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Moriagaro (stylized as MORIAGARO) (Japanese pronunciation: [moɾiaɡaɾoː], "Let's Get Down") is the tenth studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on July 17, 2013 by EMI Records Japan and Universal Music Group.[1] The album marked her first and only release under EMI Records Japan following Universal's purchase of EMI's music operations prior to its rebranding as EMI Records in 2014. Musically, Moriagaro expands on the dance-pop sound found on Ai's previous studio album, Independent, with R&B and hip hop sensibilities. Alongside long-time collaborator Uta, Ai worked with various American producers. On November 20, 2013, the album was reissued as Motto Moriagaro.

Moriagaro
Studio album by Ai
Released	July 17, 2013 (2013-07-17)
Recorded	2012–2013
Studio	Studio MSR (Tokyo) Studioforesta (Tokyo) The Studio (West Hollywood) Wink2 Studio (Tokyo) Da Co-op Studios (Atlanta) Platinum Sound Recording Studio (New York City) Area 51 (NYC)
Genre	Dance-pop R&B hip hop
Length	46:26
Language	Japanese English
Label	EMI Japan Universal
Producer	De-Capo Uta Michico D.Clax C3prod Jerry Duplessis Fifty1 Fifty Ai Uemura
Ai chronology
Independent (2012) Moriagaro (2013) Motto Moriagaro (2013)
Singles from Moriagaro
"Voice" Released: February 13, 2013 "Dear Mama" Released: April 12, 2013

Writing and production

The album was written by Ai, collaborating with American and Japanese producers. Ai collaborated with four singers: American R&B singers Jeremih, Lloyd and Bridget Kelly, as well as Malaysian Australian R&B singer Che'Nelle, who has based her career in Japan since 2011. Five of the songs are sung in Japanese, and three entirely in English. "Moriagaro," "Don't Turn Me Off" and "Gotta Get Mine" are sung in a mix of English and Japanese.

Album recording took place mostly in Tokyo, as well as in West Hollywood, Atlanta and New York City.[2]

Ai worked mostly with Japanese producer Uta (who she has worked with since Viva Ai (2009)) on the songs "Hanabi," "My Place," "Sogood" and "Voice." This is the first time that Ai only worked with a single Japanese producer on an album. Ai worked with five American producers on the remaining songs. Fifty 1 Fifty produced three songs, "For You," "Top of the World" and "After the Storm." De-Capo Music Group worked on "Moriagaro," C3prod on "Dear Mama" and Wonda Music on "Gotta Get Mine." Ai worked together with producer D.Clax and The Exclusives on the song "My Baby."[2]

Promotion and release

The first single released from the album was "Voice" in February 2013. The song was used as the theme song for the drama Yakō Kanransha, starring Kyōka Suzuki and Yuriko Ishida.[3] The single became a big hit, being certified by the RIAJ as a gold single a month after release.[4] It is currently her fourth most sold physical single since her debut.[5] It is also her last release under the then-independent EMI Music Japan.

Ai followed up the single with two digital singles. The first was "Mama e," used in a Lotte chocolate commercial campaign for Mother's Day, and "After the Storm," used as the theme for the Japanese release of the Hong Kong martial arts film The Grandmaster.[3] Three other songs were used for TV commercials. "Sogood" was used for KFC Japan commercials, "For You" for Kubota commercials, and "My Place" for Japan Rail in promotion of the Kyushu Shinkansen.[3] "Gotta Get Mine" was also used as the July opening theme for the TV Tokyo R&B/dance program Chōryūha.[3][6] "Top of the World" was later used as the opening theme for the TBS drama Higanjima in October 2013.[6]

Music videos were produced for the album songs "Gotta Get Mine," "Hanabi," "My Place," and "Sogood."[7][8][9][10]

Tours

Ai's Moriagaro Tour began in October in Kanagawa, Japan, and included 33 dates. The final concert was held on December 18, 2013, at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.[3]

Track listing

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Moriagaro and Tidal.[2][11]

Notes

• Tracks 1, 3–4, 8, and 10–12 are stylized in all capitals.
• Track 6 is titled in Japanese
• Track 7 is stylized in all lower case.

Charts

Charts (2013)	Peak position
Japan Oricon daily albums[12]	3
Japan Oricon weekly albums[13]	5
Japan Oricon monthly albums[14]	18

Sales and certifications

Chart	Amount
Oricon physical sales[13]	49,000

Personnel

Personnel details were sourced from Moriagaro's liner notes booklet.[2]

Managerial

Performance credits

Visuals and imagery

Technical and production

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Distributing Label	Catalogue codes
Japan	July 17, 2013 (2013-07-17)[1]	Digital download streaming CD	EMI Japan Universal	TOCT-29178, TOCT-29179
Taiwan	August 9, 2013 (2013-08-09)[1]	CD	Universal Music Taiwan	0634723
Japan	August 13, 2013 (2013-08-13)[15]	Rental CD	EMI Japan	TOCT-29178

References

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