Cosmic Explorer

Background and composition

Cosmic Explorer is Perfume's first studio album since Level 3 (2013). It is also their longest album in production since Level 3, which spanned a total of three years. Perfume and their record labels Universal Music Japan, Universal J, and Perfume Records hired Japanese musician and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata to compose, produce, write, and arrange the then-upcoming album. This marks the group's fifth consecutive studio album to be handled primarily by Nakata. It is also his first fully produced studio album inside of 2016. Cosmic Explorer is an electronic dance album. Five of the album's tracks: "Flash", "Sweet Refrain", "Tokimeki Lights", "Star Train", and "Cling Cling" were re-arranged by Nakata, whilst a bonus CD on the album includes the original single edit for "Flash".

Songs

According to Alex Shenmue from the blog Land of the Rising Sound, he compared the second track, "Cosmic Explorer", to the work of Japanese group Yellow Magic Orchestra. "Miracle Worker" and "Next Stage with You" are described as "synth-drive" tracks that are both divided with singing and instrumental sections. The album's fifth track, "STORY", was originally performed at the 2015 SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas; it is a big room house song with "dark" and "industrial" elements. Erin Smith from Hello Asia noted that the darker elements of the song "aren't quite in sync with the sweet and catchy ditties Perfume are known for, but this direction suits them just as well..." "Flash" has been described as a "party-starter" anthem that was noted by Alex as the album's most consistent arrangement. "Sweet Refrain" is a four-on-the-floor song which received mixed reviews; Alex found the remix as "unnecessary". The album's eighth track, "Baby Face", was described as dance song with "cute" and "sweet" atmospheric elements.

"Tokimeki Lights" is the ninth track, and was the B-side to the group's single "Star Train". It was highlighted as one of the album's best tracks. "Star Train" is a ballad that was described by Alex as one of the group's "shallowness" entries. The song also received mixed reviews for its regression of the group's signature dance sound. "Relax in the City" is a "sing-a-long" song that was criticized for its positioning on the track list. "Pick Me Up" was praised for its comparisons between the works of Calvin Harris and Avicii, being a prominent mixture of both Eurodance and Japanese pop music. The song uses instrumentation of acoustic guitars and keyboard riffs. The remixed version of "Cling Cling" received mixed reviews; some critics found it also unnecessary, whilst some commended the songs "unpredictable" bass modulation and Auto-tune elements. The album's closer, "Hold Your Hand", was included on the group's single "Cling Cling". According to Smith, he said of the song, "...seems a little anticlimactic after so many established hits – with a slightly slower tempo and a fairly steady build with little dynamic variation, while certainly not a bad song, it doesn’t seem the ideal choice for a record closer."

Release and packaging

Cosmic Explorer was released on April 6, 2016 by Universal Music Japan, Universal J, and Perfume Records in four different formats. The stand-alone CD featured the 14 tracks in a jewelcase, with first press editions including an obi. The double CD and DVD bundle featured the 14 tracks in a large box set case. The second disc features the original edit of "Flash", plus the instrumental and a live performance. A bonus DVD included two music videos and two live performances. The double CD and Blu-ray bundle featured the 14 tracks in a large box set case. The second disc features the original edit of "Flash", plus the instrumental and a live performance. A bonus DVD included two music videos and two live performances. The final format is the digital release, which was released worldwide.

The four Cosmic Explorer cover sleeves feature two different images, photographed by Hiroshi Manaka. The stand-alone CD cover has a background shot of Perfume's face. Each member are standing and leaning against the image, blocking one of their eyes. Both the deluxe edition covers features reflected images of the members, placed in front of a blue and white backdrop. Several objects, including a telephone, lamp, and shoes are also reflected and mirrored across from each side of the image. The digital release uses the CD cover. The booklet and photo shoot were designed and directed by Yuni Yoshida.

Critical response

Upon its release, Cosmic Explorer received favorable reviews from most music critics. Erin Smith from Hello Asia was very positive in her review, awarding the album eight marks out of 10. Smith observed that Perfume "have spent the past 13-odd years honing their signature sound and performance", and stated that "it’s obvious in the quality and consistency of Cosmic Explorer that their years of experience haven’t gone to waste." She commended the song's mixture of genres, but said that "As a result of Perfume’s often repetitive songwriting style, the pervasive use of common dance tempos and the fact that Perfume’s songs average on the longer end of radio-friendly pop tracks, the record can get a little predictable and monotonous at times." However, she concluded "Cosmic Explorer is another great example of what this powerful trio are capable of."

Commercial performance

On the album's first day of sales, Cosmic Explorer debuted at number one on Japan's Oricon Daily Albums Chart. It sold 60,858 units according to Oricon. The album debuted at number one on Japan's Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, with over 122,732 units sold in its first week of sales. It became the groups fifth consecutive studio album to top that chart, but resulted as their lowest first-week sales to date.

Singles

"Sweet Refrain" was released as the albums lead single on November 27, 2013. Upon its release, it garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics commended the songs composition and the bass sound, while some criticized its production. "Sweet Refrain" was successful in Japan, peaking at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart. It also reached number two on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart. The accompanying music video for the single was shot by Kazuaki Seki; it features the group in a museum, where multiple clones appear.

"Cling Cling" was released as the albums second single on July 16, 2014. Upon its release, it garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics commended the song's composition, while some criticized its production. "Cling Cling" was successful in Japan, peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart. It also reached number two on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 100,000 units. The accompanying music video for the single was shot by Shimada Daisuke; it features the group in a Chinese market place, dancing to the song.

"Relax in the City" and "Pick Me Up" were released as the albums third singles and only A-side single on April 25, 2015. Upon its release, it garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Whilst "Relax in the City" was criticized for its commercial appeal, "Pick Me Up" was praised for its mixture of genres. Charting together, both singles were successful in Japan, peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart. The former track reached number two on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart, whilst the latter track peaked at number 69. An accompanying music video for each single was shot; the first song features the group inside of a see-through house near an ocean, while the second song has Perfume dancing in a city.

"Star Train" was released as the albums fourth single on October 28, 2015. Upon its release, it garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics commended the songs production, while some felt it was a weaker track from the album. "Star Train" was successful in Japan, peaking at number four on the Oricon Singles Chart. It also reached number two on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart. It was certified gold by RIAJ for shipments of 100,000 units. The accompanying music video for the single was shot by Seki; it features the group watching a performance from their 2015 documentary film, We Are Perfume.

"Flash" was released as the albums fifth single on March 16, 2016. The song has performed well in Japan, reaching number 3 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart. The accompanying music video for the single was shot by Seki; it features the group performing the song in a grey-beige room.

Out of all the four physical singles, "Cling Cling" and "Star Train" were the only ones which received gold certifications from the RIAJ for shipments of over a hundred thousand copies. "Flash" is certified gold for over 100,000 desktop downloads by RIAJ.

Other charted songs

"Hold Your Hand" was released as a B-side track to "Cling Cling". The song has performed moderately in Japan, reaching number 41 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart. The accompanying music video for the single features the group, and their fans, holding their hands up towards the camera with the songs lyrics on them.

Concert tour

On February 14, 2016, Perfume confirmed their nationwide tour with the same name of the album. The group also confirmed their extension into North America, the group's first concert tour in that region.

Track listing

All tracks written by Yasutaka Nakata.