Free Free
"Free Free" | ||||
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Single by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata | ||||
from the album Dolce | ||||
B-side | "Super Music Maker" | |||
Released | August 22, 2007 | |||
Recorded | June–July 2007; (Avex Studio, Tokyo, Japan) | |||
Genre | House | |||
Length | 5:11 | |||
Label | Avex Trax | |||
Songwriter(s) | Yasutaka Nakata | |||
Producer(s) | Yasutaka Nakata | |||
Ami Suzuki singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Free Free" on YouTube |
"Free Free" (stylized as "FREE FREE") is a song by Japanese recording artist
Musically, "Free Free" is an
Upon its release, "Free Free" received positive reviews from music critics, many whom commended Suzuki's new musical approach that included a mixture of electronic genres. Additionally, it was selected by some publications as one of her best moments in her career. Commercially, the single experienced moderate success on the Oricon Singles Chart, reaching number 32 and was present for four weeks. Despite this, Oricon tallied the sales and revealed it to be one of her highest selling releases after a string of unsuccessful comebacks.
In order to promote the track, an accompanying music video was released in July 2007; it depicted Suzuki in a small four-by-four room lit with
Background and production
In March 2007, Suzuki started her "join" project and released her fifth studio album Connetta, which featured a variety of collaborators and producers.[1] Although it was noted for its experimental adaption of musical genres, Suzuki went on to perform club-oriented remixes and songs at night clubs around Japan.[2] Her staff at Avex Trax, who attended her performances, noticed her engagement with club music and wanted to pair her with a musician that dealt with electronic dance music. Eventually, Avex contacted Japanese producer and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata, in June 2007, to work with Suzuki on her next album, which he accepted.[2][3] Suzuki was aware of Nakata's work prior to their collaboration, but because she felt her "join" project embraced musical styles from different collaborators, she intended to experiment in her sound with Nataka.[4]
The singer and producer met each other during a small session as Nakata wrote down what Suzuki's feelings and ideas were for the track. After this, Nakata went straight to his home studio, Contemode, and started working on material. Eventually, Suzuki met with the producer at the same location, which she described "cozy", but decided to minimise the number of staff attending with her in order to work on the track intimately.[4] Nakata recalled that once working on the material, he questioned whether it was "enough", to which Suzuki and her team gave ideas and would be surprised by the differences after each take.[4]
"Super Music Maker", the singles's
Composition
"Free Free" was written, composed, arranged, produced and recorded by Nakata himself.
Release
"Free Free" was released with "Super Music Maker" on August 22, 2007 through Avex Trax and Avex Entertainment Inc., and served as the lead single to her sixth studio record Dolce (2008). The single was distributed into three physical formats and for digital consumption. The first two physical formats—a normal
The cover art to "Free Free"/"Super Music Maker" was photographed by Takashiro Akihisa, who also directed the accompanying music video for the song, and was revealed on July 18, 2007.
Reception
Upon its release, "Free Free" was well received by music critics, with many believing it to be one of Nakata's greatest musical efforts. An editor at Billboard Japan commended their collaboration, praising their execution on the sound and Suzuki's re-invention.[17] Similarly, an article at Natalie.mu praised the song's "uptempo" tune and its "sparkling" effects.[18] Another article by the same publication went onto appreciate Nakata's collaboration with the singer.[19] Furthermore, in a review with CD Journal, he/she went onto praise Suzuki's vocals and the experimentation of electronic, house and dance music. He labelled it "super cool" and "good".[10]
Kazuji Uemesu from Tower Records ran an article that detailed the release of Supreme Show—Suzuki's seventh album—and labelled the collaboration between the two "brilliant".[20] In the album review, a member from the same magazine highlighted as one of Suzuki's best tracks, and called it an "explosive euphoria" that went onto emphasize the recording artists voice and sound.[21] Japanese online retail store Technique gave the song a positive review, labelling it "catchy" and "dreamy".[22] Kyle at Arama Japan called it "legendary", and believed it to be one of her greatest songs.[11] A review at Gooume JP selected it amongst some of her best releases in her career.[23]
Commercially, "Free Free" experienced minimal success in Japan. It debuted at number 1 on the daily Oricon Singles Chart, one of her highest peaks.[24] After an entire week, it entered the weekly chart—dated September 3, 2007— at number 3 with 56,660 copies sold.[25] This resulted into her first release to achieve over the 5,000 unit and her highest entry since 2006's "Like a Love?", which peaked at 13 and sold over 8,000 units.[26] It fell to number 62 the following week, its final appearance inside the top 100 chart, and sold an additional 1,844 physical sales.[27] Together, it lasted four weeks in the top 200 chart and sold 8,946 within its time, making it her highest selling single since the aforementioned track.[24] According to Oricon's sales data base, they ranked "Free Free"/"Super Music Maker" as Suzuki's 21st best-selling single.[28]
Music video
The accompanying music video to "Free Free" was directed by Japanese movie maker Takashiro Akihisa. Talking to the Japanese magazine Hot Express, she commented that her idea was to convey her thoughts from what she created with the tune, into the visual; she identified that "sexy" and "cute" appeal was her go-to for the visual.[4] Originally, Suzuki crafted plans to shoot the video for "Super Music Maker" instead, and had given the details of her proposed layout for the set to the director and to the executives at Avex Trax. However, Nakata believed that the ideas would have been portrayed better with "Free Free", and advised the singer to change her mind, which she did.[4] As Suzuki walked into the set of the video, she revealed that the entire layout was exactly what she had in mind.[4]
Several props included large screens and
The visual opens with Suzuki's name, and the title "Free Free", superimposed on several LED lights.[30] It follows with the singer standing in the room, but only dim-lit to show her figure in front of the lights. The first verse has the singer laying down on a large platform, covering a screen of LED lights, and sings to the camera. She dances and sings the track in the room—taken with long shot and face-up directions—whilst posing next to a couple of TV screens that features Nakata's face.[30] As the chorus plays, the scene with her in the room is digitally manipulated, showcasing several overlapping techniques to show a blurry-like vision. She returns to lying on the ground during the bridge section, and the final chorus has her dancing in the room.[30]
Several inter-cut scenes have Suzuki dancing in front of a
Promotion
In order to promote the track, Ami Suzuki appeared at several intimate and live shows throughout Japan. She first performed the track at a hosting party at
In 2010, Suzuki performed the song at several concerts such as her anniversary—two dates—and a return to A-nation.
Track listing and formats
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Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of the single's CD and DVD release.[13]
- Recording and management
- Recorded by Yasutaka Nakata at Contemode Studios and Avex Studios between June–July 2007 in Japan.
- Credits
- Ami Suzuki – vocals, background vocals
- Yasutaka Nakata – songwriting, composing, producing, arranging, programming, background vocals
- Takashiro Akihisa – photographer, video director
Charts and sales
Oricon charts
|
Sales
|
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Japan[9][13][14][15] | August 22, 2007 |
|
Avex Trax |
August 29, 2007 | 12" record | Rhythm Republic | |
Australia[44] | September 2009 | Avex Entertainment Inc. | digital download |
New Zealand[45] | |||
United Kingdom[46] | |||
Ireland[47] | |||
Germany[48] | |||
France[49] | |||
Spain[50] | |||
Taiwan[51] |
Notes
References
- ^ Connetta (CD; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Avex Trax. 2007. AVCD-23255.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c d e セクシーな鈴木亜美を一足早くお届け!新曲PVはエロポップ. Sankei Sports (in Japanese). July 14, 2007. Archived from the original on July 16, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
- ^ "Assorted Nakata News". Contemode; published via Livejournal.com. June 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Nakata Yasutaka & Suzuki Ami 'Free Free/Super Music Maker' interview". Hot Express. August 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Beam (CD; Liner notes). Meg. Universal Music Japan. 2007. UPCH-1571.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Game (CD; Liner notes). Perfume. Tokuma Communications. 2008. TKCA-73325.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Sugarless Girl (CD; Liner notes). Capsule. Contemode. 2007. YCCC-10008.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Flash Back (CD; Liner notes). Capsule. Contemode. 2007.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h Free Free/Super Music Maker (CD; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Avex Trax. 2007. AVCD-31236.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c "Suzuki Ami joins Nakata Yasutaka (Capsule) / Free Free / Super Music Maker". CD Journal. August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Featured Artist: Ami Suzuki". Arama Japan. September 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Suzuki Ami joins Nakata Yasutaka (Capsule) / Free Free (lyrics)" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Free Free/Super Music Maker (CD and DVD; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Avex Trax. 2007. AVCD-31235/B.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (Japan). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Free Free/Super Music Maker (12" inch vinyl; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Rhythm Republic. 2007. RR12-88494.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "[鈴木亜美] 最新PHOTOはゴージャス&セクシー" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. July 18, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata — Free Free/Super Music Maker". Billboard (in Japanese). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ 鈴木亜美10周年シングルで中田ヤスタカと再びタッグ (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. May 9, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "[鈴木亜美] ニューシングルでsugiurumnとjoin" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. October 7, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ Uemesu, Kazuji (December 4, 2008). "Ami Suzuki" (in Japanese). Tower Records. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Suzuki Ami joins / Dolce". CD Journal (in Japanese). February 6, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Suzuki Ami joins Yasutaka Nakata (Capsule) / Free Free/Super Music Maker" (in Japanese). Technique.co.jp. August 29, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "The best EDM album released at a bad time: Ami Suzuki's Supreme Show". Gooume JP. January 2, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "Free Free/Super Music Maker – Ami Suzuki" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Oricon Weekly CD Single Rankings" (in Japanese). Oricon. September 3, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Like a Love? – Ami Suzuki" (in Japanese). Oricon. July 26, 2006. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Oricon Weekly CD Single Rankings" (in Japanese). Oricon. September 10, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Ami Suzuki's Single Rankings" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b Join Clips (DVD; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Avex Trax. 2008. AVBD-91513.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c d "Ami Suzuki / Free Free". Avex's official YouTube channel. August 22, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "鈴木亜美のニューアルバム収録曲&本人からのコメント映像も". RBB Today. August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "鈴木亜美 2008/2/6 New joinアルバム『DOLCE』&DVD『join clips』リリース決定!" (in Japanese). Avex Network. February 6, 2008. Archived from the original on April 2, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "[鈴木亜美] オフィシャルサイトがSEXYに変身" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. August 21, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "a-nation'08 開催決定" (in Japanese). Barks.co.jp. April 23, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "27th maxi single "Free Free/Super Music Maker"". Amiabba. August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ Supreme Show (CD and DVD; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Avex Trax. 2008. AVC1-23710.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Ami Suzuki Live Report: Anniversary Tour". Hot Express (in Japanese). April 21, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "a-nation pictures and setlists + return of globe?". Arama Japan. August 23, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ami Suzuki Live Report: Anniversary Tour". Hot Express (in Japanese). March 26, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ami Suzuki Live Report: 10's A-Nation". Hot Express (in Japanese). October 19, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Snow Ring (CD and DVD; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Avex Trax. 2011. AVCD-38649/B.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Kyle (2015). "Ami Suzuki releases special app for 15th anniversary". Arama Japan. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ Dolce (Vinyl; Liner notes). Suzuki, Ami. Avex Trax. 2007. RR12-88515.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (Australia). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (New Zealand). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (Ireland). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (Germany). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (France). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (Spain). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ "Free Free/Super Music Maker – by Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata at Apple Store". iTunes Store (Taiwan). August 22, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
External links
- "Free Free"/"Super Music Maker" at Suzuki's official website. (in Japanese)x