Beyond
From Clumsy Media
"Beyond" is the first full album released by Japanese pop idol group 8th & Beyond.
Contents |
Background and Development
Recording
The group 8th & Beyond first began recording songs for the album in March 2013. The recording sessions for the album took place at the Clumsy Studios in Tokyo, Japan and at the West Door Studios in Beijing, China. The group worked with several different song-writers and producers on the album, including Moving Ghost, Skin Piece, Rated J, School Sounds, Johnny Suimako and DJ Karma. They especially requested the lighthearted commercial pop to be evident in mixure with smooth R&B sounds. By doing so, she incorporated a production style with more piano and bass, and utilized a young and up-beat image style.
In the early stages of the production, the group's leader Sakura Michiko worked with the producer Mini Bus who discovered her on a number of start-up melodies. He stated that every member in the group had brainstormed a large amount of ideas over the course of a few weeks. The group also worked with Korean producer Skin Piece, who mused that the collaboration was "rewarding musically" and "inspired the idea of a whole new genre", commenting: "It's rare for a debuting idol group to know so clearly what they want their musical direction to be. For a long time I've even excited to hear the final work."
Member Juno and Pepper was involved with writing most of the lyrics on the album with the help of T.Max and Dll Ini, who helped them translate emotions into the songs. She worked with Ne-Yo on a number of songs although he was often unclear as to which songs would actually make the album.[21][22] While working together, he felt that Rihanna wasn't the same girl as the one he worked with a few years before, complimenting her growth musically.[22] In terms of musical direction, Rihanna requested more somber songs for the album.[23] Ne-Yo and Harmony co-wrote the lead single, "Russian Roulette", pushing a darker and more morbid aesthetic.[3] Rihanna responded positively to the darker style and lyrical content, wishing to replicate the style throughout the entire album.[3]
Reception
Tracklisting
1. BEYOND フォロー (Follow Beyond!)
2. カウントダウン (Countdown!)
3. 最初の旅 (The First Journey)
4. 移動＆ビヨンド (Moving&BEYOND)
5. カウント... (I'm Counting...)
6. 希望が低いとき (When Hope is Low)
7. あるDA ONE (Be Da One)
8. FINE少年 (Boy, You're Good Looking)
9. それは"ILY"意味 (It Means 'ILY')
10. Officially ビヨンド (Officially Beyond)
Deluxe Edition
11. Please Hold My Hand (Bonus Track)
13. Recording Message from 8th & Beyond (Audio Recording)
12. 移動＆ビヨンド (Moving&BEYOND) (Instrumental Ver.)
12. 移動＆ビヨンド (Moving&BEYOND) (Music Video)
