Universe (sometimes stylized as 8th Al. Universe or 8th AL "UNIVERSE") is the eighth studio album by Japanese recording artist Koda Kumi. It was released as a double album with her third greatest its album Best: Third Universe on February 3, 2010, by Rhythm Zone. Beginning in early 2009 after completing two mini-concert tours, the album's production was handled by several music producers, such as Andy Dodd, Adam Watts, Figge, Tim Larsson, Tommy Henriksen, U-Key Zone, Thomas Gustafsson, and H-Wonder. It also features a guest appearance from Koda's sister and Japanese recording artist Misono. Koda contributed towards the album as the executive producer and songwriter. Universe is primarily a J-pop album with numerous elements of dance-pop, rock, R&B, electropop, and pop ballads.
As a double album, it was released in four different formats; a two album bundle, a two album and DVD bundle, a two album first pressing bundle, and a two album digital release. A fifth format was released, but only featured the compilation. Upon its release, Universe was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented the singles, composition, and labelled it as Koda's strongest and most essential album to date. However, critics were divided on its production; many felt it was fresh, but criticized some of the song's repetitive nature. Commercially, Universe was a success. Charting together as a double album, Best: Third Universe and Universe became Koda's third and fourth number one compilation and studio album to reach the top spot on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart respectively. Best: Third Universe and Universe was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 250,000 units. It also charted in Taiwan, entering the top twenty on two competent charts.
Four singles were released from Universe. Its lead single "It's All Love!" was a commercial success, peaking at number one on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart and Japan Hot 100 chart. It sold over 100,000 physical and 250,000 digital units in that region. Following singles "Alive" and "Physical Thing" were limited to 50,000 units, reaching the top spot on the Oricon Singles Chart. A cover song of Kelly Clarkson's "Can We Go Back" was released as the album's final single, peaking a two on the Oricon Singles Chart. 3 Splash, the album's only extended play single, reached number two on the Oricon Singles Chart. Koda promoted the album on her 2010 Universe Tour and her 10th Anniversary Tour, and followed up with remix albums; Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 2 and its third issue.
Background and development In early January 2010, Japanese recording artist Koda Kumi announced plans of releasing a double album. The double album was to promote both her third greatest hits album entitled Best: Third Universe, and a new studio album that consisted of unreleased material from recording sessions for her 2008 album, Trick. However, new material arose after completing her concert tours: The 2009 Trick Tour and her first Taiwanese concert tour. Universe is Koda's first double album since her 2005 greatest hits album Best: First Things, which included single between her December 2000 debut "Take Back" and her May 2004 single "Cutie Honey", with a bonus disc with newly recorded material. Universe is also Koda's first double album to consist of a full-length studio album and other material.
For Universe, Koda's record label Rhythm Zone and its parent company Avex Trax hired several producers, such as Andy Dodd, Adam Watts, Figge, Tim Larsson, Tommy Henriksen, U-Key Zone, Thomas Gustafsson, and H-Wonder. Producers such as Henriksen, Gustafsson, and H-Wonder have collaborated with Koda in the past with her album Kingdom (2008). Universe was produced by Japanese and Western producers; Koda furthered this feat on her following studio albums Japonesque (2012), Bon Voyage (2014), and Walk of My Life (2015).
Composition Universe is a J-pop album with numerous elements of dance-pop, rock, R&B, electropop, and pop ballad. Koda sings in both English and Japanese language, while tracks "Step Into My World" and "Universe" are sung primarily in English language. Each song, apart from "Step Into My World", "Ecstasy" and "Universe", is co-written by Koda, including the English and Japanese tracks. This is Koda's first album since Feel My Mind (2004) not to include any interlude or introduction tracks. Majority of the tracks emphasize electronic dance music, including "Step Into My World", "Lick Me", "Work it Out!", "Comes Up", "Physical Thing", "Ecstasy", and "Universe". Rock music elements are featured in tracks "Can We Go Back" and "It's All Love!"; the former track is a cover song that was originally performed by American singer Kelly Clarkson, while the latter is a collaboration with Koda's younger sister and Japanese recording artist Misono. Three ballad songs appeared on the album; "No Way", "Stay", and "Alive". All the track titles from Universe are written in English language with no use of Kanji, hiragana, or katakana writing from the Japanese writing system; this is her first album to do since her debut album Affection (2002).
Release and packaging
Universe was released as a double album with her third greatest its album Best: Third Universe on February 3, 2010, by Rhythm Zone in four different formats. The double CD featured the sixteen greatest hits tracks and fourteen original tracks on two separate compact discs. The second first press issues featured a bonus track, the live version to "Moon Crying", and a bonus poster. The double CD and DVD bundle featured the sixteen greatest hits tracks and fourteen original tracks on two separate compact discs, and a bonus DVD, including the music videos for the lead singles from the greatest hits and all featured singles from Universe. This format also included the live version of "Moon Crying" and a bonus poster. The final format is the digital release, which was released worldwide. This format featured the sixteen greatest hits tracks and fourteen original tracks. A fifth format was released to promote both the greatest hits album and Universe, but only included the greatest hits CD. However, a bonus booklet featured a website code to download short ringtones of all Universe tracks.
The six Universe cover sleeves feature different images all photographed by Leslie Kee. The double album format has Koda looking towards the camera, holding up the booklet to her second greatest hits compilation Best: Second Session (2006). The double album and bonus DVD format has Koda drinking from a coffee mug, while sitting on a kitchen bench reading the booklet. Despite not being included on the compilation only format, the text "8th Al. Universe" is featured on the front cover, and has Koda holding up a strawberry. The digital release uses the double album as its front cover. Apart from the digital and compilation only release, each physical format features two booklets. The booklet front for Universe has a close-up of Koda with dark eye shadow, feathered jewellery and long false nails. A greatest hits booklet was also issued, featuring a close-up of Koda with long brown hair and minimal make-up. The booklets and photo shoots were designed by members of United Lounge Tokyo, and the theme is immolating Koda's Best: Second Session photo shoot.
Promotion Live performances and advertisements Before the release of Best: Third Universe and Universe, Koda premiered and performed "Ecstasy", "It's All Love!", "Hashire", and "Lick Me" on her 2009 Trick Tour in Japan. Koda then performed the same tracks on her 2009 Taiwan concert tour. In early January 2010, Koda announced a special fan club performance to premiere and perform tracks from both Best: Third Universe and Universe. Dubbed as a "10th Anniversary Tour Passport", the tickets were given to "reserved" fan club guests that had been subscribed to Koda's official fan club website. The performances, both on January 13 and January 21, were scheduled at an undisclosed arena. In early 2009, Koda announced her involvement with the Japanese arena concert tour A-Nation 2009; Koda performed "Lick Me" and "Ecstasy". In 2011, the Universe tracks: "Lick Me", "Superstar", "Ecstasy", "Universe", "No Way", "Can We Go Back", "Work It Out!", and "Hashire!" were included on the limited Dream Music Park festival in Japan; the live performances were featured on the DVD format for Koda's album Dejavu (2011).
In early February 2010, Koda announced that she would speak in an exclusive interview to discuss the background and development of the Universe album, its featured songs, a reflection of her career, and an upcoming tour. The interview premiered on Music On! television in Japan on February 18, 2010. In a collaboration with Japanese car company Maplus, Koda confirmed that Best: Third Universe and Universe would be on a special limited price promo alongside the promotion of her new car navigation system, entitled "Koda Kumi Driving Navi". Several songs from Universe were promoted in various Japanese companies and business; "Can We Go Back" was used as the Japanese premiere track for Darren Shan's film adapted book, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. "It's All Love!" was used as the commercial song for Music.Jp, the ending theme song for the Nippon TV series "Clean", and an Avex Trax commercial. "Ecstasy" was used for Music.Jp, "Lick Me" was used for the televised commercial of her Koda Kumi Fever Live in Hall II concert, and "Hashire" was used for the NTT communications advert Musico.
Singles
"It's All Love!" was released as the album's lead single on March 31, 2009. The song is Koda and Misono's first collaboration. Upon its release, "It's All Love!" garnered positive reviews from music critics. Many critics commended the song's "aggressive" composition and vocal deliveries from both Kumi and Misono. "It's All Love!" was successful in Japan, peaking at number one on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart, Koda's sixth number one and Misono's first number one single. It also reached the top spot on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for physical shipments of 100,000 units, and platinum for ringtone sales of 250,000 units. The accompanying music video for "It's All Love" was shot in Tokyo by Takashi Tadokoro; it features Koda and Misono in a futuristic room performing the song.
3 Splash was released as the album's second single and first extended play single on July 8, 2009. The EP consists of three interlude tracks, two album tracks: "Lick Me" and "Ecstasy", and an unreleased track "Hashire". Upon its release, 3 Splash received favourable reviews from music critics who commended the EP's production and commercial appeal. 3 Splash was successful in Japan, peaking at number one on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart, and sold over 98,000 units in that region. The EP was certified gold by the RIAJ for shipments of 100,000 units. All three songs received an accompanying music video to promote the EP. "Lick Me" was certified platinum by the RIAJ for 250,000 digital shipments, and was nominated for a Japan Record Award at the 51st Japan Record Awards.
"Alive" and "Physical Thing" was released as the album's third single and first double a-side single on September 16, 2009. "Alive" was used as the theme song to the Japanese film "Kamui Gaiden". Upon its release, both tracks garnered positive reviews from music critics. Many critics commended the tracks productions and Koda's vocal performance. Charting together, "Alive" and "Physical Thing" debuted at number one on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart, and sold over 43,000 units. Both tracks charted at four and 90 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart. Both tracks received an accompanying music video to promote the single.