Independent (Ai album)

Independent
Ai, in a thin black dress and much golden jewelery, leand to her left and looks above her, while holding her right hand above her head.
Studio album by Ai
Released February 22, 2012 (2012-02-22)
(see release history)
Recorded 2011–2012; Candy House Studio, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles; Music Safety Research, Yoyogi, Tokyo; DHC Studio, Tokyo, Tang Studios, Hollywood, Westlake Recording Studios, Hollywood
Genre R&B, hip hop, dance, electro
Length 40:18
Language Japanese, English
Label EMI Music Japan
Producer Ai, Yuki Arai (exec), San-e Ichii (exec)
Ai chronology
The Last Ai
(2010)		 Independent
(2012)		 Moriagaro
(2013)
Singles from Independent
  1. "Letter in the Sky (featuring The Jacksons)"
    Released: October 14, 2011
  2. "Happiness"
    Released: November 18, 2011
  3. "One Love"
    Released: February 1, 2012
  4. "Utsukushiki Mono"
    Released: February 1, 2012
  5. "Independent Woman"
    Released: February 15, 2012
  6. "Beautiful Life"
    Released: April 6, 2012

Independent (stylized as INDEPENDENT) is the 9th studio album by Japanese R&B musician Ai, released on February 22, 2012.[1] It was her first album with EMI Music Japan, after parting with Universal Music Japan after eight years with the label.

The single "Happiness," which was used in a high-profile Coca Cola winter 2011 advertising campaign, was her most successful single since "I'll Remember You" in 2007, receiving two different gold certifications. The album debuted at number two on Oricon's album charts, and sold over 60,000 copies, outselling her previous two studio albums, Viva Ai (2009) and The Last Ai (2010).

On November 17, the deluxe edition of the album will be released, featuring bonus tracks, and an additional live CD with audio from her Independent Tour 2012 – Live in Budokan concert to be released in December.[2]

Background and development

After the release of The Last Ai in 2010, Ai parted ways with Universal Music Japan, and signed to EMI Music Japan in June 2011.[3] On December 13 and 14, 2011, Ai was one of the lead acts of the Michael Jackson Tribute Live tributes in Japan. She performed Michael Jackson's vocals in the third act, along with the Jacksons.[4] Her first release under EMI, the digital single "Letter in the Sky" featuring the Jacksons, was the theme song for the event.[5] Densetsu Night, a concert recording for the tour of her previous album, The Last Ai (2010), was also released under EMI prior to the album.[5]

Writing and production

The album was written by Ai, collaborating with American and Japanese producers. Of the 10 tracks, nine featured lyrics exclusively written by Ai, and eight featured input from Ai on the musical melody.

The album was recorded over a period of seven months, in Los Angeles, New York City and Tokyo.[6] The bulk of the album was recorded at Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. "Letter in the Sky" was recorded in Hollywood, and "Happiness," "Yume no Mukou" and "Utsukushiki Mono" were recorded in Tokyo.[7] Ai felt that moving to a new label was a chance to refresh her music.[8] In the album sessions, Ai felt challenged in many ways. "Dance Together," an electronic song, was something she had never thought of making, as she previously thought she did not enjoy the genre.[8] Ai considered "Utsukushiki Mono" as the most vocally challenging song she had recorded.[9] She used much more of her falsetto range on the album than in previous works.[10] The lyrics of the album were more "heartfelt" than her previous albums, in particular "One Love" and "Happiness." "Happiness" was written with the feelings and mindset Ai had in the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[6]

The album consists of only 10 songs, as she decided it was better to focus on a small number of quality songs. Ai usually felt pressured to record a great number of songs before the album session deadline in the past.[8]

The album was named after its lead track, "Independent Woman."[10]

Promotion and release
"Happiness" (2011)
The preceding single "Happiness" was Ai's most successful single in five years.
"Independent Woman" (2012)
The lead track "Independent Woman" was nominated for best R&B video at the MTV Japan music video awards.
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The first digital single from the album, "Letter in the Sky," was released in October 2011. The major promotions of the album centred on the song "Happiness," which was first released in November 2011, and later as a physical single in December 2012. The song was used in a high-profile winter commercial campaign for Coca Cola.[11] The song was highly successful, receiving two separate gold certifications from the RIAJ.[12][13] This was her most highly certified single since 2007's "I'll Remember You."[14][15]

Prior to the album, three digital singles were released. "One Love" and "Utsukushiki Mono" were simultaneously released on February 1, 2012. "Utsukushiki Mono" was used as the ending theme song for the animated film Berserk Golden Age Arc I: The Egg of the High King, based on the manga Berserk.[16] "One Love" was used in Morinaga's 1 Choco for 1 Smile charity campaign.[17]

The leading track, "Independent Woman," was released a week before the album on February 15, 2012. A music video was recorded for the song, which was later nominated for the Best R&B video at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan.[18] The song was used as the commercial song for Marisol magazine's March and April 2012 TV campaign.[19] "Independent Woman" was featured in the 2012 Wii dance game Just Dance Wii 2, a Japan only game in the Just Dance franchise, as one of the playable tracks.[20]

Ai appeared in a variety of magazines, and on many radio shows to promote her album. These included radio appearances on J-Wave, Nack5 and FM Fuji.[21] She was interviewed in a variety of magazines for the album, including An An, Blenda, Fine, Popteen, Samurai Magazine and Woofin'.[21][22] A TV special, Ai Special: Independent, was produced and aired on Music On! TV in February 2012.[21]

Tours

Ai supported the album during her Independent tour, held between April and June 2012 across Japan. 23 dates in 23 cities were performed, with the final performed at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan hall on June 22.[17] An additional concert will be performed at Los Angeles on August 24, 2012, at Club Nokia.[23]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CD Journal(favorable)[24]
Hot Express(favorable)[25]
Listen Japan(favorable)[26]
Rolling Stone Japan[27]

Critical reception for the album was favorible. The reviewer at Listen Japan was overwhelmed by the strong impressions of all of the tracks, including the "heavy bass and trancey synths" on "Dance Together," "Futuristic Lover" that "shines with '80s style synths." The reviewer felt all the different songs felt extremely modern and trendy, and noted the varied vocals between songs.[26] CD Journal considered the album's "borderless strength and depth" impressive. Of the lead single "Happiness/Letter in the Sky," the reviewer enjoyed both songs, but much preferred "Letter in the Sky," feeling that Jackie Jackson's lead vocals were "loaded with soul."[24][28] Listen Japan's Morio Mori thought "Happiness"' "catchy hook and autotuned voice" could make hearts dance.[29] Takuro Ueno of Rolling Stone Japan awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, feeling that it was an album that expressed Ai's "pronounced personality" very well.[27] Tetso Hiraga of Hot Express, however, was more impressed by the album's lyrical themes of "the potential of mankind" and unity than the song.[25]

Chart performance

Independent debuted at number two in its first week, selling 21,000 copies.[30] This was the highest position Ai had reached with a studio album since What's Goin' On Ai in 2006. The album charted for 21 weeks in the top 300, eventually tripling its first week to sell 61,000 copies.[31] This was Ai's best selling original album in five years, since Don't Stop Ai in 2007.[30]

Track listing

No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "Dance Together"  AiAi, TeeFlii 3:44
2. "Independent Woman"  AiAi, Elliot Washington 3:04
3. "Happiness" (ハピネス Hapinesu)AiAi, Uta 4:14
4. "Unbalance" (アンバランス Anbaransu)AiMasse, Daniel Thomas, Brandon Lowery 3:57
5. "Futuristic Lover"  AiAi, Larrance Dopson for 1500 or Nothin 3:21
6. "w/u"  AiAi, L. Dopson for 1500 or Nothin 3:51
7. "Yume no Mukou" (ユメノムコウ "Beyond Your Dream")AiAi, Otis Davis III 4:07
8. "One Love"  AiAi, Uta 4:15
9. "Utsukushiki Mono" (ウツクシキモノ "Beautiful Things")AiRy Keyz, Redd Stylez 4:41
10. "Letter in the Sky" (featuring The Jacksons)Ai, Danny Lashine, Curtis JenkinsAi, King David "The Future", D. Lashine, C. Jenkins 4:44
Total length:
 40:18
Deluxe edition Live Independent CD2[2]
No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "Dance Together"  AiAi, T. Flii  
2. "Independent Woman"  AiAi, E. Washington  
3. "Happiness"  AiAi, Uta  
4. "Unbalance"  AiMasse, D. Thomas, B. Lowery  
5. "Futuristic Lover"  AiAi, L. Dopson  
6. "w/u"  AiAi, L. Dopson  
7. "Yume no Mukou"  AiAi, O. Davis III  
8. "One Love"  AiAi, Uta  
9. "Utsukushiki Mono"  AiR. Keyz, R. Stylez  
10. "Letter in the Sky"  Ai, D. Lashine, C. JenkinsAi, K. David "The Future", D. Lashine, C. Jenkins  
11. "Beautiful Life"  AiAi, Uta  
12. "Tribute Medley (Human Nature, I'm Every Woman, Billie Jean, I Have Nothing, I Just Can't Stop Loving You)"  Steve Porcaro, John Bettis, Ashford & Simpson, Michael Jackson, David Foster, Linda ThompsonS. Porcaro, J. Bettis, Ashford & Simpson, M. Jackson, D. Foster, L. Thompson  

Personnel

Personnel details were sourced from Independent's liner notes booklet.[7]

Managerial

  • Yuki Arai – executive producer
  • Shigetaka Haratake – sales promotion
  • Shuji Hirose – US recording coordination
  • San-e Ichii – executive producer
  • Nozomu Kaji – marketing, promotion
  • Junji Kaseya – administration producer
  • Toshiharu Kojima – artist management
  • Akihito Matsushima – legal rights, business affairs
  • Shinobu Ozawa – artist management
  • Koichi Sakakibara – artist manager
  • Satomi Takizawa – artist management
  • Seiichi Watanabe – A&R
  • Yusuke Yamamoto – project assistant

Performance credits
  • Jesse Josefsson – guitar (#10)
  • Dan Manzoor – bass (#10)
  • Masse – guitar (#4)

Visuals and imagery

  • Noriko Goto – stylist
  • Itaru Hirama – photographer
  • Akemi Ono – hair, make-up
  • Tycoon Graphics – art direction, design

Technical and production

  • 1500 or Nothin – producer (#5-#6)
  • Ai – producer (#1-#8, #10)
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • Claudio Cueni – mixing (#1-#7, #10), recording (#1-#3, #5-#6, #8, #10)
  • Otis Davis III – track programming (#7)
  • D.O.I. – mixing (#3, #8-#9)
  • Alexandria Dopson – vocal arrangement (#5)
  • James Fauntleroy – vocal arrangement (#6)
  • TeeFlii – producer (#1)
  • Keisuke Fujimaki – vocal recording (#7)
  • Hiroyoshi Hanajima – recording (#3)
  • Ryosuke Kataokevvocal recording (#9)
  • Ry Keyz – production (#9)
  • Masse – programming (#4)
  • Storm – vocal arrangement (#7)
  • Uta – producer (#3, #8)
  • Elliot Washington – producer (#2)

Chart rankings

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Japan Oricon weekly albums[31] 2
Japan Oricon monthly albums[32] 13

Sales and certifications

Chart Amount
Oricon physical sales[30] 71,000
RIAJ physical shipping certification[33] Gold (100,000+)

Release history

Region Date Format Distributing Label Catalogue codes
Japan February 22, 2012[1] CD, digital download EMI Music Japan TOCT-28043
Taiwan March 9, 2012[34] CD Gold Typhoon Music I5260
Japan March 10, 2012[35] Rental CD EMI Music Japan TOCT-28043
South Korea March 20, 2012[36] Digital download Warner Music Korea
France July 17, 2012[37][38][39][40] Digital download EMI Music Japan
Germany
United Kingdom
United States
Japan November 7, 2012[2] Deluxe 2CD TOCT-29081

References

  1. 1 2 "[CD] INDEPENDENT / AI". Neowing (in Japanese). Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "INDEPENDENT - DELUXE EDITION" (in Japanese). 2Face. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  3. ↑ "AIがEMIミュージック・ジャパンに移籍" [Ai moves to EMI Music Japan] (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. June 7, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  4. ↑ ジャクソンズ来日！＜マイケル・ジャクソン・トリビュート・ライヴ＞に1万人が熱狂！ [The Jacksons come to Japan! 10,000 excited people at the Michael Jackson Tribute Live] (in Japanese). CDJournal. December 14, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "AI、移籍第1弾はジャクソンズ共演曲＆伝説ライブ映像化" [Ai, first single with new label is a Jacksons collaboration, & legendary live DVD] (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. October 9, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  6. 1 2 "AI makes lovely progress in latest album". Jin Kiyokawa (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun. March 23, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  7. 1 2 Independent (Media notes) (in Japanese). Ai. Tokyo, Japan: EMI Music Japan. 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 "Power Push AI". Ami Naruta (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. February 17, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  9. ↑ "ケンドーコバヤシ、AIの生歌に唸る!" [Howling live performance by Kendo Kobayashi, Ai] (in Japanese). CDJournal. January 20, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Voice and Beats Interview Ai". Inomatie (Do the Monkey) (in Japanese). Music Shelf. February 17, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  11. ↑ "AI、コカ・コーラXmasキャンペーンCMに新曲提供" [Ai, new song featured in Coca Cola Xmas Campaign CM] (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. November 7, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  12. ↑ レコード協会調べ　3月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: March Digital Music Download Certifications]. RIAJ (in Japanese). April 20, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  13. ↑ レコード協会調べ　2月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: February Digital Music Download Certifications]. RIAJ (in Japanese). March 19, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  14. ↑ レコード協会調べ　2月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: February Digital Music Download Certifications]. RIAJ (in Japanese). March 20, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  15. ↑ ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2007年7月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (March 2006)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). August 10, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  16. ↑ "AI、劇場版「ベルセルク」エンディングテーマを書き下ろし" [Ai, wrote the ending theme for the feature length film Berserk] (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. October 28, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  17. 1 2 "AI、森永チョコ1個で1円寄付キャンペーンを新曲で応援" [Ai supporting Morinaga's choco 1 piece 1 yen campaign with new song] (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. January 5, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  18. ↑ "MTV音楽授賞式「MTV VMAJ」16部門ノミネート作品発表" [MTV VMAJ 16 awards' nominations published] (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. March 19, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  19. ↑ "アルバムリード楽曲「INDEPENDENT WOMAN」にタイアップ決定！" [Album lead track "Independent Woman" received a tie-up!] (in Japanese). EMI Music Japan. February 22, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Wii(R)ソフト『JUST DANCE Wii 2』でAIの『INDEPENDENT WOMAN』をダンス！" [Dance Ai's Independent Woman in Wii Soft Just Dance Wii 2] (in Japanese). EMI Music Japan. July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  21. 1 2 3 "AI メディア出演情報" [Ai media schedule] (in Japanese). EMI Music Japan. February 1, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  22. ↑ "AI メディア情報更新" [Ai media schedule update] (in Japanese). EMI Music Japan. February 18, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  23. ↑ "AI「INDEPENDENT」TOUR LA公演のCMとAIからのメッセージを公開！" [Ai Independent Tour LA Showcase commercial and a message from Ai] (in Japanese). EMI Music Japan. July 2, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  24. 1 2 "AI ／ INDEPENDENT" (in Japanese). CDJournal. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  25. 1 2 "Independent Ai". Tetsuo Hiraga (in Japanese). Hot Express. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  26. 1 2 "新譜レビュー > AI/Independent" [New Record Review: Ai/Independent] (in Japanese). Listen Japan. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  27. 1 2 Takuro Ueno. "レヴューREVIEW AI『Independent』" (in Japanese). Rolling Stone Japan. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  28. ↑ "AI ／ ハピネス ／ Letter In The Sky feat.The Jacksons" (in Japanese). CDJournal. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  29. ↑ Morio Mori (2012). 新譜レビュー > ＡＩ／ハピネス／Ｌｅｔｔｅｒ Ｉｎ Ｔｈｅ Ｓｋｙ ｆｅａｔ．Ｔｈｅ Ｊａｃｋｓｏｎｓ (in Japanese). Listen Japan. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  30. 1 2 3 "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service "You Big Tree"]. Oricon. Retrieved July 25, 2013. (subscription only)
  31. 1 2 "INDEPENDENT AI" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  32. ↑ "CDアルバム月間ランキング" [CD albums Monthly Ranking] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  33. ↑ ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2013年2月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (February 2013)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). March 10, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  34. ↑ "AI/ INDEPENDENT獨立宣言" (in Chinese). G-Music. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Independent/Ai" (in Japanese). Tsutaya. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Independent" (in Korean). Bugs!. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  37. ↑ "Independent: Ai: Amazon.fr: Téléchargement MP3" (in French). Amazon. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  38. ↑ "Independent: Ai: Amazon.de: MP3-Download" (in German). Amazon. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Independent: Ai: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  40. ↑ "Independent: Ai: Amazon.com: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
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