Wa to Yo explained

Wa to Yo
Type:studio
Artist:Ai
Cover:Ai - Wa to Yo Album.png
Caption:Standard cover
Recorded:2012–2013; 2016–2017
Studio:
  • Studio MSR (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Studio Mech (Tokyo)
  • Prime Sound (Tokyo)
  • Victor Studio (Shibuya, Tokyo)
  • NK Sound Tokyo
  • Universal Music Studios (Tokyo)
  • DaCo-op Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)
Length:64:13
Prev Title:The Feat. Best
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Kansha!!!!! - Thank You for 20 Years New and Best
Next Year:2019

is the eleventh studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on June 7, 2017, through EMI Records and Universal Music Group. Featuring two discs, the Wa disc was recorded in Japanese with traditional Japanese sounds while the Yo disc was recorded in English with R&B and hip hop sounds. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from Kodō, Jinmenusagi, Himekami, Jamaican musician Junior Reid, American singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger, and American singer-songwriter Chris Brown.

Background

After the release of Moriagaro in 2013, Ai was engaged to Hiro, the leader and vocalist of the rock band Kaikigesshoku. The pair had been dating for 10 years, and wed in January 2014.[1] In August 2015, Ai gave birth to her first child.[2]

The album was first teased on Ai's YouTube channel on April 20, 2017.[3]

Development

Wanting to "convey the goodness of Japan" to the rest of the world and "the goodness of the overseas to Japanese people", Ai collaborated with several producers, artists and songwriters from both Japan and the west coast.[4] The album combines traditional Japanese instruments with modern western genres.[5] [6] Majority of the songs on the album were used in commercial tie-ins, such as "Feel It", which was used by Japanese fashion brand Global Work.

In an interview with her label, Ai stated majority of the English songs from the Yo disc were recorded during her Atlantic City session, originally intended for her tenth studio album, Moriagaro.[7]

Release and promotion

The album was released on June 7, 2017. Unlike most physical releases in Japan, no first press editions bundles were included.[8]

In promotion of the album, Ai embarked on the Ai Tour Wa to Yo. A video album was released containing footage from the tour in June 2018.[9]

Singles

Two singles were released from Wa to Yo. The lead single "Justice Will Prevail at Last" was released a month prior to the album's release. The song served as the theme song for the Japanese drama Emergency Interrogation Room. "Justice Will Prevail at Last" failed to enter Japanese charts until the release of Wa to Yo, debuting and peaking at number 74 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. Within the same month of Wa to Yo being released, Ai announced she would be providing a new song featuring Japanese comedian Naomi Wantanabe for the Japanese comedy show Kanna-san!.[10] The song, "Kira Kira", was later serviced to Japanese radio and released digitally shortly after. "Kira Kira" was a commercial success in Japan, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and being nominated for the Grand Prix award at the 59th Japan Record Awards.[11]

Track listing

All tracks written by Ai Uemura except where noted.

Deluxe edition

Notes

Charts

Chart performance for Wa to Yo!Chart (2017)!Peakposition
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[12] 11
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[13] 21
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[14] 19

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[15]

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel
VariousJune 7, 2017Standard
JapanCD[16]
VariousOctober 25, 2017Deluxe[17]
JapanCD[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AI、カイキゲッショクHIROと年内に結婚 . 2020-06-24 . Music Natalie . ja.
  2. Web site: AI、第1子を出産「自分が産んだこと信じられない」 . 2020-06-24 . Music Natalie . ja.
  3. Web site: AIニューアルバムは和洋折衷の2枚組、ライブBD/DVDも同時発売決定 . 2023-05-01 . Music Natalie . ja.
  4. Web site: AI、「最後は必ず正義が勝つ」をMステ披露 新作『和と洋』に表れた"横断する"アーティスト性 . 2020-06-24 . Real Sound . ja.
  5. Web site: AIがパフォーマンスとクリエイティブで表現した"和"と"洋" 最新ツアー映像作品を観て . 2023-05-01 . Real Sound . ja.
  6. Web site: AI、4年ぶりオリジナルアルバムの超豪華内容が明らかに！ . 2023-05-01 . OkMusic.
  7. Web site: AI「和と洋」スペシャルサイト . 2021-07-06 . Universal Music Japan . ja-JP.
  8. Web site: AI、4年振りのオリジナル・アルバム『和と洋』はドラマ「緊急取調室」主題歌も収録 . 2023-05-02 . Tower Records Online.
  9. Web site: AI Tour Wa to Yo AI DVD . 2023-05-02 . CDJapan . en.
  10. Web site: AI×渡辺直美、ドラマ「カンナさーん！」主題歌でデュエット . 2023-05-02 . Music Natalie . ja.
  11. Web site: 「レコ大」乃木坂、大知、欅坂、セカオワらノミネート＆アルバム賞はSuchmos . May 1, 2023 . Music Natalie . ja.
  12. Web site: 和と洋と。DELUXE EDITION AI. 2021-03-14. ORICON NEWS.
  13. Web site: AIのデジタルアルバム売上TOP7作品. 2022-12-04. ORICON NEWS.
  14. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2017/06/14. December 4, 2022. Billboard Japan.
  15. Wa to Yo (CD). Ai. EMI Records/Universal/Def Jam Recordings. 2017. UPCH-20451/2.
  16. Web site: Wa to Yo AI CD Album . 2023-05-01 . CDJapan . en.
  17. Web site: AI、最新アルバム曲で構成したメドレーMV（動画あり） . 2021-07-06 . Music Natalie . ja.
  18. Web site: Wa to Yo to Deluxe Edition AI CD Album . 2023-05-01 . CDJapan . en.

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