"Evolution" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki | ||||
from the album I Am... | ||||
Released | January 31, 2001 | |||
Recorded | 2000 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 1:02:02 | |||
Label | Avex Trax | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Max Matsuura | |||
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Official Music Video | ||||
"Evolution" on YouTube |
"Evolution" is the 20th single by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on January 31, 2001, by Avex Trax as the second single from her fourth studio album I Am... (2002).
"Evolution" is a pop rock and alternative rock song with a ballad-esque intro. The song was fully written and composed by Hamasaki herself, under her penned alias Crea. Lyrically, the song talks about happy and sad moments in life. Upon the song's release, "Evolution" received favorable reviews from most music critics who commended the song's musical production and lyrical content, while Hamasaki's vocal delivery received criticism.
Commercially, the song was a commercial success. The song peaked at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, making it her eighth number one single. After selling over 950,000 units in Japan, the song was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of one million units. The song has sold over one million units worldwide. An accompanying music video was shot by Wataru Takeishi for the single version, which featured Hamasaki inside a televised studio, singing and dancing in front of a live band. In addition, after the release of this work, "Evolution" became Hamasaki's must-sing song in concerts.
In late 2000, Hamasaki listened to ten or so demos for her new song "M", but none of them really stood out to her. [1] To speed up the development process, she decided to compose her own song for the first time under the pseudonym Crea. [1] She wrote the song using her Mac computer's composing software Studio Vision. [1] The single received favorable reception from most music critics and achieved huge success in Japan; the song peaked at number one and sold over one million units in Japan according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). [A] [2] [3]
To follow up on the success off "M", "Evolution" was selected as the follow-up single just one month later, which she also took charge in composing herself. Hamasaki said that she chose an aggressive sound for the song due to people labelling her as a "robot" or "doll" before. [1]
"Evolution" was written by Hamasaki herself, like the rest off the I Am... album, and produced by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. [4] "Evolution" was one out of twelve songs on the parent album to have been composed by her, which was first asserted on "M" after her staff failed to compose a musical composition that she had felt conformable with or suited her songs. [5] The song's arrangement was handled by HΛL, who contributed to arranging the songs "M" and "Unite!" on the parent album. [4] Musically, the song is a pop rock and alternative rock song with a ballad-esque intro, which was heavily compared towards another album track "Unite!". [6] The song's "ballad-inspired intro" was noted as "deceiving" and features Hamasaki "singing way too fast in her choruses." [6]
For the cover artwork, the sleeve was shot by Shinichi Hara, art design was handled by Shigeru Kasai and was officially directed by Yasuyuki Tomita. [7] The cover artwork features Hamasaki holding a microphone and features the text of the single name inprinted with the American flag inside it. [7] The CD single of "Evolution" was released on January 31, 2001, by Avex Trax and was eventually released digitally worldwide. [7] In addition towards the physical release, the single was served on a vinyl release by Rhythm Republic records in Japan, a bonus DVD release and also released a limited edition VHS tape. [8] [9] [10]
"Evolution" received favorable reviews from most music critics. Jeff from Random.Access.Reviews had compared both "Evolution" and "Unite!" for sharing similar music structures. He commented "["UNITE!"] brings more J-rock to the forefront, as does ["Evolution"], eventually sounding just like each other [...]" Jeff commented that while the choruses were too fast and powerful, he did conclude "evolution" is a bit more catchy and poppy though, so I'll recommend that one." [6] Greenberg, who had written the extended biography of Hamasaki on the same website, had listed "Evolution" as one of her career standouts. [11] Hamasaki had hosted an online voting poll for fans to choose their favorite tracks to be featured on her Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour ~Best Live Tour~. As a result, all three songs from H were featured on the list. [12]
Commercially, the song was a success. "Evolution" debuted at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, which became Hamasaki's eighth number one in Japan since her 1999 single "Love (Destiny)", which became her first number one. [13] Initial sales for "Evolution" exceeded 500,000 copies, just like the previous work, with 503,020 copies sold. [14] During the same charting week, Hamasaki's single "M" was at number eight. [15] During the single's second charting week, it fell to number three with 180,630 copies sold, being stalled by KinKi Kids' single "Boku no Senaka ni wa Hane ga Aru" and Mai Kuraki's single "Tsumetai Umi/Start in My Life" at number one and two respectively, and had stalled at number three for two consecutive weeks. [16] [17] The song "Evolution" stayed inside the top forty for eleven weeks, and fell to number forty-five in its twelfth week. [18] The song had left the top fifty and the single's last charting position was at number 100 on its seventeenth week. [19] Two other of Hamasaki's singles featured on that last week, which were "Unite!" and "Endless Sorrow".
"Evolution" sold over 950,000 units in Japan and was certified Million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of one million units within the country. [20] [B] The song was also certified gold by the RIAJ for more than 100,000 legal downloads in July 2014, which equivalently tallies the sales to over one million sales in Japan, as of July 2014. [21] "Evolution" became Hamasaki's best-selling single in 2001 onwards until it was surpassed by her 2002 EP "H", which also charted at number one and was the only Japanese single in 2002 to sell over one million units. [22] As of today, "Evolution" is Hamasaki's sixth best selling single in her musical career just behind "H" at five, "Boys & Girls" at four, "M" at three, "Seasons" at two and "A" at one. [23]
In the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers' (JASRAC) ranking of domestic works for royalties, the single "Evolution" ranked ninth in 2001. [24] In 2014, "Evolution" had charted on the Japan Billboard Adult Alternative chart at number 70, thirteen years later after the single's release. [25] [26]
The music video for "Evolution" was directed by Wataru Takeishi. [27]
The video starts with Hamasaki being driven to the video shoot for "Evolution". Upon arrival, she is helped out of the limousine by her bodyguard. Throughout the video, both filming and music production equipment can be seen. At various points, Hamasaki can be seen dancing while singing into a wireless microphone; there are also points in the video where she is seen performing as a hologram in front of a band, and places in the video where she is seen being directed by the on-set director and given touch-ups throughout filming. There are also parts in the video showing various staff members, such as film crew. [28] For the shoot, Hamasaki cut her long hair into a short pixie cut and wore a fox tail on her outfit, which became a hot topic. [29]
"Evolution" was used in a TV commercial for a line of Kosé Visee mascara, which featured Hamasaki herself. [30] In 2012, it was used as the theme song for the Japanese film Helter Skelter that starred Erika Sawajiri. [31]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Japan (RIAJ) [35] Physical single | 2× Platinum | 955,250 [36] |
Japan (RIAJ) [37] Digital single | Gold | 100,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
A Song for ×× is the debut studio album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki, released on New Year's Day 1999 by Avex Trax. It was entirely written by Hamasaki herself, while the production was handled by Japanese musician Max Matsuura. Primarily a pop rock album, it features musical composition and arrangements by Yasuhiko Hoshino, Mitsuru Igarashi of Every Little Thing fame, and others. The concept of A Song for ××, along with its lyrical content, revolve around the flow of Hamasaki's own time from childhood to the present to the future.
Loveppears is the second studio album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on November 10, 1999 by Avex Trax, ten months after her debut album, A Song for xx (1999). It was additionally distributed in a variety of formats and on different dates throughout Asia. Loveppears was written entirely by Hamasaki, produced by Max Matsuura, and includes collaborations with composers such as Hal, Dai Nagao, D.A.I, Yasuhiko Hoshino, and Kazuhito Kikuchi, among others. Musically, it is a departure from her previous record and incorporates more electronic and dance sounds with elements of trance, house, J-pop, and rock. Lyrically, it explores themes of love, frustration with life, loneliness, and individualism.
Duty is the third studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on September 27, 2000, by Avex Trax. Duty is Hamasaki's first studio album inside the 2000s decade, and her third consecutive studio album to be fully produced by Japanese musician and businessman Max Matsuura. The album's composing and arrangement was handled by several music collaborators, such as Ken Harada, Kazuhito Kikuchi, Dai Nagao, HΛL, among many others. Hamasaki contributed to the album as the primary and background vocalist, and songwriter to every song. Three different formats were released to promote the album: a standalone CD, a limited edition Playbutton, and a digital download. The cover art portray Hamasaki wearing a leopard-print catsuit.
Rainbow is the fifth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on 18 December 2002 by Avex Trax. Production of Rainbow had commenced after the release of Hamasaki's fourth studio album I Am... that January; All lyrics were written by Hamasaki, and Japanese producer Max Matsuura returned to produce the album. The album was Hamasaki's first to feature conversational English lyrics, where in her previous works she had only used single words.
"Carols" is the thirty-fourth single released by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on September 29, 2004, by Avex Trax. It was released on the same day as her ARENA TOUR 2003~2004 A DVD. "Carols" was used as the Panasonic Digital Camera "LUMIX FX7" CM song. It was the last single to be released from her sixth studio album, My Story (2004).
Inspire is the thirty-third single released by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on July 28, 2004, by Avex Trax. "Inspire" was used as the image song for a Fuji TV special about the Guggenheim Museum in New York as well as a tie-in for Avex auditions 2004. The B-side "Game" was used as the Panasonic 700MD CM song. This was her first release in about 4 months since her previous single, "Moments." It was released in two formats; "CD only" and "CD+DVD". The single was her last to be released in CCCD format. Both songs were featured on the album My Story, which came out in December that same year.
"Moments" is the thirty-second single released by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki and was her first to be offered in both CD and CD+DVD versions. It was released on March 31, 2004, by Avex Trax. "Moments" was the first single in 2004 released by Hamasaki and was the lead single to her sixth studio album My Story (2004). "Moments" was used as the KOSÉ "VISÉE" CM song. This work marked her sixth appearance in the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen held later the same year.
(Miss)understood is the seventh studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on New Year's Day 2006, by Avex Trax. Hamasaki acted as the album's sole lyricist, as she had on all of her preceding albums. (Miss)understood marked new musical directions for Hamasaki: she explored new influences such as funk and used gospel choruses in some of the songs, foreign to her previous works. This was the result of her having heard compositions by Geo from the German-based pop music project Sweetbox and asking him for his works. Subsequently, Hamasaki rewrote the lyrics entirely to fit (Miss)understood. Lyrically, the album was a departure from her previous work, My Story, which had been primarily autobiographical.
"Vogue" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on April 26, 2000 as the lead single from the album. Her third consecutive lead single to be produced by Matsuura, the song is part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Far Away" and "Seasons".
"Far Away" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on May 17, 2000, as the second single from the album. The song is part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Vogue" and "Seasons".
"Seasons" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Avex Trax chairman Max Matsuura. It premiered on June 7, 2000, as the third single from the album. The song is the final part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles from the trilogy being "Vogue" and "Far Away".
"Audience" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her third studio album Duty (2000). It was released as the album's fifth and final single on 1 November 2000 by Avex Trax. Hamasaki wrote the track and Max Matsuura Lewis produced it. Dai Nagao and HΛL composed both the single and album version. The single artwork was shot by Japanese photographer Toru Kumazawa and features duplicate clones of Hamasaki, resembling an audience. Musically, "Audience" is a dance–pop and disco song.
"M" is the nineteenth single by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. "M" serves as the lead single to her first greatest hits album A Best (2001) and her fourth studio album I Am... (2002). The track marked Hamasaki's increased creative control over her music, as it was the first song she composed, under the pen name "Crea". The lyrics of "M" are about Hamasaki talking to Maria, or also possibly to Mary Magdalene, hence the title "M".
H is an EP by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, featuring songs later included on her fifth studio album Rainbow (2002). The EP contains the songs "Independent", "July 1st" and "Hanabi", all written and co-composed by Hamasaki, alongside composer Dai Nagao and producer Max Matsuura. Hamasaki had written and recorded the three songs when she was still hurt and influenced by the events of the September 11 attacks and the completion of her fourth studio album I Am... (2002).
A Best 2 is a two-part greatest hits album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Both albums, titled Black and White, were released on 28 February 2007 on various formats by Avex Trax. Produced by Max Matsuura, they follow Hamasaki's compilation album A Best, which was released in March 2001. A Best 2 are concept albums, with Black focusing on darker and more serious tones and White on lighter and more upbeat themes. The albums contain 31 songs, including an unreleased track titled "Part of Me" on the Black edition, that were released between the periods of her albums I Am... (2002) and (Miss)understood (2006).
A Complete: All Singles is a greatest hits album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax released it on September 10, 2008 in a variety of formats, and was created to commemorate the singer's tenth anniversary since the release of her 1998 single "Poker Face". The album is divided into three sections, each highlighting a single released by Hamasaki from her debut in 1998 to her most recent single, "Talkin' 2 Myself" in 2007. Additionally, the compilation includes two new songs: the stand-alone single "Mirrorcle World" and a re-recorded version of "Who...".
"Rule"/"Sparkle" is a double A-side single by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her tenth studio album, Next Level (2009). The song was released on a CD and DVD format on February 25, 2009 as the second single from the album. With "Rule" composed by Miki Wantanabe and "Sparkle" composed by Kazuhiro Hara, both songs were written by Hamasaki and produced by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. "Rule" was used as the international theme song for the 2009 film Dragonball Evolution.
Next Level is the tenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released through Avex Trax on March 25, 2009 in five physical formats, and for digital consumption. The album was solely produced by Avex Trax owner Max Matsuura, whereas the album's content was written by Hamasaki herself. Additionally, it marks a return for several composers that helped construct her previous records, including Dai Nagao, CMJK, Kazuhiro Hara, HΛL, amongst others. Stylistically, Next Level is a departure from her previous albums, focusing on electronic music with elements of rock and dance.
Rock 'n' Roll Circus is the eleventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on April 14, 2010, by Avex Trax. It was also released just a little over a year after her 2009 album, Next Level. Rock 'n' Roll Circus marks Hamasaki's eleventh consecutive album to be fully produced by Japanese producer and manager Max Matsuura, while she contributes to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and songwriter to all songs. Recorded in Japanese with minor phrases in English, Rock 'n' Roll Circus is a rock album with numerous musical elements such as electropop, J-pop, rock, pop ballad, and dance music.
Again is the fourth extended play by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her fourteenth studio album Love Again (2013). The EP contains the songs "Wake Me Up", "Sweet Scar", "Snowy Kiss" and "Ivy", alongside remixes and instrumental versions of the original tracks. Produced by longtime collaborator Max Matsuura, Again is a pop EP.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite magazine}}
: Missing or empty |title=
(help){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)