Wikipedia

Past Future

For Past Future, a rock-classical album with Göteborgs Symfoniker, see Magnus Rosén.
The correct title of this article is Past<Future. The substitution of any brackets is due to technical restrictions.

Past<Future is the ninth studio album by Japanese pop singer Namie Amuro. It was released on December 16, 2009, through Avex Trax. This was her first original album in two and a half years since Play (2007). It was released in two versions: a CD+DVD edition and a CD only edition. The first press of both versions came housed in a digipak, and pre-orders came with an original poster. The record came after the release of her third best-of album Best Fiction, which sold over a million copies. Unlike her previous studio albums Queen of Hip-Pop and Play, Past<Future features a more electropop and synth-pop sound.

Past<Future
Original standard edition
Studio album by
Namie Amuro
ReleasedDecember 16, 2009 (2009-12-16)
Recorded2008–2009
Genre
Length49:07
LabelAvex Trax
Producer
Namie Amuro chronology
Best Fiction
(2008) 		Past<Future
(2009) 		Checkmate!
(2011)
Alternative cover
CD+DVD edition and digital download artwork
Singles from Past<Future
  1. "Wild/Dr."
    Released: March 18, 2009

In addition to the double A-side single "Wild/Dr.", the album features the promotional singles "Fast Car," "My Love" and "Copy That," with the latter two appearing in "Premium Vidal Sassoon" commercials in which she starred in. Commercially, Past<Future was a success in Japan, hitting the top spot on the Oricon Albums Chart, and has since been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for over 500,000 copies sold nationwide. The album reached #1 on both of Taiwan's G-Music's J-pop Chart and Combo Chart. It also reached #1 on South Korea's Hanteo weekly and monthly albums charts. Past<Future was Amuro's best-selling original album since 2000's Genius 2000, which sold over 800,000 copies.

Background edit

In July 2008, Amuro released the compilation album Best Fiction.[1] The album was extremely successful, selling 681,187 copies in the first week and debuting at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart.[2] Within its third week, Best Fiction sold over one million units, making her the first artist to have a million-selling album in three consecutive life generations (Sweet 19 Blues at age 18, 181920 at age 20 and Best Fiction at age 30).[3][4] Best Fiction spent six consecutive weeks at the number-one position, becoming the first album to do so in more than 14 years since Dreams Come True's 1993 album Magic.[5] By the end of 2008, Best Fiction became the year's second best-selling album right behind Exile's Exile Love.[6] In addition, it became the second best selling digital-format album by a Japanese artist behind Hikaru Utada's Heart Station.[7] Best Fiction was awarded the Album of the Year award at the 50th Japan Record Awards (analogous to Album of the Year from the Grammy Awards).[8] To promote the album, Amuro embarked on the Best Fiction Tour, which ran from October 25, 2008, to July 12, 2009.[9] The Live DVD and Blu-ray of the tour were released on September 9, 2009.[10]

Amuro first revealed in the March 2009 issue of S Kawaii that she was preparing a new album which she would begin recording during her Best Fiction Tour. In the interview, she also confirmed that the direction of the album would be different from her previous album. Confirmation of the impending release of Amuro's ninth studio album occurred several months later when media outlets began to report new commercials with new songs by the singer would appear not in a new single, but a new album in the near future.[11] On October 22, 2009, it was announced that Amuro would have a new album coming out by the end of the year, with its title being undecided at the time.[12] On November 26, 2009, the album title was revealed along with its cover art.[13] Amuro stated that she saw Past<Future as a "fresh start" following the highly successful Best Fiction.[14]

Composition edit

 
Dsign Music, one of Amuro's collaborators on the album

Unlike Play, which was produced solely by Michico and T.Kura of Giant Swing Productions and Nao'ymt, Amuro sought other writers and producers for this project. Dsign Music, a Scandinavian production team was the first to reveal that they had written new material for Amuro on their official website on June 12, 2009.[15] In a blog entry, songwriter/producer, Hiro, who has written for other artists including Kumi Koda and J Soul Brothers, confirmed that he produced "My Love".[16] The lyrics to "Love Game" were written by R&B artist DOUBLE, who Amuro previously collaborated with on the song "Black Diamond" a year prior. "Steal my Night" was written by well known urban-pop producer Jeff Miyahara.

The album begins with "Fast Car," a bouncy R&B number that includes hefty percussion and thick saxophone accents.[17] "Copy That" is an upbeat song that also features a "James Bond theme"-style intro.[17] "Love Game" is a dance-pop song with lyrics that compares love to boxing.[17] "Bad Habit" is a club tune with heavy bass echoes.[17] "Steal my Night" is a song with a bhangra beat that was also used in 2005's "Want Me, Want Me."[17] "First Timer" is a fast-paced techno-pop song that includes a rap feature from Doberman Inc.[17]

"Wild" is an uptempo electropop song that incorporates synthesizers and keyboards.[18] "Dr." is an R&B and Opera-inspired dance-pop song.[19] "Shut Up" is a song with a thick bass and evident rock elements, which is further enhanced by the vocal effects.[17] "My Love" is a contemporary US-style R&B song that makes heavy use of synth sounds, and utilizes the autotune trend of the late 2000s.[17] "The Meaning Of Us" is a piano driven pop ballad.[17] The album's closing number "Defend Love" is a futuristic clubbed-up sequel to "Dr."[17]

Promotion edit

 
Amuro's image promoting her song Wild on a Coca-Cola vending machine in October 2009

The only physical single to be released from this album is the double A-side single "Wild/Dr." The single was a success, becoming her eleventh number one on the Oricon Singles Chart.[20] The single sold over 119,000 units in Japan, her seventh highest selling single in the 2000s decade, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for exceeding shipments of 100,000 units.[21][22] Both "Wild" and "Dr." appeared as advertising jingles for Coca-Cola Zero and Vidal Sassoon respectively.[23][24] After the release of the single "Wild/Dr.", the first songs to be promoted from the album were "My Love" and "Copy That", which appeared in new commercials for Vidal Sassoon. They premiered on the web first and later on television in October 2009.[25] "My Love" would later make its radio premiere on J-Wave's Groove Line on October 27.[26] Both "My Love" and "Copy That" were released as ringtones online on November 18. Two more songs from the album, "Fast Car" and "The Meaning Of Us" also made their radio premieres on November 23 and 24.[27]

Music videos edit

The music video for "Fast Car" was directed by Shigeaki Kubo.[28] It has an Elizabethan theme, but is primarily a dance video. The music video for "Love Game" was also directed by Shigeaki Kubo;[29] it depicts Amuro and her dancers having various dance battles on digital stages, with the teams distinguished by the color of their outfits (black or white). The music video for "Wild" was directed by Caviar,[30] which features a futuristic space theme and costumes.

The music video for "The Meaning Of Us," which was directed by Shigeaki Kubo,[31] features Amuro alone in a house during several timelines and the video alternates between these scenes. The music video for "Dr." is entirely animated and is Amuro's first fully animated music video. It was animated by Kamikaze Douga, and directed by Mizusaki Junpei.[32] The "Defend Love" music video was a collaboration with Sunrise Animation, featuring Namie Amuro as an animated character interacting with Amuro Ray of Mobile Suit Gundam. Part of the video re-creates the encounter between Amuro Ray and Lalah Sune in the Ghost of Solomon event, with Namie Amuro in place of Lalah piloting a pink Elmeth.

Live performances edit

To promote the album, Amuro embarked on the hall tour "namie amuro PAST<FUTURE tour 2010" from April to November 2010, with added dates in December 2010. In all, the tour spanned 85 dates across Japan. The December 1st and 7th dates at the Tokyo International Forum, Hall A were originally scheduled for October 14, 2010, and October 15, 2010, but due to inflammation of the vocal cords, these dates were postponed and later added with additional performances at that venue.[33] The concert tour lasted for 8 months and drew in about 210,000 spectators.[34] The live DVD "namie amuro PAST<FUTURE tour 2010," which included the Tokyo leg of the tour, also topped the music DVD rankings for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in total.[35]

Critical reception edit

Takurō Ueno (上野 拓朗, Ueno Takurō) rated the album four and a half out of five stars on Rolling Stone Japan.[36]

Chart performance edit

Past<Future debuted at number one on the daily Oricon Albums Chart, with a first day sales tally of around 112,000 copies.[37] At the end of its first week of release, the album went on to top the weekly Oricon Albums Chart, selling 330,742 copies.[38] On its second week of availability the album dropped to number three on the chart, logging sales of 87,210 copies.[39] The album stayed at number three on its third week, shifting 79,187 copies.[40] Past<Future stayed in the top ten one last week on its fourth week, ranking at number nine and selling 15,488 copies.[41] The album stayed in the top 300 chart for a total of forty-two weeks.[42] According to Oricon, Amuro's album Past<Future was the number one album of 2010 for the first six months of the fiscal year; making it the first time since her debut in 1992 that she topped the first half year album ranking. This was also the first time in six years since Hikaru Utada's Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1 in 2004 that a female soloist topped the first half of the year ranking with an album.[43] In December 2010, Past<Future was named the sixth best-selling album of 2010 in Japan with 574,525 copies sold, and was also the year's second best-selling album by a female soloist behind Kana Nishino's to LOVE.[44]

Track listing edit

CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."Fast Car"TigerAnne Judith Wik, Ronny Svendsen, Robin Jenssen, Nermin Harambasic, Chris YoungDsign Music3:20
2."Copy That"MichicoT.Kura, MichicoT.Kura for Giant Swing Productions4:25
3."Love Game"DoubleAnthony Anderson, Joleen Belle, Jaden Michaels, Steve SmithAnthony Anderson & Steve Smith for SA TrackWorks Productions3:39
4."Bad Habit"TigerHugo Lira, Thomas Gustafsson, Negin, lan-Paolo LiraH.Lira, T.Gustafsson, I-P Lira for Random Music3:10
5."Steal My Night"Jeff Miyahara, Kanata OkajimaJeff MiyaharaJeff Miyahara3:32
6."First Timer" (featuring Doberman Inc)Michico, Doberman IncT.Kura, Michico, Doberman IncT.Kura for Giant Swing Productions5:24
7."Wild"MichicoT.Kura, MichicoT.Kura for Giant Swing Productions3:18
8."Dr."Nao'ymtNao'ymtNao'ymt5:41
9."Shut Up"Nao'ymtNao'ymtNao'ymt4:08
10."My Love"HiroHiroHiro for Digz, Inc.4:04
11."The Meaning of Us"Momo "Mocha" N.Momo "Mocha" N., U-key ZoneU-Key Zone4:28
12."Defend Love"Nao'ymtNao'ymtNao'ymt4:03
Total length:49:07
DVD
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."Fast Car" (Music video)Shigeaki Kubo3:25
2."Love Game" (Music video)Shigeaki Kubo3:56
3."Wild" (Music video)Caviar3:22
4."The Meaning of Us" (Music video)Shigeaki Kubo4:35
5."Dr." (Music video)Junpei Mizusaki (Kamikaze Douga), Shuichi Sato, Yasuhiko Shimizu5:54
6."Defend Love" (Music video)Tanakazoo & Yusuke Tanaka4:26

Charts edit

Sales and certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[49] 2× Platinum 575,763[48]

References edit

  1. ^ Amuro, Namie (2008). Best Fiction (CD album; Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-23651.
  2. ^ Oricon Style Staff (August 11, 2008). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week August 11, 2008". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  3. ^ 安室、史上初３年代ミリオンアルバム達成！ (in Japanese). Sanspo. August 19, 2008. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  4. ^ 安室しか出来ない！史上初３年代ミリオン！ (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. August 19, 2008. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  5. ^ 安室奈美恵の勢い衰えず！ドリカム以来14年8か月ぶりの6週連続首位 (in Japanese). Oricon Style. September 9, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
  6. ^ "2008 Yearly Album Rankings" (in Japanese). Oricon Style. December 11, 2008. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  7. ^ "2008年、「iTunes Store」で最もダウンロードされた楽曲が発表" (in Japanese). Barks. December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  8. ^ 安室奈美恵がレコ大最優秀アルバム賞 (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. December 1, 2008. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  9. ^ "namie amuro BEST FICTION TOUR 2008–2009" (in Japanese). Namie Style. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  10. ^ Namie Amuro Best Fiction Tour 2008–2009 (Live DVD). Namie Amuro. 2009. AVBD-91736.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "アムロ３変化☆「ヴィダルサスーン」新ＣＭ". Sankei Sports. 2009-09-25. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  12. ^ "安室奈美恵、2年半ぶりのオリジナルアルバムのリリースが決定". Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  13. ^ "安室奈美恵、過去の自分をみずから打ち破る!　ニュー・アルバム『PAST < FUTURE』の斬新なジャケット写真がついに公開!". Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  14. ^ "安室奈美恵NEWアルバムのタイトル・収録曲が決定!!". Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  15. ^ "DSign Music AS".
  16. ^ "安室奈美恵 "MY LOVE"". Archived from the original on 2009-11-29. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j CD Journal Staff (December 16, 2009). "Namie Amuro – Past＜Future [CD]". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  18. ^ "Namie Amuro – Wild/Dr". Selective Hearing. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  19. ^ "Namie Amuro: Wild". MuuMuse. February 5, 2009.
  20. ^ 安室奈美恵のリリース一覧 [List of Namie Amuro's Releases]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  21. ^ "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 (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  22. ^ ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2009年3月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (March 2009)] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 10, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  23. ^ "コカ・コーラ・ゼロ新CMで安室が汗だくWILDダンス" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  24. ^ "Vidal Sassoon Commercial featuring Namie Amuro". Archived from the original on April 10, 2009.
  25. ^ "安室が宇宙でリボーン！ヴィダルサスーン新CM公開".
  26. ^ "新曲「MY LOVE」をラジオ初オンエア！〜". Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  27. ^ "～待望のオリジナルアルバム発売決定!!!～". Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  28. ^ "Fast Car: ミュージックビデオサーチ" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Space Shower Network Ltd. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  29. ^ "Love Game: ミュージックビデオサーチ" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Space Shower Network Ltd. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  30. ^ "Wild: ミュージックビデオサーチ" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Space Shower Network Ltd. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  31. ^ "The Meaning of Us: ミュージックビデオサーチ" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Space Shower Network Ltd. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  32. ^ "Dr.: ミュージックビデオサーチ" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Space Shower Network Ltd. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  33. ^ "安室奈美恵、声帯炎回復せず本日もツアー東京公演延期" (in Japanese). Natalie. October 15, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  34. ^ "安室奈美恵、自身最多80本の超ロングツアー笑顔で完走" (in Japanese). Natalie. December 16, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  35. ^ "安室奈美恵、最新ライヴDVDが堂々の1位獲得！" (in Japanese). 2010-12-22.
  36. ^ Ueno, Takurō. "Past<Future CD Review" (in Japanese). Rolling Stone Japan. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
  37. ^ 安室奈美恵、2年半ぶりのオリジナルアルバムが1位スタート (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
  38. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 28, 2009). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week December 28, 2009". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  39. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 4, 2010). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week January 4, 2010". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  40. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 18, 2010). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week January 18, 2010". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  41. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 25, 2010). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week January 25, 2010". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  42. ^ a b "PAST＜FUTURE 安室奈美恵". Oricon. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  43. ^ "安室奈美恵、デビュー以来初の上半期アルバム1位". Oricon. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
  44. ^ a b "2010年　アルバム年間TOP100". Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  45. ^ a b "Soundscan Albums". Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  46. ^ G-Music Combo Archived July 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^ G-Music J-Pop
  48. ^ "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 (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  49. ^ "Japanese album certifications – 安室奈美恵 – PAST＜FUTURE" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 31, 2021. Select 2009年12月 on the drop-down menu
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