Ambitions (One Ok Rock album)

Ambitions
Studio album by One Ok Rock
Released January 11, 2017 (2017-01-11) (Japanese)
January 13, 2017 (2017-01-13) (International)
Genre
Length 49:30 (Japan)
49:17 (International)
Label
Producer
One Ok Rock chronology
35xxxv
(2015)		 Ambitions
(2017)
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 version
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Alternative Press[6]
Rock Sound[7]

Ambitions is the eighth studio album by Japanese rock band One Ok Rock. It was released on January 11, 2017[8][9] for the Japanese version album under the Japanese label A-Sketch and on January 13, 2017 for the international version 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. The song "I was King" was released on December 15, 2016. On January 9, 2017, they released their single "We Are".

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,[12] while the Ambitions international version CD comes with a T-shirt bundle for One Ok Rock's new album “Ambitions".[13]

Background

In an interview with UK rock magazine Kerrang! issue number 1649 dated December 10, 2016, One Ok Rock vocalist Taka explained the three themes on this album: Hope, Ambition, and Singing together. He said that they're at a point in their career where they're trying to break a new market and go worldwide. It was the ambition that was inside of them that pushed them to do all this new stuff and to be successful, which became a prevailing theme in the new 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. In another interview, Taka 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.”[14]

Themes

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, Taka 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" are breakup songs, it tells about lover 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.

Promotion

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.[15] 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.[16]

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 will go on their North American tour for 6 concerts,[17] and from February till May 2017, they will hold 32 concerts in some Japanese arenas.[18]

Commercial performance

In Japan, Ambitions debuted at number one on the Daily Oricon Albums Chart, selling 102,408 units.[19] 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).[20] Ambitions became the band's second number one album, and also resulted in becoming their highest first week sales for one of their albums.

Track listing

Ambitions – Japanese version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ambitions" (Introduction)
1:23
2."Bombs away"
4:23
3."Taking Off"
  • Taka
  • Dan Lancaster
  • Nick Long
3:39
4."We are"
  • Taka
  • Toru
  • Brittain
  • Long
4:15
5."20/20"
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
3:19
6."Always coming back"
3:33
7."Bedroom Warfare"
3:23
8."Lost in Tonight"
  • Taka
  • Kane Churko
2:52
9."I was King"
  • Taka
  • Feldmann
  • Brittain
  • Simon Wilcox
3:58
10."Listen" (featuring Avril Lavigne)
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
3:39
11."One Way Ticket"
3:37
12."Bon Voyage"
  • Taka
  • Toru
  • Brittain
4:06
13."Start Again"
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
3:14
14."Take what you want" (featuring 5 Seconds of Summer)
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
4:04
Total length:49:30
AMBITIONS – International version
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ambitions" (Introduction)
Brittain1:23
2."Bombs Away"
  • Brittain
  • Jonathan Gerring
4:24
3."Taking Off"
  • Taka
  • Dan Lancaster
  • Nick Long
Lancaster3:38
4."We Are"
  • Taka
  • Toru
  • Brittain
  • Long
  • Brittain
  • Gerring
4:15
5."Jaded" (featuring Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low)
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:36
6."Hard to Love"
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:16
7."Bedroom Warfare"
  • Sipe
  • Goldstein
3:22
8."American Girls"
Stevens2:48
9."I Was King"
  • Taka
  • Feldmann
  • Brittain
  • Wilcox
Brittain3:58
10."Listen"
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:39
11."One Way Ticket"
  • Taka
  • Long
  • CJ Baran
3:36
12."Bon Voyage"
  • Taka
  • Toru
  • Brittain
Brittain4:05
13."Start Again"
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain3:14
14."Take What You Want" (featuring 5 Seconds of Summer)
  • Taka
  • Brittain
  • Long
Brittain4:03
Total length:49:17

Notes

    Charts

    Chart (2017) Peak
    position
    Australian Albums (ARIA)[21] 57
    Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[22] 72
    Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 195
    Canadian Albums (Billboard)[24] 61
    Japanese Weekly Albums Chart (Oricon)[20] 1
    New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)[25] 2
    South Korean Albums (Gaon)[26] 76
    US Billboard 200[27] 106
    Digital Albums (Billboard)[28] 19
    Top Album Sales (Billboard)[29] 35
    US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[30] 9
    US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[31] 12
    US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[32] 2

    Singles

    Title Year Peak positions
    JPN
    Billboard
    "Always Coming Back" 2016 9[33]
    "Taking Off" 4[34]
    "Bedroom Warfare" 20[35]
    "I Was King" 26[36]
    "We Are" 2017 4[37]

    Other charted songs

    Title Year Peak positions
    JPN
    Billboard    		 US
    Hot Rock    		 Spotify
    Viral 50
    "Listen"
    (feat. Avril Lavigne)    		 2017 93[38] — —
    "Take What You Want"
    (feat. 5 Seconds of Summer)    		 57[39] 44[40] 13[41]

    Certifications

    Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
    Japan (RIAJ)[42] Platinum 250,000^

    ^shipments figures based on certification alone

    Personnel

    One Ok Rock

    References

    1. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 "Ambitions - ONE OK ROCK Reviews". AllMusic.
    5. ↑ ONE OK ROCK on Meeting Linkin Park & Collaborating with Mike Shinoda on “One Way Ticket” Youtube
    6. ↑ Cambell, Rachal. "Album review Ambitions". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
    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. 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 official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    13. ↑ "One Ok Rock official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-19. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    14. ↑ "News - ONE OK ROCK Unveils New Album 'Ambitions'". Knac.Com. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    15. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK official website". Oneokrock.com. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    16. ↑ "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.
    17. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-19. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    18. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK official website". Oneokrock.com. 2016-11-21. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    19. ↑ "Oricon Daily Albums Chart". Oricon Style. 11 January 2017. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
    20. 1 2 "Oricon Weekly Albums Chart". Oricon Style. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
    21. ↑ "ARIA CHART WATCH #404". auspOp. January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
    22. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – One Ok Rock – Ambitions" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
    23. ↑ "Ultratop.be – One Ok Rock – Ambitions" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
    24. ↑ "One Ok Rock Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
    25. ↑ "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
    26. ↑ "2017년 03주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
    27. ↑ "One Ok Rock Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
    28. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK Digital Albums - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    29. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK Top Album Sales - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    30. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK Alternative Albums - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    31. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK Rock Albums - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    32. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK Hard Rock Albums - 'Ambitions'". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
    33. ↑ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. 2016-03-26. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    34. ↑ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. 2016-10-01. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    35. ↑ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. 2016-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    36. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK - "I Was King" Chart History". Billboard. 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    37. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK - "We Are" Chart History". Billboard. 2017-01-28. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    38. ↑ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    39. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK - "Take What You Want" Chart History". Billboard. 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    40. ↑ "ONE OK ROCK - "Take What You Want" Chart History". Billboard. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    41. ↑ "Spotify Viral 50". Spotify. 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
    42. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – One Ok Rock – Ambitions" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2017年01月 on the drop-down menu
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