It's March!! - Damn, did I really get this out on time...? Featured Artists: BoA, Utada Hikaru, and Kelly Clarkson

Please, excuse my... promptness? It's been forever since I got a new header out on the first of the month! I'd advise you not to get used to it... >__>

This month, arguably the most popular Asian pop stars are trying their luck in the American market. BoA will release her self-titled debut English album on the 17th. The singles have been nothing spectacular, but I'll be interested in listening to the finished package, not to mention the Bloodshy & Avant productions. I was actually more impressed with UNIVERSE and Eien, her singles for her second compilation album, Best & USA, to be released a day later in Japan. Can't knock the hustle.


Utada Hikaru will be releasing her second English album, This is the One, on the 24th. I really can't say she has pushed hard enough in the States in support of her album, and I'm afraid she'll see the same results she did with Exodus. Come Back to Me has grown on me, but I think it was obvious from the beginning that the track was not going to garner the sort of attention necessary for big success. The tracklist for the album is a bit skimpy for my tastes, but it does include Automatic Part II, reason enough for me to check it out. Automatic is one of my favorite Hikki songs -- an updated, English reworking sounds awesome.


It's true, neither BoA or Utada did the kind of promotion they probably should have to secure big sales, but with Kelly Clarkson releasing an album this month as well, it would not have made any difference. Kelly, redeeming herself from the debacle that was My December, is poised to reclaim her title as American Idol. First single My Life Would Suck Without You has already broken records on the Billboard's Hot 100 and her return to the sound she cultivated on six times platinum Breakaway can only lead to success. I hated My December with a fiery passion, but I'm happy to say 'Welcome back, Kelly!'


Happy March, luhvahs.