Superorganism Cover Hikaru Utada’s ‘Phakchi no Uta’ from New Album ‘Hatsukoi’

27.June.2018 | MUSIC

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 HatsukoiHikaru 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

 

Digital Single – “Hatsukoi”
Released: May 30, 2018
*Theme song for TBS “Drama Boys Over Flowers Season 2.”

Music Video: https://erj.lnk.to/Inm2aWN

 

Hikaru Utada Official Website: www.utadahikaru.jp

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    First Love – Rina Sawayama (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)

     

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    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

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    Comment from Ursula Corbero

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    Still image from the Roman to Soroban Official Music Video.

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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.

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    Cameraman: Teppei Kishida (岸田哲平)

  • Hikaru Utada’s ‘Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018’ Heading to DVD & Blu-ray

    18.April.2019 | MUSIC

    Hikaru Utada’s Laughter in the Dark Tour took place throughout November and December last year to commemorate the singer’s 20th anniversary. It also marked her first nationwide tour in Japan in 12 years and first performance since Yokohama Arena in 2010 after which she went on indefinite hiatus due to fatigue. The tour wrapped up at Makuhari Messe on December 9, the exact same date as her debut 20 years prior.

    Utada performed for 140,000 fans across the tour. The finale date included a set-list of 20 tracks which included AutomaticFirst Love, Hatsukoi which was released last year and more. The entire set including the encore is now heading to DVD and Blu-ray.

    Both the DVD and Blu-ray will be released in several editions.

    The Limited Pressing Edition comes on DVD and Blu-ray and includes the entire concert at Makuhari Messe as well as a documentary entitled Talking About Laughter in the Dark which features an interview with the tour members and staff.

    It also comes packaged with a 60-page photo book containing unreleased photos taken on stage and during rehearsal, a replica backstage pass, and a DVD containing music videos for ForevermoreAnata and Hatsukoi―all songs released after Utada’s label move to Sony Music―as well as each video’s making-of footage. When purchased at select shops and online stores it also comes with an original neck strap as pictured above. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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    And for the first time in Utada’s career, this DVD and Blu-ray will be released across multiple platforms. It will be available to download on the iTunes Store, the Japanese on-demand service SKY PerfecTV!, and on Netflix Japan’s on demand video subscription service.

     

    「Play A Love Song」(Live Ver.)

     

    「Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018」SPOT

     

    Pre-orders for the Limited Pressing Edition opened today. All editions of the DVD and Blu-ray will be released on June 26, 2019.

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    26.March.2019 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC / Uncategorized

    Hikaru Utada dropped her 22nd single Face My Fears back on January 18 this year which marked her first single release in 11 years. The song is the main theme for the video game Kingdom Hearts III has gone on to break many milestones including surpassing 10 million streams worldwide in February and making it onto the Billboard Hot 100 list.

     

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    07.February.2019 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC

    Hikaru Utada released her hit new single Face My Fears last month and within two weeks of dropping has garnered over 10 million streams across the globe on music platforms including Spotify and Apple music.

    The song has also topped the No. 1 charts for dance music on iTunes in the US, Japan and elsewhere settings a record for the singer.
     

    The official music video for the Japanese version of the song which was released on Skrillex’s official YouTube channel also gained over 4 million views in just 4 days.

     

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    31.January.2019 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC

    Hikaru Utada’s new single Face My Fears was released on January 18 as the singer’s first single in 11 years.

    The song was made in collaboration with Skrillex is used as the opening theme for the new video game Kingdom Hearts III which was released worldwide on January 29. Having already topped the iTunes and Apple Music charts where it ranked No. 1 in the digital music charts worldwide, the song has now taken to the Billboard Hot 100 where it ranks 98th.

     

    This marks the singer’s first entry to the Billboard Hot 100 and only the ninth Japanese artist to do so, the last being Pikotaro with his viral hit Pen Pineapple Apple Pen. Her album Exodus made it to 160th on Billboard 200 on October 23, 2014 and her album Fantome clocked in at No. 1 on Billboard World Albums in October 22, 2016.

    A closer look at the Billboard ranking shows that it ranks No. 2 in Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales, No. 9 in Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and No. 18 on Digital Song Sales. It has also been No. 1 on the US iTunes Dance charts for twelve days since its release.

     

    You can track the success of the song on a special global website that was set up titled #HikaruUtada #(Songs) which displays ongoing worldwide statistics of her new single and more.

  • Hikaru Utada’s ‘Face My Fears’ Tops iTunes & Apple Music Charts Worldwide

    21.January.2019 | MUSIC

    Hikaru Utada’s new single Face My Fears was released on January 18 as the singer’s first single in 11 years. The song has taken over digital music charts around the world.

     

    It reached No. 1 on the iTunes album charts in 24 countries and regions including Japan, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Mexico, UAE,  Qatar, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Spain, Macau, Brunei, Norway and Argentina.

     

    The single also topped the Apple Music album dance charts in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, US, Italy Spain, Macau, China and Guatemala.

     

    Face My Fears was made in collaboration with Skrillex and will be used as the opening theme for the upcoming video game Kingdom Hearts III which will be released worldwide on January 29. Utada’s last release to rank worldwide was Hikari -Ray Of Hope MIX- (Remixed by Punpee) which was used as the theme for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue and made it to No. 1 in 9 countries. That makes her new release her biggest international ranking to date.

    To celebrate Utada’s achivement, a special global website has launched titled #HikaruUtada #(Songs) which displays ongoing worldwide statistics of her new single and all the songs on it as well as the song Too Proud featuring XZT, Suboi, EK (L1 Remix) which was released digitally in November last year; Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music statistics; posts about Utada on Instagram and Twitter, and more.

  • Hikaru Utada Releases New Single ‘Face My Fears’ & Posts ‘Hatsukoi’ Album on Spotify, Apple Music

    18.January.2019 | MUSIC

    Hikaru Utada, who celebrated her 20th anniversary last year, released her new and first single of 2019 Face My Fears today on January 18.

    There are Japanese and English versions of the song both made in collaboration with American DJ and singer-songwriter Skrillex. The single also includes Chikai featured on Utada’s latest album Hatsukoi as well as its English version Don’t Think Twice for a total of 4 tracks.

    The CD jacket was illustrated by Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura. It features Utada wielding two keyblades while standing on water. This is an absolute must-get for fans of the video game franchise.

     

    Kingdom Hearts III will be released in Japan on January 25 and worldwide on January 29.

    Hikaru Utada’s seventh album Hatsukoi which dropped last year is also now available on major streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music. This completes Utada’s discography up to now on the services.。

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