Carnival, alternatively titled Hōjōya (放生会, lit. "life's release") is the seventh solo studio album by Japanese singer Ringo Sheena, released on May 29, 2024, via EMI Records. Preceded by the release of three singles, "Toogood", "I'm Free", and "As a Human" alongside multiple promotional singles, the album was announced two days prior to its release. Primarily a jazz record with French pop and orchestral influences, Sheena collaborated with various female artists on the album, including Hikaru Utada, Nocchi, Ai, and Atarashii Gakko!.
Background
Ringo Sheena released her sixth solo studio album, Sandokushi, in 2019. In 2022, she released a remix album, das Allheilmittel für alle Übel,[2] which received criticism due to its album cover bearing similarity to the Red Cross emblem.[3]
On May 27, 2024, Sheena announced in celebration of her 25th anniversary in the music industry, she would be releasing a studio album on May 29.[4]
Writing and production
Primarily working with male artists on her previous studio album,[5] Sheena wrote songs for Carnival in mind for other female artists.[6][1] Describing the seven female artists as "divas", Sheena stated on the album's liner notes that she "wanted people younger than her to express themselves more freely."[7]
Promotion
On the day Carnival was announced, the seven duets on the album were released the same day. Music videos for each of the songs, excluding "The Sun & Moon" with Hikaru Utada which was originally released in 2019, were released the next day.[8] All of the music videos were directed by Yuichi Kodama. In promotion of the album, Sheena will be embarking on an arena tour.[6]
Track listing
All tracks are written and produced by Ringo Sheena except where noted.
^ ab"椎名林檎「放生会」インタビュー｜7人の歌姫たちとの共闘に迫る" [Ringo Sheena's "Carnival" interview | A look at the collaboration with seven divas]. Natalie Music. May 29, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
^"ヘルプマーク、赤十字マークに酷似した椎名林檎グッズに「誤認を招く」「やめてほしい」と批判の声続出 アルバム限定版に付属" [Help marks and Red Cross marks on Shiina Ringo merchandise draw criticism, with some saying they are misleading and that they should be stopped]. Netlab (in Japanese). October 8, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
^"椎名林檎、新アルバム『放生会』リリース 収録新曲「茫然も自失」がサントリー「碧Ao」のWeb CMソングに" [Ringo Sheena releases new album "Carnival" with new song "Cheers Beer" as the web CM song for Suntory's "Ao" beer]. CDjournal (in Japanese). May 29, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
^ ab"椎名林檎、5年ぶりアルバム『放生会』を5/29リリース＋アリーナツアー開催決定" [Ringo Sheena to release first album in 5 years "Carnival" on 5/29 + arena tour]. Barks (in Japanese). May 27, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
^"椎名林檎★5年ぶりの新作アルバム『放生会(ほうじょうや)』を本日5月29日(水)リリース" [Ringo Sheena released her first new album in five years, "Carnival," today, Wednesday, May 29th.]. Encore (in Japanese). May 29, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
^"椎名林檎、歌姫迎えたニューアルバム「放生会」より6つの新曲ミュージックビデオを一挙公開（動画あり）" [Ringo Sheena releases 6 new music videos from her new album "Carnival" featuring the singer]. Natalie Music (in Japanese). May 28, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
^"椎名林檎、5年ぶりアルバムで宇多田ヒカル、Perfumeのっち、新しい学校のリーダーズら"七人の歌姫"と共演【収録曲公開】" [Ringo Sheena collaborates with "Seven Divas" including Hikaru Utada, Perfume's Nocchi, and Atarashii Gakko!! on her first album in five years [Track list revealed]]. Oricon. May 27, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
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