K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)

Untitled

K.I.S.S. (abbreviation of Keep It Sexy & Simple) is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Mýa. It is her second studio album to be released by Manhattan Recordings in Japan on April 20, 2011. Originally, scheduled for release April 6, 2011 (physically), however though the album's release was delayed for two weeks due to the unfortunate events surrounding the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disaster, which triggered the Fukushima I nuclear accidents, and temporarily immobilized packaging of the CD album. Despite these circumstances and minor setback K.I.S.S. eventually became available at retail and outlets April 20, 2011 and served as Harrison's third independently—released project through her own label imprint Planet 9. Although the record is a traditional R&B; pop album, Mýa was heavily—influenced by Japan's culture and experimented with Japan's J-pop sound to embrace a more worldwide appeal to attract the Japanese music market audience.

Production on K.I.S.S. was primarily handled by local Cleveland native producer Young Yonny with additional contributions from Japanese musicians Jeff Miyahara and Daisuke Imai, Chuck Harmony and longtime collaborators Carvin & Ivan. As always and just as she did before with her last 3 independently—released projects, Mýa took full creative control of the album. Harrison lent a hand in the songwriting process; co-writing several of the album's tracks with many different artists and songwriters and served as executive producer to the project. Guest features included Miami rapper Trina, international recording artist Iyaz, reggae star Sean Paul and ex Immature frontman Marques Houston. The album is a representation of Mýa's life today. "It's about being cool and drama-free. And everything I do reflects that," she said in a recent interview. "The people that I associate with, the circle that I keep is real simple and sometimes we think or we're trained to believe that you always have to have more, more, more to make ourselves feel happy or beautiful, but it's the other way around for me. Simplicity is sexy."

K.I.S.S. spawned seven singles; two international singles "Fabulous Life" and "Runnin' Back" featuring international recording artist Iyaz and five U.S. released singles "Earthquake", "Somebody Come Get This Bitch", "Mr. Incredible", "Mess Up My Hair", and "Evolve". Although all singles were released (digitally) to iTunes, none of the singles were serviced to radio.

In Japan, K.I.S.S. debuted at number sixty-one on the Japan Billboard Top Albums Chart on May 2, 2011 with first week sales of 1,543 copies. In the United States, Mýa announced via Twitter, that the North American deluxe edition of K.I.S.S. was slated to be released December 20, 2011 (digitally) on Apple iTunes Store. The North American deluxe edition was made available on December 20, 2011 via iTunes and Amazon, officially marking Mýa's return to the United States prior to her last studio album Moodring (2003) and departure from her label Interscope Records eight years ago.

In February 2012, K.I.S.S. debuted at number seventy-four on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, ending Harrison's nine-year absence from the chart.

Background

Prior to Mýa recording and releasing her first independent album overseas, she released three successful studio albums in the United States; 1998's Mýa, 2000's Fear of Flying and 2003's Moodring. In 1998, Mýa released her debut self-titled album, which peaked at No. 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Fear of Flying (2000) fared even better at No. 7, with the single "Case of the Ex" reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100. In 2001, she took home a Grammy for "Lady Marmalade", her massive No. 1 single with P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Missy Elliott. A role in the hit film Chicago and other acting opportunities followed. After she released Moodring in 2003, with the exception of a popular stint on Dancing with the Stars in 2009 (she finished second), it seemed as if Mýa had left the entertainment industry.

In 2004, after the Moodring album, she ended up in a year-long litigation with management. In late 2005, Harrison made a transition within the Universal system from Interscope to Universal Motown. In 2007 her fourth studio album Liberation was accidentally released in Japan when the release date changed. At the time, she was with Motown/Universal; her lawyer advised that she not waste time and money taking the issue to court, so Harrison decided to go independent instead. Japan loved the Liberation album so much, that a company by the named Manhattan Recordings located there approached her about doing business with them. In 2008, Harrison released her first independent album, titled Sugar & Spice, in Japan, a year after her split with Motown.

K.I.S.S. is Harrison's second studio album to be released in Japan on Manhattan Recordings (a division of Lexington Corp). It is the follow-up to the moderately successful Sugar & Spice (2008). Sugar & Spice spawned just one single, "Paradise". During her downtime she competed in the 9th season of Dancing with the Stars and started an independent label titled Planet 9. She released her first mixtape, Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 on her own label through J. Prince's Young Empire Music Group. While participating on Dancing with the Stars, Harrison began recording the album that would eventually become K.I.S.S.

Planet 9

In 2008, Harrison created her own label imprint, Planet 9. Since parting ways with Universal Motown, Harrison has released four independently self-funded, self-executive produced projects; 2008's Sugar & Spice, 2009's Sugar & Spice: The Perfect Edition, 2010's Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 and 2011's K.I.S.S. In 2009, Harrison spoke with Rolling Out magazine, elaborating more on her hiatus from music and decision to go independent:

"I've never stopped doing music. I've created a label called Planet 9 and I released an album in Japan. I invested in my own studio and it cut the recording cost down 95 percent. I have my own in-house producers and they are not as expensive as an established producer. The return is greater and now I own my masters. I see six dollars per album sold versus 10 cents. You may not sell as many units because you don't put as much money in promotions, but the returns are better."

Later in the interview, Harrison voiced her opinion on the major difference between major record labels and independent labels, saying, "Major labels have a system that you have to go through. The people in power dictate how things should sound and where the money is spent. But when you become your own boss, you check every line item and you have to be cautious."

Album title and artwork

In an interview with AOL, Mýa said K.I.S.S. stood for "Keep It Sexy and Simple" and named it that because it is "sealed with a kiss as a gift to my fans. It's about keeping it simple by keeping negative energy and unnecessary things to a minimum. Being simple is sexy to me."

The album cover of K.I.S.S. was shot by photographer/director Marc Baptiste and inspired by Janet Jackson's Control album cover along with a few other artists; Vanity 6, The Jets, Andy Warhol, and Lisa, Lisa. All singles cover artwork was shot by Reesee at Zigga Zagga studio.

Development

Just like she did before on her previous projects Sugar & Spice and Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1, Harrison served as executive producer for K.I.S.S which entailed her scouting the producers, songwriters, arranging the album track listing, and keeping track of the accounting. Her fifth studio album Sugar & Spice was catered more to Japan's distinct sound and market, but approaching K.I.S.S., she wanted to make a classic Mýa album even if it meant digging deeper into her pockets. K.I.S.S. has a balance of mid-tempos, up-tempos, slow jams and great production. "As fun as this album is, there's also lots of substance to be discovered lyrically, without getting bored or depressed", she described. In an interview with 4Eight Media, she said, "The creative process was a combination of including songs that I had in my archive for years in addition to travelling across the U.S. and Jamaica to work with different producers and artists. She chose the songs that best worked together sonically & arranged the track listing of the album accordingly." Harrison used a few songs on the album that have existed in her archive for a couple of years that finally found the appropriate place to reside. The entire album with the new material took her about 5 months to assemble & complete. Between October 2010 & February 2011.

Conception and production

File:Autumn Rowe Performing.jpg

Shawn Stockman (left) co-wrote Problem & Solution. Autumn Rowe (right) co-wrote the opening title track with Harrison.

Primary production on K.I.S.S. was handled by hip hop producer Young Yonny. With additional contribution from Japanese musicians Jeff Miyahara and Daisuke Imai and longtime collaborators Chuck Harmony and Carvin & Ivan; while Lil' Eddie, Autumn Rowe, and Shawn Stockman, a member of Boyz II Men each wrote or co-wrote track(s). In an interview with AOL, Mýa described the album as a "classic Mýa album" with a variety of sounds and tempos, club bangers, soulful R&B, pop ballads and substance. When asked if she experimented with anything new on the album as far as sounds, she replied there are two J-pop-inspired songs on the album, "Fabulous Life" and "Alive". She further stated, "This is a new fun sound for me ... and I'm ready to have some FUN!"

"Runnin' Back", the album's second single is a flavored beat number with sweet mellow vocals. Another track, titled "Before U Say Goodbye" was described as "super catchy" with a "feeling of floating".

Harrison, who recorded many of the songs during her stint on Dancing with the Stars, combined all different styles on the album. She wanted classic Mýa songs, dance, collaborations, urban, pop, slow jam ballads. Mýa said the album's title track "K.I.S.S." is beneficial because it clarify the meaning of the album. "Mess Up My Hair" was produced by Young Yonny. Mýa and Young Yonny met in 2007 and began working together on music independently; recording 2009's Beauty & The Streets Vol.1 and continue to work together on other future projects as well. Marques Houston is featured on "Love Me Some You" a slow jam love ballad. Harrison recruited Marques Houston to record the song with her because she liked the tone of his voice; Harrison said the song was perfect for him. "Problem + Solution" was written by Afro-pop artist Tiwa Savage and Boyz II Men member Shawn Stockman.

While the original version of K.I.S.S. contains J-pop songs, Mýa says the deluxe edition is more of her traditional style. "It's R&B, urban [and] also pop. It's fun, young with perspective and opinion." There are up-tempo tracks, as well as ballads, like "Love Comes Love Goes", that tackle "deeper issues". Harrison singles out "Evolve", a "heartfelt, mid-tempo" song as one of her favorites. "[It's] about having determination and will power through it all... and not letting anything stop you," Mýa says. "It represents where I am in my life." The overall concept of K.I.S.S. is simplicity.

Release and promotion

On July 22, 2011, Mýa put on a special extended performance and held a listening party for the U.S. release of K.I.S.S. in Atlantic City at the Chelsea Hotel's C5 Night Club. The North American deluxe edition of K.I.S.S. was released December 20, 2011 via (iTunes) independently through Mýa's label imprint, Planet 9. When the North American deluxe edition of K.I.S.S. was released, Mýa opted not shoot any videos or do extensive promotion for the album. She explained K.I.S.S. is just a boutique album that I'm offering fans under the radar. If they want it, it's accessible now," she said. "This is just more of an appetizer. I've already started on what people will be looking forward to."

On February 1, 2012, Harrison announced in a press release that she would be releasing the worldwide edition of K.I.S.S. on February 14, 2012 to commemorate her debut single "It's All About Me" (2/14/1998) and 14th year in the music industry through her own label imprint Planet 9 with distribution from INgrooves, a veteran player in the digital music distribution and marketing space.

In mid-August 2013, Harrison posted on her Instagram that there would be a Limited Mint edition released for the U.S., available on her official store. The track listing remained the same as the international deluxe edition, while the album's artwork itself changed to green. This edition was made available on September 3, 2013.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
About.com
The Heights	(negative)
The Weekender

Critical

About.com's editor Mark Edward Nero gave K.I.S.S. 2 out of 5 stars and called the album "mediocre, unoriginal and creatively lacking material", concluding "Throughout K.I.S.S., Mýa tries out different personas like she's putting on new sets of clothes: she's a confident, independent woman on the title track; she's a sassy street chick on the club banger 'Earthquake'; she's a vulnerable, heartbroken girl on 'Love Comes, Love Goes'; and she's a strong, powerful woman on 'Evolve'. Unfortunately, she doesn't come off convincingly in any of the roles. And the lack of consistency and cohesiveness throughout the album ultimately proves to be the second-biggest drawback, right after the multiple weak vocal performances."

Conversely, staff writer Stephanie DeBalko of The Weekender gave the album 3½ stars out of 5 and called K.I.S.S. "an unexpectedly vibrant, peppy outing", expressing that the album "shows Mýa still [has] a few tricks up her sleeve" while commenting the album's production and lyrical content, writing: "A lot of the songs have an '80s flavor to them, with jingly effects and forthright lyrics."

Taylor Cavallo of The Heights gave the album a negative review, labelling K.I.S.S. "one-dimensional girl power music". Commenting on the album's music and lyrical content, she remarked, "There is certainly a time and place for this type of music, but Mýa doesn't even deliver amidst the lackluster genre populated by the Ke$has and the Katy Perrys", and wrote, "Lyricism is not the strong point of this R&B album." She dubbed the album "not only a bit overdone, but also boring."

Commercial performance

K.I.S.S. debuted at number sixty-one on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart and at number seventy-two on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart with first-week sales of 1,543. In its second week, the album dropped 25 spots to number 97 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 16 spots to number 77 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,422 copies. In its third week, the album dropped 21 spots to number 118 on the Oricon Albums Chart and 17 spots to number 94 on Japan's Top Billboard Albums Chart, selling 1,008 copies. In its fourth week, the album dropped 35 spots to number 153 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 625 copies. In its fifth week, the album dropped another 35 spots to number 188 on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 485 copies. In its sixth week, the album dropped 82 spots to number 270 on the Oricon Album Chart, selling 419 copies.

In the United States, K.I.S.S. debuted at number seventy-four on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for the week of February 11, 2012. It re-entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at number one hundred and eighty-three for the week of March 24, 2012, selling 273 copies in its second non-consecutive week. As of March 2012, K.I.S.S. has sold 3,035 copies to date.

Track listing

Japanese standard edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"K.I.S.S."	Mýa Harrison, Edwin "Lil Eddie" Serrano, Autumn Rowe, Christopher Moore	Chuck Harmony	3:54
2.	"Rear View Mirror" (featuring Sean Paul)	Harrison, Sean Paul Henriques	PJ Bianco, Zach Hannah	3:54
3.	"Fabulous Life"	Jeff Miyahara, Andreas Levander, Edwin "Lil Eddie" Serrano, Harrison	Jeff Miyahara, Fredro	3:58
4.	"Mess Up My Hair"	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Nia Myricks, Harrison	Young Yonny, Desmond J. "BigHeadDez" Peterson	3:32
5.	"Fugitive of Love"	Carmael M. Frith, Harrison, Tasha King	Rich Shelton, Loren Hill, Michael Barney, Aaron Bennett	4:06
6.	"Love Me Some You" (featuring Marques Houston)	Atozzio Towns, Houston	Young Yonny	3:32
7.	"Mr. Incredible"	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Nia Myricks, Harrison	Young Yonny	4:41
8.	"Problem + Solution"	Tiwa Savage, Shawn Stockman	John Ho	4:34
9.	"Runnin' Back" (featuring Iyaz)	Kyle Schrom, Iyobasa "Enpho" Ighedosa, Caleb Middlebrooks	Young Yonny, Mr. INT	3:29
10.	"Before U Say Goodbye"	Daisuke "D.I." Imai, Lil Eddie, Harrison	Daisuke "D.I." Imai	4:06
11.	"Sorry"	Krystle Oliver	Carvin & Ivan	3:43
12.	"Love Comes Love Goes"	Julian Brazier	Duwayne "DaDa" Mills, Hardwork, Philip Constable	4:50
13.	"Evolve"	Delisha Thomas, King, Harrison	Lee Major	3:28

Bonus track

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
14.	"Alive"	Lil Eddie, Harrison	DJ Komori, UTA	3:50

North American deluxe edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"K.I.S.S."	Mýa Harrison, Edwin "Lil Eddie" Serrano, Autumn Rowe, Christopher Moore	Chuck Harmony	3:54
2.	"Rear View Mirror" (featuring Sean Paul)	Harrison, Sean Paul Henriques	PJ Bianco, Zach Hannah	3:54
3.	"Take Him Out" (featuring Spice)	Harrison, Spice, Michael Boog, Junior Sanchez	Junior Sanchez, Michael Boog	3:21
4.	"Fabulous Life"	Jeff Miyahara, Andreas Levander, Edwin "Lil Eddie" Serrano, Harrison	Jeff Miyahara, Fredro	3:58
5.	"Earthquake" (featuring Trina)	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Cristal Brightharp, Nia Myricks, Katrina Taylor, Kevon Ford, Kris Day	Young Yonny, Desmond J. "BigHeadDez" Peterson	3:19
6.	"Mess Up My Hair"	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Nia Myricks, Harrison	Young Yonny, Desmond J. "BigHeadDez" Peterson	3:32
7.	"Break Your Neck"	Carmael M. Frith, Tasha J. King, Harrison	Rich Shelton Loren Hill, Michael Barney, Aaron Bennett	3:14
8.	"Fugitive of Love"	Carmael M. Frith, King, Harrison	Rich Shelton, Loren Hill, Michael Barney, Aaron Bennett	4:06
9.	"Can I"	Tyquandra "LyriqTye" Stephens, Harrison	Snatch & Grab Productions	4:27
10.	"Love Me Some You" (featuring Marques Houston)	Atozzio Towns, Houston	Young Yonny	3:32
11.	"Mr. Incredible"	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Nia Myricks, Harrison	Young Yonny	4:41
12.	"Problem + Solution"	Tiwa Savage, Shawn Stockman	John Ho	4:34
13.	"Love Comes Love Goes"	Julian Brazier	Duwayne "DaDa" Mills, Hardwork, Philip Constable	4:50
14.	"Evolve"	Delisha Thomas, King, Harrison	Lee Major	3:28
15.	"It's My Birthday"	Harrison	DJ Drew G	3:29
16.	"Somebody Come Get This Bitch"	Harrison, Stacie & Lacie	Reco Lynch	3:07
17.	"Love Me Some You (Solo)"	Atozzio Towns	Young Yonny	3:32

International Deluxe/U.S. 2013 Limited Mint Edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"K.I.S.S."	Mýa Harrison, Edwin "Lil Eddie" Serrano, Autumn Rowe, Christopher Moore	Chuck Harmony	3:54
2.	"Rear View Mirror" (featuring Sean Paul)	Harrison, Sean Paul Henriques	PJ Bianco, Zach Hannah	3:54
3.	"Take Him Out" (featuring Spice)	Harrison, Spice, Michael Boog, Junior Sanchez	Junior Sanchez, Michael Boog	3:21
4.	"Fabulous Life"	Jeff Miyahara, Andreas Levander, Edwin "Lil Eddie" Serrano, Harrison	Jeff Miyahara, Fredro	3:58
5.	"Earthquake" (featuring Trina)	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Cristal Brightharp, Nia Myricks, Katrina Taylor, Kevon Ford, Kris Day	Young Yonny, Desmond J. "BigHeadDez" Peterson	3:19
6.	"Mess Up My Hair" (featuring Beenie Man)	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Nia Myricks, Harrison, Moses Davis	Young Yonny, Desmond J. "BigHeadDez" Peterson	3:50
7.	"Break Your Neck"	Carael M. Frith, Tasha J. King, Harrison	Rich Shelton, Loren Hill, Michael Barney, Aaron Bennett	3:14
8.	"Fugitive of Love"	Carmael M. Frith, King, Harrison	Rich Shelton, Loren Hill, Michael Barney, Aaron Bennett	4:06
9.	"Can I"	Tyquandra "LyriqTye" Stephens, Harrison	Snatch & Grab Productions	4:27
10.	"Love Me Some You" (featuring Marques Houston)	Atozzio Towns, Houston	Young Yonny	3:32
11.	"Mr. Incredible"	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Nia Myricks, Harrison	Young Yonny	4:41
12.	"Problem + Solution"	Tiwa Savage, Shawn Stockman	John Ho	4:34
13.	"Love Comes Love Goes"	Julian Brazier	Duwayne "DaDa" Mills, Hardwork, Philip Constable	4:50
14.	"Evolve"	Delisha Thomas, King, Harrison	Lee Major	3:28
15.	"It's My Birthday"	Harrison	DJ Drew G	3:29
16.	"Somebody Come Get This Bitch"	Harrison, Stacie & Lacie	Reco Lynch	3:07
17.	"Love Me Some You (Solo)"	Atozzio Towns	Young Yonny	3:32
18.	"Mess Up My Hair (Solo)"	Lindsay "Lindz" Fields, Nia Myricks, Harrison	Young Yonny, Desmond J. "BigHeadDez" Peterson	3:32
19.	"Love Is the Answer" (featuring Cedric Gervais starring Mýa)	Harrison, Dee Roberts	Cedric Gervais, Sandy Vee	2:57

Sample credits

• "Take Him Out" contains a sample of "Pon de Floor" by Major Lazer.
• "Break Your Neck" contains a sample "It Takes Two" by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

Personnel

Managerial

• A&R – Rambo Harrison, Kensuke Hara, Kazuya Sasamura
• Artist coordination – Jake McKim
• Business management – Theresa Harrison
• Executive producer – Mýa Harrison
• Marketing – Takahiro Ikeda, Haruka Ikgeami, Mike Killmon
• Management – Sherman Harrison, Mike Killmon, Carol Rosenthal, Crystal Bozeman, Troy Ramsey, Teron Beal, Tatiana Noboa

Visuals and imagery

• Art direction and design – Motoki Mizoguchi
• Clothing design – André Adkins, Leon Frager
• Hair stylist – Yusef
• Make-up – Lisa Hayes
• Photography – Marc Baptiste
• Stylist – Leon Frager

Instruments

• Drums – Alex Selph
• Guitar – Daniel Groover
• Keyboard – Alex Selph
• Piano – Julian Brazer
• Strings – Jonathan Perkins

Technical and production

• Backing vocals – Caramel M. Faith, Tasha J. King, Lindsay Fields, Krystle Oliver, Atozzio Town
• Engineering – PJ Bianco, Mýa Harrison, Loren Hill, Mike Johnson, Jared Newcomb, Rich Shelton, Young Yonny
• Mastering – Tucky@parasight
• Mixing – Ivan Barias, Brandon Bishop, Ben Chang, D.O.I., Carvin Haggins, John Ho, Satoshi Hosoi, Mike Johnson, Mike Mo, Frankie Mumbles, Nemhara, Young Yonny
• Recording – Jeff Miyahara

Charts

Chart (2011/2012)	Peak position	Sales
Japan Albums Chart (Billboard)	61	5,502
Japanese Albums Chart (Oricon)	72
Japanese International Albums Chart (Oricon)	17
Japan Top Independent Albums and Singles Chart (Billboard)	8
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)	74	3,035

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Japan	April 13, 2011	Digital download	Manhattan Recordings/Planet 9
	April 20, 2011	CD
Canada	December 20, 2011	Digital download	Planet 9
United States
Australia	February 14, 2012		Planet 9/INgrooves
Germany
Ireland
Netherlands
Sweden
United Kingdom