More Utada: Performing Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI

Yes, Utada, get on the grind! Hikki-chan made an appearance on the CBS Early Show this morning and performed Come Back to Me and FYI. Check out FYI below; she sounds a lot better compared to her first performance on KTLA.



Check out Utada performing Come Back to Me | Utada: This is the One - Album Review

Utada Performs Come Back to Me

Utada is (finally) performing to promote the album; check out a little interview and Come Back to Me live.



More Utada: This is the One - Album Review

Utada - This is the One: Album Review

Utada Hikaru has returned stateside to release her second English album to follow up 2004's Exodus. While her English debut was very "mad scientist, experimental," This is the One sees Utada a little more hands-off and going for a fun sound. Short and sweet, this album is certainly a departure from the Hikki I know, lyrically at least, but it definitely stays true to her style and would serve as an excellent introduction to the rest of her discography. 

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I still haven't tired of lead single Come Back to Me but I still don't love it, either. It's a solid ballad and a grower, but a bit bland. I think it's time Utada released a second single that highlights her personality a bit more. Me Muero, Utada's "favorite song on the album," is an excellent way to kick things off. Hikki combines dramatic lyrics with a carefree melody to expertly capture the melodrama that follows a break-up. The chorus is great, I love the harmonies, and the song is easily relatable. Maybe it'll become my favorite song on the album, too.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI isn't one of those tracks that jump out at you, but I enjoy it quite a bit. The track, I feel, really embodies Utada as an artist; it's incredibly quirky yet well structured in a way that still feels organic rather than deliberate. I see FYI as the Utada litmus test -- if you like this song, you'd probably appreciate the majority of her work. Catchy break-up song Apple and Cinnamon follows and is more engaging and accessible. I almost wish this were her first single as it's more memorable than Come Back to Me.

Taking My Money Back and This One (Crying Like a Child) slow things down, but are no less engrossing. While I've listened to and understood much of her Japanese music, I could never really appreciate her merits as a lyricist because I'm not fluent. But, Hikki really has a way with words and knows how to write a hook. Taking My Money Back, about leaving a no-good man, and This One (Crying Like a Child), about missing a former lover, don't exactly cover uncharted territory but feature Hikaru's stylistic touch and stick with you.

Automatic Part II, the song I was most anticipating, did not disappoint. The song is essentially Utada's 'about me' in musical form. The vocals are very sing-song-y and tongue-in-cheek -- the track's a lot of fun. Dirty Desire and Poppin' explore Utada's sexy side, which really had my jaw dropping once or twice. I'm sure I didn't imagine the sweet, innocent image she's promoted in Japan and so hearing her saucily deliver debaucherous lyrics like "doing my 9 to 5, I'm thinking 6 and 9s" and "tight jeans, no panties on" really took me back. With that said, I really like the mixture of Utada's high and low registers in Poppin', but I'm not too crazy about Dirty Desire.

The album closes with On and On, possibly my favorite track of the set. Hearing Hikki lay her signature vocals on a dance track was bizarre at first listen, but it definitely works. I honestly don't expect anyone to play Utada at a club, but this is my new pre-gaming song. Whilst getting ready "to dance the night away" I dance around my room to Hikki's slick harmonies. And I love the shout-out Hikki throws to the 'mos in the hook. The guy screaming "Yeah!" in the background throughout the ENTIRE song can be distracting, though.

This is the One is a solid pop album that more than stands up to some of the drivel released by our own "artists." The overall tone is light, but it's far from bubble-gum. For people who like to listen to full albums, none of the tracks are throwaway and are all worth a listen. For what is essentially her real American debut, it's nice that her musical integrity and artistry remain intact and she doesn't try to cater to the whims of the American market. (BoA would have been wise to do the same). If this is your first introduction to Utada, I think you'll like what you hear. If you're already a fan, This is the One offers new insight into Hikki-chan as a woman and artist, and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This is the One was digitally released on iTunes this past Tuesday for $7.99, so go pick it up. Also, the Come Back to Me music video is this week's free download, so hustle and download it before you have to pay. The album was released back on the 14th in Japan and nabbed the #3 spot on the Oricon Weekly Chart, a testament to her popularity.

Album Rating: 8/10

I been the #1 Diva in Japan for a minute - Utada Hikaru: Come Back to Me Video

The video for Utada Hikaru's current single Come Back to Me debuted about a week and a half ago, and was added and quizzically removed from iTunes within a week. This is the One was set to be released last week in Japan but is now slated to drop this Saturday. The US will see a digital release on the 24th and the album on shelves on May 12th. Things seem to be a little out of sorts; hopefully Utada and Def Jam know what they're doing. 

The video has Hikki looking like the diva she is and features a hot man piece. Fabulous. Though, it's clear she has overestimated the average, or even the aggregate American attention span. But I'm sure you can make it through at least once. Right?

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.

Oh, Hikki - Heart Station Album Review

I'm not the biggest Utada fan. I know whenever she releases an album she shuts the game down, but this is the first album of hers that I've listened to in its entirety and so, I'm not in the position to compare Heart Station to any of her other efforts. With that said, after listening to this album, it's obvious why Utada is always on top; she's just that much more talented than damn near everyone else in j-pop.

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The album starts off with the brilliant Fight the Blues. The song has so much attitude and flair that you almost understand why it was released to Japanese radio as her seventh single from this album. Almost. Next up is the title track Heart Station, which I loved upon first listen. Flavor of Life, originally released as a single over a year ago, still holds up as one of the best songs on the album. Kiss & Cry took a while to grow on me, but grow on me it has; with it's saucy beat, it's one of the few songs on the disc that get me moving. Stay Gold, the standout track on the album for me, is a light, pretty ballad with lyrics reminiscent of those from Simple and Clean. It's simple and beautiful and I can never listen to it just once.

Even when Heart Station flounders, you only notice because it isn't up to par with the rest of the album's sheer brilliance. The second half of the album isn't as strong as the first, with the exception of Prisoner of Love. I didn't connect with Celebrate or Niji-iro Bus and honestly, since it was released way back in 2006, I think Utada could have gotten away with excluding Boku wa Kuma from the tracklist altogether. The sing-songy nature of the song doesn't mesh with the overall tone of the album and it deserved the bonus track treatment more than that other, lamer version of Flavor of Life.

Some artists are successful because they fill a certain niche really well. But, there's something about Utada's talent that's so left field. She doesn't sound like anyone, no one could hope to sound like her; there's only one Utada Hikaru. So, with this album, I'm officially a fan. It's astounding the number of hits included on the tracklist, and Utada is vocally and lyrically on point. I doubt I'd have to recommend this to anyone already into the j-pop scene, but if you're not, this is a great starting point.

Utada Hikaru

Hikaru's newest album, Heart Station, released this week and I've finally found time to sit down and start listening. I'll be sharing my impressions of her effort soon (so far, so good ^_^). But, as a sort of preemptive strike, I'd like to give those of you less familiar with the greatness that is Utada Hikaru a little introduction. The Japanese music industry, at least in my opinion, is marred by even more posers and hacks than America's, but this girl is top tier, the real deal. Her voice is unique and naturally brilliant. And her music is made for more than just getting to the top of the charts, though she manages that as well. This is a video of Hikaru performing what is possibly her most popular song here in the States, the theme song of Kingdom Hearts, Simple and Clean. She's so cute at the beginning! Enjoy.

It's March, B****es!!

Yay! Spring is in the offing! ...Maybe. This month, Japanese pop superstar Utada Hikaru is releasing her fifth Japanese studio album, Heart Station. Utada's literally been releasing singles from this album since 2006, and so it'll be interesting to finally listen to the finished package. Of the five singles already released, I'm a fan of Flavor of Life and Heart Station; check them out, arguably J-Pop at its finest.

I had the lovely pleasure of meeting the very hot Sean Faris earlier this week at a screening for his new, upcoming fight flick Never Back Down. Sean was super nice and very gracious and all he asked in return was to spread the word about his movie. And, spread the word I shall. Though not nearly Academy Award worthy, Never Back Down is solid entertainment for a Friday night that guys and girls will enjoy (for completely different reasons, mind you). The fighting scenes are pretty cool, Djimon Hounsou is pretty awesome, and Sean Faris reportedly broke a bone in his back from being body slammed so hard during rehearsals. And besides, he's so dreamy...

My girl Raven-Symoné has her new movie, College Road Trip with Martin Lawrence coming out next week. It looks like your run-of-the-mill comedy, but I'm giving it a mention just because Raven is one of the few comediennes with the ability to make me laugh with her face alone. Raven also has a new album in the works, which I believe is slated for a Spring release.

And, the best for last. Brawl drops in a week, and I am foaming at the mouth at this point. This is pretty much going to be the only week in March in which I can be considered among the living. After the 9th, people would be lucky to see me before April.

Happy March, everyone!