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Midsummer Rain Shower ♪٩(✿′ᗜ‵✿)۶♪ the 53rd thread
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ʕ•̫͡•ʔ NEW RELEASE!!! DIGITAL SINGLE: Hanataba wo Kimi ni (花束を君に, A Bouquet For You) 15/04/2016 Spoiler:
ʕ•̫͡•ʔ NEW RELEASE!!! DIGITAL SINGLE: Manatsu no Tooriame (真夏の通り雨, Midsummer Rain Shower) 15/04/2016 Spoiler:
ʕ•̫͡•ʔ NEWS + PICS Spoiler:
ʕ•̫͡•ʔ ABOUT HIKKI (宇多田ヒカル) Spoiler:
ʕ•̫͡•ʔ DISCOGRAPHY Spoiler:
ʕ•̫͡•ʔ US DISCOGRAPHY (as Utada) Spoiler:
the Previous Thread the Official Site Special 15th anniversary site Official Twitter Generasia Official Instagram Official YouTube U-Turn Project |
Yay for new thread!! The previous thread is 90% what is your favorite album and/or Hikki's hairstyle LOL
Anyway, i'm so eager to hear the second song tonight. Hikki might wanted the previous song to sound as light as probably the theme of the tv drama in which it is tied in with. According to the description of one of the news staff the song starts with just piano and hikki's voice and that she had chills. I feel like its going to be a beautiful ballad. |
I'm eager to see people's reaction after Manatsu no Tooriame's preview is out. I hope it won't generate another lukewarm vibe... :P
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How the hell you people make such cute/well-made opening thread posts, I will never understand. xD Good job, Maemi!
Lord, I didn't say this in the last thread but I love Hikki with hair that long. I was so used to her short style that I kinda gasped when I saw it! When are we going to get the second song? I've been waiting all day! (Yes, I'm spoiled. Just one of the songs of the two is not enough.) |
Just a couple more hours until we get to hear Manatsu no Tooriame!
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She looks fantastic in those promo shots
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NEWS ZERO airs 11pm I guess so we still have 30 more minutes of wait. It seems a lot of people are tuning in to hear it as what I read on twitter lol
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I really like that Hanataba song! It's peaceful and calm.
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Where can we hear it?
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The song is ok...but a little bland for Hikki's song..usually she played with more unique arrangement, unique sound that made her song stand out and different, but this one is kinda bland..especially for such a long come back. The song is very typical Jpop ballad like what Motohiro Hata, Sukima Switch and many others Jpop singer will sing. Not bad, I always like ballad song but not strong enough for a come back.
Looking forward to the other song... |
Midsummer Rain Shower sounds awesome if the 30-second preview is any indication of the full thing! :D Although I'm quite taken with A Bouquet For You as well.
I like how the new songs follow the same direction as Sakura Nagashi. I'm happy about the comeback so far, now if only she'd announce a theme song for Kingdom Hearts 3... |
I like this one better the first song is really banal ! |
^ Thanks! The ballad sounds a bit plain though. Anyway, what the heck is that huge thing they are pulling in the video?? lol
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Looks like she is going to write songs related to 4 seasons
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So what do you guys think about these two songs overall? To be honest, I think this is a pretty plain comeback. I was expecting something more fierce and outstanding, and even though I do not mind ballads, these are not really strong or unique. I don't want to go as far as to call them "boring", at least until I hear the full-length versions.
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Ooh the second song made me emotional I missed her voice so much lol
For me personally, I'm satisfied with the comeback. It's great to hear Utada singing again. But I definitely will wait for the full versions first before judging. |
To be honest these songs are quite forgettable from a general point of view if I compare to her whole discography but at the same time there is something nostalgic !
I didn't expected upbeat tunes from her she is not really that kind of artist but I imagined something with more character and uniqueness but it's only the beginning of her comeback and it's not the first time she made safe ballads Flavor of love for exemple was pretty basic back then ... |
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I agree, I went to listen to Sakura Nagashi after listening to Manatsu no Tooriame for the first time and felt like both new songs could go well together with it, they all have a cohesive sound. If Hikki went this route with her next album, I wouldn't be surprised, but I have no expectations like I did with the new songs. I am loving Manatsu no Tooriame the most so far. Can't wait to hear both songs in full. Glad she is back, I've miss her. I'm quite content and satisfied with what I'm hearing right now. |
i love the 2nd one! so amazing!!
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I like the second song preview better than the first. Manatsu no Toori Ame reminds me of an old Utada song, can't remember which. Still, none of the two seem spectacular. Waiting for full to judge.
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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. |
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@orbitalaspect : yeah! Dareka was the song. I like a lot this song, so hopefully the new one will be good.
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Manastsu is pretty solid as well. But I totally adore Hanataba. I've already repeated that op for over a hundred times :P.
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Be My Last is amongst her best. The arrangement is gold! New songs aren't anywhere near BML.
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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.
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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?
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A new thread woooooo how long has it beeeeen.
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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. |
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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.
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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 |
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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... |
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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!
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Be My Last is also my fav Hikki ballad. On par with FINAL DISTANCE.
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I tried to get the lyrics and made a rough translation to Manatsu no Tooriame
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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...
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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 :(.
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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. |
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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! |
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God no! Utada can't sing enka!
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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!)
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Has she ever sung enka? I can't remember.
Btw, does anyone know about the reception in Japan? Do they like the songs? |
I actually do think that Manatsu no Toori Ame is about her mom's death. Is it too early to suspect? XD anyway, the lyrics on the preview are quite sad for me especially the last line "shadow of the standing person sayinh farewell."
Once she called her mom the goddess of storm, and IMO this time she refers to her as the rain. She died sometime in August and that's like midsummer. A sudden rain on summer is probably referring to her sudden death. And i kinda think that the reason why she refers to her mom as "rain" this time is because its calm, like probably how she'd wish her mom is at peace wherever she may be at right now. This song is giving me life even from the short preview. I can't wait to hear it in full. |
^Well, that have a lot of sense. I mean, I've read that the song "Arashi no Megami" was written to her mother or dedicated to her...
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I'm starting to love Mantasu no Toori Ame more. I know that she's always have a special place in my heart (as I've been her fan since 1999), but listening to her new songs really diggin my inner heart out, that how I've been missing her voice so much for the past few years.
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You know, not to totally change topic here, but I'm starting to really like Hanabata wo Kimi Ni. I've listened to it several more times and it's just.. enjoyable in a very soft, relaxing way. Was it what I was expecting for a comeback song? No. Perhaps I put too much pressure and was thinking too much of what I was hoping it was going to be rather than what it was. I actually find myself listening to it more than Manatsu no Toori Ame.
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I really am enjoying what we've heard of both songs so far. I'm confident that the full versions will both be great, but I'm betting Manatsu no Tooriame is gonna be earth shattering. :yes
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(Seriously, I don't like YouTube Red at all. Especially when it comes to limiting J-pop stateside. (>_<)) |
Is she going to make PVs for her new songs..
any information..? |
Know how lazy hikki is, probly not lol. The last so-called decent pv (to me) was HEART STATION. Prisoner of Love was plain as butt, Goodbye Happiness was cute but I would not call that a decent production (even I know hikki was the director). I really wanna see hikki making pvs as beautiful (if not prettier) as the ones directed by kiriya, but I doubt she will put efforts in pv nowadays (if she's doing it).
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http://www.jpopasia.com/news/program...gs::19302.html
Did anyone else see this? Apparently Toto Nee-chan ("Hanataba" theme song) had the highest ratings for morning drama in 15 years, with some 20% of TV viewers tuning in to the show. The news program NEWS ZERO had their highest ratings for the year after debuting Manatsu. I wonder if this will actually be a huge comeback for Utada. |
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Were we ever worried she wasn't going to get no. 1? haha xD That is very good news, however. Good to hear and better to see. :)
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I still remember how sad I was when hikki couldn't get no. 1 anymore after she released Passion. And technically Sakura Negashi didn't get weekly no. 1 (it was monthly no. 1 tho :P). Btw, both new singles will be released on Friday, so unless loads of people downloading the songs in Japan, they might end up not getting weekly no. 1.
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Oh Goodness, you're right. I completely forgot about that. My bad, my bad.
Still, that news is good to hear! |
Regardless of whether she hits number one, I bet they'll both crack the top 10 and that'll be impressive to have two songs charting in the top 10 simultaneously!
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Rankings dont really matter with Hikki, even though her singles used to have a great longevity, but she isnt really a single artist after all. both of ayu and kuu used to sell more singles, but eventually in terms of albums hikki was selling way more.
Anyways im soo excited about the new singles. New day of slay :heart |
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You mean physical? I definitely hope she can sell over 500K in physical.
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I think 100k - 150k is more realistic. I can however see Hanataba selling close to a million in digital downloads.
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Oh yeah, I forgot that the sales of single collection vol. 2 wasn't that great (in fact I was a bit shocked of how low the first week sales was). Hope she will do great in digital then.
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I don't know if I'm too much optimistic but I assume if there is a female singer able to surprise me with big sales that's her !! It's true her seconde best album had decent but still disappointing sales but if the promotion is well handled we can expect great sales !
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You're expecting too much. With the current state of the digital music market, this is very unlikely. Sakura Nagashi sold Platinum digitally in 2012 (250k). And even though it was only released for iTunes, right now iTune is the biggest digital platform in Japan with about 50-60% of all digital sales. So you shouldn't expect that much higher sales than for Sakura Nagashi, but actually that would already be a success. |
i dont think she will sell more than 100k .... it will be a huge 'disappointment' to the whole world. she was gone for too long..
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If she sold 100k, it would be great, not a disappointment. Look at other artists sales and go from there.
I hate to be a negative nancy, but some Utada fans just have this unrealistic idea that she'll sell millions. She'll sell well compared to other artists, but the days of million selling albums (unless you're in a girl/boy group) are long past. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's just the state of music these days. |
I think 100K is a bit too pessimistic. I have feeling that her upcoming album can at least sell over 150 - 200K in total. She is hikki after all, one of the queens in music industry. If her album total sales are really around 100K, that means she becomes one of those typical bland artists in general public's eyes. And I think she will retired if she sees herself becoming that.
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After seeing what Ai Otsuka's hiatus did to her...I'm very skeptical about Utada's selling records out the ass. Of course, Utada is a record-setting, music history making icon so there's obviously more hope for her. But still, she's not above the current state of things in music. She will be effected too; SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 2's sales (which were 6 years ago!) show this.
Nonetheless, 100K would be amazing, anything more would be a dream come true and would prove the power of "Godtada," as she's called around here. But I don't think she's exempt form anything ayu, Kumi, or anyone else is subjected to. Namie even had her crazy second peak and the decline in sales is also evident for her. With hikki it could honestly go either way. So only time will tell. (Pun intended, lol.) |
^Agree. Lets just wait and see LOL
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With the statistics for NEWS ZERO and Totonee-chan breaking records for annual news viewers and morning drama viewers in the last 15 years, I think Utada's comeback is not going to be overlooked. She's had probably tens of thousands of tweets with the comeback hashtag, so she's definitely got attention on social media. She's doing this smart. She just needs to keep going forward. I said 500k because Utada is still Japan's daughter. A lot of people were saying million selling was impossible when she did HEART STATION in 2008, mainly because Koda and Ayumi couldn't top 500k. But Utada not only pulled 1 million in sales, she sold more than 100k over ULTRA BLUE's sales. Utada has staying power and influence, so expect a new album to be a big deal, especially if she invests promotion and creativity in it the same way she did with UB and HS. Edit: I should note that I've checked her website at all hours of the day and she's always got at least a few dozen tweets coming from fans with the hashtag, fresh and new. So, I think the hashtag campaign and the tie-ins, and general interaction with media has helped. Ai Otsuka's comeback wasn't this organized or promoted. |
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As for namie, I must say her style has gone to a totally weird direction that many Japanese casual listeners do not find appealing. She basically released more English songs than Japanese songs after uncontrolled, and I must say that _genic still sold pretty well when most of her songs in the album are English. So can't say her sales can indicate how hikki will sell as well, because namie is brave enough to ditch the comfort zone and create her own taste of music. Probly ayu and kuu are more relevant, but I don't follow kuu anymore, and I only listen to ayu's few songs for the past few years, so I can't really use their recent data to judge hikki's future sales... :P |
Utada also had very good tie-ins to help boost her sales compared to others, so there's that.
They point I'm trying to make is when her second best album dropped people on here were staying she would easily sell a million copies because she was Utada, and that didn't happen. Just wait and see, that's all anybody can do, but let's be realistic about it. We all want her to sell well. |
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Even 500k is really hard for anybody. Only idols and (boy)bands reach that at the moment.
We don't know when the album is coming. I do agree that they're promoting her comeback really nice. People are curious and it works. But that doesn't mean it will translate to sales. |
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100k-300k is possible, but 500k is really hard :D
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