JPop Watch: Utada Hikaru's Spring 2016 Return Officially Denied

It had been brought to my attention (as well as a long list of other bloggers and news sites) that Utada Hikaru, arguably Japan's biggest musician to date, had confirmed a soft release date for her upcoming album. This would be Utada's first solid release in over six year. Unfortunately once Utada's staff caught wind of the news article, they popped up long enough to shut it down.

Last week, Japanese newspaper Sports Hochi announced boldly that Utada would be returning in the Spring of 2016 with a full album. Not only that, but she would also be providing theme songs for two different shows, a "major live action" show and a news program, both of which would be released in April. This, as you probably guessed, made fans go crazy. Utada has been on hiatus for years, only popping up sporadically to provide songs for the occasional movie or anime (such as the recent string of Neon Genesis Evangelion film series).

Yesterday, however, the powers that be made sure our hopes and dreams were crushed. Someone from Utada's official team posted on her website denying the rumors. While they did confirm that she was working on a new album (!!), it was apparently at an intermittent pace, one to which they weren't even sure enough to give it a 2016 release date or not. They also made the bold statement that any true news regarding her upcoming releases would be announced on the website instead of elsewhere.

There were some comments made about her being overseas, giving me hope that she is working on at least some songs in English. I have been a huge fan of her English releases in the past, and they have been a huge success in Japan, still holding the record of best selling English Language album. Sadly, there are no real details about the project at this time, as Utada is very good at keeping these things under wraps.

Over the past two years, she has gone through a lot. She's lost her mother, she's gotten married, and she's had a child. There is a lot for her to write about and express in a beautifully lyrical way that only she knows how to do. I have a feeling that this upcoming album could be her best work yet. But I guess that's too early to say, no?

Album Review - Utada Hikaru "Exodus" 10th Anniversary Edition

I can't believe it's been ten years since my favorite album of all time came out. I'm actually over a week late for this one, but then again when have I ever been punctual? Today we are talking about "Exodus" by Utada (Hikaru in Japan, just Utada here for some weird reason). It recently turned ten years old, and we are going to trudge through this album and see if it still holds up.

Warning: THIS IS MY FAVORITE ALBUM EVER! I'm pretty biased.

Top Ten: GaoSalad's Favorite Albums Ever (Part Two)

So last Sunday I dropped the bomb on you (baby) by telling you some of my rather shocking favorite albums of all time. Some of them I know aren't the greatest, but I just can't help myself. Pop music is an addiction -- but not all of these bad boys are of the pop variety. Prepare for the shock and awe of my Top Five(ish) albums EVER! Well for now. It will probably change next week. Or maybe I had a brain fart. Anyway, commence the listing!

05. The Sounds - Dying To Say This To You

See! I told you that it wouldn't be all pop! The Sounds are basically my generation's Blondie, only without the massive fame and street cred. Their lead singer, Maja, was featured in that Snakes On A Plane Song that Cobra Starship did before they turned to crap, and from there I stumbled upon this album. As a matter of fact, all of their albums are really well done. The first two, this being one of them, were more rock focused, while the last two have really mellowed out. The only reason I chose this album, as well as placed it so high on the list, is due to me knowing every word to every song on this CD. Yes, people, I have my nostalgia goggles on right now. Bite me.

Top Five: Un-Christmas Songs

Welcome to Christmas! I'm not really as happy about it as the exclamation point would lead you to believe, but it's hard not to buy into the fake cheer of the holidays. It's time to hash out more celebrity X-mas related songs. Luckily, not all of them are your traditional tunes, some being downright anti-Christmas. As part of a month-long Top Five column of random crap I deem entertaining and relevant, I will be  Let me get at you with some Un-Christmas Christmas songs.


5. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI by Utada



Confession time: I LOVE Hikaru Utada's English albums. Back when I was a Weeaboo (Don't ask), I was all about some Utada, and she released her debut English album Exodus at the height of my Japan obsession. She released two English albums, this song from the second one. I placed it so high on the countdown mainly because it trolls you into thinking it's a Christmas song when it really isn't. She doesn't even mention the holidays at all. The only really seasonal part of the song is her saying "Jing-a-ling" a couple of times. Way to fool us, Utada. You win.
Edit: An Anon informed me she had to keep the title of the song she sampled for legal reasons. That still doesn't mean she isn't trolling you. I mean if she had to keep the title, logic dictates you should roll with the Christmas theme. She did not. Thus, troll.
(Warning: Lots of Hos under the cut.)