Union (Chara album)
Union (ユニオン, Yunion) is the 11th studio album by Chara, which was released on February 28, 2007.[1] It debuted at #4 on the Japanese Oricon album charts, and charted in the top 300 for 8 weeks.[2]
| Union | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 28, 2007 | |||
| Recorded | 2006-2007 | |||
| Genre | ambiental music, electronica, rock, dream pop, dance | |||
| Length | 48:56 | |||
| Label | Universal Music | |||
| Chara chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative Cover | ||||
 limited CD+DVD cover | ||||
| Singles from Union | ||||
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Union was her first album with Universal Music, after releasing music with Sony since 1991. It was released in two versions: a limited edition CD+DVD version, as well as a regular CD Only version. The DVD featured the music videos for the three singles, "Sekai", Crazy for You and Fantasy.
Sekai, released five and 1/2 months before the album, was Chara's first release under Universal. It was used in commercials for the NTT docomo service "NEC N702is" cellphone. The second single, Crazy for You, was created in collaboration with Shibuya-kei DJ Tomoyuki Tanaka (i.e. Fantastic Plastic Machine) and The Brilliant Green guitarist Ryo Matsui. Tanaka produced the song, while Matsui wrote the music.
Fantasy, the third single preceding the album's release by a month, was a minor hit for Chara. It was used in Kanebo cosmetics commercials for their T'estimo eye-makeup range, featuring Chara as a spokesperson in the commercials. It was a collaboration between Chara and music producer Seiji Kameda, bassist for the band Tokyo Jihen. It managed to reach #13 on Oricon's single charts.
The final track of the album, Niji o Wataru Heiwa ga Kita (虹をわたる平和がきた, The Rainbow-Crossing Peace Has Come), was used as the theme song for the Japanese film Freesia (フリージア).
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Chara.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arranger(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Watashi o Mitsumete (私を見つめて, Stare at Me)" | Chara | Tatsuki Hashimoto, Chara | Tatsuki Hashimoto, Chara | 3:50 |
| 2. | "Fantasy" | Chara | Jun Sasaki, Chara | Seiji Kameda | 5:52 |
| 3. | "Crazy for You" | Chara | Ryo Matsui | Tomoyuki Tanaka, Tatsuki Hashimoto | 3:19 |
| 4. | "Tear Drop" | Chara | Shinichi Osawa, Chara | Shinichi Osawa | 4:47 |
| 5. | "Boy" | Chara | Chara | Chara | 3:12 |
| 6. | "Amai Amai (甘い甘い, Sweet Sweet)" | Chara | Chara | Chara | 4:30 |
| 7. | "O-ri-on" | Chara | Chara | Seiji Kameda | 4:43 |
| 8. | "Back" | Chara | Chara | Zentarō Watanabe | 4:47 |
| 9. | "This Is My Car" | Chara | Chara | Chara | 2:04 |
| 10. | "Sekai (世界, World)" | Chara | Chara | Tatsuki Hashimoto, Chara | 3:11 |
| 11. | "Union" | Chara | Low Jack Three, Chara | Low Jack Three, Chara | 4:23 |
| 12. | "Niji o Wataru Heiwa ga Kita (虹をわたる平和がきた, The Rainbow-Crossing Peace Has Come)" | Chara | Chara | Chara | 3:58 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sekai (世界, World)" | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Crazy for You" | 3:19 |
| 3. | "Fantasy" | 5:52 |
Singles
| Date | Title | Peak position | Weeks | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 13, 2006 | "Sekai" | 24 (Oricon) | 5 | 9,607 |
| November 15, 2006 | "Crazy for You" | 46 (Oricon) | 3 | 3,680 |
| January 17, 2007 | "Fantasy" | 13 (Oricon) | 5 | 12,710 |
Japan Sales Rankings
| Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 28, 2007 | Oricon Daily Albums Chart | 3 | |||
| Oricon Weekly Albums Chart | 4 | 26,485 | 50,963 | 8 weeks | |
| Oricon Yearly Albums Chart |
Various charts
| Chart | Peak position |
First Week Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Soundscan Album Top 20[3] (CD+DVD version only) | 7 | 23,645 |
References
- "「UNION」". Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- "Union/Chara". Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- 週間CDソフトTOP 20 アルバム総合 ランキングTOP20 2007年2月26日～2007年3月4日 調査分