SWEET 19 BLUES by 安室奈美恵

Sweet 19 Blues (stylized SWEET 19 BLUES) is the second studio album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. The early first press editions—housed in four different card sleeves—were put on sale on July 20, 1996, and standard copies were distributed two days later throughout Japan and the rest of Asia by Avex Trax. The album was primarily handled by Japanese producer Tetsuya Komuro, with the assistance of Cozy Kubo, Akio Togashi, Takahiro Maeda, M.C.A.T. and Randy Waldman. Sweet 19 Blues is a departure from the singer's debut album Dance Tracks Vol. 1 (1995), having been influenced by various dance genres and styles such as acid house, funk, jazz and R&B to name a few. Alongside a selection of newly recorded songs, the album also holds a number of interludes and re-worked material, alongside remixes of each single. Lyrically, the album's central focus is about adolescence, which is loosely derived on the record's title, and discusses about prior relationships, family, and other activities in Amuro's personal life. Despite music critics having ambivalent views on Amuro's vocal deliveries and certain remixes, Sweet 19 Blues have received positive critiques for its production, composition and mixture of genres. Its critical success had drawn Amuro numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Best Album achievement at the Japan Record Awards. Commercially, the album was a success in Japan, debuting atop of the Oricon Albums Chart, and has sold under four million units. Achieving the highest first week sales for a solo female artist, the album was once the best-selling studio album in Japanese music history, until it was surpassed by future titles by other artists. To promote the Sweet 19 Blues, Amuro and Avex released five singles; "Body Feels Exit", "Chase the Chance", "Don't Wanna Cry", "You're My Sunshine" and the title track, all resulting into commercial success. To follow-up on the album's success, Amuro conducted a nationwide tour that celebrated her first anniversary as a solo artist, travelling through her native Okinawa and Chiba Prefecture; a live release was distributed in December 1996. In retrospect, Sweet 19 Blues has been cited as an emblematic musical release to Japan, and Amuro's appearance and fashion style, at that time, was noted as a significant trend throughout the Japanese public.