Step and a Step
"Step and a Step" is a song by Japanese girl group NiziU. It is the group's debut maxi single and includes three other tracks. The song was pre-released digitally on November 25, 2020, and the CD single was released on December 2 by JYP Entertainment and Epic Records Japan.
Background and release
NiziU was formed through the audition program, Nizi Project by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and is the first Japanese group to be managed by JYP. The group released its pre-debut EP Make You Happy in June 2020, which peaked at number one on both Oricon's digital album's chart and Billboard Japans Hot Albums chart. Following the commercial success of Make You Happy, NiziU announced the release of their debut Japanese single titled "Step and a Step". Solo jacket album photos for group members Mako, Rio, and Maya, were released simultaneously on October 10. An online autograph session was announced the same day in which NiziU members would fulfill requests from fans. Album jacket photos featuring Riku, Ayaka, and Mayuka, were released on October 11, followed by photos of all members on October 12. In lead-up to the release of the single, an online collaboration campaign between NiziU and Lawson Store began in early-November. Despite participating in the recording of the single and appearing in the music video, Miihi was absent from the dance choreography portion and promotions for the single due to going on hiatus for health problems from October to December 2020.On November 25, 2020, "Step and a Step" was pre-released as a digital single on various online music portals in conjunction with the accompanying music video. The CD single was officially released on December 2, 2020. The physical version is available in four different limited editions: Regular Edition, First Press Limited Edition A and First Press Limited Edition B, and Fan Club Edition. Edition A comes with a CD and a DVD containing the music video of "Step and a Step" and the making of album jacket photos. Edition B contains a CD and a 28-page booklet while the regular edition includes only the CD. All three versions contain "Step and a Step" as A-side and three other tracks "Joyful", "Sweet Bomb" and "Make You Happy" as B-side. The fanclub edition comes with the CD featuring only "Step and a Step" and "Joyful".