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Anyway, I wish the people who are complaining how this song isn't like her Japanese stuff would just shut up. Nobody in their right mind would release ANY of her Japanese stuff (with English vocals of course) in the States right now. Can you imagine how badly "Flavor of Life" or "Stay Gold" would do here? 
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I wish they would too, but for a different reason: she has clearly stated that Utada and Utada Hikaru are different artists. I'm amazed that some seem not to have caught on by now. Even up 'til a couple of days ago, I read a post somewhere that wished it would be "more Hikki and less Utada". Well, if she wanted to do this, she would just release it all under Utada Hikaru. Obviously. Some people will never get it.
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People need to get over it. The stuff that sells in Japan just doesn't sell in the States. This song is generic, but it's got a killer hook. It's got A+ production and excellent melodies that will hook people in instantly.
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That didn't stop IDJ from OKing and releasing Exodus. I agree that the song is generic and has a killer hook (I've had it on repeat since it was made available), but it's only because StarGate got their untalented hands on it (most likely). Oh, and StarGate definitely =/= A+ production. This song would be way less generic if Utada had arranged it herself. It reeks of their lameness (tinny drums, stupid electric guitar, strings and synth you can barely hear). I can say as a fact that Utada is a better producer than they will ever be.
StarGate has been the biggest contributor to this same sound you hear all over the radio. Most of the insanely popular songs some regard as "mainstream crap" for the past two years or so has been provided by them. I'm actually really angry she produced even one track with them because her work is so much better than anything they have done or ever will do. I hope they stayed far away from the rest of the tracks (and yes, this includes Apples and Cinnamon, which I was actually partially excited about despite its having anything to do with StarGate -- now I just get really anxious if I even see the title). Have you read her MUSICA mag interview?
Utada talks a lot about her thoughts on the direction the second album and her experience making Exodus. You all should read it if you want to understand why CBTM is the way it is and know what's gonna come next.
I know it's really long, but it's free over at UtadaUnited, so there's really no excuse not to read it (you're raising a lot of questions she has already answered -- a year ago).
Oh, and a tip of the hat to the "manga-obsessed loser weaboo community/S&C/Sanctuary" comment and the people who pointed out the "musical elitism" of Americans who listen to J-Pop. So true.
I delurked just to agree. I hope this gets through...!