Her name is Utada. She is arguably Japans number 1 artist. She's sold over 52 million albums in the past 10 years and holds the record for the most sold album in Japanese history. She was born in new york and is fluent in English. Her music tastes go from Chick Corea to James Brown to Akon to Sade. She writes all of her own lyrics and produces/co-produces all of the tracks for her albums. After listening to her music you'll find that this singer really does have an amazing way with words.
This isn't Utadas first attempt to break out in the American market, it's actually her second attempt. In 2004 she released a full English experimental electric pop album titled "Exodus" which sold very few units and had very little promotion. Now Utada is back with her new album, This Is The One which containts several Pop, R&B, and even a couple of more 'experimental' tracks and this time, she's making her mark. So far she's performed on Good Morning America, Ryan Seacrest, and has been interviewed on several popular radio stations through out California, such as Kiis FM. If you haven't given this girl a listen, You should.
Anyways all of that aside, I will now give her album a review so you can get a feeling of what it's like.
On and On: A very "poppy" track. It has a pretty catchy tune repeating "Make the night go On and On" several times. It has a pretty 'basic' beat to it with some pretty entertaining lyrics such as "Honeys if you're gay, burn it up like a gay parade. Honeys if you're straight pump it up, take it all the way. Intoxicated, Emancipated, Unapologetic is what I am today, Light me up. Make the night go on and on." It's not really that impressive of a song but it's definitely not a bad song either.
Rating: 3/5
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - F.Y.I. : Probably the most amazing song on the album. It has a very japanese-pop feel to it while remaining very different from the Japanese pop style. She uses lyrics like "I'm always at your service, you just have to holla at me. NYC, NYC, whatup? Whatup? Tokyo, Tokyo, Whatup? Whatup? Turn it off in the streets to the highest, to the highest, high. MP3 Mp3 Players, Work it out, Work it out, hustlers. Oh my name, got him there mhmmm oooh~" It really just has a very unique and amazing feel to it and I'm willing to bet most people have never heard a song with such interesting lyrics and sung in such a different yet amazing way. She has an interesting line that goes "Like Captain Picard, I'm chillin and flossin, its 7 o'clock, I issue a warning." Shout out to the star trek fans? lol.
Rating: 5/5
Apple & Cinnamon: A ballad / R&B track. Talks about a sad break up and how she knew it was coming. Utada stated she just recorded this as a demo and it sounded perfect and didn't really need much editing at all, she also mentioned how she felt really weird about it because she didn't get to actually go through as much of a creative process for this song as most of her others because it was finished so quickly. It has a very mainstream sound and uses lyrics like "Chemistry like apple & cinnamon, what we had, was just too good. Good to last."
Rating: 4/5
Taking My Money Back: Everyone I know who's listened to this song has said the exact same thing. "This sounds like something by Destiny's Child" Has a very strong R&B feel to it. She talks about how she's taking her money, taking her heart, and leaving the guy she's with. A pretty mainstream and yet 'expected' track. Not bad but not really amazing either.
Rating 3/5
This One (Crying Like a Child): A really beautiful song. A ballad and also the song where she got the album title (This Is The One.) Once again another song that demonstrates Utadas amazing way with words. "I've been living on my own like freddy." (Reference to Freddie Mercury) and "Who am I trying to full honey I've got your ringtone on my black berry." A very good slow song with a slight R&B feel to it, but still remaining unique from any other R&B song out there. Probably due to her unique sound and choice of lyrics (as I have and will probably end up stating many times.)
Rating: 4/5
Automatic Part II: A really awesome, fun, and interesting track. It has a 'raw' beat to it with a real introduction to who Utada is. Her first single ever was a Japanese song back in 1999 titled "Automatic." Automatic Part II is kind of a song that ties in or rather introduces herself to the American audience. She uses lyrics like "Hello my name is Utada, like dadedade dade dah~ For your information I am here to take it higher, do you like the way I shine like freshly cut sapphire? Music is my business and I'm here to pour it on ya~" It's just a really good introduction for who she is. A fun song with really clever lyrics. "You can be my Captain and I'll be your commander. Do you like the way I rhyme it's pretty darn clever, used to be a Virgin now I'm with Island Def Jam." (Reference to the record company, Virgin.)
Rating: 5/5
Dirty Desire: Probably the most 'sexy' song on the album. Also very unexpected from Utada. She says some pretty sexual things through out the song like "During my 9 to 5, I'm thinkin 6 and 9's." and "Cause in reality I know you're not mine, I dont want just a bite, I want the full size, tell her I'll pay the fine, can you feel my~ Dirty Desire." Not one of the most amazing songs on the album, but I do think it's an ok song.
Rating: 2/5
Poppin' : I really really did try to like this song, but it is just absolutely the worst song on the album. I see how Utada was trying to go for an 'international spy' or 'austin powers' feel to it but the execution was just done so poorly. The lyrics aren't that amazing either. Nothing special to see here, move along.
Rating: 1/5
Come Back To Me: The lead single off the album. Co produced by Stargate (very famous producers for a lot of mainstream American artists) it has a very strong/mainstream feel to it. A very smart idea on Utada's part to help get her name out there / people listening. It's a song about a girl cheating on a guy (which you don't hear often, usually its the other way around.) All in all, a good sound with good lyrics to go with it.
Rating 4/5
Me Muero: My second (or third?) fav track on the album. More of a dark and depressing song with lyrics like "I've got nothing left to gamble, I've thrown it all away. Now and then I'm suicidal flirting with a new temptation. Happiness inside a bottle, is what I need today." and still retaining some comedy in it with lyrics like "All my lovers gone away to Istanbul~ " and "Should I go Winona Ryder and do some crazy things?" The chorus repeats "What a day, me muero. Muero. Muero" which in spanish means "I'm Dying." The song has a very unique sound with a Latin feel to it.
Rating: 5/5
Overall: The album has a very wide range with songs going from Pop to R&B to experimental sounds that you just can't classify. This album is definitely worth the money it costs and I would recommend anyone who is a music lover to check it out.
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars.
Available on iTunes and the official CD will be released May 12th. Why not give her a listen?
