''Trouble'' (stylized as TROUBLE) is the seventh

extended play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.

by Japanese singer

Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, model, spokesperson, and entrepreneur. By 2002, Hamasaki had earned the nickname "Empress of J-pop" due to her popularity in Japan and throughout Asia. Due to her success and relevanc ...

. It was released digitally in Japan on August 6, 2018, and was eventually released physically on August 15. The EP features five original tracks, with all the tracks written by Hamasaki herself. Commercially, the album's first week sales in Japan are lower than her previous record, but reached number three on the

Oricon Albums Chart The Oricon Albums Chart is the Japanese music industry standard albums popularity chart issued daily, weekly, monthly and yearly by Oricon. Oricon originally published LP, CT, Cartridge and CD charts prior to the establishment of the Oricon ...

. It is also Hamasaki's first original release not to have any songs featuring music videos. To promote the album, she is set to embark on the ayumi hamasaki LIVE TOUR -TROUBLE- 2018–2019 A. The album also includes the previously mu-mo-exclusive song "

Words A word is a basic element of language that carries an objective or practical meaning, can be used on its own, and is uninterruptible. Despite the fact that language speakers often have an intuitive grasp of what a word is, there is no conse ...

" (2017) and the digital single " We Are the Queens" (2016), which was released in support of the mobile game ''Clash of Queens''.

Release

''Trouble'' was released through streaming services on August 5, 2018, and was eventually released physically on August 15 in four different formats. The first two formats are the CD only versions (Type A and Type B), which include the five tracks. They differ in the order of the tracks with Type B's tracklist being the same as Type A's but reversed. The next formats are the limited edition DVD and Blu-ray bundles. These include the five tracks on one CD as well as a DVD/Blu-ray with type A including "ayumi hamasaki Just the beginning -20- TOUR 2017 2017.7.17 Osaka-Jo Hall" while Type B includes "ayumi hamasaki Just the beginning -20- TOUR 2017 2018.2.20 Okinawa Convention Center". Both sets include original photo cards and signed (print) heart-shaped clear keychains.

Commercial performance

The EP was released digitally on August 6, prior to its physical release. It debuted at number twelve on Oricon Digital Albums Chart selling 856 units. ''Trouble'' debuted at number two on the Daily

, just behind

Perfume Perfume (, ; french: parfum) is a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds (fragrances), fixatives and solvents, usually in liquid form, used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living-spaces an agreeable scent. ...

's sixth studio album ''Future Pop'', selling 18,360 units. The EP then debuted at number three on the Weekly Oricon Albums Chart, selling 24,147 units. It also rose to number six on the Digital Albums Chart, selling an additional 1,476 units.

Track listing

Charts

References

{{Authority control 2018 EPs Ayumi Hamasaki EPs