Eye of the Storm (One Ok Rock album)

Eye of the Storm is the ninth studio album by Japanese rock band One Ok Rock. It was released on February 13, 2019 in Japan through A-Sketch, and on February 15, 2019 in other countries through Fueled by Ramen.[1] The album marked a shift in their sound from the alternative rock of their previous albums to pop and electronic music.[2][3][4] Three singles, "Change", "Stand Out Fit In", and "Wasted Nights" have been released in support of the album.[5]

Eye of the Storm
Studio album by One Ok Rock
Released	February 13, 2019 (2019-02-13)
Genre	Pop rock electronic rock
Length	45:44
Label	A-Sketch Fueled by Ramen
Producer	Dan Lancaster Poo Bear Jamil Kazmi
One Ok Rock chronology
Ambitions (2017) Eye of the Storm (2019)
Singles from Eye of the Storm
"Change" Released: February 16, 2018 "Stand Out Fit In" Released: November 22, 2018 "Wasted Nights" Released: January 31, 2019

The band announced a December European tour along with album details.[6] The band will tour North America in support of the album from February to March 2019, with support acts Waterparks and Stand Atlantic.[7] The band also announced that they would be opening for the Asian leg of Ed Sheeran's 2019 Divide World Tour. The album debuted at number one on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart.

Background

Vocalist Takahiro Moriuchi stated that the band "challenged and pushed ourselves to try new things while still maintaining the essence of what our band is" on the album.[5] Moriuchi expressed a desire to create a positive album that took influence from a variety of sources, Queen being the most dominant one, but also musicals and Disney. He stated "Rock’n’roll is a lifestyle for me, not hard music, but universal - that’s why this album is super different. I was just making music, not only rock music".[8]

The second single "Stand Out Fit In" is about not giving in to peer pressure.[9] The video for "Stand Out, Fit In", directed by Peter Huang, was praised for its portrayal of how peer pressure affects Asian American youth. He was asked to make a video about "the Asian American experience" by the Japanese band.[10] Moriuchi wanted to be "a positive force for Asian-Americans" after moving to the United States in 2015.[8]

American pop singer Kiiara was brought on as a guest feature for the album, having met Moriuchi at the tribute concert for Linkin Park's late vocalist Chester Bennington. Moriuchi invited her to work with the band during a chat they had after the concert, involving Bennington's friendship with Kiiara and moving forward after his death. Linkin Park co-vocalist Mike Shinoda was also involved with production on "Eye Of The Storm", the band having met Shinoda in studio while working on their previous album Ambitions.[8]

Release

Along with the release of the regular Japanese and international versions, initial Japanese pressings will feature a DVD with acoustic performances.[1]

Track listing

Eye of the Storm

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Eye of the Storm"	Takahiro Moriuchi Toru Yamashita Mike Duce Jamil Kazmi Dan Lancaster	3:04
2.	"Stand Out Fit In"	Takahiro Moriuchi Derek Fuhrmanna Jamil Kazmi Liam O'Donnell	3:34
3.	"Head High"	Takahiro Moriuchi Jason Boyd Jamil Kazmi Jared Gutstadt	3:27
4.	"Grow Old Die Young"	Takahiro Moriuchi Christopher J. Baran Jamil Kazmi Ben Romans	3:27
5.	"Push Back"	Takahiro Moriuchi Michael Jade Jamil Kazmi David Pramik	3:30
6.	"Wasted Nights"	Takahiro Moriuchi Janee Bennett Jamil Kazmi Pete Nappi	3:44
7.	"Change"	Takahiro Moriuchi Joshua Golden Jamil Kazmi Pete Nappi Ethan Thompson	2:54
8.	"Letting Go"	Takahiro Moriuchi Nick Long Kyle Moorma	3:20
9.	"Worst in Me"	Takahiro Moriuchi Toru Yamashita Colin Brittain Jamil Kazmi Nick Long	3:10
10.	"In the Stars" (featuring Kiiara)	Takahiro Moriuchi Dan Book Brian Howes Jamil Kazmi	3:24
11.	"Giants"	Takahiro Moriuchi Janee Bennett Mark Crew Jamil Kazmi	2:44
12.	"Can't Wait" (omitted on international edition)	Takahiro Moriuchi Ethan Thompson Peter Nappi Jamil Kazmi Nick Long	3:20
13.	"The Last Time"	Takahiro Moriuchi David Pramik Charlie Snyder Jamil Kazmi	2:50
14.	"Unforgettable" (omitted on Japanese edition)	Takahiro Moriuchi Unknown	3.16

Charts

Chart (2019)	Peak position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[11]	19
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[12]	73
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[13]	1
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[14]	1
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[15]	25
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[16]	49
US Tastemakers (Billboard)[17]	25

References

1. "アルバム 「Eye of the Storm」発売決定＆収録曲「Stand Out Fit In」が配信開始" ['Eye of the Storm' album announcement & recorded track 'Stand Out Fit In' starts distribution]. oneokrock.com (in Japanese). November 23, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
2. Kam, Athena (February 17, 2019). "Album Review // ONE OK ROCK 'Eye Of The Storm'". Gig Goer. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
3. Berger, Manuel (February 15, 2019). "'Eye Of The Storm' by ONE OK ROCK Review". Laut.de (in German). Retrieved February 23, 2019.
4. Szabo, Katherine (February 11, 2019). "ONE OK ROCK – 'Eye Of The Storm' (Album Review)". Cryptic Rock. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
5. Casteel, Beth (November 23, 2018). "ONE OK ROCK detail new album, release single 'Stand Out Fit In'". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
6. Taylor, Sam (November 23, 2018). "One OK Rock have announced their new album, 'Eye Of The Storm'". Upset. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
7. "ONE OK ROCK announces North America Tour 2019". Jrock News. November 25, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
8. Loftin, Steven (February 19, 2019). "One OK Rock are shaking things up". Upset Magazine. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
9. Jamieson, Brii (November 23, 2018). "ONE OK ROCK Have Announced The Details Of Their New Album, Released First Single – News". Rock Sound. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
10. Ke, Brian (November 27, 2018). "ONE OK ROCK's New Music Video Shows What Growing Up Asian in the U.S. is Like". Nextshark. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
11. "ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
12. "Offiziellecharts.de – One Ok Rock – Eye of the Storm" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
13. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-02-25" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
14. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2019/02/25 付け". Billboard Japan. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
15. "Digital Albums". Billboard. March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
16. "Top Album Sales". Billboard. March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
17. "Tastemaker Albums". Billboard. March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.