Still Dreaming (stylized in all caps) is the first Japanese-language studio album by South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together. It was released by Big Hit Entertainment, Universal Music Japan, and Republic Records on January 20, 2021, three months after their third extended play ' (2020). The ten-track album comprises Japanese versions of six of the group's Korean songs; two new instrumental tracks; a new original Japanese song, "Force"; and their previous Japanese single, "Everlasting Shine". Recorded in Japanese and English, Still Dreaming is a J-pop album that borrows numerous musical elements including disco, pop rock, and synth-pop.
The album became Tomorrow X Together's third consecutive number one on the Oricon Albums ChartâÂÂafter ' and Minisode1: Blue HourâÂÂwith first week sales of over 87,000 copies. It was the group's first album to cross 100,000 copies in Japan and their third release to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), achieving Gold status that same month.
In March 2019 South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together debuted with extended play âÂÂThe Dream Chapter: Starâ that portrayed the experiences that boys encounter in the process of growing up. The following releases, âÂÂThe Dream Chapter: Magicâ continued their story of growing from adolescent. In January 2020 TXT debuted in Japan with the single âÂÂMagic Hourâ which contains the Japanese version of previously released songs. Subsequently, they released their second Japanese single âÂÂDramaâ in August leading up to the release of their Japanese studio album announced on November 23, 2020, with the release date of January 20, 2021. The album contains songs from all their previous releases.
In November 2020 it was revealed that the single âÂÂForceâ would be written by Motoki Omori from Mrs. Green Apple, a five-member Japanese rock band from Tokyo. The single was featured as the theme song for the second season of TV Asahi animation series âÂÂWorld TriggerâÂÂ.
The album was pre-released digitally on January 19, followed by physical release a day later. Limited territories outside of Japan received the physical editions. Physical pre-orders for the album began on November 23, after the different Limited and Regular versions of the album were announced. Six versions of the album were made available: two Limited Editions A and B, a CD only Regular Edition, and three limited editions of the regular edition. Limited Editions A includes the CD and lyrics paper in a Keep case which is encased in a limited-edition deluxe slip case with two 24-page booklet filled with daytime photos and sunset-time photos respectively. Limited Editions B includes a Jewel case containing a CD and a DVD featuring the music video for "Blue Hour (Japanese Ver.)," a making-of video and footage from cover photoshoot, a lyric booklet as well as a 12-page booklet filled with daytime and sunset-time photos encased in a limited-edition slip case. Contrarily, the CD-only Regular Edition comes with a lyric booklet instead and one of five random "Standard ver." photocards included as a first-press only bonus. The Weverse Shop Japan, The Universal Music Store and HMV Limited Editions of this version also include a lyric booklet with the former two having B3 size poster and later having a post card as their respective bonuses. All albums share the same track listing. Following commercial success in Japan, the album was later released in United States on February 12, 2021, through Universal Music Enterprises (UME), a catalog division of Universal Music Group.
Yunika Vision ran a half-hour long special feature of six full-length uncut version of TXT music videos including "Blue Hour [Japanese Ver.]" on its screens in front of Seibu-Shinjuku Station from January 21 to January 27; the feature was also accessible for mobile viewing with high-quality sound via the "VISION ñ" app.
Tomorrow X Together held the premiere performance of Japanese version of "Blue Hour" on TBS Japan's CDTV Live! Live! Christmas 4-hour special on December 21 via pre-recorded video. They guested on Nippon TV's Buzz Rhythm 02 on January 22 for their second performance of Japanese version of "Blue Hour". The band presented the song again next week on the January 26 broadcast of Nippon TV's Sukkiri.
The band performed "Force" for the first time on TV Asahi's Music Station on January 29. They performed the song again on TV Asahi's Break Out on February 3. They performed the song "Force" in a Single-Take for The First Take which premiered on YouTube channel on February 10. The band continued promoting the album at the TBS Japan's Music Day by performing "Force" on July 17, 2021.
The album debuted atop the Oricon Weekly Album Chart on chart issue dated February 1, 2021, making it the third consecutive album in Japan to reach number one on Oricon's weekly chart. Still Dreaming also continued in first place on Oricon's daily album chart for six consecutive days after its release, marking first place six times in total during the first week. According to Oricon, Tomorrow X Together's album recorded an estimated 87,000 units in sales within the first week of release. On Billboard Japans Hot Albums chart, Still Dreaming entered atop, selling an estimated 100,000 units.
On February 12, the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) announced that Still Dreaming had sold over 100,000 copies and eventually received a gold certification. The album reached the benchmark within a month of its release on January 20, 2021.
In United States, Tomorrow X Together marked their 3rd entry on the Billboard 200 when Still Dreaming debuted at 173, making them the first artist since BTS to chart on Billboard 200 with a Japanese-language album.
Notes
Credits adapted from Tidal and the liner notes of Still Dreaming.