What? Most people love Manatsu, and some people really love Hanataba (including myself). We can't wait to get her new album. No way people preferred her not coming back! :P

Well I don't think this will work really well with Japanese audience. Namie is still selling decently, but I also believe that her recent albums scared away some fans as the majority songs in the albums are in English. I have to give applause to her though because she insists on doing what she wants.

People want music for them to dance to and they are somehow coming to the wrong artitst.

Exactly this.

Also I'm pretty sure (liked 50%) that Utada signed a new contract so she can release English and Japanese music under one label.

I think you're reading into people's wants more than you should. We're all excited for Utada to return, but we're all very curious about how this album will sound.

For example, ayaka changed SIGNIFICANTLY after her hiatus and going indie. She's definitely not been the same artist, even if she's made good music.

So, with Utada, we're all wondering if Utada will do crazy stuff like Keep Tryin' and This Is Love because she previously did do it alongside tracks like the three she's recently released. Either way, I think we can all agree that Utada has won J-Pop this year even if she stopped at two songs. Unless Ayumi comes out with another million-dollar-and-eight-PV record, I doubt someone's going to top Utada or in-turn top Miliyah Kato.

Well, unless Koda decides to shake things up again this year... But still. Utada has won J-Pop this year. She came back with two amazing, very personal tracks, which are both mature, evolved, and memorable. I still think of them daily, even if I don't listen to them. So she's made her impression on me.

I'm just curious if Utada's going to do anything fun on this record. As silly as it sounds, I'd love another Nijiiro Bus or Boku wa Kuma. But I'd also love to hear her more upbeat style like Making Love or This Is Love. I'm sure there's bound to be something upbeat on the album. I mean, this is Utada. The girl who sang "I want your baby..." and named a song Kettobase! She's always got something quirky up her sleeve.

Exactly

Not looking to dance. Looking for something that isn't a ballad.

It's not like she doesn't write uptempo songs. Considering her last song was also a ballad, and then she released two more, it's not like it's some ~crazy~ idea.

People who listen to Utada know she is not that kind of singer lol In my case I waited for something ethereal like ULTRA BLUE that I consider like her best effort and the peak of her creativity musically but I can understand her choices I definitely look forward to see the final "product" but I'm not impressed by these new songs !

Yeap, it was announced both her future japanese and english releases will be released by EMI (at the time) under the name Utada Hikaru.

I've probably listened to Manatsu no Tooriame about a thousand times already. I seriously can't get enough of it.

recochoku second week:

Hanabata wo Kimi ni - Weekly no. 1 on both single and uta

Manatsu no Toori Ame - Weekly no. 2 on single, no. 7 on uta, and no. 5 on video

They are also No 1 and 2 on iTunes since two weeks.

Hikki has startet a Q and A via Twitter...


Q: It’s been 5 years and 3 months since you started your “human activities,” and you’re finally resuming with music. What words would you use to express your feelings to your fans?

A: “Yo! It’s been a while!”

...

Q: Both songs use live instruments as main sounds. Since “SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 2” it seems that this is a more common occurrence. What’s the reason?

A: It’s really fun to add, subtract a ton of sounds during programming. But I’ve started feeling like I’m missing something, working in a world where the tempo and sound intervals are so controlled. With live instruments, there’s a more organic structure, and more than anything, the “sound of the room” is just awesome.

I’ve always loved live instruments, but I’ve never been great at communicating with musicians during sessions, and it’s just been easier for me to sit by myself in front of a computer and do the arranging, and only work with programmers and arrangers that I know really well.

But lately, it hasn’t been as much of a burden to communicate with musicians who I’ve just met, and to explain what I’m imagining or what I’m hoping to achieve. I guess I’ve grown up a bit!

...

Q: There’s been a lot of reaction online from people who’ve heard your songs on TV, saying that their impression of your voice has changed. What are your thoughts?

A: It’s been really surprising! Hearing things like “Your voice feels softer,” “I can feel a warmth to your voice,” or “It feels more feminine.”

More than anything, I’d say that during my break I’ve been able to revisit my vocal methodology, and due to my pregnancy I’ve been able to undertake a more healthy lifestyle. I’ve also been singing Japanese nursery rhymes every day, so I feel like through that I’ve picked up on singing Japanese in a more polite, carefree way.

Also, I’m working with a new mixing engineer, and they obviously treat my voice differently than other people in the past.

...

Q: What are your favorite lyrics from each song?

A: From “Hanataba wo Kimi ni”: “Sekaijyuu ga ame no hi mo / Kimi no egao ga boku no taiyou datta” (Even those days when the world was awash in rain / Your smile was my sun), and “Manatsu no Tooriame”: “Katenu ikusa ni iki kirashi / Anata ni mi wo kogashita hibi” (Out of breath from a war I could not win / Endless days, burned, trying to extend you my love). In both, I feel like my current self was able to write the utmost lyrics.

... I hope she will answer more Questions soon.

^thx for posting them, hope there is more to come too...

i wonder what they'll gonna do in the next months...
hope we get another 1-2 digital/s (hopefully mid/uptempo to have some variety) then album mid/late summer

"Yo! It's been a while" lol freaking Hikki

You can't take the New York out of her

Anyone else find both new songs incredibly boring...? It's so unfortunate.

^me. thank you.

sad ya'll can't get into the beauty of manatsu at least...
the mood is on point and probably one of her best songs already imo
(i think my playcount was like ~127 on day one ��)
it has that magic that i missed from ayu her ballads since her amazing Virgin Road!!

manatsu is a gem. As mentioned, it totally has a mood to it. I especially adore the way in which the piano notes echo during the verses - so haunting and an absolute genius technique!

Y'all simple minds can go listen to Beyonce or something.

"wahhhh I have different musical tastes and/or expectations than you do so I'll tell you to go listen to a singer who I clearly think is under anyone that I'm actually a fan of and also PIANO DUH"

...have a seat. you tried. you know better.