:Mint (Namie Amuro song)

After the release of Amuro's twelfth studio album Genic (2015), she started to release non-album maxi singles. The first entry was "Red Carpet", which was performed through her Asian-wide concert tour name Livegenic 2015–2016.{{cite news |author=Jpopasia.com Staff|url=http://www.jpopasia.com/news/namie-amuro-announces-new-single-red-carpet::18558.html|title=Namie Amuro Announces New Single "Red Carpet"|work=Jpopasia.com|date=November 3, 2015|access-date=April 24, 2016}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Red Carpet|others=Namie Amuro|first=Namie|last=Amuro|year=2015|type=CD single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Dimension Point|id=AVCN-99028|location=Japan}} Despite its performance, it did not appear on the live release Livegenic 2015-2016.{{cite AV media notes |title=Namie Amuro Livegenic 2015–2016|others=Namie Amuro|first=Namie|last=Amuro|year=2015|type=DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Dimension Point|id=AVBN-99029|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Namie Amuro Livegenic 2015–2016|others=Namie Amuro|first=Namie|last=Amuro|year=2015|type=Blu-Ray; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Dimension Point|id=AVXN-99030|location=Japan}} Then on March 31, music publication Jame World confirmed the release of a new single on May 18, which was revealed to be "Mint".{{cite news |author=Mizuki|url=http://www.jame-world.com/us/news-120613-new-single-from-namie-amuro.html|title=New Single from Namie Amuro|work=Jame World|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016}} It was confirmed on Amuro's website that "Mint" would be used as the official theme song to the Fuji TV Japanese television drama series Bokuno Yabai Tsuma.{{cite news |author=Amuro, Namie|url=http://namieamuro.jp/discography/single42.html|title=Mint|work=Namie Amuro's official website|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016|language=Japanese}} The production team for the television series approached Amuro's record label, Dimension Point, to participate in recording a song for the show, which she approved. Regarding the song, Amuro commented; "I'm thankful to have received the offer to provide the theme song. It's a fast-paced, thrilling track told from a women's perspective. I'll be happy if this song captured the essence of the drama."{{cite news |author=Tokyohive Staff|url=http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2016/03/amuro-namies-new-single-is-the-theme-song-for-ito-hideakis-starring-drama|title=Namie Amuro's new single is the theme song for Ito Hideaki's starring drama|work=Tokyohive.com|date=March 29, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016}}

"Mint" was written by Andreas Öberg, Emyli, Maria Marcus, and Tiger, while production was handled by Oberg and Marcus; it was also composed by Oberg, Emyli, and Marcus. According to Amuro, she described the composition and production of the song as "thrilling". Musically, it is a dance song that incorporates musical elements of contemporary R&B, EDM, and rock music.{{cite news |author=Nolfi, Joey|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/24/7-under-radar-songs|title=7 under-the-radar songs to hear now|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 24, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016}} Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Joey Nolfi described "Mint" as a "a wonderfully whacky mix of electric, surf-rocking guitars, R&B chants, and a pulsating EDM breakdown,". A staff member at Tokyo Girls Update analysised the composition, and noted the use of "hard-hitting beats and some slithery guitar lines".{{cite news |author=Tokyo Girls Update Staff|url=http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/namie-amuro-mint-20160589448.html|title=Immortal Pop Diva Namie Amuro Leads a Dance Army in the MV for "Mint"!|work=Tokyo Girls Update|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016}} A staff member from Japanese magazine CD Journal noted the musical element of grime in its composition.{{cite news |author=CD Journal Staff|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/mint/4116031978|title=Namie Amuro / Mint [CD + DVD]|work=CD Journal|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}} The lyrical content for both "Mint" and "Chit Chat" includes English and Japanese language.

Four weeks before its initial release on May 18, "Mint" had leaked fully online.{{cite news |author=Arama Japan Staff|url=http://aramajapan.com/news/music/newrelease/a-rip-of-namie-amuros-new-single-mint-surfaces/57640/|title=A Rip of Namie Amuro's new single "Mint" surfaces online|work=Arama Japan|date=April 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016}} The single was released in Japan and Taiwan as a CD single, DVD single, and as a digital EP by Avex Trax and Amuro's own label Dimension Point. All three editions included the normal versions and instrumentals of "Mint" and the B-side track "Chit Chat".{{cite AV media notes |title=Mint|others=Namie Amuro|first=Namie|last=Amuro|year=2016|type=CD single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Dimension Point|id=AVCN-99034|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Mint|others=Namie Amuro|first=Namie|last=Amuro|year=2016|type=CD and DVD single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Dimension Point|id=AVCN-99035|location=Japan}} "Chit Chat" was written by Andreas Öberg, Emyli, Maria Marcus, and Tiger, and was described by a CD Journal staff member as a "happy house" song. The bonus DVD included the music video of "Mint". On May 18, first press issues at CDJapan.com offered a B2-size poster of the CD artwork.{{cite web |url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCN-99034|title=Namie Amuro – Mint (CD)|work=CDJapan.com|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCN-99033|title=Namie Amuro – Mint (CD and DVD)|work=CDJapan.com|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016}} The CD and digital artwork features a close-up of Amuro in a gold dress, whilst the CD and DVD bundle has a body shot with her holding a gold shoe.

Upon its release, "Mint" received positive reviews from music critics. A staff member at Tokyo Girls Update enjoyed the song, and felt that the instrumentation complemented Amuro's vocals well. Similarly, a member from CD Journal enjoyed the song's music, and praised how other musical genres such as electronic dance and grime music in the song complemented the overall J-pop influence. The reviewer also highlighted the B-side track "Chit Chat" as a good contribution to the maxi release. A Japanese reviewer from Amazon also commended the production and composition, labelling it as "memorable" and "impressive".{{cite news |author=Amazon Japan Staff|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/Mint-CD-DVD-%E5%AE%89%E5%AE%A4%E5%A5%88%E7%BE%8E%E6%81%B5/dp/B01DIN5P32?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0|title=Namie Amuro – Mint (single review)|work=Amazon Japan|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2016|language=Japanese}} Entertainment Weekly writer Joey Nolfi selected it amongst six other songs as one of his best tracks of Summer 2016. With this selection, he commented that the amount of musical genres such as EDM and R&B "showcas[es] the sonic bravura that makes J-Pop some of the most interesting music on the planet."

Commercially, "Mint" was a moderate success in Japan. The song debuted at number four on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 28,136 units in its first week.{{cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2016-05-30/|title=Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week May 30, 2016|work=Oricon Style|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}} Despite it being one of Amuro's lowest first week sales for a single in her career, the single marked 22 years of top ten singles released by Amuro, one of the only distinctions by any solo artist in Japan.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtvjapan.com/onair/program/7617|title=Namie Amuro's Super Live Video Collection|work=MTV Japan|date=June 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}} It slipped to number 21 the following week, selling 5,245 units, one of Amuro's largest drops on the Oricon chart.{{cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2016-06-06/|title=Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week June 6, 2016|work=Oricon Style|date=June 6, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}} By the end of May 2016, it was ranked at number 10 on their Monthly chart and sold 33,381 units.{{cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/m/2016-05/|title=Oricon Monthly Chart – Chart Month May 2016|work=Oricon Style|date=May 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620214818/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/m/2016-05/|archive-date=June 20, 2016}} It spent nine weeks in the Top 200 chart, and sold 46,231 by October 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/191925/products/1176869/1/|title=Namie Amuro – Mint|work=Oricon Style|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}}{{cite web |script-title=ja: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 |language=Japanese | work=Oricon |url-access=subscription | access-date=May 21, 2014}}

Digitally, "Mint" and "Chit Chat" was a success in Japan. On the Japan Hot 100 chart, hosted by Billboard, the former track entered at number 56 on the fourth week, whilst the latter entered at 48 on the final week of May 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2016&month=05&day=30|title=Japan Hot 100 – Billboard Japan|work=Billboard|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}} During that same final week in May, "Mint" reached number four and the top spot on the Billboard Japan Singles Sales Chart, and the Billboard Japan Radio Songs chart.{{cite news|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=sales&year=2016&month=05&day=30|title=Japan Hot Singles Sales Chart – Billboard Japan|work=Billboard|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}}{{cite news|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=radio_songs&year=2016&month=05&day=30|title=Japan Hot Radio Songs Chart – Billboard Japan|work=Billboard|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817052741/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=radio_songs&year=2016&month=05&day=30|archive-date=August 17, 2016}} The following week, the single slipped to number five on the chart, and fell outside the top 10 during its seventh week.{{cite news|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2016&month=06&day=06|title=Japan Hot 100 – Billboard Japan|work=Billboard|date=June 6, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}}{{cite news|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2016&month=07&day=11|title=Japan Hot 100 – Billboard Japan|work=Billboard|date=July 11, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016|language=Japanese}} In June 2016, "Mint" was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for digital sales of 250,000 units; this is her first certification since her 2014 single "Brighter Day".{{cite web |script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 1月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: January Digital Music Download Certifications | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w150220.html | publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |language=Japanese | date=February 20, 2015 | access-date=February 20, 2015}}

An accompanying music video was directed by Naokazu Mitsuishi.{{cite news |author=Arama Japan Staff|url=http://aramajapan.com/news/music/namie-amuro-releases-mint-video-short-version/58570/|title=Namie Amuro releases Mint video! (short version)|work=Arama Japan|date=May 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016}} It opens with a long shot of Amuro and 36 female backup dancers in a dark-lit blue room. During the first verse and pre-chorus, Amuro is seen walking around the dancers and sings the song. Once the chorus starts, Amuro takes of her cape and dances in a small suit, along with the dancers. Inter cut scenes feature Amuro on a large platform with a long pink dress and flower crown, singing the track in a further distance between her and the dancers. The video received positive reviews from publications, including a critique by Arama Japan, who labelled it "simple" yet "stylish" and "impressive". To promote the single, "Mint" was used as the theme song for the Japanese television drama series Bokuno Yabai Tsuma (translated to My Sick Wife). Alongside this, "Mint" will be included in the setlist for her 2016 Live Style concert tour, to be held in Japan.

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• CD single

1. "Mint" – 3:50
2. "Chit Chat" – 3:45
3. "Mint" (Instrumental) – 3:50
4. "Chit Chat" (Instrumental) – 3:45

• DVD single

1. "Mint" – 3:50
2. "Chit Chat" – 3:45
3. "Mint" (Instrumental) – 3:50
4. "Chit Chat" (Instrumental) – 3:45
5. "Mint" (Music video)

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• Digital download

1. "Mint" – 3:50
2. "Chit Chat" – 3:45
3. "Mint" (Instrumental) – 3:50
4. "Chit Chat" (Instrumental) – 3:45

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Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of "Mint"';

;Recording

• Recorded by Wataru Namifusa in Tokyo, Japan, 2016.

;Credits

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• Namie Amuro – vocals, background vocals
• Masaru Yoshikawa – art direction
• Emyli – songwriting, composing, vocal production, backing vocals
• Andreas Öberg – guitar, producing, composing, songwriting
• Tom Coyne – mastering
• D.O.I. – mixing
• Maria Marcus – songwriting, composing, producing

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• Tisch – photography
• Wataru Namifusa – vocal recording
• Tiger – songwriting
• Takuro Iwagami – cinematography
• Naokazu Mitsuishi – music video director
• Hirohisa Ishihara – music video producer

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |artist=Namie Amuro |title=Mint |type=single |award=Platinum |refname=RIAJ-jun2016digi |relyear=2016 |certyear=2016|certmonth=12|digital=true|note=Digital sales}}

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{{reflist|2}}

• [http://namieamuro.jp/discography/single42.html "Mint"] at Namie Amuro's official website. {{in lang|ja}}

{{Namie Amuro singles}}

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Category:2016 singles

Category:Namie Amuro songs

Category:2016 songs

Category:Avex Trax singles

Category:Songs written by Andreas Öberg