Aurora (Ayumi Hamasaki song)
{{short description|2024 single by Ayumi Hamasaki}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Aurora
| cover = Aurora (Ayumi Hamasaki single, 2024).png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Ayumi Hamasaki
| album =
| released = {{start date|2024|05|21}}
| recorded = 2024
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = J-pop
| length = 4:37
| label = Avex Trax
| composer = Kazuhiro Hara
| lyricist = Ayumi Hamasaki
| producer =
| prev_title = Bye-Bye
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title = Mimosa
| next_year = 2025
| misc = {{External music video|1={{YouTube|pZ_UEd81Mh8&ab|"Aurora"}}|header=Music video|type=single}}
}}
"Aurora" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It received an exclusive Bilibili release on May 21, 2024, and was released worldwide on June 26. It was used as the official theme for Azur Lane{{'}}s 7th anniversary.
Writing and production
Upon the song's announcement, Hamasaki referred to the song as being inspired by the idea of "taking a journey together", linking it to her own 26th anniversary as well as to Azur Lane{{'}}s celebrations: "We may face many difficult and dangerous challenges on our way, but we are able to conquer them together, and be greeted by the beautiful aurora waiting for us at the end."{{Cite web |last=碧蓝航线 |title=滨崎步×碧蓝航线七周年主题曲《Aurora》抢先试听版上线！_哔哩哔哩_bilibili |url=https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV12J4m1N7Zr/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.bilibili.com |language=zh-Hans}} After the song's international release the next month, the artist also dedicated the song to Team Ayu.
The song uses a composition by Kazuhiro Hara, whose other recent works with Hamasaki include "Just the Way You Are" and "23rd Monster". Yuta Nakano arranged the track; an often-used collaborator of the singer since her early career. It is described as a medium-tempo rock number with a "conventional opening", although Billboard Japan praised Hamasaki for being able to convey her typical "earnest tension" by the song's end.{{Cite web |title=浜崎あゆみ、ミディアム・ロックナンバーの新曲「Aurora」配信リリース {{!}} Daily News |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/138843/2 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}}
Cover art
The cover art is credited to Masayuki Kamo, who also worked on Remember You and "Bye-Bye" as the primary photographer.{{Cite web |title=WORKS |url=https://www.kamomasa.com/portraits |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=kamomasa-photography |language=ja}}
Music video
"Aurora" received two music video releases. The initial visuals included footage of Hamasaki between clips of Azur Lane characters, depicting them on a luxury liner as they headed on adventures set around the event's theme of "navigating the sea". The second video starred the singer and her dance troupe alone in a performance described as "emotive"; when commenting on the recording process, Hamasaki described the song only being finished on the morning of the shoot itself, and that she and her staff found themselves "crying as we filmed".{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=浜崎あゆみ新曲は"これぞayu！"なミディアムロック 動画では涙を流し叫ぶ姿も（動画あり） |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/578507 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=音楽ナタリー |language=ja}}
The music video was directed by Hideaki Sunaga, who has also worked with the singer for "Bye-Bye" and "Mask".{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ZN3I1P9Dp/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.instagram.com}}
Promotion
"Aurora" was used as the theme song for Azur Lane{{'}}s 7th anniversary, and was performed live during Hamasaki's Team Ayu Limited: Thank U Tour 2024 tour. Hamasaki also wore the outfit from the music video, designed by Hirosumi Saito, on episodes of Chidori Kamaitachi Hour in June 2024.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C6gILxkPEpP/?img_index=1 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.instagram.com}}
On June 26, Hamasaki's staff reported that the music video received over 5.3 million views on Bilibili in its first month.{{Cite web |last=A |first=STAFF |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C8pJ-ZDMkLY/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.instagram.com}}
Charts
| class="wikitable" |
| Chart (2024)
!Peak position |
|---|
| Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Chart
| style="text-align:center;" | 25{{cite news |script-title=ja:浜崎あゆみデジタルシングル売上TOP9作品|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/rank/dis/ |access-date=12 April 2025 |work=Oricon News|language=ja}} |
| Billboard Japan Download Songs
| style="text-align:center;" | 26{{cite news |title=Billboard Japan Top Download Songs {{!}} Charts |url=https://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlsongs&year=2024&month=07&day=08 |access-date=12 April 2025 |work=Billboard JAPAN |language=ja}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ayumi Hamasaki songs}}
{{Authority control}}