Cosmic Explorer
Cosmic Explorer | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 6, 2016 | |||
Recorded | August 2013 – December 2015 | |||
Genre | ||||
Language | Japanese | |||
Label |
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Producer | Yasutaka Nakata | |||
Perfume chronology | ||||
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Singles from Cosmic Explorer | ||||
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Cosmic Explorer (stylized as COSMIC EXPLORER) is the fifth studio album by Japanese girl group Perfume. It was released on April 6, 2016 by Universal Music Japan, Universal J, and Perfume Records. It is Perfume's fifth consecutive album to be fully produced, written, composed, and arranged by Japanese musician and Capsule band member Yasutaka Nakata. Five different formats were released to promote the album: a standalone CD, a double CD and DVD/Blu-ray box set, a digital release and a double disc vinyl, where the first disc is blue and the second disc could be orange, pink or yellow. The vinyls were available for purchase at Perfume: A Gallery Experience Supported by Rhizomatiks in London and NY.
Upon the album's release, it was met with favorable reviews from music critics. They praised the album's composition and sound, and also highlighted several songs from the album. However, some noted that the material and commercial appeal of the songs were repetitive and predictable since their last albums. Five singles and one promotional single were released from the album.
Background and composition
Cosmic Explorer is an electronic dance album, and Perfume's first studio album since
Songs
Following the album's instrumental introduction, "Navigate", the album opens with the title track "Cosmic Explorer"; a stadium EDM anthem designed to invoke the infinite possibilities of space, representing how Perfume perceive their future.
"Tokimeki Lights" is the ninth track, and was the
Release and packaging
Cosmic Explorer was released on April 6, 2016 by
Cosmic Explorer has two different covers, photographed by Hiroshi Manaka. The stand-alone CD and digital cover[11] is a background shot of Perfume's faces, with each member standing and leaning against the image, blocking one of their eyes.[3] Both the deluxe edition covers features reflected images of the members, placed in front of a blue and white backdrop. Several objects, including a telephone, lamp, and shoes are also reflected and mirrored across from each side of the image.[6] The booklet and photo shoot were designed and directed by Yuni Yoshida.
Critical response
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Hello Asia | (8/10)[8] |
Upon its release, Cosmic Explorer received favorable reviews from most music critics. Erin Smith from Hello Asia was very positive in her review, awarding the album eight marks out of 10. Smith observed that Perfume "have spent the past 13-odd years honing their signature sound and performance", and stated that "it’s obvious in the quality and consistency of Cosmic Explorer that their years of experience haven’t gone to waste." She commended the song's mixture of genres, but said that "As a result of Perfume’s often repetitive songwriting style, the pervasive use of common dance tempos and the fact that Perfume’s songs average on the longer end of radio-friendly pop tracks, the record can get a little predictable and monotonous at times." However, she concluded "Cosmic Explorer is another great example of what this powerful trio are capable of."[8]
Rolling Stone placed the album at number 16 on its "Best Pop Albums of 2016" list.[12]
Commercial performance
On the album's first day of sales, Cosmic Explorer debuted at number one on Japan's Oricon Daily Albums Chart, with Oricon charting that it had sold 60,858 units on the first day.[13] The album debuted at number one on Japan's Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, with over 122,732 units sold in its first week of sales.[14] It became the group's fifth consecutive studio album to top that chart, but resulted as their lowest first-week sales to date, in part due to the increasing amount of digital sales in Japan over the past few years.[15] The album debuted the first place on iTunes Electronic Album Charts in 11 countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, New Zealand.[13]
Promotion
Singles
"
"Cling Cling" was released as the album's second single on July 16, 2014.[19] Upon its release, it garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics commended the song's composition, while some criticized its production.[9][8] "Cling Cling" was successful in Japan, peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart. It also reached number two on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart.[20] It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 100,000 units.[21] The accompanying music video for the single was shot by Shimada Daisuke; it features the group in a Chinese market place, dancing to the song.[22]
"
"Star Train" was released as the album's fourth single on October 28, 2015.[30] Upon its release, it garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics commended the song's production, while some felt it was a weaker track from the album.[8] "Star Train" was successful in Japan, peaking at number four on the Oricon Singles Chart. It also reached number two on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart.[31] It was certified gold by RIAJ for shipments of 100,000 units.[32] The accompanying music video for the single was shot by Seki; it features the group watching scenes from their 2015 documentary film, We Are Perfume.[33]
"Flash" was released as the album's fifth single on March 16, 2016.[34] The song performed exceedingly well in Japan, reaching number 2 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart.[35] The accompanying music video for the single was shot by Seki; it features the group performing the song in a grey-beige room.[36] "Flash" has been described as a "party-starter" anthem that was noted by Alex Shenmue of Land of the Rising Sound as the album's most consistent arrangement.[9]
Out of all the four physical singles, "Cling Cling" and "Star Train" were the only ones which received gold certifications from the RIAJ for shipments of over a hundred thousand copies. "Flash" is certified platinum by RIAJ for over 250,000 digital downloads.
Other charted songs
"Hold Your Hand" was released as a
Concert tour
On February 14, 2016, Perfume confirmed their nationwide tour with the same name of the album.[39] The group also confirmed their extension into North America, the group's first concert tour in that region.[39]
Track listing
All tracks are written by
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Flash" | 4:38 |
2. | "Flash" (Original Instrumental) | 4:42 |
3. | "Perfume no Tada Tada Radio ga Suki dakara Radio! 2" | 54:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
15. | "Flash" (bonus track) | 4:38 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Flash" (music video) | 4:38 |
2. | "Hold Your Hand" (lyric video) | 3:36 |
3. | "Cling Cling" (2014-7-14 Perfume "Cling Cling" World @ Harajuku Astro Hall) (live video) | 4:00 |
4. | "2015-12-31 66th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen -Pick Me Up- Behind the Scenes Document" (behind the scenes) | 13:34 |
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Japanese Daily Albums (Oricon)[13] | 1 |
Japanese Weekly Albums (Oricon)[14] | 1 |
South Korean Weekly Albums ( Gaon)[40]
|
36 |
South Korean Weekly International Albums (Gaon)[41] | 5 |
US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums[42] | 16 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Japan (RIAJ)[43] | Gold | 100,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Notes
- ^ Nakata fully produced Perfume's five studio albums and their compilation album Perfume: Complete Best. However, the latter is not considered to be a studio album despite previously released work and new songs.[5]
References
- ^ Taylor, Ronald (May 15, 2016). "Perfume's back with 'Cosmic Explorer,' but I still miss them". The Japan Times. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ Level 3 (Liner notes). Perfume. Japan: Universal Music Japan, Universal J, Perfume Records. 2013. UPCP-9005.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b Cosmic Explorer (Liner notes). Perfume. Japan: Universal Music Japan, Universal J, Perfume Records. 2016. UPCP-9014.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Discogs.com. 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- Tokuma Japan Communications, Contemode, Amuse. 2007. TKCA-73167.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ a b Cosmic Explorer (Liner notes). Perfume. Japan: Deluxe Edition; Universal Music Japan, Universal J, Perfume Records. 2016. UPCP-9013.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Perfume (Japan) talk about their new album 'Cosmic Explorer' and experiences over the last few years – Hello Asia!". Hello Asia!. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Smith, Erin (March 29, 2016). "Perfume – Cosmic Explorer (album review)". Hello Asia. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Shenmue, Alex (April 6, 2016). "Perfume – Cosmic Explorer (album review)". Land of Rising; published through Shenmue's WordPress. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "Perfume – Cosmic Explorer [2CD + DVD edition]". CD Japan. April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ a b "Cosmic Explorer – Album – by Perfume". iTunes Store (New Zealand). April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "20 Best Pop Albums of 2016". Rolling Stone. 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Oricon Daily Albums Chart – Chart Day April 7, 2016". Oricon. April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
- ^ a b "Oricon Daily Albums Chart – Chart Week April 18, 2016". Oricon. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ Perfumeの作品 [Perfume Products]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 5, 2015.
- ^ Sweet Refrain (Liner notes). Perfume. Japan: Universal Music Japan, Universal J, Perfume Records. 2013. UPCP-5005.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). December 4, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ "Perfume – Sweet Refrain (music video)". Perfume; published through YouTube. December 3, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ Cling Cling (Liner notes). Perfume. Japan: Universal Music Japan, Universal J, Perfume Records. 2014. UPCP-5006.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). July 23, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ "ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2014年8月" [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (August 2014)] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
- ^ "Perfume – Cling Cling (music video)". Perfume; published through YouTube. December 3, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ Relax in the City/Pick Me Up (Liner notes). Perfume. Japan: Universal Music Japan, Universal J, Perfume Records. 2015. UPCP-5006.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Arcadey Staff (2015). "Perfume – Pick Me Up (song review)". Arcadey.net. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ Michael McCarthy (April 1, 2015). "Perfume – Pick Me Up (song review)". Otakudx. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). May 6, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
- ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- ^ "Perfume – Relax in the City (music video)". Perfume; published through YouTube. December 3, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "Perfume – Pick Me Up (music video)". Perfume; published through YouTube. December 3, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ Star Train (Liner notes). Perfume. Japan: Universal Music Japan, Universal J, Perfume Records. 2015. UPCP-5008.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). November 4, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ "GOLD DISC 2015年10月度". The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 673. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 14. November 20, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "Perfume – Star Train (music video)". Perfume; published through YouTube. November 10, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "Perfume、『ちはやふる』とのコラボJKT実現に「光栄すぎて鳥肌がとまりません!」" (in Japanese). Barks. March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). April 13, 2016.
- ^ "Perfume – Flash (Short. music video)". Perfume; published through YouTube. March 29, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). May 29, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ "Perfume – Hold Your Hand (music video)". Perfume; published through YouTube. July 20, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ a b "Perfume – New Album and Tour". Perfume; published through YouTube. February 14, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!".
- ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!".
- ^ "EDM Music & Dance Albums Chart". Billboard.
- ^ "Japanese album certifications – Perfume – Cosmic Explorer" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2016年4月 on the drop-down menu
External links
- Cosmic Explorer – Perfume's official website.
- Cosmic Explorer Liner notes – Special Perfume website.
- Cosmic Explorer – Concert tour website.