[Utada Hikaru] The New Album 「Fantôme」 on Sep 28, 2016! ʕ•̫͡•ʔ the 54th thread

[DeepRiver]

Fantome charted worldwide on iTunes!



it seems that a lot of people in non japanese speaking countries are buying it! Godtada

And the Video for 二時間だけのバカンス is also No. 1 on iTunes!

[EndOfTheWorld]

It's just like old times on the Japan Itunes, with Utada and Ayu competing on the Top Album list.
As for my Fantome reaction, I am not quite sure what to make of it. I do like it very much for sure. I like all the songs on the album. I am really loving Jinsei Saikou No Hi. It's become a surprise hit for me. As someone mentioned earlier, I think this album suffers from a lack of life. This could be considered a flaw, but also a strength.
I just don't think this is an album that I would want to listen to often. While I enjoy it, it isn't fun or entertaining to listen to overall. When songs like Michi, Tomodachi, and Jinsei Saikou No Hi come on things pick up but then plummet back down. I appreciate the minimal, atmospheric, intimate nature of Fantome. But I do find myself longing for another lush, creative, and vibrant album like Ultra Blue or Heart Station. I need to give it a few more listens to really soak it in.
I think Fantome is a special album in Utada's discography that will always stand out.

Spoiler:

[Chibi-Chan]

I just copy my comment from the thread with the poll:

I wouldn't have thought I'd ever say that about a Hikki album, but this one is damn great! I mean, I always respected her for being a great musician, but most of the time I didn't liked her voice. Her voice has a beautiful tone, but in the past I always felt that she never played or experimented with it most of the time. So her singing style was boring for me and it felt as if she had her voice put in this nice, little, beautiful box and somehow feared to take it out. I guess it felt lifeless for me.
But this time there is actually plenty of life in her voice for me and combined with the music it's a pleasure to listen to the album!

[Zeke.]

Someone mentioned they can't get into Ningyo, and I just assumed it was that atrocious track with the male rapping or whatever the fuck he's doing in it, cause I had the album on shuffle and thought kept saying to myself "what in THE fuck is this???" Lol. But I was surprised to learn Ningyo was the BEAUTIFUL track with the harp! It's the best track on the album for me. One of her best ballads ever. Such a sweet track that feels even bitter sweet. I keep playing it on repeat because it's just so nice to live inside of it.

[bluegie]

Boukyaku (the one with the rapper KOHH) is actually one of my fav new songs. His rapping (to me) matches the feeling of the song. About Ningyo, I do like the harp since the beginning, but I felt like the song had no dynamic. But after listen for a few more times, it starts to grow.

Hope I will eventually like the wolf song as well in the end. But I think it's ok if I won't. There are always one or two tracks I don't like in every hikki album (maybe except First Love). As much as I praise DR, I still don't like ASAP.

[pedronekoi]

I can't stop listening to Fantôme!! Michi is my favorite so far. <3

[Zeke.]

I couldn't figure out what Ningyo reminded me of but finally it came to me: Unchained Melody.

Something about it...

[URANUS]

I've been listening to this album non stop! It's so good. It's so rare for me to like all the songs in one album but this album does just that.

I don't think she will sell ONE MILLION copies (who can nowadays?) but I hope she beat EXILE to be #1. I would hate to see her comeback peak at #2.

[amorphose]

Fantôme is charting in the top 100 of 28 countries worldwide right now, according to @hikki_staff! 6+ number one positions and Top 20 in the UK & EU! It literally just hit the US iTunes store 6 minutes ago! Only $9.99! Please buy it if you haven't!

[thinkingoutloud89]

^it is not available on iTunes germany though

[terra]

I've listened to the whole album and I can gladly say I love it! Granted Tomodachi's brass/horn sounds is a turn off for me (I personally don't really like those sounds) but other than that the album is solid.

I love how simplistic the musical approach in it thought it would be a snoozefest but I was so so wrong. It's bittersweet and it reflects the psychological recovery side of Hikki herself really well. This album is another realization of why I love her so much.

My favorite new tracks would be...Boukyaku, Kouya no Ookami, Michi and Nijikan Dake no Vacance

[~kashifaita~]

God, i love this album a lot. She really is Godtada LOL. Does anyone have any translations of any of the songs??? I would totally love to see one for Nijikan dake no vacance, boukyaku and kouya no ookami!

[Miduhyo]

^

http://www.lyrical-nonsense.com/lyrics/utada-hikaru/

And I must say after reading the translation for Boukyaku, the song is 100% different to me. It was one of the weaker songs on the album but now I have to say it's one of my favorites. Lyrically and musically... I just love it. It's raw.

[amorphose]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

^it is not available on iTunes germany though

That's weird.. If I go into the German iTunes store it shows it in there and it's #45 on the Top 100 albums!

[~kashifaita~]

Originally Posted by Miduhyo

^

http://www.lyrical-nonsense.com/lyrics/utada-hikaru/

And I must say after reading the translation for Boukyaku, the song is 100% different to me. It was one of the weaker songs on the album but now I have to say it's one of my favorites. Lyrically and musically... I just love it. It's raw.

Yaaaassss ty so much!!!

Wow i really have to agree with you on Boukyaku. Reading it gave me chills. I always knew Utada had pretty deep lyrics, but Boukyaku is on a whole 'nother level. It's like A Song for xx level of dark. So good.

[amorphose]

#68 on US iTunes already!

[nanomi]

Whoa, it's number 19 right now on the UK iTunes! Q__Q amazing!

[ayuspain]

#8 in The Spanish ITunes Chart ��

[amorphose]

Something tells me this is unusual for a J-Pop release... I can't say I follow charts all that much, or ever actually. But I'm glad it's doing well outside of Japan!

[DeepRiver]

Originally Posted by amorphose

Something tells me this is unusual for a J-Pop release...!

Yes it is! I've never seen that before!