& (Ayumi Hamasaki EP)

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& is an extended play by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki, released on July 9, 2003, by Avex Trax. It includes four tracks—Ourselves, Greatful Days, Hanabi: Episode II, and Theme of A-Nation 03—plus instrumental versions of the first three songs. It was issued as both a stand-alone CD and a digital EP. The cover shows Hamasaki against a cloudy backdrop with the title over her hair. The release blends J-pop and dance, with Hamasaki writing the lyrics for all tracks and Max Matsuura producing.

& was well received by critics for its polished production and broad appeal. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and sold about 680,000 copies, earning it double platinum status from the RIAJ. The three main songs—Ourselves, Greatful Days, and Hanabi: Episode II—were promoted as singles and each had a music video, while Theme of A-Nation 03 was associated with Avex’s 2003 A-Nation tour.

Musically, Ourselves is an R&B-influenced pop song about sorrow and love; Greatful Days is a bright, upbeat track; Hanabi: Episode II serves as a continuation and emotional turning point; Theme of A-Nation 03 features traditional Japanese instrumentals with an oriental pop feel. The EP also includes instrumental versions of the first three tracks.

Hamasaki later expressed dissatisfaction with Avex, feeling she was marketed as a product rather than a person. & remains her last EP to achieve such high sales, with no new EP-as-a-single released until 2011’s Five.