''Viva Ai'' (stylized as ViVa A.I.) is the seventh studio album by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Ai, released March 4, 2009, by
Island Records
Island Records is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in Jamaica by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in 1959, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, another ...
and
Universal Sigma
Universal is the adjective for universe.
Universal may also refer to:
Companies
* NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company that is a subsidiary of Comcast
** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of N ...
. It featured three singles, the 2008 theme song for the film '' Departures'', " Okuribito," a collaboration single with
Exile
Exile or banishment is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons ...
Six months after Ai released her sixth album, '' Don't Stop Ai'', she released a re-cut single from that album, a ballad called " Taisetsu na Mono." Both of the B-sides from the single, "Feel for You" and "Touch the Sky" appear on ''Viva Ai''. At the same time, she released a single with
Anna Tsuchiya
is a Japanese singer, actress and semi-retired model. Since 2005, she is primarily known as a singer.Oricon p ...
called "Crazy World," which was the first time Ai was a billed artist on a single since
Suite Chic
Suite Chic was a collaborative project between some of Japan's top and up-and-coming R&B and hip hop artists, writers, and producers, which debuted on December 18, 2002.
Suite Chic served as a vehicle for pop singer Namie Amuro, who at the time w ...
's "Uh Uh......" and Michico's "Gold Digga" in 2003.
In July 2008, Ai was featured on an R&B mid-tempo song called "So Special," by Exile member Atsushi, released on Exile's compilation album ''Exile Entertainment Best''. The song was later re-arranged into an Ai version, and was released as one of the A-sides of her September 2009 single. The other A-side, " Okuribito," is the eponymous theme song for the
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...
winning
Yōjirō Takita
Yōjirō Takita (滝田 洋二郎 ''Takita Yōjirō'', born December 4, 1955) is a Japanese filmmaker. Takita received an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for his 2008 drama '' Departures''. It marked the first time a Japanese film won the aw ...
film '' Departures''.
After a gap of five months, Ai released " You Are My Star," an upbeat R&B track a month before the album.
Writing and production
The album has a wide number of genres on it, including R&B, pop, rock, neoclassical and 1970s style R&B. Ai saw the album as a challenge, as she wanted to do as many new things as she could. Ai worked with Japanese producer Uta for the first time, who produced much of the album: "Kimi to Ita Basho," "Like a Bird," "So Special," "You Are My Star," and co-produced "People in the World" with DJ Watarai. Ai had not worked with DJ Watarai since 2006's " I Wanna Know." He also produced the song "Rose."
The album is the second to feature Scandinavian producers. "
I'll Remember You
"I'll Remember You" is a song written by Kui Lee in 1964. After he returned to Hawaii from the mainland United States in 1961, Lee worked at the night club Honey's as a doorman. Lee taught himself to sing, and he started to compose songs. He conv ...
Jonas Jeberg
Jonas Jeberg (born January 28, 1975), is a Danish songwriter and music producer residing in Los Angeles. He has written and produced hit songs including Panic! at the Disco's "High Hopes (Panic! at the Disco song), High Hopes", Selena Gomez's "Fe ...
returns on the song "Fire!" new collaborators include Mats Valentin on "Day Vacation" and dance musicians Kocky (David Åström) and Trash (Patrik Jan Berggren) produced "My Angel," as well as the two remixes. Ai travelled to Sweden and
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
for the first time, to meet with three production teams, producers and to record the songs.
Three previous collaborators were reunited with Ai for individual songs. "Nobody Like You" featured Icedown ("Mirai" (2006), "Queen" (2005)), "Feel for You" was produced by Bach Logic ("Get Up" (2007)) and "Touch the Sky" by The Company ("Butterfly." "Taisetsu na Mono" and "The Answer" from '' Don't Stop Ai'' (2007)). Two songs featured new collaborators, Kei Kumasa for "Scream," and classical pianist
Joe Hisaishi
, known professionally as , is a Japanese composer, musical director, conductor and pianist, known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to 1981. Hisaishi's music has been known to explore and incorporate different genres, inclu ...
for " Okuribito." The song "Okuribito" was already produced for the film, and the single version features Ai's vocals (with self-penned lyrics) layered on top of the instrumental theme. The song with Ai does not actually feature in the film, but as used in promotion for the film.
Ai collaborated with three Japanese musicians and one overseas musician on the album, "So Special" with Exile Atsushi, "Scream" featuring vocalist Jesse from
Rize
Rize (; ; ; ka, რიზე}; ) is a coastal city in the eastern part of the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It is the seat of Rize Province and Rize District.Corn Head. Ai had been friends with Atsushi since 2006, and had wanted to collaborate for some time. The idea was brought up by Atsushi, and the pair wrote and recorded the song with Uta in three weeks. The Ai version features a slightly different song structure, melody and lyrics. Trackmaker Uta made the Ai Version with a little more beat, to be more "dancable" than the Exile version.
One of the remixes was of the James Morrison song " Broken Strings," which featured Ai instead of
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado ( , ; born December 2, 1978) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 45 million records, including 35 million in album sales worldwide, making her one of the most successful Canadian artists. Critics have noted ...
on the Japanese version of his album, ''
Songs for You, Truths for Me
''Songs for You, Truths for Me'' is the second album by English singer, songwriter and guitarist James Morrison, released on 26 September 2008. The album was a commercial success in the UK where it entered the album charts at number three and in ...
''. His album was released in Japan on the same day as ''Viva Ai''.
Recording was primarily done at Music Safety Research in
Yoyogi
is a neighbourhood in the northern part of Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Geography
The area encompassed by Yoyogi is typically defined two ways:
* Only the five Yoyogi .
* The former , corresponding roughly to the area south of Japan National Route ...
, Tokyo, where almost all of Ai's vocals were recorded. Additional recording was performed at Prime Sound Studio Form and Studio Blan. Recording with Jesse from
Rize
Rize (; ; ; ka, რიზე}; ) is a coastal city in the eastern part of the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It is the seat of Rize Province and Rize District.Exile
Exile or banishment is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons ...
's Atsushi Sato was at Avex Studio, and the initial recording of the theme from '' Departures'' was recorded at Victor Studios. Recording in Europe was at Jeberg & Cut Studio in
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
, and Storm Studios in
Oslo
Oslo ( or ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,064,235 in 2022 ...
.
"People in the World" was made especially for the film ''Lalapio'', and the director requested "a little bit funky 1970s disco soul" song. "Feel for You" was inspired by the film ''
Cloverfield
''Cloverfield'' is a 2008 American Found footage (film technique), found footage monster movie, monster horror film directed by Matt Reeves and written by Drew Goddard. It stars Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller (in his film debut), Mic ...
'', and what Ai would say if it were her last day on earth. "Rose" is a song inspired by what Ai saw on the news in 2008, similar to " I Wanna Know" in 2006.
The album title was suggested by Singaporean photographer
Leslie Kee
Leslie Kee (born 5 April 1971) is a Singaporean photographer based in Japan.
Early life
Leslie Kee was born on 5 April 1971, in Singapore. His biological parents were never legally married; His father is a Japanese business man, who visited Sin ...
, while they were shooting the album covers together.
Promotion and concerts
The album featured a wide variety of tie-ups. The two wider scale ones were "Okuribito" being used as the vocal theme for the film '' Departures'', and "You Are My Star" in a TV commercial for
Menard
Menard may refer to:
Places
Canada
*Menard River, a tributary of the Wawagosic River in Quebec, Canada
United States
* Menard County, Illinois
** Menard, Illinois
* Menard County, Texas
** Menard, Texas
* Menard–Hodges site, archaeological si ...
'facial salon' cosmetics. Two songs were used as temporary theme songs for music shows, "So Special" was used as the
Music Fighter
Music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all human societies. Definitions of musi ...
power play song, and "You Are My Star" used as the theme of Mainichi TV's '' Weekly Music Magazine Hz''. "People in the World" received two tie-ups. One as the film ''Lalapios theme song, and the other as the fashion event
Kobe Collection
The is a fashion event that has been held in Kobe, Japan and other cities during spring and autumn every year since 2002; over 30 brands have participated. It is characteristically a public relations event for consumers, and a chance for young d ...
's 2009 Spring/Summer event theme song.
Ai first performed "Okuribito" on ''Music Fair'', on September 6, 2008. She performed "So Special" with Atsushi on ''Music Station'' on September 12. On January 16, 2009, she performed "You Are My Star" at ''Music Station'', and again at ''Music Japan'' on February 5. Ai sung "People in the World" at a surprise appearance at an event for ''Lalapio'' on January 28, at ''Club Heights'' in Kabukicho, Tokyo. Ai performed at
Marui
is a Japanese multinational retail company which operates a chain of department stores in Tokyo as well in other major Japanese cities. They are best known for their women's fashion and accessories, which are aimed at the 25–35 age range.
...
City mall in
Shibuya
is a Special wards of Tokyo, special ward in Tokyo, Japan. A major commercial center, Shibuya houses one of the busiest railway stations in the world, Shibuya Station.
As of January 1, 2024, Shibuya Ward has an estimated population of 230,60 ...
to 500 people on March 5, 2009. She performed "You Are My Star," and "Scream" with Jesse.
Ai's tour for the album, ''Viva Ai Japan Tour'', was her largest tour yet, performing at 40 dates across Japan beginning in April, and ending in July.
Critical reception
Reviewers were generally very positive about the album. ''CDJournal'' gave a special recommendation star for the album, believing Ai was "maturing as a singer," and that her works were increasingly solid. They praised the "seductive rap" in "My Angel," he "beautiful melodies and silky vocals" of "So Special." ''Listen Japan'' reviewer Morio Mori felt it was a "colourful album" that was very "positive and challenging," and that the album should once again be another of AI's masterpieces. He felt that "Okuribito" was "an ideal ballad."
Adam Greenberg of
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5, feeling that "some enre experimentssucceed and some fail a bit, but ikeeps the interest level fairly high." Greenberg enjoyed the second half of the album more, and fel that "So Special" was a highlight of the album, but felt vocals on "People in the World" and "Fire" were "overly stereotypical powerful-vocal R&B."
In 2009, the music video for "Okuribito" was nominated for the
2009 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2009 was broadcast the 8th annual awards show on Saturday, May 30, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Saitama. Gekidan Hitori was the host of the ceremony.
Awards
Winners are in bold text.
Video of the Year
...
award for Best Video from a Film, but lost to
Remioromen
is a Japanese rock band, formed by Ryōta Fujimaki, Keisuke Maeda and Osamu Jingūji in 2000.
History
Remioromen was formed in December 2000 with their current three person line up. They say that the name of the band has no real significance as ...
's "Yume no Tsubomi."
Chart performance
The album debuted at number 10 in Japan with 18,000 copies sold, her lowest first week since 2003's ''
Original Ai
''Original Ai'' (stylized in all upper cased lettering) is the second studio album by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on July 23, 2003, by Def Jam Japan. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from D ...
''. The album did not have sustained longevity, quickly dropping out of the top 10, and charting for a total of 10 weeks. It sold a total of 37,000 copies, and as of 2012, the album is Ai's second worst performing original album. The album was her first since ''
Original Ai
''Original Ai'' (stylized in all upper cased lettering) is the second studio album by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on July 23, 2003, by Def Jam Japan. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from D ...
'' in 2003 to not receive a certification from the
RIAJ
The is an industry trade group composed of Japanese corporations involved in the music industry. It was founded in 1942 as the Japan Phonogram Record Cultural Association, and adopted its current name in 1969.
The RIAJ's activities include prom ...
.
In
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
, the album debuted at number 16 on the Japanese/Korean sub-chart, but did not chart in the top 20 for the main combination chart. The album stayed one week in the top 20.
background vocals
A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are u ...
Joe Hisaishi
, known professionally as , is a Japanese composer, musical director, conductor and pianist, known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to 1981. Hisaishi's music has been known to explore and incorporate different genres, inclu ...