Akina (明菜) is the twenty-fifth studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori and final studio album to be released during the 2010 decade. It was released on 8 November 2017 under the Universal Music Group Japan label.[1] The album was released as a part of the 35th debut anniversary celebration and on the same day as a cover album "Cage".[2][3][4]
| Akina | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 8 November 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2016–2017 | |||
| Genre | J-pop | |||
| Length | 39:15 | |||
| Language | Japanese | |||
| Label | Universal Music Group Japan | |||
| Producer | Naoshi Fujikura Don Flamingo | |||
| Akina Nakamori chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Akina | ||||
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Background
editThe title of album comes from Nakamori's name, Akina. It's dated to be first time to use her name as a part of title in her discography history.
The album includes only nine tracks in total, which makes the shortest album in the terms of the length.
The theme of the album is to catch the atmosphere of the Kadokawa movie of the 80s.[5]
Merry Christmas: Yuki no Shizuku was recorded as a vocal song and as a vocal song and as an instrumental song with a sound of a small music box.
After the release, Nakamori's music release activities has been suspended without announcement during the time of release until 2023.
Promotion
editSingle
editThe album includes leading track, a b-side track Hirari: Sakura written by Kouhei Nemumoto and Haruichi Shindō from the duo Porno Graffitti, which was recorded in the leading single Fixer: While the Woman are sleeping in 2015.[6][7] Hirari Sakura has received a special remixed version with subtitle Akina version, unlike original version, which starts straight with the vocal part, album version has a thirty-seconds long instrumental intro.
Chart performance
editThe album Akina debuted at number 9 on the Oricon Album Weekly Chart and charted for 6 weeks.[8] On the Billboard Japanese charts, the album debuted at number 8 on Album Weekly Charts.[9] On digital streaming service Recochoku's charts, the album debuted at number 2 on Digital Album Daily Charts and on number 10 on Digital Album Weekly Charts.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arranger(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Merry Christmas: Yuki no Shizuku (メリークリスマス: 雪の雫)" | Miran | Koshin | Shunya Shimizu | 4:43 |
| 2. | "Amar es Creer" | Yutaka Shinya | Shinya | Shinya | 3:57 |
| 3. | "Amaoto (雨音)" | Shiori Suzuki | Kouhei Munemoto | Takebe | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Maboroshi (まぼろし)" | Yurika Ohishi | Ohishi | Shinjirou Inoue | 4:44 |
| 5. | "La.La.Bye" | Yuuka Kobayashi | Munemoto | Munemoto | 4:52 |
| 6. | "Amore" | Carlos K. | Carlos K. | Carlos K. | 4:38 |
| 7. | "Hirari: Sakura (Akina version)" | Haruichi Shindō | Munemoto | Munemoto | 5:13 |
| 8. | "Fate: Unmei no Hito (fate ～運命のひと～)" | Keiya Mizuki | koshin | koshin, Shimizu | 3:39 |
| 9. | "Merry Christmas: Yuki no Shizuku (orgel version)" | koshin | 3:16 |
Release history
edit| Year | Format(s) | Serial number | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | CD, CD+DVD | UPCH-2140, UPCH-7366 | UMJ | [10] |
| 2023 | CD | UPCY-7844 | UMJ | [11] |
References
edit- ^ "明菜 (中森明菜 ) UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN". universal music.
- ^ "中森明菜、"80年代の社会現象"を通して表現した35年の軌跡 カバー＆オリジナル盤を読み解く". Real Sound.
- ^ "中森明菜、名前冠したオリジナルアルバム＆80'sディスコソングカバー集を同時リリース". Natalie.
- ^ "中森明菜、11・8アルバム2作同時発売 80年代「ディスコ&角川映画」がテーマ". Oricon News.
- ^ "中森明菜 / 明菜". cdjournal.com.
- ^ "中森明菜、新曲でポルノグラフィティ新藤晴一とコラボ". natalie.mu.
- ^ "中森明菜 ポルノグラフィティ晴一との異色コラボで桜ソングに挑戦". Billboard Japan.
- ^ "明菜 (中森明菜)". Oricon Charts.
- ^ "Top Albums Sales Charts [2017/11/20] (No.8 Akina(Nakamori Akina)". Billboard Japan Charts.
- ^ "明菜" (in Japanese). UMJ. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ "中森明菜 / 明菜" (in Japanese). cdjournal. Retrieved October 31, 2023.