Chapter 411. Release

Chapter 411. Release

After the announcement of Aiden's new album titled 'Voices of the past', his fans were very excited. The album title signified his collaboration with artists from the past and a small teaser was also launched, making fans know that the album would have the same quality as his previous ones.
At the same time, fans of the singers that he was collaborating with were also excited.
After all, it was their return.
Though, a lot of people were not happy that not all members of 'The Boys' were returning but it wasn't something they could do anything about.
They could just be happy with whatever they were getting.
One more thing that happened was right after the announcement of Aiden's album, Cyco media also announced the date on which Rachel's next album would release.
Many people were surprised that her date was the same as Aiden's album launch but some weren't surprised.
The media also got something to talk about.
A lot of articles were being written to fuel the clash of Aiden and Rachel after years.



Articles like these were rampant on the internet and Wade even wondered whether someone was paying the media to fuel up this clash but in the end, it was just a case of the media grasping at straws and making news out of a small thing.
Exaggeration was one of the most important things in the media world.
The fans also got to it and started fighting with each other.
[Rachel's Simp69: Who dared to think that Aiden will win against the queen of cold stare? She will trample over him and make him beg... Wait, I kinda want that too.]
[Moaning Frodo: I really don't know if that's a troll account or an actual one with kinks. Weird world we live in but I really enjoy it. Hehehe.]
[My dad is a MF: It's kinda nostalgic to see Aiden and Rachel releasing albums. I used to follow them during X-Star. After that season, everything went downhill. Though, I'm still Team Rachel here and yes, I'm a simp.]
[Chad Putin: Bring in more troll warriors. Let's show Rachel's simp army what we are capable of. We are going to stream Aiden's songs all night when they are released. I'm even working on a law on it.]
[Antertainmemt: Man, that Putin troll account is funny.]
[Hollywood Insider: I used to think that too until I looked at international news. The Internet is a very crazy place, my friend.]
[Victoria's Umbrella: Aiden is going to get incinerated in the upcoming clash. There's no way a washed up singer can go against Rachel. Most of my friends listen to her songs and she's extremely famous with high schoolers. They have too much free time for all this.]
[Skyneves: Kind of agree but Aiden rarely loses. His songs are something that young people rarely like but he's been a hit every time he released. Moreover, he has plans for everything. He won't be doing this clash otherwise.]
***
"Tom, are you nervous?"
Aiden asked as he looked at Tom who was going through five phones and a laptop, checking different sites and reading comments. They were sitting in their office and it was ten minutes to the launch of his new album.
Yes, Aiden had decided not to do a media launch or anything and just release the song at 12:00. Most of it was digital work and there were no pre-orders for the physical album either.
It was very low key but that was just their marketing plan.
In the past few days, Aiden had interacted more with fans online to make them know that his album was coming. In his words, believe in your work and leave everything else to your fans.
He didn't want to overdo stuff. It was actually completely opposite Cyco media's strategy for Rachel's album.
In regards to his album, the music videos and everything were ready and they were going to be uploaded once each week while all the songs would be on Melody, MeTube and other websites and apps from tonight.
If it's good, it will spread.
"Yes, I'm nervous. We have not promoted much and it seems like a lot of people are looking forward to Rachel's album. Her following is very big with high school and middle school students." Tom said as he looked at Aiden.
"Don't think too much on it."
"How are you even relaxed?" He asked, looking at Aiden who was always calm. The last time he had not been calm was during the Golden Globes ceremony.
He should be the most nervous person but he looked calm.
"Actually, I'm nervous too. I'm coming back after a long break. There's a chance I will lose to Rachel and then, the media will try to say I have a failed comeback. Those things are in my mind too."
He said, shrugging his shoulders. A few people glanced at him, apparently not believing him.
"You don't look nervous."
"Looking and being is different. Just because I'm nervous don't mean I need to show it." He whispered to Tom, then gestured to him to look around the room at the other members of his team. "If I'm too nervous, they are going to be more nervous. That's why, knowing how to act is good."
He smiled. Aiden knew that being the centre of attention meant that how he acts would affect people around him.
So, he always made a conscious effort to look fine.
'I'm nervous but at this point in my career, I have learned how not to take stuff too seriously that it harms me.'
Aiden thought in his mind and Tom nodded his head, understanding what he was saying. For the nth time, he felt impressed by him.
At that moment, the door to the room opened and Wade walked in.
"The album is up. Did you all check?"
"We are checking."
Tom said as he quickly checked up the music charts. Other members of the team were also looking at him. A lot of people were waiting for the album, so as soon as it was up, they started listening to the songs.
"A few comments online are up."
A member of his team said others quickly surrounded him and his laptop to check the comments.
[Lithium Miner: Man, the title song is very nice. I wasn't expecting such a song but it really has that flavour of old 'The Boys' song. The drum part is too good.]
[I'm Fatman: Aiden hasn't really done any romantic songs in this album aside from one. Even his song with Grey is more philosophical. Love all of them till now.]
[My dad's a whore: I didn't like half the songs but the title track made me cry. It's really beautiful and I would be listening to it the whole day. I really hope a music video on it is up soon.]
Thankfully, most of the comments were positive.
"How are the comments?"
Wade asked from the sofa.
"Most are positive. I can see a few negative ones but it looks like those are from Rachel's fan army. They are known to say shit about other songs."
"That's like most fan bases."
Everyone talked and it was then that the music charts were refreshed. Aiden quickly looked at them. They were the instance charts and not the main ones that would only change once a day.
These charts would refresh every hour but they were important as doing good in them meant that you will do well in Global charts.
"Two songs are at 45th and 47th position."
"I found one at 33rd position. These are the songs we expected not to work too well, but they are doing great for now."
"There's one on the 19th. Where's the title track though?"
The members asked and it was then that Aiden saw the ranking of the title song with 'The Boys'.
"It's in 7th position on the instant chart. That's a lot higher than we estimated."
Wade nodded his head. Their estimations were around 10-15 positions on the chart. If they have achieved that, they would have been happy but the reception had been better than they expected.
But there was still one question.
"What ranking is Rachel at?"
Tom asked and everyone had the same question in their heads. Aiden doing good was not enough. Rachel had to do worse than him.
"Let me see. She's on..."