Pacific is the second studio album by the Japanese pop group NEWS, released on 4 June 2008 by Johnny & Associates. The album was issued in both CD‑only and CD+DVD formats and includes a blend of J‑pop, rock, and dance‑pop styles.
Background and production
Following the commercial success of their debut album Touch (2005), NEWS returned to the studio in 2007–2008 to record new material. Recording sessions took place primarily at Johnny’s studios in Tokyo, with production overseen by senior Johnny’s staff and various external arrangers. The album’s title, Pacific, reflects the group’s aspiration toward a broader, more international sound, though the band’s lyrical themes remain centered on youth, love, and personal growth.
Musical content
Pacific comprises twelve tracks, several of which were previously released as singles:
- “Kakera: Shinya no Hota” (single, 21 November 2007)
- “Summer Time” (single, 26 June 2007)
- “Happy Birthday” (single, 19 February 2008)
- “Moku Chikago” (album‑only track)
- “Remember” (album‑only track)
- “Kagayaki” (album‑only track)
- “Komorebi” (album‑only track)
- “Mega Man” (album‑only track)
- “Uta” (album‑only track)
- “Biscuit” (album‑only track)
- “Isshi no Umi” (album‑only track)
- “106°30′ (66°10′)” (album‑only track)
The tracks feature a mixture of ballads, upbeat pop songs, and rock‑influenced numbers, with production incorporating synthesizers, electric guitars, and layered vocal harmonies characteristic of late‑2000s J‑pop.
Release and packaging
Pacific was released in two editions:
- CD‑only edition – standard jewel case with the twelve‑track CD.
- CD+DVD edition – includes a DVD containing the music videos for the three singles, a behind‑the‑scenes “making of” feature, and a short documentary on the group’s recording process.
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number one on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, selling approximately 258,000 copies in its first week. It remained on the chart for 26 weeks and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments exceeding 250,000 units.
Critical reception
Japanese music critics generally praised Pacific for its polished production and the vocal growth of the members. CDJournal highlighted the album’s “refined sound” and noted that the singles demonstrated the group’s expanding musical range. Some reviewers, however, remarked that the album adhered closely to the conventional J‑pop formula dominant in the mid‑2000s.
Promotion
NEWS promoted Pacific through a series of live television performances on programs such as Music Station and Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ. The group also embarked on a brief concert tour titled “NEWS Pacific Tour,” which featured performances in major Japanese venues, including the Tokyo International Forum and Osaka Dome.
Legacy
Pacific solidified NEWS’s status as one of Johnny & Associates’ leading idol acts during the late 2000s, contributing to the group’s continued popularity and influencing subsequent releases, including their third studio album Live (2009).
References
- Oricon Style. “NEWS - Pacific.” Oricon.co.jp. Accessed 2024.
- Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). “Certification Data for 2008.” RIAJ.or.jp.
- CDJournal. “NEWS ‘Pacific’ Review.” CDJournal.com.
Note: All information presented is based on publicly available and verifiable sources.