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& (Ayumi Hamasaki EP)

&
The artwork features a Japanese woman, posing in front of a blue backdrop with a sun beam. The title "&" and 'Ayumi Hamasaki" are imprinted over the image.
CD only artwork.
EP by Ayumi Hamasaki
Released 9 July 2003
Recorded 2003
Genre
Length 34:34
Label Rhythm Zone
Producer Max Matsuura
Singles from &
  1. "Ourselves"
    Released: 9 July 2003
  2. "Greatful Days"
    Released: 9 July 2003
  3. "Hanabi: Episode II"
    Released: 9 July 2003
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
CD Journal (positive)
Hot Express (positive)
Listen Japan (positive)

& is an extended play by Japanese recording artist and songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on 9 July 2003, by record label Avex Trax. Hamasaki's fourth extended play, & consists of four recordings; "Ourselves", "Greatful Days", "Hanabi: Episode II", and "Theme of A-Nation 03", with three additional instrumentals of the first three tracks. It was released in two different formats; a stand-alone CD, and a digital EP. The artwork for the EP depicts Hamasaki posing in front of a cloudy backdrop, with the title of the work superimposed over her hair. & contains predominantly J-pop and dance music.

Hamasaki contributed by writing the lyrics to all the tracks, while Japanese production and manager Max Matsuura served as the EP's main producer. & received favourable reviews from music critics who commended the EP's production and commercial appeal. & reached number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 500,000 units. "Ourselves", "Greatful Days", "Hanabi: Episode II", and "Theme of A-Nation 03" served as promotional singles, while all but the latter track receiving music videos respectively. & was awarded the Japan Record Award at the 46th Japan Record Awards for Best Pop/Rock Album.

Ayumi Hamasaki announced that she would release a new extended play, marketed as a single, entitled &. It consists of four recordings – "Ourselves", "Greatful Days", "Hanabi: Episode II", and "Theme of A-Nation 03" – with additional instrumental versions of the first three tracks.& was released on 9 July 2003 as the first single from Hamasaki's 2003 extended play, Memorial Address. ("Ourselves", "Greatful Days", and "Hanabi: Episode II" were included in Memorial Address.)& follows the releases of Hamasaki's previous extended plays; Nothing from Nothing (1995),A (1999), and H (2002). Hamasaki did not release another extended-play single until Five in 2011.& was released in two formats: a stand-alone CD and a digital EP. The artwork for the EP depicts Hamasaki posing in front of a cloudy backdrop, with the title of the work superimposed over her hair.


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Wikipedia

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