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Single Review
Utada Hikaru – Automatic/time will tell

Automatic/time will tell is Utada Hikaru’s debut single. It was released in 2 versions, the 8cm & 12cm version, both on December 9, 1998. The 2 versions reached #2, and #4 in the charts respectively with the total sales of 2,062,780 units sold.

tracklist:
1. Automatic
2. Time Will Tell
3. Automatic (Original Karaoke) /
. 3. Time Will Tell (Dub Mix)

Call me crazy, but I never loved Automatic the way I loved all of Utada’s other songs. I mean yes, it is great and all but, It’s not one of my favorite Utada songs. Although, after hearing all of her stuff as CubicU, I do have to say that she’s improved a lot! She’s not as shaky as before, and she sounds more clean in here. Her fluency in English comes in handy as she sings the english lines of this song, like “I feel so good. It’s Automatic!”. With that skill around, she doesn’t sound like an “ENGRISH” JPop artist, like Mika Nakashima. Anyway, Even though I am not a big fan of this song, I do adore it’s arrangement. How the R&B-ness of this song blend with the guitars just creates a fresh sound, that’s really really catchy. This may not be my favorite, but it’s definitely something to check out!

There was a time when time will tell was my favorite Utada song. In fact, time will tell IS my VERY FIRST favorite Utada song. Even though I don’t listen to this song as I frequently did before, listening to this one now brings back lots of memories. I remember, the very first JPop release that I loved was Hikki’s First Love, and I got it, not as a cd, but as a Casette Tape.  I used to play this song a lot. Do you know when I first listened to it? It was 2000, and I wasn’t even in elementary school yet. But anyways, words can’t explain how I loved this song. It’s a cool, R&B-Pop song that gets you with it’s catchy melodies, and rhythms.

The DUB MIX of time will tell was okay. It almost was an english version of the song, but it became a remix instead of some added parts. Although everything came out pretty well, I didn’t like it as a whole because of the annoying guy at the background. He ruins the Utada moment. Just remove the lame guy, and I’ll love this version too.

Favorite Track:
time will tell

Shuffle rating!
A-

ULTRA BLUE is Utada Hikaru’s 4th Japanese Album, and was released on June 14, 2006. It reached #1 on the oricon charts, and  charted for 53 weeks. It sold a total of 909,113 copies in Japan, making it her first, and only album to not pass the 1,000,000 mark.

Album Review
Utada Hikaru – ULTRA BLUE

1. This Is Love
2. Keep Tryin’
3. BLUE
4. Nichiyo no Asa
5. Making Love
6. Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro
7. COLORS
8. One Night Magic feat. Yamada Masashi
9. Kairo
10. WINGS
11. Be My Last
12. Eclipse (Interlude)
13. Passion

Opening with a piano, This is Love gives ULTRA BLUE such a unique start. With the piano, mixed in with all those groovy beats and Hikki’s Brilliant vocals, This is Love was such an excellent track! What else would you want more from an opener like this? It has that strong, disco atmosphere, that just later on disappears and is replaced by a soothing feel because of all the soft “aaaahhh”s at the background. The full song sounds so catchy because of the playful melody and because of the up-beat sound. The best part of it for me was definitely the bridge, with all those buzzing sounds at the background, because despite hikki singing calmly, the slowed-down beat still fits Hikki’s laid-back vocals and still contains the catchy tune. In conclusion, This Is Love was AMAZING! It’s the kind of opening that gets the listener excited to hear more from the album!

Things slow down a teeny bit for Keep Tryin’, My 2nd favorite out of all singles released for this era. Just the same as I said in the single review, this song was really addictive, and so catchy in it’s own way! Not to mention, seeing Hikki in the PV with all of those different job outfits, was hilarious! It even remained to sound really fresh and never really seem to grow old for me, even though this song was released back in 2006.

The first out of my four favorite new tracks from this album, is BLUE. It begins with a mysterious piano sounds that sets the mood for the song, paired with soft strings that brings us a calm feeling. It is then blended with beats and hikki’s adlibbing until it reaches the first verse. …where everything remained so peaceful, until it reaches the powerful chorus! I gotta tell you, the chorus was as catchy as hell and the thumping beats really helped in making it happy! Hikki’s voice sounded like she’s having a lot of fun, which makes the listeners themselves be happy too! In conclusion, a really addicting song, and an enjoyable one too!

My next favorite song from this album surprisingly is Hikki’s favorite one from the album too. In my opinion, Nichiyo no Asa is the most unique out of all the 13 tracks from here since it delivers a quite mysterious, yet catchy tune that appeals to the listener from their first listen to it. One of the many cool things about this song is the “Christmas Morning, Candles Burning..” whisper that happens a lot in the song. It adds to the mysterious-ness the song has, and it blends well with the “whoas” and “ahhs” Hikki sings during the refrain. A sad fact about this song is that many people dislike this song. I mean, I’m not against their opinion but, I don’t get why they don’t seem to like this song. There’s nothing about it that’s just bad, and I think it’s one heck of a Hikki Song! In fact, it’s my favorite Hikki song from the ULTRA BLUE era.

While being too happy with Nichiyo no Asa since the first listen, I wasn’t that much of a big fan of Making Love before. I mean, it is one great song but, since It didn’t appeal much to me back when I first heard it. Although, after a couple of listens, I finally learned to appreciate it. It opens with an awkward piano sound, which goes on for a few seconds, followed by the beat, going on all throughout the song. My favorite part of this song was the chorus, mainly because of it’s super catchy chorus. I loved the way Hikki says the loud “Maaaking Looove!” phrase because of the power it carries. In all, a very nice offering from Hikki, and is definitely one of her most awesome songs ever!

Hikki’s most beautiful ballad comes next, after one hypnotic dance track. For me, putting Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro right on here wasn’t that much of a great idea since it was kind of Out-of-Place, being surrounded by two upbeat tracks. Okay. So there’s track 5: Making Love, a dance track, followed by Track 6: which is this one, then there’s track 7: COLORS, which was kind of upbeat too. I just don’t get it, really. Well, The song is hella brilliant so, there isn’t much of a problem. Anyway, Dareka no will always be my favorite Hikki ballad because of the awesome strings and pianos included in it, and the emotion she offers. It still saddens me to find out how awfully hard singing this song is. But then again, It’s an Utada Hikaru song so, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Oh hey! It’s COLORS!. The song that I said was “a let down”. Actually, My opinion about this song hasn’t really changed at all. I still think it’s a bit mediocre BUT, there’s good news! I like it more now, than before! HAH! I never really did think that this was coming. I never thought that I would like it more. Well, hey. Even if I didn’t like it before, It still was a big part of my JPop journey because, If it wasn’t for this song, I wouldn’t have been much interested in JPop, as much as I am now. In all, Not that much of a bad song I thought it was. It’s agrower for me but, still, It’s worth a listen!

OH MY FREAKING GOD!!! One Night Magic is AMAZING!!! *bangs my head on the keyboard* The moment I started listening to it, I was like.. SPEECHLESS! Everything about it was catchy, and every single second of it was excellent! I never thought Hikki would ever do such an Amazingly Addicting song, and I never thought she would ever have an album track that features another artist! XDD. But seriously talking, Isn’t this her first Song on an album that has the title include a “feat.” in it? I think it is. I guess that’s one reason why this song was awesome! Since it’s her first collabo-in-an-album track, I guess she tried to make it extra-special. Well Hikki, you succeeded! This collabo with Yamada Masashi, the vocalist of the Rock band, “The Black Horn”, was heaven for my ears! It sounded so much fun, and It makes you wanna just sing along with them. Both singer’s voices blended well might I say, and both artists sound like their having a blast singing. In all, A very impressive song, AND IS THE BEST HIKKI SONG EVER!!!

While being so much impressed with One Night Magic, I was a bit happy/bummed with Kairo. The first half of it was completely boring, and the only thing that stood out was the beautiful Hikki voice. But then the second half comes, and changes my opinion. It gets soo much better during the second half since there’s more power but, I still wanted something better from Hikki. Even though my opinions about this song are mixed, It still is a great addition to the album.

WINGS, the B-side of Keep Tryin’, makes an appearance as Track 10. Same with COLORS, my views on this song hasn’t really changed that much. I still think it’s a great, relaxing song. The carefree feeling it has never gets old, and the laid-back atmosphere gets better and better each time I listen to it. For short, WINGS might have been quite old, but it isn’t, in terms of sound. It’s another awesome hikki song. Take my word for it.

Ooooh. Be My Last, the song with the creepy video. Listening to the acoustic guitar, and piano, I suddenly got a flashback on how my opinion was when this was first released. I remember myself never get tired of it, just playing it on repeat for I don’t know, a hundred times? XD. What I like most about this song is the calm feeling, that brings the whole song together. Just think. If this song wasn’t as calm as it is now, wouldn’t it sound bad? Right? Anyway, I still like this song, even though I don’t listen to it that much anymore. It still sounds good to my ears, and I never really got tired of it.

The Eclipse (Interlude) was great. Despite the fact that it was just a short 1-minute and a half track, it still sounded good. Putting it next to Passion was a great idea since both songs sound alike in terms of genre.

After the interlude, we reach the final song on the album, which is Passion, a song that shows how passionate Hikki is with her singing. No, I am not talking about the lyrics. I am talking about how she sings in it. She sings in a simple matter but, she still gives an unremarkable performance! Her voice was in complete control, and I loved how it fit perfectly with the background music. Actually, ending the album with this track is perfect since it gives a throwback on how great the album sounded like with the pervious tracks. It’s like when you mix all of the songs from this album, you’ll get Passion. In all, Passion ends the album in an amazing way because after Passion ends, I felt like there was a big “To Be Continued..” mark on it. It’s like there’s more coming that get’s the listener so excited. Anyway, as I have said, a great ENDING!

There’s only one word that can describe ULTRA BLUE: OUTSTANDING! To be honest, I can’t say that it’s Hikki’s best album since there’s DEEP RIVER for that. Instead, I’ll just say that it’s her 2nd best album. I was impressed with how high the quality of each track was, and how each track was presented with their own different style. I didn’t really see that much of a bad thing from this album which actually is, A GOOD THING! In all, A great album, and IS DEFINITELY A RECOMMENDED ALBUM.

Favorite Tracks:
ONE NIGHT MAGIC, Making Love, Nichiyo no Asa, and Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro

Shuffle rating!
A+

Single Review
Utada Hikaru – Addicted To You

Addicted To You is Utada Hikaru’s fourth single, and was released on November 03, 1999. It reached #1 on the charts, and charted for 16 weeks. It sold a total of 1,784,050 units.

tracklist:
1. Addicted To You [UP-IN-HEAVEN-MIX]
2. Addicted To You [UNDERWATER-MIX]
3. Addicted To You [UP-IN-HEAVEN-MIX] (Instrumental)
4. Addicted To You [UNDERWATER-MIX] (Instrumental)

Note: This review is a reply to the ditto review I promised NOTEBOOK DARLING, but is still counted as a review for the “DISTANCE” era.

No words can express my absolute love for Addicted To You [UP-IN-HEAVEN MIX]. I fell in love with it ever since the day I first heard it, and is currently one of my favorite Hikki songs. Tell me, what’s not to like about this song? It’s a hot, catchy RnB-jam that contains one of Hikki’s best vocals, and shows a lot of Hikki’s potential. Heavy beats, a pinch of harp sounds and strings are what mostly build up this great song. It has very catchy lyrics, containg english lines that shows us Hikki’s fluency in english; such as “I’m Back For More”, “I think i’m addicted to you”, and my favorite lines, “I’m in love with you, I know you want me too”. Anyway, I love every second of this song. It’s never a waste of your time just to listen to it, and is really a song that makes you crave for more! Overall, three words can describe Addicted to you… It’s amazing, Amazing, and AMAZING! Oh, did I mention it was amazing? XD

The [UNDERWATER-MIX] of Addicted To You is a more laid back version of the previous track, but still stays at the same genre, “RnB”. This version is down-tempo(ed), sounds a bit calmer,  and sound like the “turn-me-on” version of the up-in-heaven mix, but it’s still a good listen. I mean, I prefer the other version but, this song is almost as good as the other one. At first, I thought this was the original version because it’s structure best fits the lyrics but, now I know that it’s the other way around. In conclusion, It’s a great addition to the single because it contrasts with the previous track.

Favorite Track:
Addicted To You [UP-IN-HEAVEN-MIX]

shuffle rating!
A+

Single Review
Utada Hikaru – COLORS

COLORS is Utada Hikaru’s 12th Japanese single. It was released on January 29, 2003 and debuted at #1 in the charts. It sold a total of 893,790 copies, making it the 3rd best-selling single of 2003.

tracklist:
1. Colors
2. Simple and Clean
3. Simple and Clean -PLANITb Remix-
4. Colors -Original Karaoke-

I wasn’t a big fan of COLORS ever since the day I heard it (I was in the 3rd grade). I mean, I like it, but it was just an “alright” song for me, and never did blow me away. Well, the PV did but, the song didn’t. COLORS has a good and interesting Background music that uses the magic of strings, great percussions and guitars, catching the listener’s attention once they hear it. Hikki’s vocals blend perfectly with the BGM, and are good as usual in this song but, it wasn’t enough to create a more WOWing sound as I expected from this track. After listening to the great RnB material she has given us in DEEP RIVER, I was expecting for a more Urban-ized tune with lots and lots of great highlights but, I get a typical Jpop song that wasn’t all that great. For short, COLORS was kind of a let down for me. Good thing the single she released after this one was excellent ’cause if it wasn’t, My views on Hikki might have changed.

I am happy now. For some reason, I like Simple and Clean more than Hikari. I don’t know why but, strangely, I just seem to like the chorus of Simple And Clean more than the one in Hikari because of some tune differences present, and because I understand it! LOL. Well, Simple And Clean is as catchy as hell! I didn’t really feel amazed in Hikari but, Simple And Clean totally blew me away! It’s really really good and is possibly one of the reasons why Hikki is quite famous all around the world.

The next track, Simple and Clean -PLANITb Remix-, was really good too. The heartbeat sounds in the beginning was genius! The beats, the synth, and the overall arrangement in it rocks! The fast vocals remained catchy, and the club-feel of the remix is _______ amazing! It’s definitely a highly recommended remix from Hikki.

Favorite Track:
Simple And Clean

shuffle rating!
B+

Single Review
Utada Hikaru – Passion

Passion is Utada Hikaru’s 15th Japanese single. It was released on December 14, 2005 and reached number 4 in the oricon charts. It charted for 16 weeks and sold a total of 112,345 copies making it the 91st best-selling single of 2006. The title track was used as the theme song for the video game, Kingdom Hearts II.

tracklist:
01. Passion ~single version~
02. Passion ~after the battle~

To be honest, I think Passion is way way way better than Hikki’s other Kingdom Hearts song, Hikari. When It comes to Hikari’s lyrics, there’s no doubt that it’s good but, when it comes to the music, It’s kind of ordinary. No offense to those people who really love Hikari. I know I’m reviewing Passion but, I just can’t help but compare both songs. Anyway, I used to hate Passion… a lot! Really. I was not a fan of Hikki’s Kingdom Hearts songs. In fact, If I haven’t heard “Sanctuary” (the english version of Passion), I wouldn’t have interest in this song. I remember having to enjoy watching a discography video of Hikki in Youtube when I was at London because my aunt’s internet is was like brooooosssh! I saw how much her singles and albums sold and sadly, this single sold a bit low. selling 112,000 is not bad but, compared to Hikki’s past singles, It’s kind of Bad. Boku Wa Kuma even sold higher than it! And just a note, It’s a childish children’s song! I just don’t get why this single sold a bit low. It sound so great and even sounds a lot better than her other KH hit song, Hikari. Unlike Hikari, this song shows a calmer side of Hikki. An absolutely excellent calmer side. Passion sounds so calm but, It is really catchy too. The guitars and the echo-ing wahwahs at the background helped a lot in making the song sound great too!

If you thought the single version of Passion sounded calm, wait till you hear the After The Battle Version of it. It’s piano-based, and doesn’t contain so much of the instruments used in the other version, Which I think is so good too. It opens with the relaxing “Hah hahs” that can be heard in the original version then is quickly followed by the Piano. It later comes to the chorus, then is followed by the verses. Wherein all the Hah hahs are removed and is left alone with the Piano. The 2nd chorus comes in, followed by the 2nd verse and later arrives at the 3rd chorus. It is then followed by some quiet ad-libbing and is followed by the instrumental of the original version (complicating?). Anyway, I really love this version. Not as much as the single version but, I still enjoyed it.

Favorite Track:
Passion

shuffle rating!
A

Single Review
Utada Hikaru – Keep Tryin’

Keep Tryin’ is Utada Hikaru’s 16th japanese single. It was released on February 22, 2006 and charted for 11 weeks. It sold a total of 125,077 copies making it the 82nd best-selling single of 2006. It was also the most downloaded song in iTunes for 2006 with 2,000,000+ downloads.

tracklist:
1. Keep Tryin’
2. WINGS
3. Keep Tryin’ [Original Karaoke]

The only reason why I chose the Ultra Blue ERA for reviewing is because Keep Tryin’ was in it. Yes, I am so addicted to this song especially when I was still in the 6th grade and went to London for a vacation. Everywhere I go, I bring my Mp3 player just to listen to this song. If you don’t believe me, you can all ask my sister about it. Anyway, there are 3 reasons why I like this song so much. First, It’s very inspirational. It’s actually obvious in the title but, when you listen to it fully, It’s features some sad messages such as hopelesness but, after all the bad times she’s gone through, she just wants to keep tryin’, which I think is very uplifting. Second, It’s fun and very up-beat. You all know that I hate some of Utada’s bubbly-pop songs, I think she’s better with ballads (Dareka no anyone?) but, with Keep Tryin’, I can easily give an exception. It’s fun, very amusing (especially the PV) and shows the happier side of Utada. Lastly (and obviously, just to add), It’s very catchy. If there are some people who doesn’t think this song is really really catchy, Go visit the doctor, Your ears might have a problem. In conclusion, Keep Tryin’ is a great and inspirational up-beat song by Utada that easily amuses the listener with everything it has under it’s sleeve.

The next track just makes the single sound more easy-going. WINGS does the job at making the single look good with it’s laid back sound and more melodic sound. Just a note, All that I said was meant in a good way. Really. I loved Utada’s laid back and carefree vocals in this song simply because it gives a more relaxing sound to it. The beats and all the other instruments were really helping in making the song sound relaxing too especially the Piano. Overall, I think it’s Utada’s most excellent B-side… after Hayatochiri (in the wait and see single).

Favorite Track:
Keep Tryin’

shuffle rating!
A+

Single Review
Utada Hikaru – Be My Last

Be My Last is Utada Hikaru’s 14th Japanese single (17th overall). It was released September 28, 2005 and reached #1 in its first week in the charts. It sold a total of 150,928 copies and charted for 14 weeks. It was the #70 single of 2005 and the #2 most downloaded song in iTunes japan. The title track was used as the theme song for the movie, “Haru No Yuki“.

tracklist:
01. Be My Last

With the acoustic guitar and Hikki’s soft, laid-back voice, Be My Last opens up nicely. I have to say that I was impressed with this song because unlike her previous songs, This one has a slight “rock” feel to it yet it remained so peaceful with the aahhs and oohhs at the background. What bothered me a little is the PV for the song. The PV of the song has a great, beautiful, touching message that suits the song perfectly. It’s just that the part where Hikki got hit by the car was kind of brutal and it creeped me out… A LOT! In fact, during the night when I watched the whole PV, I dreamt about it. And believe me, It’s not a good dream. But overall, A pretty nice song and a meaningful PV. Good job hikki! ;]

Favorite Track:
Be My Last

shuffle rating!
A+

Single Review
Utada Hikaru – Dareka No Negai Ga Kanau Koro

Dareka No Negai Ga Kanau Koro is the 13th Japanese single of Utada Hikaru. It was released April 21, 2004 and reached #1 in the oricon charts for 2 consecutive weeks. It sold a total of 365,206 copies and charted for 22 weeks. The title track was used as the theme song for Utada’s (now ex) husband’s debut movie as a director, “Casshern“. It was the 14th best-selling single of 2004.

tracklist:
01. Dareka No Negai Ga Kanau Koro
02. Dareka No Negai Ga Kanau Koro (Instrumental)

Hikki’s longest titled song to date, Dareka No Negai Ga Kanau Koro, is a soft, slow, heart-warming ballad. It’s mainly Hikki who is singing accompanied only by pianos, strings and guitars. One obvious thing about this song is that it’s quite hard to sing. It’s too bad since I always love to sing it… Because of it’s hardness, all I do is fail and fail whenever I sing this song especially when you’re about to sing the high notes. (I’m not Utada you know, so, SORRY! lol) Well, despite the fact that it’s hard to sing, I never got tired of it. I never hated it, I’ve always loved it! Well, tell me 10 good reasons why i shouldn’t like it. If you do, I wont listen to it anymore. No, seriously, what’s not to like about this song? You can feel the emotion that Hikki has and tries to express if you listen to it. That and everything about the song is just ____ amazing!

Favorite Track:
Dareka No Negai Ga Kanau Koro

shuffle rating!
A+