Girls' Generation II: Girls & Peace

Girls' Generation II ~Girls & Peace~ is the second Japanese album (fifth overall) by the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation, set for release on November 28, 2012, under Nayutawave Records. "Girls & Peace" is the first release by all the members since their third Korean studio album "The Boys" (2011), after the group entered a semi-hiatus to pursue solo activities in South Korea, in which time, TaeTiSeo, the group's first subunit was created.

Background

In June 2011, the group released their debut Japanese album, Girls' Generation, opening to great critical and commercial acclaim, the album went on to become certified for a million copies shipped to Japanese retailers, and made them become second Korean artist to achieve the feat after label mate BoA. They returned to their native Korea the same year with The Boys, which saw the group solidify their dominance in both markets. The album went on to sell over 400,000 within six months, breaking Gaon Chart records in the process. Following the release of "The Boys" the group went on to promote the English version of the title track across Europe and the United States, most notably the Late Show with David Letterman and Live! with Kelly on January 31 and February 1, 2012, marking the first time a Korean musical act had performed on syndicated American television. The group then took a semi-hiatus to pursue solo activities in their home country, however, during this time the group formed TaeTiSeo. The sub-unit noted for its unique fashion choices and vocal focus, contained members Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun, who released their debut EP Twinkle in May 2012, selling over 140,000 copies by July 2012. In May 2012, member Jessica revealed during an interview with Elle Korea that the group was working on the album, stating, "Our Japan album will be released sometime in the second half of the year. We're working hard on it." In August 2012, Nayutawave Records' parent company Universal Music reported its quarterly earnings and revealed the group to be one of the artists expected to increase revenue for the second half of 2012.

Release and Promotion

The album was formally announced along with its track list on November 1, 2012. The Japanese newspaper Sankei Sports were the first to reveal concept photos for the album, which featured the girls as retro-inspired flight attendants. Girls' Generation II ~Girls & Peace~ is scheduled for release on November 28, 2012 Offered in three editions, the regular edition contained the album with its twelve tracks. A limited DVD edition was offered with a 32-page photo book as well as a DVD containing the videos to the album's singles, "Paparazzi", "Oh!", "All My Love Is for You," and "Flower Power". The album was also released under a Deluxe First Press Limited Edition, which comes with a make-up case, traveler's notebook (with sticker), a set of nine solo member posters (folded), a deluxe edition 40-page photo book, as well as a bonus DVD containing seven videos to "Paparazzi", "Oh!", "All My Love Is For You, "Flower Power", and the dance versions to "Paparazzi", "Oh!" and "Flower Power."

Second Japan Arena Tour

See also: Second Japan Arena Tour

The group's official Japanese fan site announced in August 2012, that the group would embark on their second Japanese tour in 2012. Dates were announced in September, and the tour is expected to play to 14 crowds across six cities, including a six night stint at the Saitama Super Arena.

Singles

"Paparazzi" was released as the album's lead single on June 26, 2012. It continued the group's streak of successful Japanese releases, debuting at number one on the Japan Hot 100 and peaking at number two on the Oricon Weekly Chart, with opening week sales amounting to over 92,000 copies. "Paparazzi" was released in South Korea two months later on August 16, 2012. The single helped push the group's total physical single sales in the country to 647,000.

"Oh! / All My Love Is For You" served as the second single, being released on September 26, 2012. The double A-Side single featured a Japanese remake of "Oh!" (2010), as well as an original song entitled "All My Love Is for You", which appears on the album. "Oh! / All My Love Is For You" provided the group with another number one single on the Japan Hot 100, as well as the Oricon Weekly Chart.

"Flower Power" is set for release as the album's third single on November 21, 2012. Originally scheduled for release on November 14, the single was pushed back to November 21 due to production issues. The single also contains the B-side entitled "Beep Beep", which does not appear on the album, as well as a megamix of the tracks on "Girls & Peace."

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Track listing
1.   "Flower Power"
2.   "Animal"
3.   "I'm a Diamond"
4.   "Reflection"
5.   "Stay Girls"
6.   "T.O.P"
7.   "Boomerang"
8.   "Oh!"
9.   "All My Love Is for You"
10. "Paparazzi" 
11. "Girls & Peace" 

12. "Not Alone"