Manatsu no Tooriame - definitely better and more of Hikki's style...the way she sing, the melody..that's what I called Hikki's style...

Suprisingly both songs are Ballad song...

OOT - What happen on that video? Looks like a festival...but kinda scary and exciting...

Not impossible at all. Not everyone is a fan of that tortured wailing in the BML chorus. For me it's just not a pretty place for her voice to go to but others might disagree.

I like Manatsu no toori ame much better than the other song, but I think both are great songs. It reminds us what a great writer she is, even when you strip away all the shiny production.

I like the new song!

Be My Last is also my fav Hikki ballad. On par with FINAL DISTANCE.

:yes:yes:yes:yes:yes:yes

I tried to get the lyrics and made a rough translation to Manatsu no Tooriame

Haha I did the same thing and thought the same as well!

I'm digging these previews so far - especially Manatsu no Tooriame. In a similar fashion to Sakura Nagashi, I think they are a refreshing, and mature addition to her discography.

I suppose these songs give us a sense of what to expect for her next album.

I like both songs, Manatsu maybe a little bit more...

also am I the only one or is anyone else thinking that the melody in Manatsu is very similar to Letters?

0:48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fidQjwNppLw

1:07 in Letters

I think I'm crazy... My itunes tells me that. I have been listening to Hanataba wo kimi ni for over 140 times since yesterday...

I agree completely! I thought the same thing when I listened for the first time this morning.

These songs have me very excited, I'm intrigued to see if she really is sticking to an acoustic direction like these tracks/Arashi no Megami/Sakura Nagashi. I kind of hope so! Her upbeat, catchy songs with organic instrumentation would be amazing. Something like WINGS maybe?

Hey would anyone be able to pretty pretty please upload the songs (not on youtube)? For some reason I can't listen to them because copyright stuff in the US. I'm kinda going a lil crazy not being able to hear these lol :(.

Where did you even download it? Or are you just talking about the 1 minute version?

Also, to the people saying the comeback is too plain: Both of these songs are obviously tributes to her late mother, who was an enka singer. I really feel like that's where the stripped down sound is coming from. I'm sure we will get some of those upbeat, ethereal, experimental songs we all love from her when the album is actually released. :)

Hanataba wo kimi ni (90 second preview) for those who haven't heard it yet.
Google Drive link

EDIT:
Manatsu no Tooriame (60 second preview)
Google Drive link

Please tell me if the links work, never uploaded anything to Google Drive before.

I don't think they're obviously tributes to her mother.

Utada isn't as obscure about the subjects of her lyrics as, say, Ayumi. Dareka, for example, was clearly about her mother, referencing the joy a parent must feel when they see their child accomplish great things. There really isn't a song in Utada's discography which we have to read between the lines.

That said, I'm curious if Utada will write a song about her mother's death, or if it's too soon. Knowing Utada, if she does write a song about her late mother, the style and lyrics will be much closer to Sakura Nagashi, Dareka, or DEEP RIVER, something much more somber than these two singles.

And on that note, I'd love to hear Utada cover one of her mother's songs as a tribute. THAT would be something special!

I love that idea! Song suggestion: 冷たい月－泣かないで－（動画）★藤　圭子（with cubicU）

God no! Utada can't sing enka!

Me too :)

Thank you thank you!!! They work just fine. They are beautiful previews!!! Thank you so so much! You just made my day!

I love Be My Last too! I remember being so hyped for my copy of the single arriving (which I ordered along with Mika's Glamorous Sky and Yuna Ito's Endless Story!)

The 1 minute version lol. I can't wait for that long. I have to listen the song (even if it's just a minute) on my iPod everyday :D.