Level3 | ||||
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Studio album by Perfume | ||||
Released | October 2, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012–13 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 64:39 | |||
Language | ||||
Label |
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Producer | Yasutaka Nakata | |||
Perfume chronology | ||||
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Limited edition cover | ||||
Singles from Level3 | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Arcadey.net | (positive) |
CD Journal | (positive) |
The Japan Times | (positive) |
Land of the Rising Sound | |
SBS PopAsia | (positive) |
Selective Hearing | (positive) |
Level3 (capitalized as LEVEL3) is the fourth studio album by Japanese girl group Perfume. It was released on October 2, 2013 by Universal J and Perfume Records. Level3 marks Perfume s fourth consecutive album to be fully produced by Japanese producer and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata, while Perfume contributes to the album as the lead, background vocalists, and executive producers through their self-titled record label. Recorded in Japanese and English language, Level3 is an electronic dance album that borrows numerous musical elements including J-pop, house music, and technopop.
Level3 was recorded and mixed in Japan, with the assistance of Nakata. Six different formats were released to promote the album; a standalone CD, a limited CD and DVD bundle, and a digital release. It was re-released in May 2014 as an additional bonus CD standalone edition, a 12-inch double LP, and a digital release. Two different artworks were issued for the album's cover sleeve; one has Perfume inside the set of their music video "1mm", whilst the second features body shots of Perfume and printed on transparent sheets.
Upon the album's release, it was met with favourable reviews from music critics. Critics noted the musical improvement from their previous release, and commended Nakata's production standards and its commercial appeal. Level3 was listed by several critics as one of the best albums of 2013. Commercially, Level3 was a success. It became Perfume's fourth studio album to reach the top spot on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 250,000 units. The album charted on Korea's Gaon Album Chart and Taiwan's G-Music Albums Chart.