[Utada Hikaru] Midsummer Rain Shower ♪٩(✿′ᗜ‵✿)۶♪ the 53rd thread

[Maemi]

ʕ•̫͡•ʔ NEW RELEASE!!! DIGITAL SINGLE: Hanataba wo Kimi ni (花束を君に, A Bouquet For You) 15/04/2016

Spoiler:

"Hanataba wo Kimi ni" is a digital single released by Utada Hikaru, simultaneously with "Manatsu no Tooriame". It is her first digital single released since 2012's "Sakura Nagashi", and marks her official comeback to the Japanese music scene after a 5 year hiatus. The song was used as the opening theme for the NHK asadorama Toto Nee-chan.

ʕ•̫͡•ʔ NEW RELEASE!!! DIGITAL SINGLE: Manatsu no Tooriame (真夏の通り雨, Midsummer Rain Shower) 15/04/2016

Spoiler:

"Manatsu no Tooriame" is a digital single released by Utada Hikaru, simultaneously with "Hanataba wo Kimi ni". It is her first digital single released since 2012's "Sakura Nagashi", and marks her official comeback to the Japanese music scene after a 5 year hiatus. The song was used as the theme for the TV program NEWS ZERO.

ʕ•̫͡•ʔ NEWS + PICS

Spoiler:

With the news of her son's birth, Utada announced that she was in the midst of recording a new album. On January 20, 2016, her website confirmed a new song for the NHK Asadora Toto Nee-chan, titled "Hanataba wo Kimi ni", going on air on April 4th. Another song was confirmed by her staff on March 4, called Manatsu no Tooriame, to be the theme of NTV's NEWS ZERO, starting from the same day as the drama. Both songs are being released as digital singles in April 15, along their music videos.

Utada's team then announced the celebration of her comeback through a webpage entitled the "NEW-TURN Project" which features a cherry blossom tree that blooms whenever someone buys her music and "#おかえりHIKKI" is used via twitter. Proceeds from the project will fund the planting of cherry blossom trees in areas affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.

It was announced on August 22nd, 2013 that Utada Hikaru's mother, enka singer Fuji Keiko (real name Abe Junko) had apparently committed suicide, she was 62. She was found on the ground facing upward in front of an apartment in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. She was transported to the hospital, where she soon passed away. The identity of the body was confirmed by her ex-husband.

In May 24, 2014, she married the Italian bartender Francesco Calliano, and in July 3rd, 2015, she announced the birth of her first son in her personal blog.
Source: generasia

ʕ•̫͡•ʔ ABOUT HIKKI (宇多田ヒカル)

Spoiler:

Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter under the Emi Music Japan label. Utada is one of Japan's most successful artists of all time. Her debut album First Love is the #1 best selling album in Asian music history with over 7.65 million copies sold in Japan alone. In total she has sold over 38,000,000 million records in Japan, and 3 of her albums are in the Top 10 best-selling albums of all time in Japan (#1, #4, #8), making her one of the most successful and popular singers in J-pop history. Utada is bilingual as she was raised in both New York and Tokyo. She is also known in the west under her English language project name 'Utada', most famous for singing the Kingdom Hearts theme song, "Hikari / Simple And Clean" and the Kingdom Hearts II theme song, "Passion / Sanctuary". Initially, Utada's music had a heavy R&B style to it, but later her music progressed to a more pop / experimental tone. Her distinct R&B sound brought her much attention with her first release in Japan, "Automatic / time will tell". Utada was married to director Kiriya Kazuaki, who directed the movie CASSHERN, but in March 2007 the couple split.

On August 9, 2010, Utada announced plans to go on indefinite hiatus following the release of "Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2", her second compilation album. On November 24, 2010, "Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2" was released. It debuted atop the Oricon charts once again. It has also been anounced that Utada has severed ties with Island Def Jam, who releases her English language works. She has secured a global contract with EMI Music. Upon returning from her hiatus, all her future releases will be under the name Utada Hikaru regardless of the country of release.

Utada Hikaru has been deemed the Most Influential Japanese Artist of the past decade (2000-2010) by Japan Times.

Source: generasia.com

ʕ•̫͡•ʔ DISCOGRAPHY

Spoiler:

Albums

[1999.03.10] First Love (#1 10,056,000 copies sold)
[2001.03.28] Distance (#1 4,472,343 copies sold)
[2002.06.19] DEEP RIVER (#1 3,605,000 copies sold)
[2006.06.14] ULTRA BLUE (#1 909,113 copies sold)
[2008.03.09] HEART STATION (#1 1,011,373 copies sold)

Best Albums

[2004.03.31] Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1 (#1 2,586,347 copies sold)
[2010.11.24] Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2 (#1 442,589 copies sold)
[2014.12.09] Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1+2 HD (USB) (limited to 5,000 copies)

Tribute Albums

[2014.12.09] Utada Hikaru no Uta (宇多田ヒカルのうた; Songs of Utada Hikaru) (49,942 copies sold)


Singles

[1998.12.09] Automatic / time will tell
[1999.02.17] Movin' on without you
[1999.04.28] First Love
[1999.11.10] Addicted To You
[2000.04.19] Wait & See ~Risk~ (Wait & See ～リスク～)
[2000.06.30] For You / Time Limit (For You / タイム・リミット)
[2001.02.16] Can You Keep A Secret?
[2001.07.25] FINAL DISTANCE
[2001.11.28] traveling
[2002.03.20] Hikari (光; Light)
[2002.05.09] SAKURA Drops / Letters (SAKURAドロップス / Letters)
[2003.01.29] COLORS
[2004.04.21] Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro (誰かの願いが叶うころ; When Someone's Wish Comes True)
[2005.09.28] Be My Last
[2005.12.14] Passion
[2006.02.22] Keep Tryin'
[2006.11.22] Boku wa Kuma (ぼくはくま; I'm a Bear)
[2007.02.28] Flavor Of Life
[2007.08.29] Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry
[2008.02.20] HEART STATION / Stay Gold
[2008.05.21] Prisoner Of Love

Digital Singles

[2006.05.31] This Is Love
[2007.05.31] Kiss & Cry
[2007.06.27] Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) -2007 MIX-
[2008.03.27] Fight the Blues
[2008.10.31] Eternally -Drama Mix-
[2009.06.27] Beautiful World -PLANiTb Acoustica Mix-
[2010.10.09] Hymne à l'amour ~Ai no Anthem~ (Hymne à l'amour ～愛のアンセム～) (Édith Piaf cover)
[2010.11.03] Goodbye Happiness
[2012.11.16] 桜流し (Sakura Nagashi)
[2016.04.15] Hanataba wo Kimi ni (花束を君に, A Bouquet For You)
[2016.04.15] Manatsu no Tooriame (真夏の通り雨, Midsummer Rain Shower)


DVD / VHS / Blu-ray

[1999.12.16] UTADA HIKARU SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION VOL.1 UH1
[2000.06.30] Wait & See ~Risk~ (Wait & See ～リスク～)
[2000.12.09] BOHEMIAN SUMMER 2000
[2001.09.27] UTADA HIKARU SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION VOL.2 UH2
[2001.11.28] Utada Hikaru Unplugged
[2002.01.30] traveling
[2002.09.30] UTADA HIKARU SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION+ VOL.3 UH3+
[2003.03.12] COLORS
[2003.08.29] UH Live Streaming 20 Dai wa Ikeike! (UH LIVE STREAMING 20代はイケイケ！)
[2004.07.28] Utada Hikaru in Budokan 2004 Hikaru no 5 (Utada Hikaru in Budokan 2004 ヒカルの5)
[2004.07.28] Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro (誰かの願いが叶うころ)
[2004.10.06] Easy Breezy (Utada)
[2006.09.27] UTADA HIKARU SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION VOL.4 UH4
[2006.12.20] UTADA UNITED 2006
[2011.04.20] WILD LIFE
[2012.12.26] Sakura Nagashi (桜流し; Flowing Cherry Blossoms)

Vinyls

[1999.02.17] Automatic / time will tell
[1999.06.30] First Love
[2000.05.10] Fly Me To The Moon
[2001.07.25] Distance
[2002.xx.xx] SAKURA Drops (Sonic Sprout Mix)
[2002.09.30] DEEP RIVER

ʕ•̫͡•ʔ US DISCOGRAPHY (as Utada)

Spoiler:

Albums

[2004.09.08] EXODUS (#1 in Japan - 1,074,393 copies sold; #160 on the US Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart - 55,000 copies sold)
[2009.03.14] This Is The One (#3 in Japan - 242,657 copies sold; #69 on Billboard Top 200 albums ranking, #2 in the iTunes Pop Albums and #18 in the iTunes General Albums)

Compilation Albums

[2010.11.24] Utada The Best (#12 - 20,278 copies sold)

Singles

[2004.08.03] Easy Breezy
[2004.09.14] Devil Inside
[2005.06.21] Exodus '04
[2005.10.17] You Make Me Want To Be A Man
[2009.02.10] Come Back To Me
[2009.12.21] Dirty Desire

Vinyls

[2004.09.13] Devil Inside
[2005.05.17] Exodus '04
[2005.09.05] You Make Me Want To Be A Man (Promo)
[2005.09.17] You Make Me Want To Be A Man

Download Exclusives

[2004.08.03] Easy Breezy
[2004.08.03] Devil Inside (The Richard Vission Radio Edit / The Scum Frog Radio Edit mixes)
[2009.02.10] Come Back To Me
[2009.07.22] Sanctuary (Opening)
[2009.07.22] Sanctuary (Ending)
[2009.12.21] Dirty Desire

Video Releases

[2013.12.09] In The Flesh 2010 (iTunes only release)

the Previous Thread
the Official Site
Special 15th anniversary site
Official Twitter
Generasia
Official Instagram
Official YouTube
U-Turn Project

[hayasaki]

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.

[bluegie]

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...

[Miduhyo]

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.)

[amorphose]

Just a couple more hours until we get to hear Manatsu no Tooriame!

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

She looks fantastic in those promo shots

[hayasaki]

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

[NintendoHTF1242]

I really like that Hanataba song! It's peaceful and calm.

[Maemi]

Where can we hear it?

[AyuGAME]

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...

[thomas]

Midsummer Rain Shower sounds awesome if the 30-second preview is any indication of the full thing! 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...

[mizuki-7]

I like this one better the first song is really banal !

[Maemi]

^ Thanks! The ballad sounds a bit plain though. Anyway, what the heck is that huge thing they are pulling in the video?? lol

[kotora]

Looks like she is going to write songs related to 4 seasons

[Maemi]

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.

[NintendoHTF1242]

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.

[mizuki-7]

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 ...

[blackmage]

Originally Posted by thomas

Midsummer Rain Shower sounds awesome if the 30-second preview is any indication of the full thing! 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.

This!

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.

[Next_Level29]

i love the 2nd one! so amazing!!

[Surreal17]

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.