"A or B" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Mika Nakashima. It was released as a single by Sony Music Associated Records on October 25, 2017.[1] It was written and composed by Jam Note and arranged by Manaboon.[2] The limited edition of the CD single comes with a DVD including the music video for "A or B" and its making-of.[3] "A or B" was used in televised commercials for Kao's liquid fabric softener "Flair Fragrance", starring actress Satomi Ishihara.[3]
| "A or B" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Mika Nakashima | ||||
| Released | October 25, 2017 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:19 | |||
| Label | Sony Music Associated Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Mika Nakashima singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
Background edit
"A or B" is the first single by Nakashima since the release of her eighth studio album, Tough,[3] and was released two months following the release of her cover album, Roots: Piano & Voice.[3] The single's artwork depicts Nakashima on a white swing in front of a soft pink backdrop. The limited edition artwork has Nakashima in a similar position against a dark gray backdrop. The dueling visuals are meant to represent Nakashima swinging between options "A" and "B"; imagined here as the "rain" and "shine" dispositions of a woman in love.[3]
Critical reception edit
"A or B" is a light soulful pop song, following in the same vein as her previous single "Koi o Suru".[4] CDJournal praised Nakashima for her "unstrained and pleasant-sounding" vocal performance.[4] CDJournal critics noted that with her last two singles, Nakashima has been successfully shedding her "diva" image.[4]
Chart performance edit
"A or B" debuted at number 38 on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart.[5] The single charted for two consecutive weeks and sold a reported total of 2,000 copies.[6] The song also charted on Billboard Japan's Top Singles Sales charts, also ranking at number 38.[7]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Arranger(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A or B" |
|
| 5:19 |
| 2. | "Happy Life" (Mika Nakashima and Salyu) |
| 3:45 | |
| 3. | "A or B" (Instrumental) |
|
| 5:16 |
| Total length: | 14:20 | |||
| No. | Title | Director(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A or B" (Music Video) | Takashi Tadokoro | |
| 2. | "A or B" (Making) |
Charts edit
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)[9] | 38 | 2,000[6] |
| Japan Top Singles Sales (Billboard)[7] | 38 |
References edit
- ^ "中島美嘉、ニューシングル「A or B」10月25日発売＆花王フレアフレグランスCMソングに起用決定！". T-Site. September 15, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "中島美嘉、10月発売のシングル「A or B」のアートワークを公開". CDJournal. September 15, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "中島美嘉、揺れ動く恋心を歌ったCMソングをシングルリリース". Natalie. September 15, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b c "中島美嘉 / A or B - CDJournal". CDJournal. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "【周榜单】2017/11/06付". Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Taiju']. Oricon. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "A or B･中島 美嘉 Sony Music Shop". Sony Music Entertainment. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "A or B(初回生産限定盤) 中島美嘉". Oricon. Retrieved February 12, 2018.