Ambitions (album)

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Ambitions
Japanese album cover
Studio album by
One Ok Rock
ReleasedJanuary 11, 2017 (2017-01-11)
StudioFoxy Studios, Los Angeles
The Hideout Studios, Las Vegas
Genre
Length49:30 (Japanese edition)
49:17 (International edition)
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
Label
Producer
One Ok Rock chronology
35xxxv
(2015) 		Ambitions
(2017) 		Eye of the Storm
(2019)
Singles from Ambitions
  1. "Always Coming Back"
    Released: March 11, 2016 (JPN)
  2. "Taking Off"
    Released: September 16, 2016
  3. "Bedroom Warfare"
    Released: November 18, 2016
  4. "I Was King"
    Released: December 15, 2016
  5. "We Are"
    Released: January 9, 2017
  6. "American Girls"
    Released: February 3, 2017 (US)
International edition
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Alternative Press[5]
Melodic[6]
Rock Sound[7]

Ambitions is the eighth studio album by Japanese rock band One Ok Rock. The Japanese version was released on January 11, 2017[8][9] under the Japanese label A-Sketch, while the international version dropped on January 13, 2017 under the American label Fueled by Ramen.

The song "Always Coming Back" was featured in NTT Docomo's phone commercial series, "Kanjou no Subete / Nakama".[10] After signing with Fueled by Ramen on September 11, 2016, they released the lead single "Taking Off" on September 16, 2016 that was used as a theme song for the Japanese movie "Museum", which starred Shun Oguri,[11] and the second single "Bedroom Warfare" on November 18, 2016.[12] The song "I was King" was released on December 15, 2016.[13] On January 9, 2017, they released their single "We Are".[14]

Sold in both Limited and Regular editions, the album was available for pre-order on iTunes starting November 18, 2016. The Japanese limited edition album features bonus tracks and a DVD of studio acoustic sessions,[15] while the Ambitions international version CD came with a T-shirt bundle.[16]

Background

[edit]

In an interview with UK rock magazine Kerrang! issue number 1649 dated December 10, 2016, One Ok Rock vocalist Moriuchi explained the three themes on this album: Hope, ambition, and singing together. He said that the band were at a point in their career where they were trying to break a new market and go worldwide. It was the ambition that was inside of them that pushed them to try new things and to be successful, which became a prevailing theme on the record. The album artwork is yellow, which is the colour of hope. The overall themes of the album are: "Ambition", the title, yellow is the hope, and the songs are anthemic in quality especially in the choruses.[17] In another interview, Moriuchi said, "We wanted to make an album where we can all sing along together. By singing strongly in unison about hope, we wish to reinforce the importance of not giving up."[18]

Themes

[edit]

Most of the album themes are more personal topics compared to their previous album 35xxxv. It focuses mostly about achieving dreams, life, family, and struggles of depression. Their second track, "Bombs Away" tells about fighting the inner demons or "you versus yourself". "We Are" and "Jaded", are encouraging tracks for the people who lost their hopes and symbolizes empowerment for achieving their goals. "Hard To Love" and "Always Coming Back" are more personal tracks in Ambitions, Moriuchi wrote those songs dedicated to his father. "I Was King" tells the band's ambition to reach some bigger dreams. In Japanese edition, "20/20" is a breakup song, and tells about lovers being cheated by their own beloved ones. "Listen" is about people's struggles with suicide and depression, the band wanted to wake them up and not giving up their life. "Lost in Tonight" is merely a party song. Meanwhile, their first single "Taking Off" tells about "passions for doing what you love". "Start Again" and their last track along 5 Seconds of Summer, "Take What You Want" are the band's notes and commitment to leaving their past and being ready to overcome what's ahead on their future.[citation needed]

Promotion

[edit]

Fueled by Ramen released One Ok Rock's music videos of "Taking Off" on October 25, 2016 and "Bedroom Warfare" on November 17, 2016 which were both directed by Sitcom Soldiers. Then on December 16, 2016, they released the band's visualizer video of "I was King" which was directed and animated by Ruth Barrett along with two assistant animators Eva Wagner and Sam Thompson.

On November 13, 2016, One Ok Rock released a compilation of footage from One Ok Rock 2016 Special Live in Nagisaen and mixed with the song "Taking Off" then on November 30, 2016, they released a Studio Jam Session video of "Taking Off" which were both directed by Naoto Amazutsumi.

On January 1, 2017, One Ok Rock opened a special site called "World Ambitions". This is a celebration of the album "Ambitions" which will be released on January 11, 2017. "World Ambitions" is a website that visually represents images of "hope" being shared and spread from users around the world through the website and Twitter/Instagram.[19] People from all over the world can upload pictures with yellow in it that symbolize hope and connecting them all. The user shares the desired image by SNS (Twitter, Instagram). It is also possible to upload simultaneously with multiple names.[20]

On January 9, 2017, the band released the music video of "We Are" (Japanese version) while Fueled by Ramen released their music video of the international version of "We Are". Both videos were directed by Mark Staubach.

In January 2017, the band went on their North American tour for 6 concerts,[21] and from February till May 2017, they held 32 concerts in some Japanese arenas.[22]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In Japan, Ambitions debuted at number one on the Daily Oricon Albums Chart, selling 102,408 units.[23] For its first week on the Weekly Oricon Albums Chart, it entered atop the chart with over 232,710 copies sold; It sold more copies than its competitor of the week, SMAP's greatest hits album Smap 25 Years (2016).[24] Ambitions became the band's second number one album, and also resulted in becoming their highest first week sales for one of their albums.

One OK Rock had the world's best-selling album with Ambitions during the week of January 25, 2017. It topped the Global Album Chart with 315,000 equivalent sales (including paid downloads and streaming).[25]

Track listing

[edit]
Ambitions – Japanese standard edition[26]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ambitions" (Introduction[a])-Colin Brittain1:23
2."Bombs Away"
  • Brittain
  • Jonathan Gerring[b]
4:23
3."Taking Off"
Lancaster3:39
4."We Are"
  • Brittain
  • Gerring[b]
4:15
5."20/20"
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:19
6."Always Coming Back"
3:33
7."Bedroom Warfare"
Goldstein3:23
8."Lost in Tonight"
  • Moriuchi
  • Kane Churko
Churko2:52
9."I Was King"
3:58
10."Listen" (featuring Avril Lavigne)
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
  • Brittain
  • Gerring[b]
3:39
11."One Way Ticket"
3:37
12."Bon Voyage"
  • Yamashita
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Brittain
  • Gerring[b]
4:06
13."Start Again"
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:14
14."Take What You Want" (featuring 5 Seconds of Summer)
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain4:04
Total length:49:30
Ambitions – Japanese limited edition (hidden track)[27]
No.TitleLength
15.Untitled2:20
Total length:53:54
Ambitions – Japanese limited edition (bonus DVD)[27]
No.TitleLength
1."We Are" (Studio Jam Session Vol.3) 
2."Bombs Away" (Studio Jam Session Vol.3) 
Total length:9:17
Ambitions – International edition[28]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ambitions" (Introduction[a])-Brittain1:23
2."Bombs Away"
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Agra
  • Brittain
  • Gerring[b]
4:24
3."Taking Off"
  • Moriuchi
  • Lancaster
  • Long
Lancaster3:38
4."We Are"
  • Yamashita
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
  • Brittain
  • Gerring[b]
4:15
5."Jaded" (featuring Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low)
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:36
6."Hard to Love"
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:16
7."Bedroom Warfare"
  • Moriuchi
  • Sipe
  • Goldstein
Goldstein3:22
8."American Girls"
Stevens2:48
9."I Was King"
  • Moriuchi
  • Feldmann
  • Wilcox
  • Brittain
3:58
10."Listen"
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
  • Brittain
  • Gerring[b]
3:39
11."One Way Ticket"
  • Moriuchi
  • Baran
  • Long
  • Baran
  • Shinoda[b]
3:36
12."Bon Voyage"
  • Yamashita
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Brittain
  • Gerring[b]
4:05
13."Start Again"
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:14
14."Take What You Want" (featuring 5 Seconds of Summer)
  • Moriuchi
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain4:03
Total length:49:17

Notes

[edit]
  • ^[a] "Ambitions" (Introduction) is an instrumental song composed by Takahiro Moriuchi, Toru Yamashita, Tomoya Kanki, Ryota Kohama and Colin Brittain
  • ^[b] denotes an additional producer

Charts

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak positions
JPN
Billboard
[46]
"Always Coming Back" 2016 9
"Taking Off" 4
"Bedroom Warfare" 20
"I Was King" 26
"We Are" 2017 4

Other charted songs

[edit]
Title Year Peak positions
JPN
Billboard
[47] 		US
Hot Rock
[48] 		US
Spotify
Viral 50
[49]
"Listen"
(featuring Avril Lavigne) 		2017 93 — —
"Take What You Want"
(featuring 5 Seconds of Summer) 		57 44 13

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Ambitions
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[50] Platinum 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for Ambitions
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Japan Gold Disc Award 2018 Best 5 Albums Won [51]

Year-end lists

[edit]

Alternative Press listed the song "Jaded" (with Alex Gaskarth) in their ranking of 12 Best Vocal Collabs of 2017.[52]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Ambitions
Region Date Format(s) Edition(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various January 11, 2017
Standard
[53]
Japan
  • Digital download
  • streaming
  • CD
 Standard A-Sketch [54]
CD+DVD Limited [54]
Various January 13, 2017 CD Standard
  • Fueled by Ramen
  • Warner
 [28]
Taiwan Warner Music Taiwan [55]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Ambitions (Japanese edition).[56]

One Ok Rock

Production

  • Colin Brittain – production, mixing (1), production, engineering, programming (2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 14), engineering, editing, programming, additional production (6, 9), production, recording, programming (12)
  • Dan Lancaster – mixing (2, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14), production, engineering, mixing (3)
  • Jonathan Gerring – additional programming, additional production (2, 12), programming, additional production (4, 10)
  • Neil Avron – mixing (4)
  • Ben Sabin – additional engineering, digital editing, piano (4)
  • Nick Long – additional instruments, backing vocals (4, 10, 13)
  • Zakk Cervini – mixing (6), engineering, editing, programming, additional production (6, 9)
  • John Feldmann – production, recording (6, 9)
  • Matt Pauling – engineering, editing, programming, additional production (6, 9)
  • Şerban Ghenea – mixing (7)
  • Andrew Goldstein – production (7)
  • John Hanes – engineering for mixing (7)
  • Kane Churko – production, engineering, mixing, mastering (8)
  • CJ Baran – production (11)
  • Mike Shinoda – additional production (11)
  • Mitch McCarthy – mixing (11)
  • Florian Ammon – additional vocal recording, engineering (10, 12)
  • Ted Jensen – mastering (1–7, 9–14)
  • Bruno Agra – drum tech

Additional personnel

Design

  • Kazuaki Seki – art direction
  • Daichi Shiono – design

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ryan (January 10, 2017). "Album Review: ONE OK ROCK – 'AMBITIONS'". Sound Fiction. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  2. ^ Bird, Michael (January 27, 2017). "ALBUM: ONE OK ROCK – 'Ambitions' Review". CaliberTV. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  3. ^ N, Chris (March 5, 2017). "ONE OK ROCK - Ambitions". JaME USA. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Ambitions - ONE OK ROCK Reviews". AllMusic.
  5. ^ Cambell, Rachal. "Album review Ambitions". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  6. ^ "ONE OK ROCK – Ambitions Review". Melodic. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  7. ^ Sayce, Rob. "Album review Ambitions". Rock Sound. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  8. ^ Dickman, Maggie (November 18, 2016). "One Ok Rock announce new album 'Ambitions,' release new song—listen". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  9. ^ "One Ok Rock is back with new "Ambitions"". Arama Japan. November 20, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  10. ^ "ONE OK ROCK reveals new digital single "Always coming back" in NTT Docomo CM". Arama! Japan. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  11. ^ "ONE OK ROCK新曲は小栗旬主演、大友啓史監督「ミュージアム」主題歌". Natalie (in Japanese). 2016-09-10. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  12. ^ "ONE OK ROCK、新曲「Bedroom Warfare」MV公開" (in Japanese). Natalie. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  13. ^ "ONE OK ROCK新曲「I was King」のメッセージ刻んだアニメーション公開" (in Japanese). Natalie. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  14. ^ "ワンオク、NHK特番で披露の新曲「We are」MVは海外撮影" (in Japanese). Natalie. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  15. ^ "One Ok Rock official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  16. ^ "One Ok Rock official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-19. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  17. ^ "One Ok Rock: Japan's Next Big Thing". Kerrang! (1649). 2016-12-10.
  18. ^ "News - ONE OK ROCK Unveils New Album 'Ambitions'". Knac.Com. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  19. ^ "ONE OK ROCK official website". Oneokrock.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-08. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  20. ^ "ONE OK ROCK、世界を希望に染める特設サイト「WORLD AMBITIONS」オープン (2017/01/01) 邦楽ニュース | ロッキング・オンの音楽情報サイト RO69". Ro69.jp. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  21. ^ "ONE OK ROCK official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-19. Archived from the original on 2017-04-29. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  22. ^ "ONE OK ROCK official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-21. Archived from the original on 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  23. ^ "Oricon Daily Albums Chart". Oricon Style. 11 January 2017. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Oricon Weekly Albums Chart". Oricon Style. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  25. ^ Sayce, Rob (January 31, 2017). "ONE OK ROCK'S 'AMBITIONS' NAMED THE BEST-SELLING ALBUM ON THE PLANET". Rock Sound. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  26. ^ "Ambitions [Regular Edition]". CD Japan. January 11, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  27. ^ a b "Ambitions ［CD+DVD］＜初回限定盤＞" (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. 11 January 2017. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Ambitions by One Ok Rock". Amazon (US). Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  29. ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #404". auspOp. January 21, 2017. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  30. ^ "Austriancharts.at – One Ok Rock – Ambitions" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  31. ^ "Ultratop.be – One Ok Rock – Ambitions" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  32. ^ "One Ok Rock Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  33. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – One Ok Rock – Ambition" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  34. ^ "Ambitions on Billboard Japan Hot Albums". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  35. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  36. ^ "2017년 03주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  37. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. January 20, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  38. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  39. ^ "One Ok Rock Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  40. ^ "ONE OK ROCK Alternative Albums - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  41. ^ "ONE OK ROCK Rock Albums - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  42. ^ "ONE OK ROCK Hard Rock Albums - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  43. ^ "年間アルバムランキング" [Annual album ranking 2017]. Oricon (in Japanese). December 23, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  44. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2017年". Billboard Japan. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  45. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2018年". Billboard Japan. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  46. ^ Peaks of singles on the Japan Hot 100:
  47. ^ Peaks of other charted songs on the Japan Hot 100:
  48. ^ "ONE OK ROCK - "Take What You Want" Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  49. ^ "Spotify Viral 50". Spotify. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  50. ^ "Japanese album certifications – One Ok Rock – Ambitions" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2017年01月 on the drop-down menu
  51. ^ "The Japan Gold Disc Award 2018 (アルバム賞 Album Award)". RIAJ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  52. ^ Campbell, Rachel (December 14, 2017). "12 best vocal collabs of 2017, from ONE OK ROCK to Andy Black". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  53. ^ "Ambitions by One Ok Rock". Apple Music. iTunes Store (US). Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  54. ^ a b "Ambitions: 8th Album". A-Sketch. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  55. ^ "One Ok Rock - Ambitions 壯志雄心" (in Chinese). Warner Music Taiwan. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  56. ^ Ambitions (booklet). One Ok Rock. A-Sketch/Amuse Inc. 2017.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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