Wikipedia
Japonesque (capitalized as JAPONESQUE) is the tenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Kumi Koda. It was released on January 25, 2012 by Rhythm Zone. It was also released just a little under a year after her 2011 album, Dejavu. Japonesque marks Koda's tenth consecutive studio album to be produced by Japanese producer and manager Max Matsuura, amongst many other producers, while she contributes to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and songwriter to majority of the songs. Recorded in Japanese with minor phrases in English language, Japonesque is a Japanese pop album with numerous musical elements such as dance music, R&B, electronica, and rock music.
Japonesque was recorded in Japan and the United States, making it Koda's third studio album recorded in the latter country; Additional production and mastering was handled in the United States. Six different formats were released to promote the album; a standalone CD, a CD and DVD bundle, two separate digipak bundles, one a CD and double DVD bundle, and a digital release worldwide. Five different artworks were issued for the album's cover sleeve; the digipak and double DVD bundle has Koda posing in a kimono, the CD and DVD has Koda sitting in a seat, whilst the CD format has her holding a cigarette holder.
Upon the album's release, it was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Critics commended the album's production and praised the mixture of musical genres alongside Koda's vocals. However, the length of the material, Koda's songwriting, and the amount of musical genres were common complaints by music critics. Commercially, Japonesque was a success. It became Koda's sixth studio album to reach the top spot on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 100,000 units. The album charted on Korea's Gaon Album Chart and Taiwan's G-Music Albums Chart.
Three singles were released from Japonesque, including one extended play and six promotional. The three singles; 4 Times, " Ai o Tomenaide", and " Love Me Back", performed moderately on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart whilst the latter two received certifications by RIAJ. The album tracks "Boom Boom Boys", "Brave", "Escalate", " No Man's Land", "Slow", and "So Nice" served as the album's promotional tracks with accompanying music videos. Koda promoted the album on her 2012 Japonesque concert tour.