K.I.S.S. (Mýa album)

K.I.S.S. (abbreviation of Keep It Sexy & Simple)^[4] is the sixth and seventh studio album by American recording artist Mýa. It is her second studio album to be released by Manhattan Recordings in Japan on April 20, 2011. Originally, scheduled for release April 6, 2011 (physically), however though the album's release was delayed for two weeks due to the unfortunate events surrounding the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disaster, which triggered the Fukushima I nuclear accidents, and temporarily immobilized packaging of the CD album.^[5] Despite these circumstances and minor setback K.I.S.S. eventually became available at retail and outlets April 20th, 2011 and serves as Harrison's fourth independently—released project through her own label imprint Planet 9. Although the record is a traditional R&B; pop album, Mýa was heavily—influenced by Japan's culture and experimented with Japan's J-pop sound to embrace a more worldwide appeal to attract the Japanese music market audience.

Production on K.I.S.S. was primarily handled by local Cleveland native producer Young Yonny with additional contributions from Japanese musicians Jeff Miyahara and Daisuke Imai, Chuck Harmony and long time collaborators Carvin & Ivan. As always and just as she did before with her last 3 independently—released projects, Mýa took full creative control of the album. Harrison lent a hand in the songwriting process; co-writing several of the album's tracks with many different artists and songwriters and served as executive producer to the project. Guest features include Miami rapper Trina, international recording artist Iyaz, reggae star Sean Paul and ex Immature frontman Marques Houston.^[6][7] The album is a representation of Mýa's life today. "It's about being cool and drama-free. And everything I do reflects that," she said in a recent interview. "The people that I associate with, the circle that I keep is real simple and sometimes we think or we're trained to believe that you always have to have more, more, more to make ourselves feel happy or beautiful, but it's the other way around for me. Simplicity is sexy."^[7]

K.I.S.S. has spawned five singles thus far; two international singles "Fabulous Life" and "Runnin' Back" featuring international recording artist Iyaz and three U.S. recently released singles "Earthquake", "Somebody Come Get This Bitch", and "Mr. Incredible". Although all singles have been released (digitally) to iTunes; none of the singles were or will be released to radio in the near future.

In Japan K.I.S.S. debuted at number sixty-one on the Japan Billboard Top Albums Chart on May 2, 2011 with first week sales of 1,543 copies.^[8][9] In the United States, Mýa announced via Twitter, that the U.S./Canada Deluxe Edition of K.I.S.S. is slated to be released December 20th, 2011 (digitally) via iTunes. K.I.S.S. U.S./Canada Deluxe Edition was released December 20th, 2011 (digitally) via iTunes and Amazon and officially marked Mýa return to the United States prior to her last studio album Moodring (2003) and departure from her label Interscope Records eight years ago.

Background

K.I.S.S. is Harrison's second studio album to be released in Japan on Manhattan Recordings (a division of Lexington Corp). It is the follow-up album to the moderately successful Sugar & Spice (2008). Sugar & Spice was preceded by its first and final single "Paradise". During her downtime she competed in the 9th season of Dancing with the Stars and started an independent label titled Planet 9. She released her first mixtape (compilation) Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 on her own label through J. Prince's Young Empire Music Group.^{[10][11] [12]} While participating on Dancing with the Stars, Harrison began recording her next studio album; an album that would eventually become K.I.S.S.

Album Title & Artwork

In interview with AOL, Mýa said K.I.S.S. stands for "Keep It Sexy and Simple." She named it that because it's sealed with a kiss as gift from me to my fans. It's about keeping it simple by keeping negative energy and unnecessary things to a minimum. Being simple is sexy to me.^[4]

K.I.S.S. album cover was shot by photographer and director Marc Baptiste and was inspired by Janet Jackson's Control album cover along with a few other artists; Vanity 6, The Jets, Andy Warhol, and Lisa, Lisa.^[13][14] All singles cover artwork was shot by Reesee at Zigga Zigga studio.^[13]

Conception & Production

Primary production on K.I.S.S. was handled by hip-hop producer Young Yonny. With additional contribution from Japanese musicians Jeff Miyahara and Daisuke Imai and longtime collaborators Chuck Harmony and Carvin & Ivan; while Lil' Eddie, Autumn Rowe, and Shawn Stockman, a member of Boyz II Men each wrote or co-wrote track(s).^[15] In interview with AOL, Mýa described the album as a "classic Mýa album" which always includes a variety of sounds and tempos, club bangers, soulful R&B, pop ballads and substance. When asked if she experimented with anything new on the album as far as sounds, she replied there are two j pop-inspired songs on the album, Fabulous Life and Alive which both charted at #1 in Japan already. Further saying, "This is a new fun sound for me ... and I'm ready to have some FUN!".^[4][15]

"Runnin' Back", the album's second single is a flavored beat number with sweet mellow vocals. Another track, titled "Before U Say Goodbye" is described super catchy with a feeling of floating.^[16]

Harrison, who recorded many of the songs during her stint on Dancing with the Stars, combined all different styles on the album. She wanted classic Mýa songs, dance, collaborations, urban, pop, slow jam ballads. Mýa says the album's title track "K.I.S.S." is a useful tune for this album because it explains the album. "Mess Up My Hair" was produced by Young Yonny. Mýa and Young Yonny met while recording 2009's Beauty & The Streets Vol.1 and continue to work together on other projects as well. Marques Houston is featured on "Love Me Some You" a slow jam love ballad. Harrison asked Marques Houston to record the song with her because she liked the tone of his voice; Harrison said the song was perfect for him. "Problem + Solution" was written by Afro-pop artist Tiwa Savage and Boyz II Men member Shawn Stockman.^[17]

While the original version of K.I.S.S. contains J-Pop songs, Mýa says the deluxe edition is more of her traditional style. "It's R&B, urban [and] also Pop. It's fun, young with perspective and opinion." There are up-tempo tracks, as well as ballads, like "Love Comes Love Goes," that tackle "deeper issues." Harrison singles out "Evolve," a "heartfelt, mid-tempo" song as one of her favorites. "[It's] about having determination and will power through it all... and not letting anything stop you," Mýa says. "It represents where I am in my life."^[7] K.I.S.S. overall concept is simplicity.^[17]

Release & Promotion

On July 22, 2011, Mýa put on a special extended performance and held a listening party for the U.S. release of K.I.S.S. in Atlantic City at the Chelsea Hotel's C5 Night Club.^[18] K.I.S.S. U.S./Canada Deluxe Edition was released December 20th, 2011 via (iTunes) independently through Mýa's label imprint Planet 9.^[19] Although K.I.S.S. U.S./Canada Deluxe Edition is being released, Mýa doesn't have any plans to shoot videos or do extensive promotion for the album. She explained K.I.S.S. is just a boutique album that I'm offering fans under the radar. If they want it, it's accessible now," she says. "This is just more of an appetizer. I've already started on what people will be looking forward to."^[7]

Reception

Critical

About.com’s editor Mark Edward Nero gave K.I.S.S. 2 out of 5 stars and called the album “mediocre, unoriginal and creatively lacking material “ and wrote “Throughout K.I.S.S., Mýa tries out different personas like she's putting on new sets of clothes: she's a confident, independent woman on the title track; she's a sassy street chick on the club banger "Earthquake"; she's a vulnerable, heartbroken girl on "Love Comes, Love Goes;" and she's a strong, powerful woman on "Evolve." Unfortunately, she doesn't come off convincingly in any of the roles. And the lack of consistency and cohesiveness throughout the album ultimately proves to be the second-biggest drawback, right after the multiple weak vocal performances.”^[20]

However though, staff writer Stephanie DeBalko of The Weekender gave the album 3½ stars out of 5 and called K.I.S.S. "an unexpectedly vibrant, peppy outing" saying "this album shows Mýa still got a few tricks up her sleeve" while commenting on the album's production and lyrical content stating "A lot of the songs have an ’80s flavor to them, with jingly effects and forthright lyrics."^[21]

Commercial performance

K.I.S.S. debuted at number sixty-one on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart and at number seventy-two on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart with first-week sales of 1,543.^[9] In its second week, the album dropped 25 spots to number 97 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 16 spots to number 77 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,422 copies.^[22] In its third week, the album dropped 21 spots to number 118 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 17 spots to number 94 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,008 copies.^[23] In its fourth week, the album dropped 35 spots to number 153 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 625 copies.^[24] In its fifth week, the album dropped another 35 spots to number 188 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 485 copies.^[25] In its sixth week, the album dropped 82 spots to number 270 on the Oricon Album Chart, selling 419 copies.^[26]

Tracklisting

^[27]

U.S. Deluxe Edition ^[19]

Sample Credits

• "Take Him Out" contains a sample of "Pon De Floor" by Major Lazer.
• "Break Your Neck" contains a sample "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock

Personnel

Chart

Release history

References