Ayumi Hamasaki releases music video for hit single ‘MASK’ composed by Tetsuya Komuro! Full-length original album to follow on January 25
Ayumi Hamasaki has released a music video for her recent digital single, ‘MASK.’ The video was published on Hamasaki’s YouTube channel on November 18.
‘MASK’ became a huge talking point among fans as it is the first Hamasaki track to be arranged by Tetsuya Komuro in 12 years since the September 22, 2010 release of ‘crossroad.’ The new music video has been hotly anticipated by fans.
The video was shot entirely on location at teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu, Tokyo. Dressed in a full rubber white dress, Hamasaki sings surrounded by beautiful orchids, moving from one decadent art space to the next – a rich visual expression of the depths of her heart. The incredible light-based art installations by teamLabo synchronize perfectly with the performance of Hamasaki and her dancers, resulting in a captivating video that will mesmerize viewers until the end.
Immediately upon its release, the video to ‘MASK’ entered YouTube’s Trending chart and quickly racked up some 500,000 views. On social media, fans posted comments such as “The colourful imagery is so gorgeous” and “It’s beautiful, cool and ephemeral.” Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind video that blends teamLab’s globally acclaimed artworks with Ayumi Hamasaki’s unique vision.
Right after this creative music video premiere, another clip suddenly appeared, titled ‘Special Report.’ The video announced that Hamasaki will release her 18th original album on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
This long-awaited release will be Hamasaki’s first full-length album in over six years since the release of ‘M(A)DE IN JAPAN’ on June 29, 2016, followed by the EP ‘TROUBLE’ on August 15, 2018.
In 2020, Hamasaki released the single ‘Ohia no Ki,’ an ode to her beloved newborn child, which surprised fans by being her first-ever track to feature a title in Japanese. This was quickly followed by ‘Dreamed a Dream (2020). In 2021, she released ‘23rd Monster’ to commemorate her debut’s 23rd anniversary; in 2022 she released the singles ‘Nonfiction’, ‘Summer Again’ and ‘MASK.’ These Hamasaki singles released in 2020 will be included in the new album.
Over recent years, Hamasaki – known to her fans as ayu – has touched the hearts of her many listeners through her self-written lyrics. It will be a delight to see how she expresses herself through the format of a full-length album once again.
Hamasaki has barely paused for breath since her debut in 1998. As she works at full power toward the 25th anniversary of her debut in April 2023, Ayumi Hamasaki will be an unstoppable force.
‘MASK’
18th album (title tbc)
Release date: January 25, 2023
Details (Japanese): https://avex.jp/ayu/discography/
Preorders: https://avex.lnk.to/20230125album
Download and streaming links: https://avex.lnk.to/MASK
CD+2DVD+goods edition, CD+2Blu-ray+goods edition
AVZ1-63413/B~C, AVZ1-63414/B~C
¥12,500 (tax excluded)
TeamAyu/mu-mo Shop limited edition
- Luxury box set
- Includes A4 size planned 80-page photo book
- Includes Sumapura Music edition for mobile playback
CD tracklist
- Ohia no Ki
- Dreamed a Dream
- 23rd Monster
- Haru yo, Koi
- Nonfiction
- Summer Again
- MASK
* Tracklist order is undecided. A total of 12 songs are planned.
DVD/Blu-ray tracklist (disc 1)
- Ohia no Ki (music video)
- Dreamed a Dream (music video)
- 23rd Monster (music video)
- Haru yo, Koi (music video)
- Nonfiction (music video)
- Summer Again (music video)
- MASK (music video)
- Ohia no Ki (making clip)
- Dreamed a Dream (making clip)
- 23rd Monster (making clip)
- Haru yo, Koi (making clip)
- Nonfiction (making clip)
- Summer Again (making clip)
- MASK (making clip)
DVD/Blu-ray tracklist (disc 2)
a-nation online 2020
- opening
- Dreamed a Dream
- Startin’
- Jump!
- GET IN GEAR!
- vogue
- Far away
- SEASONS
- ayu-mi-x Mega Mix -a-nation 2020-
- Greatful days ~ glitter ~ independent ~ Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ ~ You & Me
- BLUE BIRD
- July 1st
CD+DVD edition, CD+Blu-ray edition
AVCD-63410/B, AVCD-63411/B
¥4,500 (tax excluded)
Includes Sumapura Music edition for mobile playback
CD tracklist
- Ohia no Ki
- Dreamed a Dream
- 23rd Monster
- Haru yo, Koi
- Nonfiction
- Summer Again
- MASK
- Tracklist order is undecided. A total of 12 songs are planned.
DVD/Blu-ray tracklist
- Ohia no Ki (music video)
- Dreamed a Dream (music video)
- 23rd Monster (music video)
- Haru yo, Koi (music video)
- Nonfiction (music video)
- Summer Again (music video)
- MASK (music video)
- Ohia no Ki (making clip)
- Dreamed a Dream (making clip)
- 23rd Monster (making clip)
- Haru yo, Koi (making clip)
- Nonfiction (making clip)
- Summer Again (making clip)
- MASK (making clip)
CD edition
AVCD-63412
¥3,200 (excluding tax)
Includes Sumapura Music edition for mobile playback
CD tracklist
- Ohia no Ki
- Dreamed a Dream
- 23rd Monster
- Haru yo, Koi
- Nonfiction
- Summer Again
- MASK
* Tracklist order is undecided. A total of 12 songs are planned.
Ayumi Hamasaki links
Official website: https://avex.jp/ayu/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ayu?sub_confirmation=1
Official fan club TeamAyu: https://global-fc.net/teamayu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ayu_19980408
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.you/
