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Contrail (song)

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"Contrail"
Song

"Contrail" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro for her eleventh studio and second Bilingual (Japanese and English language) album, Feel (2013). The track was entirely written, composed, arranged, and produced by Japanese musician Nao'ymt. The single premiered on May 29, 2013 as the lead single from the album, and her second digital-only single. Musically, "Contrail" is a pop song, influenced by electronic dance music. Lyrically, it is a self-empowerment anthem that discusses themes of confidence and hope.

Upon its release, the track garnered generally favorable reviews from music critics. Many critics highlighted as one of the album's best tracks, and complimented Nao'ymt's songwriting and production. Although it was unable to chart on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart because of their restriction of digital sales, it did achieve success on the Japan Hot 100 chart provided by Billboard, peaking at number eight. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for digital sales of 250,000 units. An accompanying music video was shot in downtown Los Angeles, California at Pershing square, which featured Amuro walking through the city with children. Amuro has performed the song on her Feel tour (2013), and her 2014 Live Style tour.

Background and release

In March 2013, a corresponding team working Japanese network Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) approach Amuro and asked her to work with them by recording a theme song for their 2013 television series Flying Public Relations Office, which she accepted.[1] Then in May 2013, Japanese music magazine CD Journal confirmed the release of a new single, entitled "Contrail".[2] The track was entirely written, composed, arranged, and produced by Japanese musician Nao'ymt. It was recorded by D.O.I. at Daimonion Studios, Shibuya, Tokyo in 2013. The finished composition was then mastered by American music engineer Cris Gehringer at Sterling Studios, New York City, New York.[3]

The single premiered on May 29, 2013 as the lead single from Amuro's eleventh studio and second Bilingual (Japanese and English language) album, Feel (2013). It is also her second digital-only single after "Damage" (2012), and Amuro's second single released from her own label Dimension Point.[4][5] The artwork to "Contrail" features a bird-eye view of two contrails above a cityscape.[4] Amuro had contemplated in releasing the single as a CD single, but later scrapped the idea because she felt the digital release and promotion through the television series would be enough.[1][6] In 2014, Amuro re-recorded the song for her 2014 compilation album Ballada.

Composition

Musically, "Contrail" is a dance song, as described by staff member's as CD Journal.[7] A reviewer from music website 13th Geek compared the track to her song "Hands on Me", explaining in a further detailed review; "The song evokes a summer feel similar to 'Hands On Me' but with a more relaxed and laid-back approach."[8] Patrick St. Michel, writing for The Japan Times, included the track as part of a discussion about the Westernized music influences throughout the entirety of Feel, stating "nearly every track indulges in electronic trends, sometimes besting the American competition."[9] Michael McCarthy from Otakudx.com believed that the song's composition was "progressive pop", saying "It's not quite a dance song and it doesn't fit your traditional pop mold either."[10] In a detail review, he further explained the song's melody and structure;

"It starts off with a bit of keyboards that lead to a series of rapid but somewhat quiet beats over which she sings softly, almost whispering, until she reaches the chorus and fulminating beats drop. "What is life?" she asks during the bilingual chorus, which simply ends with the word "contrail." After the chorus the beats quiet down again and she once again whisper-sings. It's really quite intoxicating, the way her airy vocals gently glide over the hypnotic but subtle beats. "I didn't know then, what I know now," a loud, robotic voice sings -- well, it's more like it just says the words about two thirds into the song. And that somehow makes it more intense when Namie sings the chorus again and asks "What is life?"[10]

Lyrically, it is a self-empowerment anthem that discusses themes of confidence and hope.[1] In an interview with Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), Amuro stated that the song represented the "positive views of the world". She furthered explained that "So when I'm listening to the song on Sunday night, I'll wake up on Monday morning feeling happy."[1] Nao'ymt furthered commented to TBS that he song talked about looking forward and letting go of the past, alongside complimented Amuro's "strong" vocals.[1] In an interview with Billboard Japan, an English version of "Contrail" was written and recorded by Nao'ymt, but was replaced with the Japanese version because Amuro felt majority of the recordings on Feel felt "better in English", and that the theme song for the television series was directed towards Japanese audiences only.[9]

Critical response

Upon its release, "Contrail" received positive reviews from most music critics. A reviewer from 13th Geek was highly positive towards the track, believing that "The song is so good that even the non-Japanese speaker will want to learn the lyrics and just blare out the powerful chorus along with her."[8] The reviewer also stated that the song's chorus was completely "off guard" to the rest of the track.[8] CD Journal's editor's were positive towards the song, commending Nao'ymt for "exhausting" the "goodness" out of Amuro's vocal abilities.[7] David Cirone from Nekopop.com was slightly mixed in his review; although he commended Amuro's use of Japanese language throughout the song, he criticized the "heavy-handed, obvious lyrics".[11] The 2014 Ballada version also received positive reviews from music critics. In another review with CD Journal, a reviewer complimented Amuro's vocals and the song's background piano composition; the reviewer also labelled the production as "dramatic".[12] In another positive review, staff member's at HMV felt that it was the best ballad on the compilation album.[13]

Commercial performance

"Contrail" was unable to chart on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart because of their restriction of digital sales and position. However, it did have success on the Japan Hot 100, provided by Billboard. It debuted at number 44 during the chart week of May 6, due to strong airplay.[14] It had climbed steadily, eventually reached number 15 during its sixth week of charting on June 10.[15] The following week on June 17, it peaked at number eight for one week.[16] It fell outside the top ten the following week, stalling at number 16.[17] It made its final appearance at number 42 on the chart date of July 29, staying in the chart for 13 weeks in total.[18] It debuted on Billboard's competent chart, the Radio Songs, at number 21.[19] It rose to number seven the following week, its peaking position.[20] The song's final appearance was on June 10, where it stalling at number 39.[21] On [[Billboard's Year-End chart, "Contrail" was ranked at number 65.[22] It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for digital sales of 250,000 units.[23]

Music video

"Contrail" was directed by IKIOI in downtown Los Angeles, California in June 2013. This became Amuro's first single to date to have been directed in North America.[24] The video starts off with slow motion off several daily movements, then starts the vocals with Amuro walking down a street in a bright rainbow colored dress. Throughout the song, it features many people, specifically American people, doing daily things and featured them in sad-like expressions. When the chorus starts, the video features Amuro and small children marching through a bridge in a small town.

The second verse features many shots off unhappy people struggling with their life. The second chorus features Amuro and the children throughout closed traffic on a high street.[24] It features children with brightly-colored clothes and all off them are holding and playing instruments under the blue sky. When the final chorus is about to start, the public stare towards the sky and it features rainbow-colored clouds and start to become happier and brighter. The final chorus finishes with Amuro and the children dancing throughout rainbow-colored special effects at Pershing Square.[24]

Track listing

  • Digital download[4]
  1. "Contrail" - 4:14

Credits and personnel

  • Namie Amuro - Vocals, background vocals
  • Nao'ymt - Production, composer, arranger, instrumentalist, songwriting.

Charts and certification

Certification

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[23] Platinum 0^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Japan[4] May 29, 2013 Digital download
Australia[25] Avex Music Creative Inc.
New Zealand[26]
United Kingdom[27]
Germany[28]
Ireland[29]
France[30]
Spain[31]
Taiwan[32]
United States[33]
Canada[34]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e TBS Staff (March 13, 2013). "『 空飛ぶ広報室 』 の主題歌が安室奈美恵さんの新曲 「 Contrail 」 に決定！". Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  2. ^ CD Journal Staff (May 20, 2013). "安室奈美恵、話題のドラマ主題歌「Contrail」着うたフルが配信開始！". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  3. ^ Amuro, Namie (2013). Feel (CD album; Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax, Avex Music Creative Inc., Dimension Point. AVCN-99003.
  4. ^ a b c d "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Japan). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  5. ^ CD Journal Staff (December 5, 2012). "安室奈美恵の新曲「Damage」ミュージック・ビデオが配信開始！". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  6. ^ "Namie Amuro – Contrail news" (in Japanese). April 30, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  7. ^ a b CD Journal Staff (July 10, 2013). "Namie Amuro – Feel (album review)". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c The 13th Geek Staff (July 17, 2013). "Namie Amuro – Feel (album review)". The 13th Geek. Retrieved June 4, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ a b St. Michel, Patrick (August 14, 2013). "Namie Amuro – Feel (album review)". The Japan Times. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  10. ^ a b McCarthy, Michael (July 3, 2013). "Namie Amuro – Feel (album review)". Otakudx.com. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  11. ^ Circone, David (July 21, 2013). "Namie Amuro – Feel (album review)". Nekopop.com. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  12. ^ CD Journal Staff (June 4, 2014). "Namie Amuro – Ballada (album review)". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  13. ^ HMV Staff (June 4, 2014). "Namie Amuro – Ballada (album review)". HMV (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  14. ^ Billboard Japan Staff (May 6, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  15. ^ Billboard Japan Staff (June 10, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Billboard Japan Staff (June 17, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  17. ^ Billboard Japan Staff (June 24, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  18. ^ Billboard Japan Staff (July 29, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  19. ^ Billboard Japan Staff (May 6, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  20. ^ a b Billboard Japan Staff (May 20, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  21. ^ Billboard Japan Staff (May 20, 2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  22. ^ a b Billboard Japan Staff (2013). "Billboard Japan Charts – Year End Japan Hot 100 Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  23. ^ a b "レコード協会調べ　1月度有料音楽配信認定" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ a b c http://tozanabo.com/archives/28966653.html
  25. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Australia). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  26. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (New Zealand). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  27. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  28. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Germany). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  29. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Ireland). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  30. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (France). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  31. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Spain). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  32. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Taiwan). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  33. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Australia). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  34. ^ "Contrail – Single – by Namie Amuro". iTunes Store (Australia). May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
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