Still Dreaming (TXT album)

Still Dreaming (stylized in all caps) is the first Japanese-language studio album by South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together. It was released by Big Hit Entertainment, Universal Music Japan, and Republic Records on January 20, 2021, three months after their third extended play Minisode1: Blue Hour (2020).[7] The ten-track album comprises Japanese versions of six of the group's Korean songs; two new instrumental tracks; a new original Japanese song, "Force"; and their previous Japanese single, "Everlasting Shine". Recorded in Japanese and English, Still Dreaming is a J-pop album that borrows numerous musical elements including disco, pop rock, and synth-pop.

Still Dreaming
The cover is a square picture of the members sitting down, with a cloudy sky background filled with pink and purple hues. The title "Still Dreaming" is written in all caps, white bold font at the upper center. Below the title is the members' name in order Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai. The promotional logo of the band appears at the bottom center.
Digital and regular edition cover[a]
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2021 (2021-01-20)
Studio
GenrePop rock[4]
Length31:19
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
Label
Producer
Tomorrow X Together chronology
Minisode1: Blue Hour
(2020)
Still Dreaming
(2021)
The Chaos Chapter: Freeze
(2021)
Alternative cover
Limited edition type A cover[c]
Limited edition type A cover[c]
Singles from Still Dreaming
  1. "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away) [Japanese Version]"
    Released: January 14, 2020
  2. "Drama (Japanese Version)"
    Released: August 7, 2020
  3. "Everlasting Shine"
    Released: August 18, 2020
  4. "Force"
    Released: January 10, 2021
  5. "Blue Hour (Japanese Version)"
    Released: January 20, 2021
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]

The album became Tomorrow X Together's third consecutive number one on the Oricon Albums Chart—after The Dream Chapter: Eternity and Minisode1: Blue Hour—with first week sales of over 87,000 copies. It was the group's first album to cross 100,000 copies in Japan and their third release to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), achieving Gold status that same month.

Background edit

In March 2019 South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together debuted with extended play “The Dream Chapter: Star” that portrayed the experiences that boys encounter in the process of growing up.[8] The following releases, “The Dream Chapter: Magic” continued their story of growing from adolescent.[9] In January 2020 TXT debuted in Japan with the single “Magic Hour” which contains the Japanese version of previously released songs. Subsequently, they released their second Japanese single “Drama” in August leading up to the release of their Japanese studio album announced on November 23, 2020, with the release date of January 20, 2021.[10] The album contains songs from all their previous releases.

In November 2020 it was revealed that the single “Force” would be written by Motoki Omori from Mrs. Green Apple, a five-member Japanese rock band from Tokyo. The single was featured as the theme song for the second season of TV Asahi animation series “World Trigger”.[11][12]

Release and promotion edit

 
The band's modified logo used for promotional activities

Distribution edit

The album was pre-released digitally on January 19, followed by physical release a day later.[13] Limited territories outside of Japan received the physical editions. Physical pre-orders for the album began on November 23, after the different Limited and Regular versions of the album were announced. Six versions of the album were made available: two Limited Editions A and B, a CD only Regular Edition, and three limited editions of the regular edition. Limited Editions A includes the CD and lyrics paper in a Keep case which is encased in a limited-edition deluxe slip case with two 24-page booklet filled with daytime photos and sunset-time photos respectively.[14] Limited Editions B includes a Jewel case containing a CD and a DVD featuring the music video for "Blue Hour (Japanese Ver.)," a making-of video and footage from cover photoshoot, a lyric booklet as well as a 12-page booklet filled with daytime and sunset-time photos encased in a limited-edition slip case. Contrarily, the CD-only Regular Edition comes with a lyric booklet instead and one of five random "Standard ver." photocards included as a first-press only bonus. The Weverse Shop Japan, The Universal Music Store and Loppi•HMV Limited Editions of this version also include a lyric booklet with the former two having B3 size poster and later having a post card as their respective bonuses.[14] All albums share the same track listing. Following commercial success in Japan, the album was later released in United States on February 12, 2021, through Universal Music Enterprises (UME), a catalog division of Universal Music Group.[15][16]

Marketing edit

Yunika Vision ran a half-hour long special feature of six full-length uncut version of TXT music videos including "Blue Hour [Japanese Ver.]" on its screens in front of Seibu-Shinjuku Station from January 21 to January 27; the feature was also accessible for mobile viewing with high-quality sound via the "VISION α" app.[17]

Live performances edit

TXT held the premiere performance of Japanese version of "Blue Hour" on TBS Japan's CDTV Live! Live! Christmas 4-hour special on December 21 via pre-recorded video.[18][19] They guested on Nippon TV's Buzz Rhythm 02 on January 22 for their second performance of Japanese version of "Blue Hour".[20][21] The band presented the song again next week on the January 26 broadcast of Nippon TV's Sukkiri.[22]

The band performed "Force" for the first time on TV Asahi's Music Station on January 29.[23] They performed the song again on TV Asahi's Break Out on February 3.[24][25] They performed the song "Force" in a Single-Take for The First Take which premiered on YouTube channel on February 10.[26][27] The band continued promoting the album at the TBS Japan's Music Day by performing "Force" on July 17, 2021.[28]

Commercial performance edit

The album debuted atop the Oricon Weekly Album Chart on chart issue dated February 1, 2021, making it the third consecutive album in Japan to reach number one on Oricon's weekly chart.[29] Still Dreaming also continued in first place on Oricon's daily album chart for six consecutive days after its release, marking first place six times in total during the first week. According to Oricon, TXT's album recorded an estimated 87,000 units in sales within the first week of release.[30] On Billboard Japan's Hot Albums chart, Still Dreaming entered atop, selling an estimated 100,000 units.[31]

On February 12, the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) announced that Still Dreaming had sold over 100,000 copies and eventually received a gold certification. The album reached the benchmark within a month of its release on January 20, 2021.[32]

In United States, TXT marked their 3rd entry on the Billboard 200 when Still Dreaming debuted at 173, making them the first artist since BTS to chart on Billboard 200 with a Japanese-language album.[33][34]

Track listing edit

Still Dreaming track listing[35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro: Dreaming"
  • Revin
  • Slow Rabbit
Revin1:14
2."Force" (from World Trigger, 2021)Motoki OhmoriOhmori4:01
3."Blue Hour (5時53分の空で見つけた君と僕, 5-Ji 53-bu no sora de mitsuketa kimitoboku)" (Japanese Version)
Slow Rabbit3:30
4."9 and Three Quarters (Run Away) (9と4分の3番線で君を待つ, 9 To 4-bun'no 3-bansen de kimi o matsu)" (Japanese Version)
Slow Rabbit3:30
5."Crown (ある日、頭からツノが生えた, Aru Ni~Tsu, atama kara tsuno ga haeta)" (Japanese Version)
Slow Rabbit3:51
6."Angel Or Devil" (Japanese Version)
  • Pdogg
  • Supreme Boi
  • Slow Rabbit
  • Fontana
  • Lindgren
  • Hitman
  • Peter Ibsen
  • Naitumela Masuki
  • Pdogg
  • Slow Rabbit
3:54
7."Drama" (Japanese Version)
  • Supreme Boi
  • Jake Torrey
  • Noah Conrad
  • Roland "Rollo" Spreckley
  • El Capitxn
  • Conrad
  • El Capitxn[c]
3:31
8."Everlasting Shine (永遠に光れ, Eien ni hikare)" (from Black Clover, 2020)
  • Yohei
  • Uta
Uta3:13
9."Can't You See Me? (世界が燃えてしまった夜、僕たちは..., Sekai ga moete shimatta yoru, bokutachi wa...')" (Japanese Version)
  • Slow Rabbit
  • Hitman
  • Supreme Boi
  • Fontana
  • Lindgren
  • Eric Zayne
  • Naz Tokio
  • Hitman
  • Slow Rabbit
3:22
10."Outro: Still"
  • El Capitxn
  • Summergal
El Capitxn1:13
Total length:31:19
Still Dreaming – Limited Edition B (Bonus DVD)[36][37]
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."Blue Hour (5時53分の空で見つけた君と僕, 5-Ji 53-bu no sora de mitsuketa kimitoboku)" (Japanese Version) (Music Video & Making of Music Video))Seong Wonmo (Digipedi)21:40
2."Making of Jacket Photos"Play Company17:07
Total length:38:47

Notes

  • ^[c] signifies a co-producer
  • "Dreaming" in "Intro: Dreaming", "Crown", and "Still" in "Outro: Still" are all stylized in all caps

Personnel edit

Credits adapted from Tidal and the liner notes of Still Dreaming.[38][3]

Musicians edit

Instrumentation edit

Production edit

Technical edit

Artwork edit

Charts edit

Certifications and sales figures edit

Sales certifications for Still Dreaming
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[47] Gold 108,188[46]

Release history edit

Release history and formats for Still Dreaming
Region Date Label Format(s) Catalog Ref.
Various January 20, 2021 (2021-01-20) [48][49]
Japan Universal Japan CD TYCT-69189 [50]
CD + DVD TYCT-69190 [51]
CD TYCT-69191 [52]
CD (Weverse shop Japan exclusive) PROV-1009 [14]
CD (Universal Music Store exclusive) PDCV-1113 [6]
CD (Loppi・HMV exclusive) PROV-1010 [53]
United States February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12) UME CD TYCT-69189K [54]
CD + DVD TYCT-69190K [55]
CD TYCT-69191K [56]

See also edit

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ The cover art for the Limited type B features the members standing with each member looking at the camera from a different angle, while the Weverse Shop Japan limited edition features the members looking at the camera diagonally. Both cover features the same sunset background[1][2]
  2. ^ Big Hit production team have individual "studios" within the greater Big Hit Entertainment building.[3]
  3. ^ The cover art for the Loppi • HMV limited edition features the members sitting around a table while the Universal Music Store limited edition features the members standing straight in formation looking at the camera. Both covers features the same daytime background.[5][6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Tomorrow X Together - Still Dreaming (Limited Edition B) (CD)". Target. United States: Target Brands. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  2. ^ ディスコグラフィー | Tomorrow X Together Japan Official Site. Tomorrow X Together Japan Official Site. Japan: Big Hit Entertainment. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Still Dreaming (CD liner notes). Tomorrow X Together. Tokyo: Universal Music Japan. 2021. TYCT-69190.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Still Dreaming - Tomorrow x Together | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "STILL DREAMING [Loppi・HMV Limited Edition] : TOMORROW X TOGETHER PROV-1010". HMV&BOOKS online : Online Shopping & Information Site - [English Site]. Japan: Lawson Entertainment. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  6. ^ a b STILL DREAMING [UNIVERSAL MUSIC STORE限定盤][CD][+グッズ] [STILL DREAMING [UNIVERSAL MUSIC STORE Limited edition] [CD] [+ Goods]]. Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Mendez, Michele (January 15, 2021). "TXT's 'Still Dreaming': Everything To Know About Their First Japanese Album". Elite Daily. Bustle Digital Group. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "THE DREAM CHAPTER: STAR | TOMORROW X TOGETHER". Big Hit Entertainment (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ Ziwei, Puah (October 2, 2019). "TXT announce first full-length album, 'The Dream Chapter: Magic'". NME. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  10. ^ "Tomorrow X Together Japan Official Site" 2021年1月20日(水)日本1stアルバム『STILL DREAMING』発売決定! [On January 20, 2021 (Wednesday) Japan's 1st album "STILL DREAMING" will be released!]. TOMORROW X TOGETHER JAPAN OFFICIAL SITE (in Japanese). Japan: Big Hit Entertainment. November 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Mrs. GREEN APPLEの大森元貴が 書き下ろした新曲「Force」 テレビ朝日系列アニメ『ワールドトリガー』 2ndシーズン主題歌に決定! - TOMORROW X TOGETHER (in Japanese). November 27, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  12. ^ TOMORROW X TOGETHERの新曲「Force」、ミセス 大森元貴書き下ろし アニメ『ワールドトリガー』2ndシーズン主題歌に [TOMORROW X TOGETHER's new song "Force", newly written by Mrs. Motoki Ohmori for the Anime "World Trigger" 2nd season theme song]. Real Sound (in Japanese). Japan. November 27, 2020.
  13. ^ TOMORROW X TOGETHER、日本1stアルバム「STILL DREAMING」を1月20日に発売決定! [TOMORROW X TOGETHER will release Japan's 1st album "STILL DREAMING" on January 20th!]. Kstyle. Line Corporation. November 23, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c "Tomorrow X Together Japan Official Site" TOMORROW X TOGETHER 日本1stアルバム『STILL DREAMING』予約販売のご案内. TOMORROW X TOGETHER JAPAN OFFICIAL SITE (in Japanese). Big Hit Entertainment. November 23, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  15. ^ "TOMORROW X TOGETHER ANNOUNCES FIRST JAPANESE FULL-LENGTH ALBUM 'STILL DREAMING' AVAILABLE ON February 12". PR Newswire. Los Angeles: Cision US. December 22, 2021.
  16. ^ Aniftos, Rania (December 12, 2021). "Tomorrow x Together Announce First Full-Length Japanese Album". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2021. ... Still Dreaming will be arriving on Feb. 12, 2021 via UMe in the United States, and will feature 10 tracks ...'
  17. ^ "TOMORROW X TOGETHER special feature". YUNIKA VISION. Yunika. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  18. ^ 「CDTV」特番にミスチル、BTS、瑛人、セブチ、DISH//、TXT、LiSA、ベビメタ、櫻坂46 ["CDTV" specials include Mr. Children, BTS, Eito, Sebuchi, DISH //, TXT, LiSA, Babymetal, Sakurazaka46]. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha. December 7, 2020.
  19. ^ 『CDTVライブ!ライブ!』クリスマス4時間スペシャル、第1弾出演者にミスチル、BTS、LiSA、DISH//、BABYMETAL、櫻坂46ら ["CDTV Live! live! 』Christmas 4-hour special, the first performer Mr. Children, BTS, LiSA, DISH //, BABYMETAL, Sakurazaka46 etc.]. Real Sound (in Japanese). Japan. December 7, 2020.
  20. ^ 今夜OA「バズリズム02」でSnow Man、TXT、Little Glee Monster、我儘ラキア、BMKがライブ [Snow Man, TXT, Little Glee Monster, Rakia I, and BMK live on OA "Buzz Rhythm 02" tonight]. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha. January 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "Tomorrow X Together Japan Official Site" 1月22日(金)日本テレビ系列『バズリズム02』出演決定!「5時53分の空で見つけた君と僕 [Japanese Ver.]」を披露! [On January 22nd (Friday) Nippon TV series "Buzz Rhythm 02" will appear! Show off "You and I found in the sky at 5:53 [Japanese Ver.]"!]. TOMORROW X TOGETHER JAPAN OFFICIAL SITE (in Japanese). Big Hit Entertainment. November 17, 2021.
  22. ^ TOMORROW X TOGETHER、明日の「スッキリ」に生出演 [TOMORROW X TOGETHER will appear live in tomorrow's "Sukkiri"]. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha. January 25, 2021.
  23. ^ TOMORROW X TOGETHER、1月29日放送の「Mステ」に出演決定!日本オリジナル曲「Force」のパフォーマンスを初披露 [TOMORROW X TOGETHER will appear on "Music Station" broadcast on January 29th! First performance of Japanese original song "Force"]. Kstyle News (in Japanese). Japan: Line Corporation. January 24, 2021.
  24. ^ "Tomorrow X Together Japan Official Site" 2月3日(水)テレビ朝日系列『BREAK OUT』に出演決定!「Force」を披露! [February 3rd (Wednesday) Appearance on TV Asahi series "BREAK OUT"! Show off "Force"!]. TOMORROW X TOGETHER JAPAN OFFICIAL SITE (in Japanese). Big Hit Entertainment. January 28, 2021.
  25. ^ 「Break Out」2021年2月4日(木)放送内容 ["Break Out" on February 4, 2021 (Thursday) broadcast content]. Kakaku. Japan: WireAction. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  26. ^ @the_firsttake (February 10, 2021). "No.91 TOMORROW X TOGETHER (@TXT_bighit_jp ) World renowned 5-member boys group #TOMORROW_X_TOGETHER. 1 TAKE performance of "Force" Feb.10 10:00PM JST YouTube Premiere" (Tweet). Retrieved September 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ TOMORROW X TOGETHER、Stray Kids、JO1……「THE FIRST TAKE」の“一発撮り”で実力知らしめたボーイズグループ [TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Stray Kids, JO1 …… Boy groups who showed their abilities with “one shot” of “THE FIRST TAKE”]. Real Sound (in Japanese). Japan. February 9, 2021.
  28. ^ TBS系で明日8時間オンエア「音楽の日2021」73組タイムテーブル&歌唱曲発表 [Tomorrow 8 hours on air "Music Day 2021" 73 groups timetable & song announcement on TBS system]. Natalie. Japan: Natasha. July 16, 2021.
  29. ^ "Boy band Tomorrow X Together tops Japan's Oricon music chart with latest album". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  30. ^ "TXT's first Japanese album 'STILL DREAMING' dominates Oricon Chart". The Korea Times. January 26, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2021-01-27" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  32. ^ "EXO's Baekhyun And TXT Earn Gold Certifications In Japan With Latest Albums". Soompi. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  33. ^ "TXT's Japanese Album “Still Dreaming” Debuts On Billboard 200" Soompi. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  34. ^ "TXT Becomes Second Korean Artist Ever To Have A Japanese Album On The Billboard 200 Chart". Koreaboo. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  35. ^ TOMORROW X TOGETHER、日本1stアルバムの収録曲は [TOMORROW X TOGETHER, the songs included in Japan's 1st album]. Natalie (in Japanese). Japan: Natasha. December 23, 2020.
  36. ^ "Still Dreaming [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type B] TOMORROW X TOGETHER CD Album". CDJapan. Japan: Neowing. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  37. ^ TXT (투모로우바이투게더) '5時53分の空で見つけた君と僕 [Japanese Ver.]' Official MV [TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER)'You and I found in the sky at 5:53 [Japanese Ver.]' Official MV]. January 19, 2021 – via YouTube. Music video director(s) mentioned in video description.
  38. ^ "Credits / STILL DREAMING / TOMORROW X TOGETHER". Tidal. Aspiro. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  39. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2021-02-01" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  40. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  41. ^ "Tomorrow X Together Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  42. ^ "Tomorrow X Together Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  43. ^ "Drama - Week 21, 2022" (in Croatian). HDU. June 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  44. ^ 月間 アルバムランキング 2021年01月度 [Monthly album ranking – January 2021] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  45. ^ 年間 アルバムランキング 2021年度 [Yearly album ranking – 2021] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  46. ^ Oricon cumulative sales for Still Dreaming:
  47. ^ "Japanese album certifications – TOMORROW X TOGETHER – STILL DREAMING" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved July 9, 2021. Select 2021年1月 on the drop-down menu
  48. ^ Citations regarding the release of "Still Dreaming" for digital download:
  49. ^ Citations regarding the release of "Still Dreaming" on streaming services:
  50. ^ 楽天ブックス: STILL DREAMING (初回限定盤A CD+24Pフォトブックレット) - TOMORROW × TOGETHER - 4988031409442 : CD [Rakuten Books: STILL DREAMING (First Press Limited Edition A CD + 24P Photo Booklet) --TOMORROW x TOGETHER --4988031409442: CD]. Rakuten (in Japanese). Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  51. ^ 楽天ブックス: STILL DREAMING (初回限定盤B CD+DVD+12Pフォトブックレット) - TOMORROW × TOGETHER - 4988031409459 : CD [Rakuten Books: STILL DREAMING (First Press Limited Edition B CD + DVD + 12P Photo Booklet) --TOMORROW x TOGETHER --4988031409459: CD]. Rakuten (in Japanese). Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  52. ^ 楽天ブックス: STILL DREAMING (通常盤 [初回プレス限定]) - TOMORROW × TOGETHER - 4988031409466 : CD [Rakuten Books: STILL DREAMING (Regular Edition [First Press Limited]) --TOMORROW x TOGETHER --4988031409466: CD]. Rakuten (in Japanese). Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  53. ^ "STILL DREAMING [Loppi・HMV Limited Edition]". HMV&BOOKS. Japan: Lawson Entertainment. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  54. ^ "Still Dreaming (Limited Edition B) CD+DVD". TXT Official Store. United States: Republic Records. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  55. ^ "Still Dreaming (Limited Edition A) CD+Book". TXT Official Store. United States: Republic Records. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  56. ^ "Still Dreaming CD". TXT Official Store. United States: Republic Records. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.

External links edit