23rd Monster

"23rd Monster"
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album Remember You
ReleasedApril 8, 2021 (2021-04-08)
Recorded2021
Genre
Length3:46
LabelAvex Trax
Songwriter(s)Ayumi Hamasaki (lyrics)
Kazuhiro Hara (music)
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"Haru Yo, Koi"
(2021) 		"23rd Monster"
(2021) 		"Nonfiction"
(2022)
Music video
"23rd Monster" on YouTube

"23rd Monster" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It is the fourth single from her studio album Remember you (2023). Hamasaki wrote the song alongside composer Kazuhiro Hara; previous collaborations between the two include "Step you", "Sparkle", and "We Are the Queens".

The song peaked at number two on the Oricon Daily Digital Singles Chart upon release, and ranked at number twenty-nine on the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Chart.

Background

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Hamasaki shared behind the scenes photos of a shoot with Kazuyoshi Shimomura in March 2021. This was later confirmed to be for the cover art of "23rd Monster".[1] Shimomura has previously worked with Hamasaki on works including "Mirrorcle World", "Green", and "Lady Dynamite"; when Hamasaki shared the teaser shots of the upcoming work, online commentary complimented the "classic beauty" of the style, and the chosen composition.[2]

On April 7, it was announced that a new song would be released the next day to commemorate the singer's 23rd anniversary. Initially planned as a surprise release, Hamasaki pushed forward the official announcement after issues with international timezones. "We were counting down until midnight," the singer wrote. "But the surprise leaked a few minutes ago."[3]

Writing and production

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The track combines the use of electric guitar, percussion drums, and synthesizers, Hamasaki returning to a pop rock style as seen on previous Hara tracks.

Lyrically, the track explores Hamasaki's frustration at perceived complacency, concluding that she must take back control of her career: "Doing only what you have to, choosing surrender rather than fight/You're also a 'monster'". Critics consider the song a powerful anthem of individualism that encourages listeners to disregard public opinion and choose their own path.[4]

Billboard Japan described the track as aggressive,[5] particularly highlighting its strong message, and a Spice Eplus review complimented Hamasaki on her fierce style of vocals.[6]

Music video

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A video titled "浜崎あゆみ / 23rd Monster (MV teaser -episode 0-)" was uploaded on Hamasaki's official YouTube channel on April 8, 2021. Timed at just over a minute, it included a 'mysterious countdown' as well as dancers performing aggressive choreography.[7]

The full music video for the song was released on June 18, with Spice Eplus describing it as introducing the viewer to an "epic, provocative world", Hamasaki standing in ruins while belting the track among dancers dressed as monsters.[8] Other critics considered the music video's styling to be outdated, wondering if Hamasaki's rock-inspired image would appeal to the general public.[9]

Hamasaki later empathized a particular attention to detail in the music video's direction, challenging viewers to find and solve the puzzles it included.[10]

Promotion

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The song was performed on the first night of FNS Laugh and Music Festival on August 28, 2021.[11] It also received live performances at the singer's Music for Life: Return[12] and Asia Tour: 24th Anniversary Special[13] concerts.

Commercial performance

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The song debuted at number two on the Oricon Daily Digital Single Chart with 2,276 copies sold.[14] With four day's worth of sales due to its being released in the middle of the charting week, it entered the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Chart at number 29, having sold 3,236 downloads.[15]

Additionally, "23rd Monster" debuted at 30 on the Billboard Japan Top Download Songs chart.[16]

Track listing

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Digital download

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No.TitleLength
1."23rd Monster"3:46

Charts

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Chart (2021) Peak Position
Oricon Daily Digital Singles Chart 2
Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Chart 29
Billboard Japan Top Download Songs 30

References

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  1. ^ "【写真家 下村一喜】浜崎あゆみ NEW SINGLE 「23rd Monster」 | 下村一喜" (in Japanese). 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  2. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、美しすぎる横顔ショットにネット騒然「本当に素敵すぎる」 - デイリーニュースオンライン". dailynewsonline.jp (in Japanese). 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  3. ^ 浜崎あゆみ、デビュー23周年記念日に新曲ゲリラリリース 1年ぶり有観客ライブも発表 [The sudden release of a new song commemorating 23 years since Ayumi Hamasaki's debut, as well as her first concert with spectators since last year]. Oricon Music (in Japanese). April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、デビュー23周年記念日に新曲ゲリラリリース 1年ぶり有観客ライブも発表". ORICON NEWS. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  5. ^ "デビュー23周年を迎えた浜崎あゆみ、新曲「23rd Monster」をサプライズリリース | Daily News". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  6. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、デビュー23周年記念シングル「23rd Monster」のMusic Videoを公開 | SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス". SPICE（スパイス）｜エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  7. ^ 浜崎あゆみ、ニューシングルゲリラリリース。有観客ライブの開催も発表 [The release of Ayumi Hamasaki's new digital single, as well as the announcement of a concert with an audience]. BARKS Japan Music Network (in Japanese). April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、デビュー23周年記念シングル「23rd Monster」のMusic Videoを公開 | SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス". SPICE（スパイス）｜エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  9. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、最新MVを公開するも不評の嵐「すごく時代遅れな感じが」 - デイリーニュースオンライン". dailynewsonline.jp (in Japanese). 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  10. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、最新MV公開もネット酷評「宇宙人が歌ってるみたい」 - デイリーニュースオンライン". dailynewsonline.jp (in Japanese). 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  11. ^ "『FNSラフ＆ミュージック』内容が続々解禁！Snow Man「EVOLUTION」、乃木坂46「君に叱られた」などテレビ初パフォーマンス". fujitv-view.jp (in Japanese). August 27, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  12. ^ "浜崎あゆみ491日ぶり有観客ライブ映像作品、YouTubeでダイジェスト公開（動画あり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  13. ^ "浜崎あゆみ、ぴあアリーナMMで開催された24周年アニバーサリーライブ完全レポートが到着". THE FIRST TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  14. ^ "デジタルシングル（単曲）ランキング (2021年04月08日付)" [Daily Digital Single (single song) ranking (April 8, 2021)] (in Japanese). Oricon. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  15. ^ 週間 デジタルシングル（単曲）ランキング 2021年04月19日付 （2021年04月05日～2021年04月11日） [Weekly Digital Single (single song) ranking April 14, 2021 (From April 5, 2021 to April 11, 2021)] (in Japanese). Oricon. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021. Alt URL
  16. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs". Billboard (in Japanese). April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
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