From the queen of theme/tie-in songs! :D I think I cried on the third listen. It's so emotionally raw with a persisting piano accompaniment, and the way the song builds up into the climax is just amazing. While is feels personal, it also just seems like it's about something bigger. It's a beautiful piece in that uniquely Utada Hikaru kind of ( Read more... )

NHK aired this Utada Hikaru special in January, featuring two new performances, three performances we've seen from the WILD LIVE concert at Yokohama Arena, an interview with Chris Peppler and various behind-the-scene looks at putting the latest compilation album and concert together. For those not interested in the whole video, I've cut out the two ( Read more... )

Same day as last time. :D In your face, Ria! :D My timeline is December 2009 to November 2010, as you might be aware. Unfortunately I consider it a disappointing year. There were a lot of pretty nice songs but it was like death trying to distinguish the "best". I guess it depends what the criteria for "best" is... I decided to go for what was more ( Read more... )

I'm posting my ranking this year 2 days late from previous years. 2010 was a disappointing year for Kpop, Jpop, and Cpop. :( I'm particularly saddened that Kpop was not great. Why now when I was already living in Korea?! How ironic. I've only managed to list my Top 10 songs of 2010, as opposed to previous years ( 2007, 2008, 2009) when I was able to ( Read more... )

JPS rip of Utada Hikaru's Wild Life concert live streamed on December 8th from Yokohama Arena. The actual concert footage starts and ends approximately 20 minutes from the start and end of the whole video file, but I didn't have time to cut all those minutes out today (so just skip those bits ^^;;). Given that it was live streaming, the video ( Read more... )

Utada releases her second single collection compilation album before her indefinite hiatus. Disc 1 features singles (and digital singles) from 2004's Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro. I was saddened that Eternally (Drama Mix) did not make it. ;_; Disc 2 features five new tracks, three of which have been released digitally already. Save for Hymne à l' ( Read more... )

Epic Utada is epic. This song sounds SO INCREDIBLY "Utada Hikaru", yet at the same time it doesn't sound anything like anything previously. ^^ It's got a great consistent bass beat, lots of really catchy instrumentals and a rocking melody. I just love the way the verses build and "explode" into the chorus~ <3 There's some really great piano and ( Read more... )

Utada Hikaru is releasing Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol.2 at the end of the month before her indefinite hiatus, and it includes her new song, Goodbye Happiness. The PV is too epic for words. I can't even get started on the song (which will come end of month). Self-directed and filmed in one shot from one camera, it features Utada hanging out ( Read more... )

Utada Hikaru's cover of French singer Edith Piaf's Hymne à l'amour (she sings in both French and Japanese). It's also the song featured in her Pepsi NEX commercials.

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Ok, back with performances. Tae Yang's polo in the Music Bank performance is O_O! It's like there's something wrong about it and I can't pinpoint what it is. I think it's my first time to see that kind of thick black and white stripes. Sorry, I just talked about nonsense. Enjoy the videos~


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