Respect All is the thirteenth studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on August 23, 2023, by EMI Records. Announced in June 2023, the album includes Nestlé Japan's Kit Kat campaign song, "Start Again", as well as "Life Goes On", the image song for the Japanese film Haru ni Chiru.
Background
Ai released her twelfth studio album, Dream, on February 23, 2022. Featuring nine tracks, the studio album was her first in five years since Wa to Yo (2017), and also was her shortest length studio album.[1][2]
Speculation of Ai's thirteenth studio album began after a teaser of an unreleased song was included on the "Respect All" music video.[3] Within a few weeks, Universal Music Japan announced the title of Ai's thirteenth studio album.[4] Five of ten songs were announced on June 9, including a cover of Bill Wither's "Lean on Me", which Ai performed live at the 49th G7 summit.[5] On social media, Ai announced the album would include "Start Again", "Respect All" and "Life Goes On".[6] On July 19, the full track listing and artwork was revealed.[7]
Cover artwork
The standard cover of Respect All bears resemblance to Ai's second studio album, Original Ai (2003). The limited physical edition of the album features a different cover artwork.[8]
Release and promotion
Respect All was released on August 23, 2023.[9] Prior to its release, Universal Japan revealed the Universal Music Store would feature limited first press bonus goods, as well as an application lottery ticket for a chance to see Ai live.[10] Additional limited bonus goods were later announced on July 26, including a keychain, postcard, poster and coin bag.[11][12][13]
In promotion of the album, Ai will embark on her fourteenth headlining tour titled after the album.[14]
Commercial performance
Respect All debuted at number 9 on the Oricon Daily Albums chart for August 22, 2023.[15] The album later fell to number 12 on August 23.[16] On the weekly Oricon charts, Respect All debuted and peaked at number 17 on both the Albums and Digital Albums chart.[17] The album debuted and peaked at number 30 on the Combined Albums chart.[18]Respect All currently is Ai's 18th best-selling album of twenty ranked, selling less units than her previous studio album, Dream.[19]
On the Billboard Japan charts, Respect All debuted and peaked at number 17 on the Hot Albums chart.[20] The album later fell down to number 89 on the chart for the week of September 6.[21]
^"AIがオリジナルフルアルバム「DREAM」リリース、5月から全国ツアー開催" [AI to Release Original Full Album "DREAM", Holds Nationwide Tour from May]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved June 9, 2023.
^"AI、ニューアルバム『DREAM』クロスフェード映像＆スペシャルサイト公開 本人の生歌唱などの封入特典も" [AI New Album "DREAM" Crossfade Video & Special Site Released, Including Benefits Such as Live Singing]. Real Sound (in Japanese). February 3, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
^"AI、新曲「リスペクト」MVでスーパーキッズダンサーズとコラボ" [AI collaborates with Super Kids Dancers for New Song "Respect" MV]. BARKS (in Japanese). May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
^"AI、G7広島サミット期間中の広島から＜Lasting Peace LIVE＞配信" [AI Broadcasts Lasting Peace LIVE from Hiroshima During the G7 Hiroshima Summit]. BARKS (in Japanese). May 21, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
^"AI、ニューアルバム『RESPECT ALL』リリース決定" [AI to Release New Album "RESPECT ALL"]. The First Times (in Japanese). June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
^"AI、約30公演80000人動員の全国ツアーを10月より開催＋2023年第一弾シングルリリース決定" [AI to hold 30 performances in a nationwide tour with 80,000 people from October + first single release in 2023]. BARKS (in Japanese). April 28, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
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