Utada's English Album!!!! 2009!, Check it out. Options

[Mini]

So Utada is coming back to the US and releasing her latest album.
It is available on iTunes NOW. Please support her!!




Her album was released last week on March 24, and it was already 2nd on the iTunes Pop Chart.


The Tracklist


1) On and On
2) Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI
3) Apple And Cinnamon
4) Taking My Money Back
5) This One (Crying Like a Child)
6) Automatic Part II
7) Dirty Desire
8) Poppin'
9) Come Back to Me
10) Me Muero

Songs are already posted on youtube if you want to check them out. =D
I recommend listening to: Come Back to Me, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI, On and On, This One (Crying Like a Child), Apple & Cinnamon, and Dirty Desire.




Who is Utada?

Utada is an American born, Japanese Singer-Songwriter. Ever since her debut in 1998, she has dominated the Japanese music scene. She is the best selling artist in Japan ever.

Okay, if you're new to Utada, then know these things before judging her:

1. Utada's NOT a foreigner: She was born and lived in NY for 12 years before moving to Japan. She did an English language album when she was 13, under the name Cubic U. It was R&B/Pop flavoured, rather mainstream. It never was truly released because of labeling issues and she shortly then went to Japan, where she became a sensation.

2. She's really down-to-earth: She is not your average "pop" queen that doesn't interact with the public. She blogs A LOT on her Japanese website, and is often rather revealing, sharing her small quirks, desires, etc. She's actually really a big geek in some ways, having this giant teddy bear that's taken a personality on it's own. She's really funny, quirky and odd and doesn't try to push really any perceived image, she just is herself.

3. She has a very distinct voice: It is weird, some hate it, others love it. However, once you hear it, it's pretty distinct, you'll never not recognize it.

4. She writes and composes ALL of her songs: Obviously, that says a lot about her as a musician and as an artist. If you're listening to her and thinks the lyrics stinks, that is perfectly fine, but please know that she puts her quirkiness as well as a lot of hidden messages in her written music.

For those who knows her Japanese work and know her by "Utada Hikaru," then "Utada" may NOT be for you. Listening to Utada, keep in mind her own diverse musical taste and how versatile she is.

The Album

The album totally beats her failed attempt to break into the US music industry in 2004 with Exodus. This album is more coherent and more mainstream. Although it is very "generic," the album itself has a very Utada feel to it and very catchy.

Did I mention that Stargate and Tricky (two very popular record producing teams) worked with her on this album? Stargate has collaborated with singers like Neyo, Rihanna, and Beyonce.

This is a fun album, don't take it seriously by any means. People forget that Utada is funny and very smart. I've heard many complaints that her at times overtly sexual nature in this album is horrendous and cheapening. However, in my opinion, she's having fun and being extremely cheeky here.

You can see a video of her talking about the album here:

Utada's Japanese work meanwhile have been known for their contemplative, poetic lyrics, but we all have to remember that Japanese and English are two very different languages. Moreover, America and Japan has very different perspectives on popular music.

The way I see it, This is The One is an experiment in "popular" styles, proving that "Okay you wanted something more mainstream, I'll give you mainstream!"

She is not out to revolutionize American music, but perhaps show that's she capable and knows her R&B roots. While it's not exactly satire or commentary I think the album skids it, it covers bases on what music makes America tick.

Her goal was bubblegum: making songs simple with a universal melody so that would stick in people's heads whether or not they like it. Big thing that I think shows her "experiment" in mass media is portraying a NOT serious "sexification" of her image.

[Simba]

the album cover is so wack, looks bootleg


I did cop this already though, gonna listen soon