Utada Hikaru makes her official return to music!
- Details
- Published on March 9, 2016 @ 12:40 pm
- Written by Arielle
Marking the end of her five-year hiatus, Utada Hikaru has officially announced her return to the music industry this Spring with the launch of a special commemorative website!
The website is for the "NEW-turn" project, featuring a cherry blossom tree that will grow as people use the hashtag "#おかえりHIKKI" (meaning #WelcomebackHIKKI) or buy her music off of iTunes Japan, mora, Recochoku, or from the Universal Music Store. Money raised through the "NEW-turn" project website will go towards replanting cherry blossom trees in locations that were affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Yahoo Japan's streaming service GyaO! and broadcast media company USEN are also endorsing the campaign and will donate money based on how many views are made on Utada's music videos
Utada first announced that she would finally be returning to making music back in July 2015, and there were many rumors about what projects the singer would be working on in 2016. This year, it was officially revealed that one of the two newest songs she will be working on includes "Hanataba wo Kimi ni", which will serve as the opening theme for the NHK drama "Toto Nee-chan". The other song will serve as the ending theme for the NTV news program "NEWS ZERO". Both songs will be revealed on April 4th.
As Utada's triumphant returns grows closer, more hope grows for her return to Kingdom Hearts but who knows what the future may hold. Discuss the great news with us on our forums!
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Source: JPopAsia
COMMENTS
welcome back hikaru gat way what you have in story in terms of music and we hope you a song for kh3 the future doesn't scare us at all
#welcomebackhikki
(Because the forum sucks, this is the hashtag - #おかえりHIKKI )
2016 is the year of dreams coming true. u betta represent, khi.
New Kingdom Hearts 3 theme song. I feel it in the air....in the water. Nomura is still drawing.
Oh I hope so. Just did a tweet for the campaign, I suggest if you have a twitter, use it. ^^
Awesome! I can't wait hopefully we get news of a new song for KHIII soon!
Utada confirmed best waifu
Utada confirmed best waifu
Excuse you sir, she is married and has a child!
Awww, this is awesome! Can't wait!
I tweeted
for the campaign, too.
Sweet. Looking forward to her new album and songs.
I'd love her to do the KH3 theme though at the same time I could see her not coming back
now get back to work on making a song for my video game
Personally I want that Peabo Bryson duet. ;A; Give me my 90s feels ;A;
Listen to the cover of "Sanctuary" on Utada's Anniversary Album! - News - Kingdom Hearts Insider
Also may we never forget:
| This was the first time I felt troubled to draw. There were a number of things that troubled me. Perhaps you could ask yourself is this the “game”. In the game’s proposal, I kept in mind when writing this, from what you know previously, your imagination may start to inflate/swell. I thought about trying to express this in one picture. What arises from this proposal, there is a meaning to every keyword in the picture. And, as one waits for Utada to perform again, there is a double meaning in this content. What happens if she starts to move again? I tried to draw those emotions in the possibility of those imaginations. Tetsuya Nomura (Square Enix) Designer FINAL FANTASY and KINGDOM HEARTS character designer, game designer, and Director. Tetsuya Nomura Collaboration: Utada Hikaru's Cover Album - News - Kingdom Hearts Insider |
That's why Nomura is one of the best designers out there, so screw the hate.
Personally I want that Peabo Bryson duet. ;A; Give me my 90s feels ;A;
Listen to the cover of "Sanctuary" on Utada's Anniversary Album! - News - Kingdom Hearts Insider
Also may we never forget:
Well, part of me wants it to be a duet for KH3 but idk how fans would react to suddenly being thrown a 90s ballad and then the other half of me wants Utada to steal the show so OF COURSE no duet.
But yes. Duets.
i wouldn't mind a duet for change do sometihng different you this is the last game of the saga make it special
So, are you guys excited for her two new songs next month? I know I am ready for them.
So, are you guys excited for her two new songs next month? I know I am ready for them.
i am not prepared for anything. i have been transformed into a weak cretin that cannot handle this situation but somehow will anyway
So, are you guys excited for her two new songs next month? I know I am ready for them.
I am. I hope a few of theme are as beautiful and memorable and Sakura Nagashi and Beautiful World :)
Welcome back Utada! :) Looking forward to her new songs in the future, and I have a tiny hope that she might create a new song for KHIII in the future.
*squees to the never ending infinite*
I am. I hope a few of theme are as beautiful and memorable and Sakura Nagashi and Beautiful World :)
Agreed! I still listen to Sakura Nagashi pretty frequently.
Really hoping the old rumor saying she'd be doing the theme for Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0 is true because her work for 1.0 and 3.0 was amazing and the final film deserves something from her as well.
(If it ever comes out...)
>Wake up
>this
I'm so freaking ecstatic right now, welcome back Hikki :')
Don't even care about not hearing anything about KH. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'd absolutely LOVE if she returned for the series and by all means am hoping she does, but I'm just glad we're getting new songs from her!
I really hope she makes a new song for Kingdom Hearts, it wouldn't be the same without her.
Yesterday I was in a local market and Deep River was playing on the radio and I got simultaneously excited and flustered because how does that even happen.
Now this. I got kinda teary-eyed at the hash tag. Just gonna...pop in my Wild Life Blu-Ray...and watch that stage exit...and breathe.
I just realised that i've never listened to a full album of hers, i have heard a few tracks outside of her KH tracks though.
Any recommendations for a starting point? I was thinking either deep river, ultra blue or heart station.
I just realised that i've never listened to a full album of hers, i have heard a few tracks outside of her KH tracks though.
Any recommendations for a starting point? I was thinking either deep river, ultra blue or heart station.
I'd say start with Deep River, then Ultra Blue. Exodus is excellent as well, if you can stomach some awkward lyricism for the sake of a solidly self-produced pop art album that was well ahead of its time.
Excuse you sir, she is married and has a child!
Still best waifu. Just not mine.
In all seriousness though, this is really great. This bodes well for KH3 getting her to return, but regardless of that, new Utada music in general is great news.
Oh yess this is great news! Really hoping for that KH3 theme, as well as 3.0 + 1.0. Two pieces of media that I've been waiting for a good while now, maybe this promises good for them too. In any case just getting new music from her is good as well.
I'm so excited for her return :D Same day as Sailor Moon Crystal's return!
We've been waiting Hikki!
I'd say start with Deep River, then Ultra Blue. Exodus is excellent as well, if you can stomach some awkward lyricism for the sake of a solidly self-produced pop art album that was well ahead of its time.
Agreed, start with Deep River <3
Being as talented as she is, this is some of the greatest news ever.
If she does return to KH, it would certainly be a morsel of emotional recompense for the voices who've moved on from the series. ;A;
BTW
Utada's new songs will be aired today and release on the 15th
[video=youtube;lvgntLI3Sus]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvgntLI3Sus[/video]
:'). Can't wait. I'm sure she has some great tracks to put out
[video=youtube;lvgntLI3Sus]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvgntLI3Sus[/video]
Oh Lord, that is wonderful. This is only making me more desperate for her to return one last time for KH3.
Sweet heaven, this is even more beautiful than I imagined it'd be :')
Here is a piece of her other new song
[video=youtube;F0efiYsNTU8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0efiYsNTU8&feature=youtu.be[/video]
This one sounds like it has a lot of potential but the part they used seems like it is an earlier part of the song where it hasn't built up in intensity yet. (And reporters from NEWS ZERO were saying that the song is really powerful so I NEED IT)
Here is a piece of her other new song
[video=youtube;F0efiYsNTU8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0efiYsNTU8&feature=youtu.be[/video]
This one sounds like it has a lot of potential but the part they used seems like it is an earlier part of the song where it hasn't built up in intensity yet. (And reporters from NEWS ZERO were saying that the song is really powerful so I NEED IT)
i honestly want this for III, it is perfection
i honestly want this for III, it is perfection
If only. It is literally NEWS ZERO's new ending theme. (A news show with an ending theme. Japan is full of wonders)
It is definitely beautiful, though. ;A;
We have to keep believing like Nomura. I refuse to let FFXV top KH3 with Flo+Mo!
If only. It is literally NEWS ZERO's new ending theme. (A news show with an ending theme. Japan is full of wonders)
It is definitely beautiful, though. ;A;
We have to keep believing like Nomura. I refuse to let FFXV top KH3 with Flo+Mo!
tabata: [drastically alters versus xiii]
nomura: wow. how can i beat that. [announces FF7R]
tabata, sweating: oh y-yeah. [hires florence welsh for XV theme among other amazing event features]
nomura: did you forget about kingdom hearts iii? [laughs as tabata is sent to the shadow realm]
on subject, it is actually the type of song i'd want for III. bittersweet, slow, something similar would be a nice farewell. something to say "this is the end of the line folks".
The first song is a bit too anime openish for me to enjoy but the 2nd song is great, just needs to be longer
i honestly want this for III, it is perfection
Agreed
Those lyrics, though. Both songs seem to be about her deceased mother, and motherhood in general, so I guess we have a common theme for this album (Sakura Nagashi is also about motherhood, and will probably be on the album, as well)
Her voice sounds the same, but her writing has really matured.
[video=youtube;ASl2cluuyIU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASl2cluuyIU&feature=youtu.be[/video]
[video=youtube;0VyKWWb46oQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VyKWWb46oQ[/video]
If y'all missed out
If y'all missed out
I'm enjoying the way her comeback has subtly shifted the emphasis from her status as pop star to singer-songwriter; she has always encompassed both qualities, but from the photo shoots to the music videos to even the digital single artwork, it feels like the focus has been placed squarely on the music and not on cultivating a specific media image this time around. Which, honestly, I think she's wanted to do for a long time, so good for her. Either way, both of these songs stand as such powerful showcases of her range, I'm all aboard the post-hiatus bandwagon.
Is she going to make a song for KH 3
Is she working for the music in kh 3?
There has not been any official confirmation that Utada is creating song a for KHIII.
There was this artwork done by Nomura that had Utada in it, and below her in the ocean there was a KH command board that had the option "sing". People think that it was probably Nomura asking/pleading/etc.. if Utada would be interested of creating a new song.
Man, I still haven`t heard the two new songs from her. Gotta give them a listen soon.
I'm enjoying the way her comeback has subtly shifted the emphasis from her status as pop star to singer-songwriter; she has always encompassed both qualities, but from the photo shoots to the music videos to even the digital single artwork, it feels like the focus has been placed squarely on the music and not on cultivating a specific media image this time around. Which, honestly, I think she's wanted to do for a long time, so good for her. Either way, both of these songs stand as such powerful showcases of her range, I'm all aboard the post-hiatus bandwagon.
Late reply, but she's always had the singer-songwriter status lol. One of the things that has kept her in the spotlight (especially for how young she was) is that she writes all of her own lyrics and melodies, and the maturity they've always had.
Late reply, but she's always had the singer-songwriter status lol. One of the things that has kept her in the spotlight (especially for how young she was) is that she writes all of her own lyrics and melodies, and the maturity they've always had.
Very true, which is why I said she has always encompassed both qualities. Her strength as a songwriter has always been the cornerstone of her career, but if you look at past releases, I feel like there's a trend of building a sort of diva or pop star image for her and capitalizing on it (which is fine, she's a pop star and that's how the industry works). Conversely, the release of her two newest singles has been a sort of slow burn of information that hasn't used her "face" (so-to-speak) very much at all: it feels like the music is being allowed to speak for itself. And I just get the feeling from her blog and past interviews that this is what she's always wanted to do with her music. This might also have to do with her being a new mom and not having the time or energy for a huge media blitz, though. :P
Anyway, not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but the new album has been given a release date of September 28th!
News (EN) | Hikki's WEBSITE
I am so, so happy. Just read an article about the release. So much releasing around my bday this year~
Can't wait to hear her material again.
Koopa Sensei
March 9, 2016 @ 05:42 pmOffline