Light Ahead is the first Japanese-language extended play by Japanese born-South Korean singer Iconiq, released on September 15, 2010, through Rhythm Zone.[1] The EP contains seven tracks, including three songs from Change Myself, the promotional single "Tokyo Lady" and the lead single of the same name.[2] The DVD features three music videos directed by Diane Martel, as well as footage from Iconiq's debut Japanese concert in May, 2010. On the cover she is shown turning round with some kind of headdress made of animal fur.[2][3][4]
| Light Ahead | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | September 15, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
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| Length | 29:36 | |||
| Label | Rhythm Zone | |||
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| Iconiq chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Light Ahead | ||||
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Background
editThe extended play is Iconiq's third physical release in Japan, after her debut album Change Myself in March 2010, and her first physical single "Tokyo Lady" a month prior. Change Myself saw moderate commercial success, debuting at #3 and eventually selling over 60,000 copies.[5][6] "Tokyo Lady" also saw some success, debuting in the top 20.[6]
Promotion
editMuch of the promotion of the EP centred on "Tokyo Lady," which was her fourth song used as the Shiseido Maquillage range commercial song, and the third commercial to feature Iconiq personally. The song was also used in a range of commercials for Recochoku, Weider and Jelly products and A-Nation 2010.[7] Iconiq performed at A-Nation concerts in early August, including being one of the featured musicians on the Tetsuya Komuro-written theme song for the event, "Thx a Lot".[8]
Three music videos were produced for the songs on the EP, including the video for "Tokyo Lady." The videos were all directed by veteran American music video director Diane Martel.[2][3][4] One of these songs, the title track "Light Ahead," was used in commercials for Maquillage in September.[9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Girl Power" | Michico, T. Kura | 3:51 |
| 2. | "Tokyo Lady" | NaNa Music, Uta | 5:16 |
| 3. | "Change Myself" | Hiro | 4:06 |
| 4. | "Light Ahead" | Momo "Mocha" N., U-Key Zone | 5:02 |
| 5. | "I.D" (feat. Verbal (M-Flo)) | Verbal, Suguru Yamamoto, Hisashi Nawata, Minami | 4:10 |
| 6. | "Kiss & Cry" | Kaoru Kami, Tomokazu Matsuzawa | 3:33 |
| 7. | "Bye Now!" | Michico, T. Kura | 3:38 |
| Total length: | 29:36 | ||
| No. | Title | Director | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tokyo Lady (Music Video)" | Diane Martel | |
| 2. | "Light Ahead (Music Video)" | D. Martel | |
| 3. | "Kiss & Cry (Music Video)" | D. Martel | |
| 4. | "Iconiq Premium Live @ 2010.5.16 Shibuya AX" |
Chart rankings
edit| Charts (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Oricon daily albums[10] | 10 |
| Oricon weekly albums[11] | 18 |
Reported sales
edit| Chart | Amount |
|---|---|
| Oricon physical sales[6] | 12,000 |
Personnel
editPersonnel details were sourced from Light Ahead's liner notes booklet.[12]
Managerial
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Performance credits
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Visuals and imagery
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Technical and production
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Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | September 15, 2010[1][13] | CD, digital download |
| Taiwan | September 17, 2010[14] | CD |
| Hong Kong | September 21, 2010[15] | CD |
| Japan | October 2, 2010[16] | Rental CD |
References
edit- ^ a b "[CD] Light Ahead [CD+DVD/ジャケットA] / ICONIQ" (in Japanese). Neowing. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ^ a b c "Light Ahead" (in Japanese). Rhythm Zone. 2010-08-18. Archived from the original on August 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ^ a b Daily Sports (September 10, 2010). "ＩＣＯＮＩＱ最新ミニアルバムＰＶで魅せた". Livedoor. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ a b "ＩＣＯＮＩＱのＰＶに世界的スタッフ". Daily Sports. August 23, 2010. Archived from the original on August 21, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
- ^ "新人・ICONIQが初登場3位、デビューアルバムTOP3入りは新垣結衣以来2年3ヶ月ぶり" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ^ a b c "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon. Retrieved 2010-08-18. (subscription only)
- ^ "髪が伸びたICONIQ、資生堂「マキアージュ」新CMに登場" (in Japanese). Barks. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ^ "小室哲哉 あゆ、倖田らavex主要アーティスト11組が歌う大作完成" (in Japanese). Hot Express. 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ^ "ICONIQ：Light Ahead[ミニアルバム+DVD]｜mu-moショップ" (in Japanese). Mu-Mo. 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ^ "アルバム デイリーランキング-ORICON STYLE ランキング". Oricon. September 18, 2010. Archived from the original on July 29, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
- ^ Oricon. Ｌｉｇｈｔ Ａｈｅａｄ（ＤＶＤ付） - ＩＣＯＮＩＱ (in Japanese). Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ Iconiq (2010). Light Ahead (Media notes) (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Avex Marketing.
- ^ "ICONIQ「Light Ahead」" (in Japanese). iTunes. September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
- ^ "燦爛前程(CD+DVD)". Avex Taiwan. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
- ^ "Light Ahead (ALBUM+DVD)(Hong Kong Version)". YesAsia. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
- ^ "Ｌｉｇｈｔ Ａｈｅａｄ／ＩＣＯＮＩＱ". Tsutaya. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
External links
edit- Official website (in Japanese)