Ayumi Hamasaki  recently announced that she will release her 49th and 50th singles on consecutive weeks next month. On Sunday, it was learned that the first of those two songs, titled “crossroad,” will be a collaboration with producer Tetsuya Komuro .

Hamasaki approached Komuro with the idea back in April. Komuro agreed, and he composed and arranged “crossroad,” while Hamasaki handled the lyrics. The result, a medium-tempo ballad, is the first Komuro-produced song sung by Hamasaki on her own.

“Crossroad” was recorded in early July. After hearing Hamasaki’s voice on the finished recording, Komuro was inspired to adjust his original plans for the guitar and strings accompaniment. He recruited the help of American musician Randy Waldman, who did much of the strings and orchestra arrangements for Komuro during the 1990s.

The coupling song for “crossroad” (currently untitled) was also provided by Komuro. The single will go on sale September 22, though Hamasaki may perform “crossroad” in concert as early as August 14 at the Nagoya a-nation event.

Source – TokyoGraph