Both songs are way better than Sakura Nagashi imo. manatsu no tori ame is really beautiful. I just hope she will have more up beat songs next since it's already 3 ballads in a row, but at least the 2 single songs are really pretty.
I'm one of the small amount that, despite of the good lyrics, wasn't too fond of Sakura Nagashi, so I'm glad the new single sounds like it will be great.

manatsu no tori ame's composition kinda give me vibes of Mayo Okamoto's Alone.

I like Midsummer Rain Shower a lot better already. It's just really nice to hear her voice again.

Also she looks gorgeous.

I absolutely love the second song. THAT is Utada. I'm hoping there's a bit more to the production though, as they did mention that the song "starts" with piano and Utada. But Manatsu is on point.

Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro?

@orbitalaspect : yeah! Dareka was the song. I like a lot this song, so hopefully the new one will be good.

Not boring at all. These new songs are better than Be My Last.

Manastsu is pretty solid as well. But I totally adore Hanataba. I've already repeated that op for over a hundred times :P.

Be My Last is amongst her best. The arrangement is gold! New songs aren't anywhere near BML.

True BML is one of the best. But I wouldn't compare the new songs to BML, especially Hanataba. BML and Hanataba give totally opposite vibes, and I don't see myself listening to BML while sitting under cherry blossoms :P.

I love both songs, and how melody oriented they are and how japanese they sound... This is something new for her!

Also, between Hikki's 3 last songs having japanese titles and sounding very traditional jpop and the whole Made in Japan thing Ayu is doing (and Shiina's last album), it seens like more tradicional japanese take on pop music is going to be a trend.

^Yes, it struck me too that her last three singles have had Japanese titles.

I'm satisfied with what I have heard so far. I think Manatsu no Tooriame will be my favourite but Hanataba wo Kimi ni sounds very sweet. What do we think the PVs will be like? I'm assuming she won't be featured in them much like how she isn't shown on the single covers.

I actually like how Midsummer Rain Shower fits the current montage, so I'm hoping the mv will be similar with a montage showing people and stuff.

That being said, since people mentioned Be My Last I feel obliged to remind everybody of the perfection that is BML orchestral live:

It seems Manatsu no Toori ame will be more interesting than the other track. They were also showing its preview this morning on Zip! when I turned the TV on. I love the atmosphere it gives even just from the short preview. Is it just me? or this song is like Be My Last, dareka no... and COLORS in one?

I think she sings similar to BML in Manatsu, and the arrangement is very Dareka. I also hear a lot of the maturity we had with Sakura Nagashi. I don't hear COLORS in the clip at all. COLORS is very unique even among Utada's songs.

A new thread woooooo how long has it beeeeen.

Actually, my cousin thought Manatsu is the mellow stretched out version of COLORS. My brother thought it sounds like Kairo (esp the chorus part). And I don't hear similarity between those three :P. I still think Manatsu is more dareka-ish.

I absolutely love both previews.

I think making a comeback with generally safe songs is...well, safe lol. I think it's wise. And I don't think they're bad songs.

Be My Last is my favorite song from her discography but I think it's insane to even think about the possibility of comparing these two news songs with BML.

The era/mood/time/delivery is totally different. I like this new one better than the drama song, but I'm still waiting for something more upbeat, like Play Ball for example.

Of course, maybe she's past those type of songs and going for an acoustic route this album. Won't complain.

Hmmn, I don't mind if she's make an album with ballads only :P. So far I'm really happy with the songs, and I'm sure that she will have something to surprise us. Again, she can't make something hard for a morning drama or news. Usually people who watch morning dramas are older people, so I think they appreciate Hanataba more than BML type of song. And I doubt the news program would accept a song with super beats like Passion. They sound safe, but they totally fit the themes.

I'm (already/so far :P) completely & absolutely satisfied with Utada's comeback (it's still all so surreal...she's back! :vbhappy) because these two new songs are simply beautiful! Plus, I'd say they are so Utada and yet, more new & much better. :) I think I may like "Manatsu no Torriame" a tiny bit more, probably because I love that dramatic feel it has to it. :luv2 Still, I think "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" is lovely, as well and I am absolutely looking forward to the music videos!

Also, just gotta say...Utada is just GORGEOUS in those promo pics...she looks amazing!!! :love

Someone else brought up BML. I don't think they are similar at all; I was just saying it near impossible to say these tracks are better songs than BML.