| To Love | ||||
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&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:NishinoKanatoLOVEcdonly.jpg) Regular edition cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 23, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2009–2010 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 57:20 | |||
| Label | SME Records | |||
| Kana Nishino chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:ToLOVECD%2BDVD.jpg) Limited edition cover | ||||
| Singles from To Love | ||||
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To Love (stylized as to LOVE) is the second studio album by Japanese recording artist Kana Nishino. It was released on June 23, 2010, by SME Records. Beginning sometime in 2009, the album's production was handled by several music producers, such as Jeff Miyahara, Giorgio Cancemi, Daniel Sherman, Mats Lie Skåre, ViVi, Andreas Levander, among others. It also features a guest appearance from Japanese hip-hop and reggae musician Minmi. Nishino contributed towards the album as the executive songwriter. To Love is primarily a J-pop album with numerous elements of dance-pop, pop rock, R&B, electropop and adult contemporary.
Music critics gave To Love positive reviews, praising the album's overall sound, production quality and Nishino's vocals. A commercial success, To Love became her first number-one album in Japan, premiering at the top spot with first week sales of over 290,000 units. This made Nishino the first soloist born in the Heisei era to top the Oricon Albums Chart. It became the year's best-selling album by a female soloist. To Love is Nishino's most successful album to date, selling over 750,000 copies and receiving a triple platinum certification from Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). The album's critical and commercial success earned Nishino the Excellent Album Award at the 52nd Japan Record Awards.
The album spawned four top ten hits on the Oricon Singles Chart: "Motto...," "Dear.../Maybe," "Best Friend" and "Aitakute Aitakute." All of these singles went on to be certified "million" for full song downloads of over one million copies by the RIAJ, consequently establishing Nishino as a force to be reckoned with on music charts and digital platforms. "Aitakute Aitakute" in particular is one of the best-selling multi-format singles in Japan. Nishino promoted To Love by embarking on the Kanayan Tour 2010 〜Autumn〜 hall tour, which ran from early to mid September 2010.