Angel + Monster

Angel + Monster (stylized as angeL + monsteR [MY NAME IS...]) is an extended play by Japanese artist Koda Kumi, released on December 2, 2020.[1][2] This is her first physical public release since 2014's Hotel, whereas her singles since have been released digitally or exclusive to her fan club Koda Gumi.[3]

Angel + Monster
EP by
Koda Kumi
ReleasedDecember 2, 2020
Recorded2020
GenreJapanese pop/R&B
LabelRhythm Zone
RZCD-77198 (Angel, CD)
RZCD-77199 (Monster, CD)
RZCD-77196 (2CD+DVD)
RZC1-77200～1/B～C (FC 2CD+2DVD)
RZC1-77202-3/B (FC 2CD+Blu-ray)
Koda Kumi chronology
Again
(2019)		 Angel + Monster
(2020)

It debuted at No. 5 on the Oricon Albums Charts.

It was released in five editions - three made public and two exclusive to her official fan club. Angel and Monster were released separately, as well as combined in the 2CD+DVD version.

Information

Angel + Monster is the sixth EP by Japanese artist Koda Kumi, released on December 2, 2020. It is her sixth official EP, her last being Gossip Candy, which was released in 2010 - the extended plays from her Fever series excluded. The EP debuted at No. 5 on the Oricon charts.[4]

The EP was released in five editions. Two CD only editions,[5][6] a 2CD+DVD edition,[7] a 2CD+2DVD edition and a 2CD+Blu-ray edition. Angel and Monster were both released separately. The 2CD+DVD version carried both the Angel and Monster EPs, and a DVD housing four music videos. Of the four music videos, two had previously been released on the video streaming website YouTube: "XXKK" and "Puff".[8][9] Two new music videos accompanied them titled "Killer Monster" (stylized as Killer MonsteR) and "Run" (stylized as RUN). The fan club limited 2CD+2DVD and 2CD+Blu-ray editions housed a special making video for the music videos and the photoshoot for the EP's various covers. It also contained an original photobook.[10]

All of the songs on the albums were recorded in Kumi's home studio during the "stay at home" order due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.[11]

The song "For..." (stylized as for...) was a collaboration between Koda Kumi and her fans while she was hosting an Instagram live event. In the credits, she has the lyrics listed as written by "All Fans". The track "Run" was a response to her 2002 song "Walk", expressing how she has grown as an artist and how her fans have supported her along the way.[12][11]

Music videos

Both "Puff" and "XXKK" had been released on YouTube prior to the EPs release.

"Puff" was released digitally on June 26, 2020.[13] That same day, an accompanying music video was uploaded to Avex's official YouTube.[9] The video was inspired by Japan's "stay-at-home order" due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.[14] In the video, Koda Kumi and several of her backup dancers perform a dance in their own respective homes, consisting of various yoga poses and lite calisthenics. An alternate version of the video was uploaded with Kumi in front of a blue screen, encouraging fans to input their own backgrounds and tag the videos as "MADE93".[15]

"XXKK" was created to celebrate Kumi's 20th anniversary in the music industry, with lyrics and visuals representing her title as "Queen of Live".[16] In the video, Kumi dons a silver getup with a crown reading "XXKK", along with contrasting visuals representing her more elegant side during the bridge. The video was uploaded to Avex's official YouTube on September 4, 2020.[8]

The music video for "Killer Monster" was primarily a dance number with Kumi and her dancers donning urban grunge fashion. Intermittent scenes of Kumi in other styles in back alleyways were edited in, while the main focus was the group dancing in front of a large graffiti mural.[17] The other a-side, "Run", was much slower and calmer. It focused on Kumi coming home to an empty home and singing about her struggles. It cuts to her in open water, symbolizing drowning, before ending with her swimming to surface.[18]

Track listing
CD: Angel
No.TitleLyricsMusicComposer(s)Length
1."Alarm"Koda Kumi • Mike MacdermidMike Macdermid • David Brant • Fidel Rosales • Charlotte ChurchmanDavid Brant • Fidel Rosales3:13
2."I'm Lovin'"Koda KumiJoe Lawrence • Linda QueroJoe Lawrence3:06
3."for..."Koda Kumi • ALL FANSKoda Kumi • Hi-yunkUTA4:41
4."Run"Koda KumiMatthew Tishler • Philip Bentley • Choo DaeKwanMatthew Tishler3:41
5."Puff"Koda kumiAlyssa Ayaka Ichinose • Carlyle Fernandes • Gionata Caracciolo • Sara Spagnoli • Sofia AhlangAlyssa Ayaka Ichinose • Carlyle Fernandes3:24
6."Lucky Star"Koda KumiChristoffer Lauridsen • Andreas Öberg • Courtney JenaéChristoffer Lauridsen3:34
Total length:21:39
CD: Monster
No.TitleLyricsMusicComposer(s)Length
1."Killer Monster"Koda Kumi • Poe LeosKxhris • NellzKxhris • Nellz3:40
2."Work It!"Koda KumiErik Lidbom • Ylva Dimberg • Nerd MoneyErik Lidbom • Nerd Money3:02
3."FliCky"Koda KumiNicklas Eklund • Charlotte Wilson • Awry WillNicklas Eklund3:10
4."No One"Koda KumiHi-yunkHi-yunk4:15
5."Sing the truth"Koda KumiElizabeth Russo • Stefan Litrownik • John Wyatt Johnson • Karra MaddenStfan Litrownik • John Wyatt Johnson2:23
6."XXKK"Koda KumiMatt Wong • G'Harah "PK" Degeddingseze • Jamie Jones • Sydnie BrazileG'Harah "PK" Degeddingseze • The Heavyweights3:31
Total length:20:01
DVD: Angel + Monster
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."Puff" (Music Video)Seiya Ito3:38
2."XXKK" (Music Video)Ryuji⋆Seki3:56
3."Killer Monster" (Music Video)Ryuji⋆Seki3:39
4."Run" (Music Video)Ryuji⋆Seki3:52
Total length:15:05
DVD2: Fan Club Limited
No.TitleLength
1."Suki de, Suki de, Suki de." (Urusei Yatsura Collaboration Version)2:11
2."Guess Who Is Back" (Lyric Video)3:38
3."Behind the Scenes" (angeL × monsteR [MY NAME IS…]) 

Charts (Japan)
Release Chart Peak position Total sales
December 2, 2020 Oricon Daily Chart 5
Oricon Weekly Chart 12 6,975[19]
Oricon Monthly Chart 43 7,434[20]

References
  1. "倖田來未、2020年の新曲を収録したミニアルバム2タイトルを発売". BARKS. October 10, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  2. "デビュー20周年の倖田來未、光と闇をテーマにしたミニアルバム2枚発表". natalie. October 10, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  3. "「倖田來未」のCD検索結果". Oricon. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  4. "デイリー　アルバムランキング2020年12月01日付". Oricon. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  5. "angeL [MY NAME IS...] (Japan Version)". YesAsia. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  6. "monsteR [MY NAME IS...] (Japan Version)". YesAsia. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  7. "angeL + monsteR [MY NAME IS...] (ALBUM+DVD)(Japan Version)". YesAsia. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  8. "倖田來未-KODA KUMI-「XXKK」(Official Music Video)". avex Official YouTube. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  9. "puff / 倖田來未クリエイター企画 #MADE93 参考動画". avex Official YouTube. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  10. "2020年の新曲を収録したミニAL「angeL [MY NAME IS...]」と「monsteR [MY NAME IS...]」の2タイトルを2020年12月2日(水)発売！＆ジャケット写真公開！！". Koda Kumi Official. October 10, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  11. "倖田來未、20周年ライブも大成功！そんなくぅ". I'm Sora Project. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  12. "Koda Kumi unveils track list for mini albums + teaser for 'RUN'". Tokyo Hive. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  13. "倖田來未、エクササイズを取り入れた新曲「puff」＆リモートMV公開！ クリエイター企画「＃MADE93（クミ）". J-Entertainment. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  14. "Koda Kumi delivers shelter-in-place bop with new digital single "puff"". Arama! Japan. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  15. "倖田來未クリエイター企画 【#MADE93（クミ）】「puff」". Avex Official YouTube. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  16. "Kumi Koda releases cool third single "XXKK" representing the 20th anniversary year! MV will be released and SNS live will be distributed!". Koda Gumi Global FC. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  17. "倖田來未-KODA KUMI-『Killer monsteR』（Official Music Video". avex Official YouTube. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  18. "倖田來未-KODA KUMI-『RUN』（Official Music Video）". avex Official YouTube. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  19. "週間　アルバムランキング2020年12月14日付（2020年11月30日～2020年12月06日）". Oricon. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  20. "月間　アルバムランキング2020年12月度". Oricon. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
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