It’s been a busy year for Hikaru Utada, with her 20th anniversary rolling up this year and the announcement of a Japan concert tour. It’s been long anticipated, but the singer’s seventh Japanese-language studio album, Hatsukoi, has finally dropped on June 27, 2018.
The album record covers familiar territory for us all, namely the inability to convey our emotions, and the indescribable feelings that often come hand in hand with it. It’s a record that gives a true account of Utada’s creativity as a pop creator and showcases that even 20 years on she is still at the top of her game.
Seven songs on the 12-track Hatsukoi are tie-up songs and the first album to feature them since Heart Station (2008). First press editions of the album include application cards for a chance to win tickets to her tour at the end of this year. CD shops are flooding with fans getting their copies of the album for an opportunity to see her live on her first concert tour in 12 years.
There is currently a special website up to promote the album as well as a discussion between Hikaru Utada herself, Nariaki Obukuro and Itto Sakai. One section will be released every day from June 27. On the site, you can post your thoughts about each song by way of Twitter with the appropriate hashtags and read others’ opinions. Be sure to use this opportunity to express your own feelings for the songs.
One of the songs on Hatsukoi is titled Phakchi no Uta and is noticeably conspicuous on the album. Superorganism are an eight-member up-and-coming band who have performed a cover of this very song. They are internationally diverse with members from the UK, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea and Japan. They were nominated on BBC’s “Sound of 2018” and this year have proven themselves to be promising, gaining attention from across the globe.
The band received an offer from Hikaru Utada’s promotion team which they readily agreed to. The song cover includes the band’s infectious sound centred around vocalist Orono’s voice. They themselves also made a whole video, so be sure to check it out below.
A character called Phakchi Daifuku-kun also appeared in a video with Daifuku-kun. He was agreed to feature in the animation by the same promotion team. Look out for the scenes in the story where the characters sing Phakchi no Uta.
Additionally, a collaborative cafe opened on June 26 in promotion of Hatsukoi. Hikaru Utada herself oversaw the ‘Phakccino’ menu item, and online media site Tasty Japan posted a recipe video showing how to make it. She makes an appearance at the start of the video, so watch it and enjoy the recipe yourself at home. The cafe is also selling ‘Phakchi Daifuku.’ Don’t miss out!
There’s lots to look forward to around the release of Hikaru Utada’s newest album Hatsukoi. Get involved in the fun yourself.
■Information
7th Album – “Hatsukoi”
On sale June 27, 2018
Price: ¥3,240 (Tax Included)
*First press editions comes with application card to enter a lottery draw to win tickets for the 2018 concert tour.
Application Window: June 26, 2018 at 12:00―July 11, 2018 at 23:59
“Hatsukoi” Album CD Purchase (Japan Shipping): https://utadahikaru.lnk.to/hatsukoi
“Hatsukoi” Album CD Purchase (Worldwide Shipping): http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/ESCL-5076?s_ssid=e36f075b324fba649e
“Hatsukoi” iTunes Downoad: https://lnk.to/teGDCWN
Hikaru Utada 2018 Concert Tour Schedule:
11.06.18 @ Yokohama Arena
11.07.18 @ Yokohama Arena
11.14.18 @ Marine Messe Fukuoka
11.15.18 @ Marine Messe Fukuoka
11.22.18 @ Nippon Gaishi Hall
11.23.18 @ Nippon Gaishi Hall
11.28.18 @ Osaka-jō Hall
11.29.18 @ Osaka-jō Hall
12.04.18 @ Saitama Super Arena
12.05.18 @ Saitama Super @rena
12.08.18 @ Makuhari Messe Exhibition Hall 9-11
12.09.18 @ Makuhari Messe Exhibition Hall 9-11
Enquiries: 0180-993-999
Music Video: https://erj.lnk.to/Inm2aWN
Hikaru Utada Official Website: www.utadahikaru.jp
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London-based Japanese Artist Rina Sawayama Covers Hikaru Utada’s Legendary ‘First Love’ at Tokyo Concert
Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16, 2022. Her Japan-based Hold The Girl Tour saw successful shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, with Sawayama generating plenty of buzz. During the final show on the tour, the singer surprised the audience with a cover of Hikaru Utada’s hit songFirst Love. The video of this incredible performance is now available to watch on YouTube!
First Love - Rina Sawayama (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)
Prior to the Tokyo show, Sawayama took to Instagram, posting a comment for fans. “Since this is the biggest show I’ve ever done, I think I should cover a special Japanese track to commemorate the event,” she said. The singer had previously asked fans to share the songs they’d most like to see performed.
“Without this artist and without this song, I probably wouldn’t have become a musician or an artist. I heard this track when I was around six years old, and I remember dancing for my parents who were sitting on the sofa. This artist also celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday. This is my first cover, but I think it’s the perfect way to commemorate this special event. Please enjoy,” Sawayama concluded.
The audience responded to this surprise with a chorus of excitement, and this was surely an unforgettable night for many fans.
Rina is currently on the Hold The Girl Tour in Europe. At the end of March, she will make her Hollywood debut in the fourth John Wickmovie.
Information
Hold The Girl (2nd Album)
On Sale Now
Listen/Purchase: https://umj.lnk.to/RinaSawayama_HoldTheGirl
Purchase Bonus Details: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/rina-sawayama/news/2022-07-28/
Official Site: https://www.rina.online/ -
Japanese music streaming site RecoChoku has announced the top song and album rankings for January 2022! In the Single Ranking category, Aimer’s Zankyosanka was ranked #1 for the second consecutive month. The song is the opening for the newest Demon Slayer anime arc which began airing on December 5, 2021. The ending theme for Demon Slayer, Asa ga Kuru, was released on January 10, and quickly climbed the ranks. Aimer is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut, and this is a powerful start to the year for this talented singer. As for the Album Ranking, the top spot was clear for January. Ado’s 14-song debut album ‘Kyogen’ sits in the top spot, and includes many of her smash hits. From Usseewa to Aitakute, the album also contains seven new songs which are steadily gaining popularity. Six days after the album’s release, it was ranked #1 for the month of January.
Ado’s 8th single ‘Kokoro to Iu Nano Fukakai’ also ranked 5th on the Single Ranking. Written and arranged by Mafumafu, the song is the theme for the drama series Doctor White starring Minami Hamabe. Ado will also be holding her first solo concert at Zepp DiverCity on April 4, 2022! Information
RecoChoku Monthly Music Award – January 2022
Single Ranking1st Place: Zankyosanka – Aimer (Released Digitally on December 6, 2021)
2nd Place: Asa ga Kuru – Aimer
3rd Place: Sakayume – King Gnu
4th Place: Ichizu – King Gnu
5th Place: Kokoro to Iu Nano Fukakai – Ado
https://recochoku.jp/ranking/single/monthly/
Album Ranking
1st Place: ‘Kyogen’ – Ado (Released Digitally on January 26, 2022)
2nd Place: ‘Ichi’ – Yuuri
3rd Place: ‘THE BOOK 2’ – YOASOBI
4th Place: ‘Bad Mode’ – Utada Hikaru
5th Place: ‘Kirari Remixes [Asia Edition]’ – Fujii Kaze
https://recochoku.jp/ranking/album/monthly/
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Japanese cosmetic company Shiseido, sold in 88 countries around the world, has released a new conceptual video for its global “POWER IS YOU” campaign. The short video features a star-studded cast of ambassadors from a variety of fields, including Megan Rapinoe, co-captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, known for her advocacy and creative style that defies stereotypes. The athlete has commented on her inclusion in the “POWER IS YOU” campaign, proud to show her authentic self and inspire others to live their truth.
Comment from Megan Rapinoe
“Shiseido makes so many of the products I use in my daily life, so when I was invited to collaborate on this new campaign, I didn’t even have to think about it. Partnering with such a great company means a lot to me. I deeply believe in the individual power of every human being, and I think that anyone has the power to change the world. “POWER IS YOU” represents the power each of us has to alter the world for the better, which is something that resonates with me personally. I want young people especially to know that it is possible to change things. I hope they do, and I hope that this campaign helps to inspire more people to feel the same.”Conceptual Videeo The song used for the campaign is Utada Hikaru’s Find Love. The singer also appears in the video as an ambassador. Comment from Utada Hikaru
“The source of all power is believing in yourself.It takes courage to know yourself, but being honest with yourself is the key to finding that inner beauty. Courage is beautiful.”Finally, Ursula Corbero, who gained international fame for her role in the Netflix series Paper House, appears as the final ambassador. The actress is an avid philanthropist and has long supported a number of causes including breast cancer awareness, childhood cancer awareness, and climate change awareness. She is also the founder of Ymas, a company of artists allowing people to attend movie premieres and special behind-the-scenes events. Comment from Ursula Corbero
“Inner beauty comes from positivity. Tap into your individual energy, and if there’s something you want to do, do it! It’s okay to make mistakes. Life is not perfect, and those imperfections make it beautiful.” -
Ringo Sheena's greatest hits album Newton no Ringo ~Hajimete no Best Ban~ is currently reigning high on the sales charts. Ringo Sheena will release a brand new Tokyo version of the song Roman to Soroban, which she created with Hikaru Utada, on November 25.
Still image from the Roman to Soroban Official Music Video.
In an interview with Ringo Sheena about the release of her album Sandokushi, she referred to Hikaru Utada as the sun and herself as the shade. Roman to Soroban is the second song the two friends worked on together since Utada's release of Nijikan Dake no Vacance in which Ringo Sheena was the featuring artist. Roman to Soroban LDN ver., which goes by the English name The sun&moon in london, is the opening song of Newton no Ringo. The song features the instrumentals of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. Following up on the release of the London version of Roman to Soroban, Sheena and Utada have set out to release a Tokyo version which will go by the official name Roman to Soroban TYO ver in Japanese and The sun&moon in tokyo in English. The recording of the brand new Tokyo version will be brought to life with the cooperation of her long-time tour members Keisuke Torigoe (bass), Midorin (drums), Yukio Nagoshi (guitar), and H Zett M (keys), recreating the song in a whole new genre which rings "Tokyo sound". Information
Ringo Sheena and Hikaru Utada: Roman to Soroban TYO ver.
Digital Release: November 25, 2019
Download/ Stream https://umj.lnk.to/tsmtyolink
Newton no Ringo ~Hajimete no Best Ban~
Release Date: November 13, 2019
First Press Limited Edition (2 Discs): ¥3,300 (Before Tax) [UPCH-29348/9]
*Once all First Press Limited Edition copies sell out, 2-disc Regular Edition [UPCH-20535/6] copies will be sold
*First Press Limited Edition copies include 2 bonus tracks (remixes of Marunouchi Sadistic and Jiyu-Dom), a special case, and AR content in booklet
Ringo Sheena & Hikaru Utada – “Roman to Soroban LDN ver.”
Stream/Download Now: https://smarturl.it/tsmldnlink
Ringo Sheena – “Kouzen no Himitsu”
＜iTunes＞ http://po.st/kouzen_it ＜Recochoku＞ http://po.st/kouzen_re
＜Apple Music＞ http://po.st/kouzen_am ＜LINE MUSIC＞ http://po.st/kouzen_lm
＜Spotify＞ http://po.st/kouzen_sp
＜mora＞ *Hi-res audio http://po.st/kouzen_mo ＜e-onkyo＞*Hi-res audio http://po.st/kouzen_eo
Greatest Hits Album Special Site: https://sp.universal-music.co.jp/ringo/newton/
SR Nekoyanagi Line Official Website: http://www.kronekodow.com
Ringo Sheena Official Website: http://smarturl.it/ringo_sp
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Ringo Sheena is set to release her first-ever all-time greatest hits album Newton no Ringo ~Hajimete no Best Ban~ on November 13, 2019, to wrap up celebrations of 20 years since her debut. New details have dropped on a brand new song that will be featured on the record.
The song in question will be the first song on disc one, and it titled, Roman to Soroban LDN ver. (“London Version”). It will feature a guest appearance from Hikaru Utada. Sheena and Utada both debuted from Toushiba EMI (now EMI Music Japan) in 1998. This collaboration will mark their first together since Nijikan Dake no Vacance, featured on Hikaru Utada’s 2016 album Fantôme. The lyrics, composition and basic track for Roman to Soroban LDN ver. were carried out by Sheena while the wind and string instruments arrangement was done by Yoichi Murata. On piano is H ZETT M and on 5-string bass Keisuke Torigoe. The song also features music by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Utada and Sheena are close friends. The song itself was released today (November 2), along with the music video, ahead of the album. Speaking about the new track, Ringo Sheena commented: “It was such a fun program. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone again: to the great Yoichi Murata, everyone on instrumentals, and of course Hikaru Utada. Thank you so much.” “Whenever I go to make new material, I always try to do something new,” she explains. “I didn’t go for sensational like I always do. Instead I paid close attention to editing the harmony, melody, pretty much everything. I wanted a song that mixed well with Hikaru’s voice, like ingredients such as water and oxygen. I would hope people catch the mellowness of the track, something which I don’t normally do.” She continues: “I also challenged myself a little with the lyrics to this one. One day, Hikaru said to me, ‘If it’s you, Yumi [Sheena Ringo], let’s write something sweet.’ We had exchanges like that, and talking with people you know about things is the theme of Roman to Soroban. Since hearing that about half a year ago I’ve continued to go all out with it, and the result is this song. And although I sing, I’m kind of shy [about this one].” She wraps up by explaining: “I’ve been stubborn these past twenty years about having a particular style, so I want to be more free in my writing from now on. I ask for your continued support in my endeavour.” Hikaru Utada also commented: “This will be my third duet with Ringo. Before this we’ve done a cover of a song by The Carpenters, and another where she featured on my song, so I was very happy to be a part of her world this time around in both the song and music video. I had so much fun and laughed a lot during the music video shoot. The entire thing was a luxury for me. I’m looking forward to the release.” Information
Ringo Sheena & Hikaru Utada – “Roman to Soroban LDN ver.”
Digital Release: November 2, 2019
iTunes: http://po.st/aoug_it Recochoku: http://po.st/tsmldn_re
Apple Music: http://po.st/aoug_am LINE MUSIC: http://po.st/tsmldn_lm
Spotify: http://po.st/tsmldn_sp
Mora (Hi-Res Audio): http://po.st/tsmldn_mo
e-onkyo (Hi-Res Audio): http://po.st/tsmldn_eo
Newton no Ringo ~Hajimete no Best Ban~
Release Date: November 13, 2019
First Press Limited Edition (2 Discs): ¥3,300 (Before Tax) [UPCH-29348/9]
*Once all First Press Limited Edition copies sell out, 2-disc Regular Edition [UPCH-20535/6] copies will be sold
Special Website: https://sp.universal-music.co.jp/ringo/newton/
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Hikaru Utada's 2018 Laughter in the Dark Tour was released on DVD and Blu-ray today. The tour―which was her first nationwide tour in Japan in 12 years―was held to celebrate 20 years since her debut.
The DVD and Blu-ray was released in Limited Pressing Edition packaging and was also released across several streaming platforms including Netflix. On day one of its release, the video shot up to No. 1 in downloads on the iTunes Live Video section. It has also been warmly received by foreign fans for its posting on Netflix. Fans in Japan can also now watch it at several Sony Store branches in high resolution as part of the Sony Store Days event. At the event, fans can see the outfits that Utada actually wore on stage during the shows as well as watch Anata and Play A Love Song using Sony's 360 Reality Audio, the latest in immersive music reproduction that brings listeners closer the artists than ever before. You must book in advance to experience this latest cutting-edge technology however. As well as this, 13.1 channel multi-speakers will be used so that fans can enjoy the live experience together with the mix by Utada's recording engineer Masahito Komori. Fans can also experience Hikari and Chikaion PlayStation®VR and more. The event will begin at the Umeda branch of the Sony Store in Osaka on July 4. Full details below. Cameraman: Teppei Kishida (岸田哲平) Information
“Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018” Sony Store Days
Dates
Sony Store Osaka: July 4 – July 12, 2019
Sony Store Sapporo: July 20 – July 28, 2019
Sony Store Nagoya: August 3 – August 11, 2019
Sony Store Ginza: August 24 – September 1, 2019
Sony Store Tenjin Fukuoka: September 6 – September 15, 2019
Entry: Free
Full Details (Japanese): https://www.sony.jp/store/retail/event/utada-sonystoredays/
Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018
Download/Streaming Details
・Download: iTunes ¥3,500 (Tax Included) = Concert + Documentary
・Pay-Per-View: SKY! PerfecTV On Demand ¥594 (Tax Included) = Concert Only (Viewable one week after purchase)
・Streaming: Netflix = Concert Only
Download/Stream URL List: https://erj.lnk.to/6VSOYAW
Hikaru Utada Official Website: https://www.utadahikaru.jp/