Mi Amor is the second extended play by Japanese singer-songwriter Jin Akanishi. It was released on November 12, 2014, by his newly founded independent record label Go Good Records.[1][2] The title song is a blend of EDM and pop music.[3]
| Mi Amor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | November 12, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2014 | |||
| Genre | Pop, dance, contemporary R&B | |||
| Length | 26:58 | |||
| Label | Go Good Records | |||
| Producer | Jin Akanishi | |||
| Jin Akanishi chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editOn March 2, 2014, it was announced that Akanishi had decided not to renew his contract with Johnny & Associates, and had left the agency as of February 28.[4] On July 4, it was announced that he had set up his own independent label, Go Good Records, and had opened his new fan club, "JIP's" (Jin's Important People).[5]
On August 6, under Go Good Records, Akanishi re-debuted with his fifth physical single "Good Time".[6][7] The single was also made available on the iTunes Store across the globe.[8]
Release
editThe EP was released in two different editions, standard and limited.[9] The physical CD standard edition comes with the bonus track "Replay".[9] The limited edition, like the digitally released EP at the iTunes Store, contains only six songs, and also includes a DVD featuring the title track's music video as well as its making-of video. The limited edition B includes documentary footage of Shanghai West Bund Music Festival where Akanishi performed in September 2014, and a "Good Time" special event.[9]
The title song in Spanish language means "My Love".[10] He wrote the lyrics to title song after composing the music, and commented about the title track, "Words such as conflict, love, shooting star, and wish came to mind, and it became a natural and abstract love song. In this song, there are no lyrics in the hook. It's unusual in J-pop where feelings are expressed through the track itself. It's a song that fuses EDM and POP in a new approach".[11]
Akanishi himself worked on the music video production.[12] The video features a shirtless Akanishi showing his tattoos and playing a guitar that emits laser beams.[11] He said, "I felt that it was necessary to incorporate one thing with impact in the Music Video. As a result of thinking about the song's theme and other things associated with the track, a contradictory guitar came to mind. Then, thinking about the contradictory guitar, I decided to make an original laser guitar that combines a retro acoustic guitar and a futuristic laser beam".[11]
Touring
editOn November 11 Akanishi went on a nationwide "Jindependence" tour from Zepp Sapporo, which ended on December 2 at Zepp Tokyo, with a total of 11 shows in 5 cities.[2]
Chart performance
editThe album debuted on the Oricon's weekly album charts at number three, selling 35,022 copies in its first week of release, and charted for four weeks.[13] On Billboard's Japan Top Albums chart, it peaked at number three.[14] It peaked at number four on Billboard's Japan Top Independent Albums and Singles chart,[15] while on the Oricon Indies Albums chart it peaked at number one.[16] It was the top-selling indie album of the year.[17]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Jin Akanishi, Zen Nishizawa, Dominic Pierson
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mi Amor" | 4:19 |
| 2. | "Baila" | 3:27 |
| 3. | "Baby Girl" | 4:18 |
| 4. | "Lucky" | 3:50 |
| 5. | "Anything You Want" | 3:33 |
| 6. | "Replay" (Standard bonus track) | 3:57 |
| 7. | "Lenny J" | 3:29 |
| Total length: | 26:58 | |
Charts
edit| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Oricon Weekly Albums | 3 |
| Oricon Indies Albums | 1 |
| Billboard Japan Top Albums | 3 |
| Billboard Japan Top Independent | 4 |
References
edit- ^ "赤西仁"愛しい人"表現した新作＆5都市ツアー". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 17, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ a b "Akanishi Jin to release new mini-album + go on 5-city tour". Tokyohive. 6Theory Media. September 17, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ "赤西仁、EDMとPOPと矛盾したギター". Barks (in Japanese). Global Plus. November 5, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ "Akanishi Jin Leaves Johnny's Entertainment". Tokyohive. 6Theory Media. March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Aysohmay (July 4, 2014). "Jin Akanishi Establishes Independent Label & Official Fan Club". JpopAsia. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Arashiis1 (July 12, 2014). "Akanishi Jin to Release "Good Time" in August". JpopAsia. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "赤西 仁、ニューシングル「Good Time」リリース決定。自身のレーベルから". Barks (in Japanese). Global Plus. July 11, 2014.
- ^ "ジャニーズ独立で遂に！赤西仁の「再デビュー」新曲がiTunesにて先行販売開始でファン喜び" (in Japanese). Gadget Tsushin. July 30, 2014.
- ^ a b c M. Denno (October 24, 2014). "Jin Akanishi's New EP". JaME World. Japanese Music Entertainment. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ "赤西仁、1年ぶり全国ツアー敢行 ミニ・アルバムも発売へ" (in Japanese). Oricon. September 17, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Check out Akanishi Jin's PV for 'Mi Amor'". Tokyohive. November 4, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ "赤西仁、上半身裸で"レーザーギター"鳴らすPV". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 5, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ "Mi Amor on Oricon". Oricon. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ "Mi Amor on Top Albums chart". Billboard Japan. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ "Mi Amor on Top Independent chart". Billboard Japan. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ Jasy (November 26, 2014). "Oricon 2014 Week 48". JaME World. Japanese Music Entertainment. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ Jasy (December 31, 2014). "Oricon Indies Top 20 2014: Singles & Albums". JaME World. Japanese Music Entertainment. Retrieved February 13, 2015.