar one for "Ain't Nobody Know" starring actor [[Yutaka Matsushige]] on November 13.<ref name="2LVNatalie">{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/351449|title=星野源×Punpeeコラボ曲「さらしもの」リリックビデオ公開|trans-title=Lyric Video Released to Gen Hoshino and Punpee Collaboration Song "Sarashi-mono"|language=ja|website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie.mu]]|date=October 14, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619211756/https://natalie.mu/music/news/351449|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="3LVNatalie">{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/355323|title=星野源「Ain't Nobody Know」リリックビデオに松重豊が出演、インスタライブも決定|trans-title=Gen Hoshino Announces Instagram Live and "Ain't Nobody Know" Lyric Video with Yutaka Matsushige|language=ja|website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie.mu]]|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624172331/https://natalie.mu/music/news/355323|url-status=live}}</ref> Music videos were created for all songs; "Same Thing" was shot with Hoshino and SupeorganismSuperorganism in Sydney, Australia, and was premiered on October 17, 2019;<ref name="SameThingMV">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/gen-hoshino-same-thing-behind-the-scenes-video-superorganism-watch-8541544/|title=Gen Hoshino Shares 'Same Thing' Behind-the-Scenes Video: Watch|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 30, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619211754/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/gen-hoshino-same-thing-behind-the-scenes-video-superorganism-watch-8541544/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Ain't Nobody Know" was released on January 16, 2020, and composes close-up shots of three couples, with the final scene showing Hoshino meeting actress/model [[Nana Komatsu]] in a coffee shop;<ref name="AintNobodyKnowMV">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/japan-gen-hoshino-aint-nobody-know-music-video-surprise-cameo-nana-komatsu-watch-8548421/|title=Japan’s Gen Hoshino Surprises Fans With 'Ain't Nobody Know' Video Cameo: Watch|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 18, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624172448/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/japan-gen-hoshino-aint-nobody-know-music-video-surprise-cameo-nana-komatsu-watch-8548421/|url-status=live}}</ref> released on February 20, "Watashi" features a simple style to match it as the only solo song on the EP, and was recorded entirely in [[plastic film]];<ref name="WatashiMV">{{cite web|url=https://tower.jp/article/news/2020/02/20/tg001|title=星野源、最新EP『Same Thing』より'私'MV公開。映像監督 Pennackyが全編フィルム撮影|trans-title=Music Video to "Watashi" from Gen Hoshino's Newest EP ''Same Thing'', Directed by Pennacky in Plastic Film|language=ja|publisher=[[Tower Records Japan]]|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619221806/https://tower.jp/article/news/2020/02/20/tg001|url-status=live}}</ref> the animated video to "Sarashi-mono" was uploaded on March 18, directed by past collaborator Ryu Okubo using roughly two thousand illustrations of Hoshino and Punpee.<ref name="SarashimonoMV">{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/371781|title=星野源×Punpeeコラボ曲「さらしもの」MV公開、ディレクションはオオクボリュウ|trans-title=Ryu Okubo Directs Music Video to Gen Hoshino and Punpee Collaboration Song "Sarashi-mono"|language=ja|website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie.mu]]|date=March 18, 2020|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619211755/https://natalie.mu/music/news/371781|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Same Thing'' was received positively by music critics in Japan, with many calling it a new style for Hoshino. By opening up to creating music with outsiders, ''Rockin'On''{{'s}} Koike felt that Hoshino is led to a new self by his collaborators without over-reliance, revealing a "Gen Hoshino we didn't know".<ref name="RockinOn"/> Asuka Nakamura at [[Tower Records Japan]]'s ''Mikiki'' wrote that the collaborations felt natural – not as if Hoshino was awkwardly writing with unrelated artists – and thought the EP showcases it was the result of a fun development process. Noting the title track, she thought that Superorganism helping Hoshino discover motivation for music turned the EP into an emotional work, praising their song as an impactful track that made her uncounciouslyunconsciously smile.<ref name="Mikiki"/> Music journalist Imdkm for ''[[Rolling Stone Japan]]'' wrote that ''Same Thing'' is filled with a freshness that feels as if Hoshino reset his knowledge from his past albums, "painting himself in the colors" of the collaborators.<ref name="RollingStone">{{cite magazine|author=Imdkm|url=https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/32453/|title=「世界」という「近所」に乗り出す、星野源の2019年が意味するもの|trans-title=Boarding the World and Surroundings, the Meaning of Gen Hoshino's 2019|language=ja|magazine=[[Rolling Stone Japan]]|date=November 15, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624172338/https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/32453/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the other handConversely, ''Real Sound''{{'s}} Mori wrotesaid that it establishes a new style for Hoshino, but thought that it was too early to call it a "complete mode change" and expected that his new vision would be made clearer with the following works.<ref name="RealSound"/> AtThe title track with Superorganism was named Best Collaboration at the 2020 [[Space Shower Music Awards]], thewhere titleHoshino track with Supeorganism was named Best Collaboration and Hoshinoalso won Best Influential Artist of the Year.<ref name="SpaceShower">{{cite web|url=https://awards.spaceshower.jp/2020/winners/|title=Space Shower Music Awards 2020 - Winners|language=ja|publisher=[[Space Shower Music Awards]]|date=2020|access-date=June 21, 2024|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201211213142/https://awards.spaceshower.jp/2020/winners/|url-status=live}}</ref>

By including the simplesimplistic acoustic track "Watashi", Imdkm wrote that Hoshino turned the EP into a statement that indicates a restart of his career up until ''Pop Virus''.<ref name="RollingStone"/> Mori wrotethought that the song examplified Hoshino's current philosophy on the EP,<ref name="RealSound"/> and ''Rockin'On''{{'s}} Shinji Furukawa found it to be convey the "new Gen Hoshino" the most of all songs;.<ref name="RockinOn4"/> Fujisawara wrote that it does not feel as if Hoshino is singing about himself, rather collaborating with an artist named "himself".<ref name="RockinOn4"/>

Upon release, ''Same Thing'' debuted at first place on the weekly download albums charts of ''Billboard Japan'' and [[Oricon]], both dated dated October 28, 2019. ''Billboard'' reported 32,099 paid downloads, beating [[Official Hige Dandism]]'s second place ''[[Traveler (Official Hige Dandism album)|Traveler]]'' (2019) by over 25,000 copies. Following ''Pop Virus'', it became Hoshino's second consecutive album to top the ''Billboard''download chartcharts.<ref name="Tower_Sales">{{cite web|url=https://tower.jp/article/news/2019/10/23/tg008|title=星野源、新作EP『Same Thing』がオリコンとBillboard Japanのランキングで1位を獲得|trans-title=New Gen Hoshino EP ''Same Thing'' Takes First Place on the Oricon and Billboard Japan Rankings|language=ja|publisher=[[Tower Records Japan]]|date=October 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-date=June 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623161231/https://tower.jp/article/news/2019/10/23/tg008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Billboard_DownloadAlbums">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/81351/2|title=【ビルボード】星野源『Same Thing』、大差でダウンロード・アルバム首位に|trans-title=(Billboard) Gen Hoshino's ''Same Thing'' Safely Secures First Place on Download Albums Chart|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=October 23, 2019|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623161231/https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/81351/2|url-status=live}}</ref> On the ''Billboard'' Hot Albums chart, it peaked at number three, beaten by [[Mafumafu]]'s ''Kagura-iro Artifact'' and [[Tohoshinki]]'s ''[[XV (TVXQ album)|XV]]'', and made 17 total chart weeks.<ref name="HotAlbums">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2019&month=10&day=28|title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums - 2019/10/23|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=October 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407103442/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2019&month=10&day=28|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BillboardHotAlbums"/> It performed similarly on the Oricon [[Oricon Combined Albums Chart|Combined Albums Chart]], where it peaked at fourth place with a total of seven appearances.<ref name="OriconCombined"/> At the end of 2019, ''Billboard'' ranked ''Same Thing'' as the eight most-downloaded album of the year, with ''Pop Virus'' securing first place.<ref name="DownloadAlbums2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlalbums_year&year=2019|title=Billboard Japan Download Albums Year-End - 2019|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=2019|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-date=April 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419001102/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlalbums_year&year=2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It ranked at 48th on the same year's Hot Albums.<ref name="HotAlbums2019"/> On the year-end lists for 2020, ''Same Thing'' took 33rd for Download Albums did but did not reappear on the Hot Albums.<ref name="DownloadAlbums2020"/><ref name="HotAlbums2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums_year&year=2020|title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums Year-End - 2020|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=20192020|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209094243/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums_year&year=2020|url-status=live}}</ref> As of June 2024, Oricon ranks ''Same Thing'' as Hoshino's third most-successful album by combined sales, behind ''Pop Virus'' and ''[[Yellow Dancer]]'' (2015).<ref name="OriconCombined"/>

With its release as a promotional single, the title track debuted at number 61 on the ''Billboard Japan'' Top Streamings Songs chart dated October 9, 2019.<ref name="TopStreaming_1">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=stsongs&year=2019&month=10&day=14|title=Billboard Japan Top Streaming Songs - 2019/10/09|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=October 9, 2024|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-date=January 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126104128/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=stsongs&year=2019&month=10&day=14|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon the release of the EP, all songs appeared on the Streaming Songs chart: "Sarashi-mono" charted at number 14, "Same Thing" rose to 18, "Ain't Nobody Know" took 33, and "Watashi" made 63.<ref name="TopStreaming_2">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=stsongs&year=2019&month=10&day=28|title=Billboard Japan Top Streaming Songs - 2019/10/23|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=October 23, 2024|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-date=September 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909090326/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=stsongs&year=2019&month=10&day=28|url-status=live}}</ref> The same week, all songs but "Watashi" also appeared on the TopJapan Download SongsHot chart100: "Same Thing" at 2112, "Sarashi-mono" at 2920, and "Ain't Nobody Know" at 7578.<ref name="TopDownloadSongsHot100">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlsongshot100&year=2019&month=10&day=28|title=Billboard Japan TopHot Download Songs100 - 2019/10/23|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=October 23, 2024|access-date=June 23, 2024|archive-date=January 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126104135/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2019&month=10&day=28|url-status=live}}</ref> "Sarashi-mono" and "Same Thing" performed well enough to reach the Oricon Combined Singles Chart, peaking at numbers 26 and 27, respectively.<ref name="OriconCombinedSingles">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/324291/rank/cos/|title=星野源の合算シングル売上Top11作品|trans-title=Gen Hoshino's Top 11 Combined Singles by Sales|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=June 24, 2024|archive-date=December 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227090255/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/324291/rank/cos/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Credits adapted from Hoshino's website.<ref name="Credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.hoshinogen.com/en/works/detail/?id=40|title=Same Thing|work=HoshinoGen.com|publisher=[[Amuse Inc.]]|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=February 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220232308/https://www.hoshinogen.com/en/works/detail/?id=40|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Tom Misch]]{{snd}} all instruments, songwriter, arrangement, producer, recording (23)

|headline = Digital download and streaming<ref name="AppleMusic">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|title=Same Thing - 星野源のEP|trans-title=Same Thing - EP by Gen Hoshino|language=ja|publisher=[[Apple Music|Apple Music Japan]]|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609174419/https://music.apple.com/jp/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|url-status=live}}</ref>

! scope="row"| Japanese Combined Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="OriconCombined">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/324291/rank/coa/|title=星野源の合算アルバム売上Top5作品|trans-title=Gen Hoshino's Top 5 Combined Albums by Sales|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=December 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227090246/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/324291/rank/coa/|url-status=live}}</ref>

! scope="row"| Japanese Hot Albums (''[[Billboard Japan]]'')<ref name="BillboardHotAlbums">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/artists/detail/82529|title=Gen Hoshino Chart History (Hot Albums)|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119224610/https://www.billboard-japan.com/artists/detail/82529|url-status=live}} ''Select Hot Albums on the dropdown menu under 週間チャート''</ref>

! scope="row"| Japanese Hot Albums (''[[Billboard Japan]]'')<ref name="HotAlbums2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums_year&year=2019|title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums Year-End - 2019|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=2019|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103003455/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums_year&year=2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

! scope="row"| Japanese Download Albums (''[[Billboard Japan]]'')<ref name="DownloadAlbums2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlalbums_year&year=2020|title=Billboard Japan Download Albums Year-End - 2020|language=ja|magazine=[[Billboard Japan]]|date=2020|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409225031/https://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlalbums_year&year=2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Speedstar">{{cite web|url=https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A023121/VEATP-36856.html|title=Gen Hoshino - Same Thing (VEATP-36856)|language=ja|publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]]|access-date=June 9, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624172348/https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A023121/VEATP-36856.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Various">Citations regarding the digital release of ''Same Thing'':

*{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|title=Same Thing - EP by Gen Hoshino|publisher=[[Apple Music|Apple Music US]]|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610173859/https://music.apple.com/us/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|url-status=live}}

*{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|title=Same Thing - 星野源のEP|trans-title=Same Thing - EP by Gen Hoshino|language=ja|publisher=[[Apple Music|Apple Music Japan]]|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609174419/https://music.apple.com/jp/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|url-status=live}}

*{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/tw/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|title=Same Thing - 星野源的專輯|trans-title=Same Thing - Album by Gen Hoshino|publisher=[[Apple Music|Apple Music Taiwan]]|language=zh|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610173857/https://music.apple.com/tw/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|url-status=live}}

*{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/cn/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|title=Same Thing - 星野源的专辑|trans-title=Same Thing - Album by Gen Hoshino|publisher=[[Apple Music|Apple Music China]]|language=zh|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610173857/https://music.apple.com/cn/album/same-thing-ep/1481422862|url-status=live}}</ref>

| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Bugs">{{cite web|url=https://music.bugs.co.kr/album/940933|title=Same Thing|language=ko|publisher=[[Bugs! (streaming service)|Bugs!]]|access-date=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624172508/https://music.bugs.co.kr/album/940933|url-status=live}}</ref>

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[[Category:2019 debut EPs]]