Utada - This is the One
Hey, Utada Hikaru's new album is out. Did anyone give it a try? It's her third English album. But after the underwhelming response towards the first two, will this one finally break into the English-speaking market? Here's what I think anyway..
IMO, in terms of music this is the closest a Hikki English album has ever come to her much loved Japanese songs. This may or may not be a good thing depending on what you thought about Exodus. But regardless of how good the melodies are, I thought the lyrics on many of the songs were HORRENDOUS! Really. Like, that cringe-worthy, will-make-the-hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-stand, I-want-my-mommy type bad. They're much worse than Exodus.
My first impressions of the songs..
1. On and on - It's quite catchy. Very Hikki (if there is such a thing). Not much complaints except for the annoying man-scream in the background going "yeah! yeah!" the whole way.
2. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence -FYI - Not bad either. Like the first song, it's close to her Ultra Blue era.. But the lyrics are starting to go to haywire by this point. "Tokyo Tokyo" "Mp3 mp3"
3. Apple and Cinnamon - Very pleasant. Would it have sounded better with Japanese lyrics though?
4. Taking My Money Back - "'Cause the sex was so good, and your talk was so smooth. That I, I guess I bought it baby". O-kay..
5. This One (Crying Like a Child) - It's quite a sad song but.. "Honey I've got your ringtone on my Blackberry" ~_~
6. Automatic Part II - Remember that really catchy song called Automatic on the First Love album? This doesn't have anything at all to do with it at all. It's a mess, tbh.
"Philanthropic, diabolic
So melodic
I can't help it
It's automatic
Vodka tonic, Califunky
Contraceptive
When I'm on it, it's
Automatic"
7. Dirty Desire - Forgettable, average at best. "Can you feel my.. Dirty desire! Dirty desire! Dirty desire!" *shakes head*
I see a pattern here..
8. Poppin' - "Sexy stiletto boots, tight jeans, no panties on. Oops, did I turn you on?" Um.. God, no. T_T
10. Me Muero - After the last few. This one doesn't sound so bad. She sounds like a rocker during the "Oh my lover!" part. Maybe she should try releasing some rock songs next.
9, 11 (remix), 12 (remix) - Come Back to Me - The remixes aren't really necessary but I kind of like this song (if I don't have to look at the blehh PV)
I'm really a big fan of Hikki, I swear. But it makes me wonder why her Japanese and English songs always turn out so differently. Maybe she's willing to open up and take more risks for the English market but there's a difference between being edgy & sexy to being downright slutty. This is definitely not the way to go to earn respect in the Western music industry..
もういいよ、ヒッキー /end rant
P/s: Had to add this.
Dirty mind indeed :P
IMO, in terms of music this is the closest a Hikki English album has ever come to her much loved Japanese songs. This may or may not be a good thing depending on what you thought about Exodus. But regardless of how good the melodies are, I thought the lyrics on many of the songs were HORRENDOUS! Really. Like, that cringe-worthy, will-make-the-hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-stand, I-want-my-mommy type bad. They're much worse than Exodus.
My first impressions of the songs..
1. On and on - It's quite catchy. Very Hikki (if there is such a thing). Not much complaints except for the annoying man-scream in the background going "yeah! yeah!" the whole way.
2. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence -FYI - Not bad either. Like the first song, it's close to her Ultra Blue era.. But the lyrics are starting to go to haywire by this point. "Tokyo Tokyo" "Mp3 mp3"
3. Apple and Cinnamon - Very pleasant. Would it have sounded better with Japanese lyrics though?
4. Taking My Money Back - "'Cause the sex was so good, and your talk was so smooth. That I, I guess I bought it baby". O-kay..
5. This One (Crying Like a Child) - It's quite a sad song but.. "Honey I've got your ringtone on my Blackberry" ~_~
6. Automatic Part II - Remember that really catchy song called Automatic on the First Love album? This doesn't have anything at all to do with it at all. It's a mess, tbh.
"Philanthropic, diabolic
So melodic
I can't help it
It's automatic
Vodka tonic, Califunky
Contraceptive
When I'm on it, it's
Automatic"
7. Dirty Desire - Forgettable, average at best. "Can you feel my.. Dirty desire! Dirty desire! Dirty desire!" *shakes head*
I see a pattern here..
8. Poppin' - "Sexy stiletto boots, tight jeans, no panties on. Oops, did I turn you on?" Um.. God, no. T_T
10. Me Muero - After the last few. This one doesn't sound so bad. She sounds like a rocker during the "Oh my lover!" part. Maybe she should try releasing some rock songs next.
9, 11 (remix), 12 (remix) - Come Back to Me - The remixes aren't really necessary but I kind of like this song (if I don't have to look at the blehh PV)
I'm really a big fan of Hikki, I swear. But it makes me wonder why her Japanese and English songs always turn out so differently. Maybe she's willing to open up and take more risks for the English market but there's a difference between being edgy & sexy to being downright slutty. This is definitely not the way to go to earn respect in the Western music industry..
もういいよ、ヒッキー /end rant
P/s: Had to add this.
Click to viewDirty mind indeed :P