Change Myself

For 1991 single and electronic video "Change Myself" by Todd Rundgren, see 2nd Wind.
Change Myself
Studio album by Iconiq
Released March 10, 2010
(see release history)
Recorded 2009
Genre J-pop, R&B
Length 36:08
Label Rhythm Zone
Iconiq chronology

Change Myself
(2010)		 Light Ahead
(2010)
Singles from Change Myself
  1. "I'm Lovin' You"
    Released: January 27, 2010 (digital download)
  2. "Change Myself"
    Released: March 3, 2010 (digital download)
  3. "Bye Now!"
    Released: March 10, 2010 (digital download)

Change Myself is Japanese pop musician Iconiq's debut album, released on March 10, 2010.[1] The album was initially planned for a February 24 release, however postponed for two weeks.[2][3]

Background

Iconiq originally released music in Japan and South Korea as the leader of the girl-group Sugar. Iconiq released two solo singles under the name Ahyoomee in Korea in 2006, with Sugar disbanding in December 2006.[4] In 2008, Iconiq moved to West Hollywood, California to study at dance and vocal schools.[3][4] Iconiq cites this trip for the inspiration for the change/rebirth theme of her Japanese debut.[5]

Iconiq returned to Japan in 2009, signed as an artist to Avex Entertainment. The stage name Iconiq was chosen for her re-debut, due to its strong impact and personal meaning/goal, "to become an icon for the era." believing the name had strong impact.[6]

Promotion

The bulk of the marketing for the album centred around Iconiq's buzz cut hair-style, often marketed as "baby short hair" (ベビーショートヘア),[3][7][8][9] along with the catch-phrase "Watashi ga kawaru. Ongaku de kawaru." (私が変わる。音楽で変わる。 I change. I change through music.).[9][10] Her hair style was suggested by her management as a strong image to compliment her desire for a theme of change.[4][6]

Large-scale billboards showcasing Iconiq's hairstyle started appearing in Japanese city centres in late November, 2009. At the same time, her song "I'm Lovin' You" (a duet with Exile vocalist Atsushi) started airing in commercials for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics line, featuring actress Juri Ueno.[2][3][11]

"I'm Lovin' You" was announced as Iconiq's debut digital single, first released as a ringtone at Recochoku on December 9.[11] The ringtone was the most popular at Recochoku for an entire week, the first time a debut artist has achieved this.[3] By late January, the song had been downloaded as a ringtone approximately 300,000 times.[5] On January 27, the song was simultaneously released as a cellphone digital download, as well as a special rental store only single.[12][13]

Iconiq's second Maquillage commercial for Shiseido featured her personally, and was first announced in a press conference with a mini-live on the 19th of January.[5] The new commercial song, "Change Myself," was produced by Hiro, who is known for producing such artists like Kumi Koda and Namie Amuro. The change concept and catch-phrase are directly related to the lyrics of the song, such as the chorus line "no datte yes ni kaete ikeru" (NOだってYESに変えて行ける If it's a no, I'll change it to a yes.).[5][14] The song was released as a ringtone through Recochoku on the 20th, and the commercial began airing on the 21st.[5] Much like its predecessor, the song debuted at #1 on Recochoku's weekly ranking chart.[8] It was released as a download to cellphones on March 3.[15] "Bye Now!" followed as Iconiq's third Maquillage commercial in late February.[15]

Starting a day before the album's release, Iconiq was the featured spokesperson for seven different company's commercials simultaneously: All Nippon Airways, US fashion brand Kitson, Italian car manufacturer Maserati, Rhythm Zone, music download site Mu-Mo, Shiseido and Starbucks.[9] This was the first time a single person had promoted seven companies simultaneously in Japan.[16] Each commercial was marketed with Iconiq's marketing phrase "I change. I change through music," however the company name replaced "music" in each incidence.[17]

Iconiq also appeared in many fashion and music centred magazines, most notably on the cover of Ginger's February 2010 issue.[18] She also featured in publications such as Anan, Barfout!, Bea's Up, Classy, Flava, Frau, Gekkan Exile, Glamorous, Jelly, Junon, Nikkan Entertainment, Sōen, Tokyo Headline, Vivi and Voce.[19]

Chart reception

In the album's first week, it debuted at #3 on Oricon's album charts, selling 32,000 copies.[20] This was the first top three position debut album since Yui Aragaki's Sora in late 2007.[7] The album one further week in the top 10, eventually charting in the top 300 albums for 10 weeks, and selling a total of 63,000 copies.[20]

Each digital single had moderate charting success. "I'm Lovin' You" reached #8 on RIAJ's full-length cellphone download Digital Track Chart in February.[21] "Change Myself"'s special edit version charted at #20,[22] with the full-length version later peaking at #34.[23] "Change Myself" also received minor airplay the week of the album's release, enough to reach #73 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart.[24] "Bye Now!" saw success on Billboard, peaking at #8 during the album's promotion due to strong airplay.[24] It did not chart as highly as the other singles on the digital track charts, peaking at #47 (with the special edited version peaking at #49).[23][25]

A special medley of the three promotional singles used in Shiseido Maquillage commercials saw minor digital success, peaking at #58.[25]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Prologue"  T. Kura 1:16
2. "I'm Lovin' You" (Iconiq x Exile Atsushi)Michico, T. Kura 3:31
3. "Change Myself"  Hiro 4:05
4. "LoveShineMagic"  Nana Music, Markie 4:35
5. "Bye Now!"  Michico, T. Kura 3:38
6. "I.D" (feat. Verbal (M-Flo))Verbal, Hisashi Nawata 4:09
7. "No Distance"  Kaoru Kami, Tomokazu Matsuzawa 5:13
8. "Crystal Girl"  Nana Music, Uta 4:48
9. "Like a Virgin" (Madonna cover)Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly 5:13
10. "Epilogue"  T. Kura 1:26
Total length:
 36:08

Chart rankings
"I'm Lovin' You"
A sample from Iconiq's collaboration with Exile vocalist Atsushi.
"Change Myself"
A sample from the Hiro-produced title track from the album.
"Bye Now!"
A sample from the third digital single released from the album.
Problems playing these files? See media help.
Chart
(2010)		 Peak
position
Oricon weekly albums[26] 3
Soundscan weekly albums (CD+DVD)[27] 4
Soundscan weekly albums (CD only)[27] 16

Reported sales

Chart Amount
Oricon physical sales[20] 64,000

Release history

Region Date Format Distributing Label
Japan March 10, 2010[1] CD Rhythm Zone
Taiwan March 12, 2010[28] Avex Asia
South Korea March 17, 2010[29] SM Entertainment
Hong Kong March 26, 2010[30] Avex Asia
Japan March 27, 2010[31] Rental CD Rhythm Zone
March 31, 2010[32] PC download, cellphone download Rhythm Zone

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "JBOOK：ＣＨＡＮＧＥ　ＭＹＳＥＬＦ（ＤＶＤ付）：ＩＣＯＮＩＱ：CD" (in Japanese). JBook. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "新人美女アーティストがEXILE・ATSUSHIとの"丸刈り2ショット"で衝撃デビュー" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "ATSUSHI（EXILE）の心を動かした新人・ICONIQが、2009年新人最高DL記録を樹立" (in Japanese). Barks. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Rising Star Set to Shine". The Japan Times. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "ICONIQ、資生堂「マキアージュ」CM発表会にて初お披露目＆初ライヴ" (in Japanese). Barks. 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "NOをYESに変えるICONIQアルバム「CHANGE MYSELF」インタビュー" (in Japanese). Chocoage. March 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "新人・ICONIQが初登場3位、デビューアルバムTOP3入りは新垣結衣以来2年3ヶ月ぶり" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "ICONIQ、レコチョクウィークリーも2作品連続1位獲得" (in Japanese). Barks. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "ICONIQがMASERATI、スターバックス、kitsonら7企業とコラボCMを制作" (in Japanese). Barks. 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  10. ↑ "資生堂「マキアージュ」キャスティング＆楽曲タイアップ決定！". Rhythm Zone. January 20, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "謎の"坊主"女性アーティスト、ICONIQ。ATSUSHI （EXILE） とのコラボ曲が、資生堂「マキアージュ」CM曲に決定" (in Japanese). CDJournal. 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  12. ↑ "ICONIQ、2作連続レコチョクデイリー1位" (in Japanese). Barks. 2010-01-22. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  13. ↑ "「I'm lovin' you」着うたフル® 配信スタート". Rhythm Zone. January 20, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Change Myself ICONIQ 歌詞情報 - goo 音楽" (in Japanese). Goo. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "資生堂「マキアージュ」TVCFソング「BYE NOW!」配信情報". Rhythm Zone. March 1, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  16. ↑ "ICONIQ、7企業CMに同時出演！　史上初の仰天コラボで"七変化"披露" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  17. ↑ "ICONIQ、7社とコラボ！" (in Japanese). CDJournal. 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  18. ↑ "ATSUSHI（EXILE）とのコラボで超話題のICONIQが雑誌の表紙に初登場" (in Japanese). Barks. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  19. ↑ "MEDIA". Rhythm Zone. May 28, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon. Retrieved 2010-07-22. (subscription only)
  21. ↑ "レコード協会調べ 2010年01月27日～2010年02月02日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞". RIAJ. February 5, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  22. ↑ "レコード協会調べ 2010年03月03日～2010年03月09日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞". RIAJ. February 12, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "レコード協会調べ 2010年03月31日～2010年04月06日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞". RIAJ. April 9, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. March 22, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "レコード協会調べ 2010年03月10日～2010年03月16日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞". RIAJ. March 19, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  26. ↑ "ＣＨＡＮＧＥ　ＭＹＳＥＬＦ（ＤＶＤ付） - ＩＣＯＮＩＱ ／ オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "週間 CDソフト TOP20 2010年3月8日～2010年3月14日 調査分". Soundscan (in Japanese). PhileWeb. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
  28. ↑ "CHANGE MY SELF[CD/DVD]" (in Chinese). 95music. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  29. ↑ "ICONIQ - Change Myself (Korea Version)" (in Korean). Yesasia. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
  30. ↑ "ICONIQ - Change Myself (Hong Kong Version)" (in Chinese). Yesasia. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
  31. ↑ "ＣＨＡＮＧＥ　ＭＹＳＥＬＦ／ＩＣＯＮＩＱ". Tsutaya. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  32. ↑ "3/31（水）より「CHANGE MYSELF」収録曲着うたフル®、PC配信スタート！". Rhythm Zone. March 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.