:Independent (Ai album)

After the release of The Last Ai in 2010, Ai parted ways with Island Records and Universal Sigma, having signed to EMI Music Japan in June 2011.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/50841 | title=AIがEMIミュージック・ジャパンに移籍 |trans-title=Ai moves to EMI Music Japan |publisher=Natalie.mu | language=Japanese | date=June 7, 2011 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} On December 13 and 14, 2011, Ai was one of the lead acts of the Michael Jackson Tribute Live tributes in Japan. She performed Michael Jackson's vocals in the third act, along with the Jacksons.{{cite web | url=http://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/michael-jackson/42069 | script-title=ja:ジャクソンズ来日！＜マイケル・ジャクソン・トリビュート・ライヴ＞に1万人が熱狂！ |trans-title=The Jacksons come to Japan! 10,000 excited people at the Michael Jackson Tribute Live |publisher=CDJournal | language=Japanese | date=December 14, 2011 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} Her first release under EMI, the digital single "Letter in the Sky" featuring The Jacksons, was the theme song for the event.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/57768 | title=AI、移籍第1弾はジャクソンズ共演曲＆伝説ライブ映像化 |trans-title=Ai, first single with new label is a Jacksons collaboration, & legendary live DVD |publisher=Natalie.mu | language=Japanese | date=October 9, 2011 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} Densetsu Night, a concert recording for the tour of her previous album, The Last Ai (2010), was also released under EMI prior to the album.

The album was written by Ai, collaborating with American and Japanese producers. Of the 10 tracks, nine featured lyrics exclusively written by Ai, and eight featured input from Ai on the musical melody.

The album was recorded over a period of seven months in Los Angeles, New York City and Tokyo.{{cite web | url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/T120319003525.htm | title=AI makes lovely progress in latest album |publisher=Yomiuri Shimbun |work=Jin Kiyokawa | language=Japanese | date=March 23, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} The bulk of the album was recorded at Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. "Letter in the Sky" was recorded in Hollywood, and "Happiness," "Beyond Your Dream" and "Beautiful Things" were recorded in Tokyo. Ai felt that moving to a new label was a chance to refresh her music.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/pp/ai | title=Power Push AI |publisher=Natalie.mu |work=Ami Naruta | language=Japanese | date=February 17, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} In the album sessions, Ai felt challenged in many ways. "Dance Together," an electronic song, was something she had never thought of making, as she previously thought she did not enjoy the genre. Ai considered "Beautiful Things" as the most vocally challenging song she had recorded.{{cite web | url=http://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/iwanaga-hiroaki/42604 | title=ケンドーコバヤシ、AIの生歌に唸る! |trans-title=Howling live performance by Kendo Kobayashi, Ai |publisher=CDJournal | language=Japanese | date=January 20, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} She used much more of her falsetto range on the album than in previous works.{{cite web | url=http://musicshelf.jp/blog/vab/ai-201202.html | title=Voice and Beats Interview Ai |publisher=Music Shelf |work=Inomatie (Do the Monkey) | language=Japanese | date=February 17, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} The lyrics of the album were more "heartfelt" than her previous albums, in particular "One Love" and "Happiness." "Happiness" was written with the feelings and mindset Ai had in the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

The album consists of only 10 songs, as she decided it was better to focus on a small number of quality songs. Ai usually felt pressured to record a great number of songs before the album session deadline in the past.

The album was named after its lead track, "Independent Woman."

{{Listen|filename=AI_-_Happiness.ogg|title="Happiness" (2011)|description=The preceding single "Happiness" was Ai's most successful single in five years.|format=Ogg

|filename2=AI - Independent Woman.ogg|title2="Independent Woman" (2012) |description2=The lead track "Independent Woman" was nominated for best R&B video at the MTV Japan music video awards.|format2=Ogg}}

The first digital single from the album, "Letter in the Sky," was released in October 2011. The major promotions of the album centred on the song "Happiness," which was first released in November 2011, and later as a physical single in December 2012. The song was used in a high-profile winter commercial campaign for Coca-Cola.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/59211 | title=AI、コカ・コーラXmasキャンペーンCMに新曲提供 |trans-title=Ai, new song featured in Coca-Cola Xmas Campaign CM |publisher=Natalie.mu | language=Japanese | date=November 7, 2011 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} The song was highly successful, receiving two separate gold certifications from the RIAJ.{{cite web|script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 3月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: March Digital Music Download Certifications |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w120420.html |work=RIAJ |language=Japanese |date=April 20, 2012 |accessdate=August 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104034443/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w120420.html |archivedate=November 4, 2013 }}{{cite web | script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 2月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: February Digital Music Download Certifications | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w120319.html | work=RIAJ |language=Japanese | date=March 19, 2012 | accessdate=August 10, 2012}} This was her most highly certified single since 2007's "I'll Remember You."{{cite web | script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 2月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: February Digital Music Download Certifications | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w090320_3.html | work=RIAJ |language=Japanese | date=March 20, 2009 | accessdate=August 10, 2012}}{{cite web | script-title=ja:ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2007年7月 |trans-title=Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (March 2006) | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200707.html | work=RIAJ |language=Japanese | date=August 10, 2007 | accessdate=August 10, 2012}}

Prior to the album, three digital singles were released. "One Love" and "Beautiful Things" were simultaneously released on February 1, 2012. "Beautiful Things" was used as the ending theme song for the animated film Berserk Golden Age Arc I: The Egg of the High King, based on the manga Berserk.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/58757 | title=AI、劇場版「ベルセルク」エンディングテーマを書き下ろし |trans-title=Ai, wrote the ending theme for the feature length film Berserk |publisher=Natalie.mu | language=Japanese | date=October 28, 2011 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} "One Love" was used in Morinaga's 1 Choco for 1 Smile charity campaign.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/62282 | title=AI、森永チョコ1個で1円寄付キャンペーンを新曲で応援 |trans-title=Ai supporting Morinaga's choco 1 piece 1 yen campaign with new song |publisher=Natalie.mu | language=Japanese | date=January 5, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}}

The leading track, "Independent Woman," was released a week before the album on February 15, 2012. A music video was recorded for the song, which was later nominated for the Best R&B video at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/66421 | title=MTV音楽授賞式「MTV VMAJ」16部門ノミネート作品発表 |trans-title=MTV VMAJ 16 awards' nominations published |publisher=Natalie.mu | language=Japanese | date=March 19, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012}} The song was used as the commercial song for Marisol magazine's March and April 2012 TV campaign.{{cite web | url=http://www.emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | title=アルバムリード楽曲「INDEPENDENT WOMAN」にタイアップ決定！ | trans-title=Album lead track "Independent Woman" received a tie-up! | publisher=EMI Music Japan | language=Japanese | date=February 22, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120202732/http://emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | archive-date=November 20, 2011 | url-status=dead }} "Independent Woman" was featured in the 2012 Wii dance game Just Dance Wii 2, a Japan only game in the Just Dance franchise, as one of the playable tracks.{{cite web | url=http://www.emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | title=Wii(R)ソフト『JUST DANCE Wii 2』でAIの『INDEPENDENT WOMAN』をダンス！ | trans-title=Dance Ai's Independent Woman in Wii Soft Just Dance Wii 2 | publisher=EMI Music Japan | language=Japanese | date=July 17, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120202732/http://emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | archive-date=November 20, 2011 | url-status=dead }}

Ai appeared in a variety of magazines, and on many radio shows to promote her album. These included radio appearances on J-Wave, Nack5 and FM Fuji.{{cite web | url=http://www.emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | title=AI メディア出演情報 | trans-title=Ai media schedule | publisher=EMI Music Japan | language=Japanese | date=February 1, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120202732/http://emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | archive-date=November 20, 2011 | url-status=dead }} She was interviewed in a variety of magazines for the album, including An An, Blenda, Fine, Popteen, Samurai Magazine and Woofin'.{{cite web | url=http://www.emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | title=AI メディア情報更新 | trans-title=Ai media schedule update | publisher=EMI Music Japan | language=Japanese | date=February 18, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120202732/http://emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | archive-date=November 20, 2011 | url-status=dead }} A TV special, Ai Special: Independent, was produced and aired on Music On! TV in February 2012.

Ai supported the album during her Independent tour, held between April and June 2012 across Japan. 23 dates in 23 cities were performed, with the final performed at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan hall on June 22. An additional performance was held in Los Angeles on August 24, 2012, at Club Nokia.{{cite web | url=http://www.emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | title=AI「INDEPENDENT」TOUR LA公演のCMとAIからのメッセージを公開！ | trans-title=Ai Independent Tour LA Showcase commercial and a message from Ai | publisher=EMI Music Japan | language=Japanese | date=July 2, 2012 | accessdate=August 16, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120202732/http://emimusic.jp/artist/ai/ | archive-date=November 20, 2011 | url-status=dead }}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = CD Journal

| rev1Score = (favorable){{cite web |url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/independent/4111120747 |title=AI ／ INDEPENDENT |publisher=CDJournal |language=Japanese |year=2012 |accessdate=August 17, 2012}}

| rev2 = Hot Express

| rev2Score = (favorable){{cite web |url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/review/3434/ |title=Independent Ai |publisher=Hot Express |work=Tetsuo Hiraga |language=Japanese |year=2012 |accessdate=August 17, 2012}}

| rev3 = Listen Japan

| rev3Score = (favorable){{cite web |url=https://listen.jp/store/diskreview_36360.htm |title=新譜レビュー > AI/Independent |trans-title=New Record Review: Ai/Independent |publisher=Listen Japan |language=Japanese |year=2012 |accessdate=August 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219091356/https://listen.jp/store/diskreview_36360.htm |archive-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

| rev4 = Rolling Stone Japan

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rollingstonejapan.com/reviews/archive/independent/ |title=レヴューREVIEW AI『Independent』 |first=Takuro |last=Ueno |publisher=Rolling Stone Japan |language=Japanese |accessdate=August 15, 2012}}

}}

Critical reception for the album was favorable. The reviewer at Listen Japan was overwhelmed by the strong impressions of all of the tracks, including the "heavy bass and trancey synths" on "Dance Together," "Futuristic Lover" that "shines with '80s style synths." The reviewer felt all the different songs felt extremely modern and trendy, and noted the varied vocals between songs. CD Journal considered the album's "borderless strength and depth" impressive. Of the lead single "Happiness/Letter in the Sky," the reviewer enjoyed both songs, but much preferred "Letter in the Sky," feeling that Jackie Jackson's lead vocals were "loaded with soul."{{cite web |url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4111100585 |title=AI ／ ハピネス ／ Letter In The Sky feat.The Jacksons |publisher=CDJournal |language=Japanese |year=2012 |accessdate=August 17, 2012}} Listen Japan's Morio Mori thought "Happiness"' "catchy hook and autotuned voice" could make hearts dance.{{cite web |url=http://listen.jp/store/diskreview_35534.htm |script-title=ja:新譜レビュー > ＡＩ／ハピネス／Ｌｅｔｔｅｒ Ｉｎ Ｔｈｅ Ｓｋｙ ｆｅａｔ．Ｔｈｅ Ｊａｃｋｓｏｎｓ |first=Morio |last=Mori |publisher=Listen Japan |language=Japanese |year=2012 |accessdate=August 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218172603/http://listen.jp/store/diskreview_35534.htm |archive-date=February 18, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Takuro Ueno of Rolling Stone Japan awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, feeling that it was an album that expressed Ai's "pronounced personality" very well. Tetso Hiraga of Hot Express, however, was more impressed by the album's lyrical themes of "the potential of mankind" and unity than the song.

Independent debuted at number two in its first week, selling 21,000 copies.{{cite web |title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 |trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service "You Big Tree" |url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp |accessdate=July 25, 2013 |work=Oricon}} (subscription only) This was the highest position Ai had reached with a studio album since What's Goin' On Ai in 2006. The album charted for 21 weeks in the top 300, eventually tripling its first week to sell 61,000 copies. This was Ai's best selling original album in five years, since Don't Stop Ai in 2007.

{{track listing

| headline = Independent{{nobold| – Standard edition}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 40:18

| title1 = Dance Together

| writer1 = {{hlist|Ai Uemura|Christian Joel Jones}}

| length1 = 3:44

| extra1 = {{hlist|Uemura|TeeFlii}}

| title2 = Independent Woman

| writer2 = {{hlist|Uemura|Elliot Washington}}

| length2 = 3:04

| extra2 = {{hlist|Uemura|Washington}}

| title3 = Happiness

| note3 = {{nihongo2|ハピネス}}

| writer3 = Uemura

| length3 = 4:14

| extra3 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| title4 = Unbalance

| note4 = {{nihongo2|アンバランス}}, Anbaransu

| writer4 = {{hlist|Uemura|Masse|Daniel Thomas|Brandon Lowery}}

| length4 = 3:57

| extra4 = Uemura

| title5 = Futuristic Lover

| writer5 = {{hlist|Uemura|Larrance Dopson}}

| length5 = 3:21

| extra5 = {{hlist|Uemura|1500 or Nothin'}}

| title6 = W/U

| writer6 = {{hlist|Uemura|Dopson}}

| length6 = 3:51

| extra6 = {{hlist|Uemura|1500 or Nothin'}}

| title7 = Beyond Your Dream

| note7 = {{nihongo2|ユメノムコウ}}, Yume no Mukou

| writer7 = {{hlist|Uemura|Otha Davis III}}

| length7 = 4:07

| extra7 = Uemura

| title8 = One Love

| writer8 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| length8 = 4:15

| extra8 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| title9 = Beautiful Things

| note9 = {{nihongo2|ウツクシキモノ}}

| writer9 = {{hlist|Uemura|Ryan Williamson|Sean Fenton}}

| length9 = 4:41

| extra9 = Ry Keyz

| title10 = Letter in the Sky

| note10 = featuring The Jacksons

| writer10 = {{hlist|Uemura|Curtis Jenkins|King David "The Future"}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Uemura|King David "The Future"}}

| length10 = 4:44

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = iTunes bonus track

| title11 = Happiness

| writer11 = Uemura

| note11 = Live at Garden

| length11 = 4:24

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Independent Deluxe Edition{{nobold| – bonus tracks}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title11 = Beautiful Life

| lyrics11 = Ai

| writer11 = Uemura

| length11 = 3:16

| extra11 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| title12 = Happiness (Summer Reggae Remix by Mighty Crown)

| lyrics12 = Ai

| writer12 = Uemura

| length12 = 5:03

| extra12 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| title13 = Happiness (English Version)

| lyrics13 = Ai

| writer13 = {{hlist|Uemura|Latisha Hyman}}

| length13 =

| extra13 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| title14 = Happiness (Smile Version)

| lyrics14 = Ai

| writer14 = Uemura

| extra14 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| length14 =

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Independent Deluxe Edition{{nobold| – bonus live tracks}}

| title1 = Dance Together

| writer1 = {{hlist|Uemura|Jones}}

| title2 = Independent Woman

| writer2 = {{hlist|Uemura|Washington}}

| title3 = Happiness

| writer3 = Uemura

| title4 = Unbalance

| writer4 = {{hlist|Uemura|Masse|Thomas|Lowery}}

| title5 = Futuristic Lover

| writer5 = {{hlist|Uemura|Dopson}}

| title6 = W/U

| writer6 = {{hlist|Uemura|Dopson}}

| title7 = Beyond Your Dream

| writer7 = {{hlist|Uemura|Davis III}}

| title8 = One Love

| writer8 = {{hlist|Uemura|Uta}}

| title9 = Beautiful Things

| writer9 = {{hlist|Uemura|Williamson|Fenton}}

| title10 = Letter in the Sky

| note10 = featuring The Jacksons

| writer10 = {{hlist|Uemura|King David "The Future"}}

| title11 = Beautiful Life

| writer11 = Uemura

| title12 = Tribute Medley

| note12 = Human Nature, I'm Every Woman, Billie Jean, I Have Nothing, I Just Can't Stop Loving You

| writer12 = {{hlist|Steve Porcaro|John Bettis|Ashford & Simpson|Michael Jackson|David Foster|Linda Thompson}}

}}

Personnel details were sourced from Independent's liner notes booklet.{{cite AV media notes |title=Independent |others=Ai |year=2012 |language=Japanese |publisher=EMI Music Japan |location=Tokyo, Japan}}

Performance credits

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Ai Carina Uemura – vocals, background vocals
• Jackie Jackson – vocals (#10)
• Marlon Jackson – vocals (#10)
• Tito Jackson – vocals (#10)

{{col-2}}

• Jesse Josefsson – guitar (#10)
• Dan Manzoor – bass (#10)
• Masse – guitar (#4)

{{col-end}}

Visuals and imagery

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Noriko Goto – stylist
• Itaru Hirama – photographer

{{col-2}}

• Akemi Ono – hair, make-up
• Tycoon Graphics – art direction, design

{{col-end}}

Technical and production

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• 1500 or Nothin – producer (#5-#6)
• Ai Carina Uemura – producer (#1-#8, #10)
• Tom Coyne – mastering
• Claudio Cueni – mixing (#1-#7, #10), recording (#1-#3, #5-#6, No. 8, #10)
• Otis Davis III – track programming (#7)
• D.O.I. – mixing (#3, #8-#9)
• Alexandria Dopson – vocal arrangement (#5)
• James Fauntleroy – vocal arrangement (#6)
• TeeFlii – producer (#1)

{{col-2}}

• Keisuke Fujimaki – vocal recording (#7)
• Hiroyoshi Hanajima – recording (#3)
• Ryosuke Kataokevvocal recording (#9)
• Ry Keyz – production (#9)
• Masse – programming (#4)
• Storm – vocal arrangement (#7)
• Uta – producer (#3, #8)
• Elliot Washington – producer (#2)

{{col-end}}

{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Independent}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Gold|certyear=2013|certmonth=2|title=Independent|artist=Ai|type=album|accessdate=March 16, 2023|note=|relyear=2012}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=false}}

{{reflist}}

{{Ai (singer)}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2012 albums

Category:Ai (singer) albums

Category:EMI Music Japan albums

Category:2010s Japanese-language albums

Category:Albums produced by 1500 or Nothin'

Category:Albums produced by Ai (singer)