[Utada Hikaru] Midsummer Rain Shower ♪٩(✿′ᗜ‵✿)۶♪ the 53rd thread

[bluegie]

Hmmn, I don't mind if she's make an album with ballads only . So far I'm really happy with the songs, and I'm sure that she will have something to surprise us. Again, she can't make something hard for a morning drama or news. Usually people who watch morning dramas are older people, so I think they appreciate Hanataba more than BML type of song. And I doubt the news program would accept a song with super beats like Passion. They sound safe, but they totally fit the themes.

[Beauty4123]

I'm (already/so far ) completely & absolutely satisfied with Utada's comeback (it's still all so surreal...she's back! ) because these two new songs are simply beautiful! Plus, I'd say they are so Utada and yet, more new & much better. I think I may like "Manatsu no Torriame" a tiny bit more, probably because I love that dramatic feel it has to it. Still, I think "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" is lovely, as well and I am absolutely looking forward to the music videos!

Also, just gotta say...Utada is just GORGEOUS in those promo pics...she looks amazing!!!

[AyuGAME]

Manatsu no Tooriame - definitely better and more of Hikki's style...the way she sing, the melody..that's what I called Hikki's style...

Suprisingly both songs are Ballad song...

OOT - What happen on that video? Looks like a festival...but kinda scary and exciting...

[TheRainbow]

I like the new song!

[jean-baptiste]

Be My Last is also my fav Hikki ballad. On par with FINAL DISTANCE.

[hayasaki]

I tried to get the lyrics and made a rough translation to Manatsu no Tooriame

Dareka ni te wo nobashi
Anata ni omoi haseru toki
ima anata ni kikitai koto ga ipai
afurete afurete

kigi ga mebuku tsuki hi meguru
kawaranai kimochi wo tsutaetai
jiyuu ni naru, jiyuu ga aru
tachitsukush Miokurubito no kage

translation:
Stretch your hands to someone
on the moment he/she runs his feelings to you
there are a lot of things I wanna ask you
overflowing... overflowing...

The trees sprout, moonlights repeat
I want to tell you my unchanging feelings
Be free, there's freedom.
A standing shadow of someone saying goodbye

[U-GO-BOY]

I like both songs, Manatsu maybe a little bit more...

also am I the only one or is anyone else thinking that the melody in Manatsu is very similar to Letters?

0:48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fidQjwNppLw

1:07 in Letters

[Akutenshi]

Originally Posted by U-GO-BOY

I like both songs, Manatsu maybe a little bit more...

also am I the only one or is anyone else thinking that the melody in Manatsu is very similar to Letters?

0:48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fidQjwNppLw

1:07 in Letters

I agree completely! I thought the same thing when I listened for the first time this morning.

These songs have me very excited, I'm intrigued to see if she really is sticking to an acoustic direction like these tracks/Arashi no Megami/Sakura Nagashi. I kind of hope so! Her upbeat, catchy songs with organic instrumentation would be amazing. Something like WINGS maybe?

[bluegie]

I think I'm crazy... My itunes tells me that. I have been listening to Hanataba wo kimi ni for over 140 times since yesterday...

[amorphose]

Originally Posted by bluegie

I think I'm crazy... My itunes tells me that. I have been listening to Hanataba wo kimi ni for over 140 times since yesterday...

Where did you even download it? Or are you just talking about the 1 minute version?

Also, to the people saying the comeback is too plain: Both of these songs are obviously tributes to her late mother, who was an enka singer. I really feel like that's where the stripped down sound is coming from. I'm sure we will get some of those upbeat, ethereal, experimental songs we all love from her when the album is actually released.

[orbitalaspect]

Originally Posted by amorphose

Where did you even download it? Or are you just talking about the 1 minute version?

Also, to the people saying the comeback is too plain: Both of these songs are obviously tributes to her late mother, who was an enka singer.

I don't think they're obviously tributes to her mother.

Utada isn't as obscure about the subjects of her lyrics as, say, Ayumi. Dareka, for example, was clearly about her mother, referencing the joy a parent must feel when they see their child accomplish great things. There really isn't a song in Utada's discography which we have to read between the lines.

That said, I'm curious if Utada will write a song about her mother's death, or if it's too soon. Knowing Utada, if she does write a song about her late mother, the style and lyrics will be much closer to Sakura Nagashi, Dareka, or DEEP RIVER, something much more somber than these two singles.

And on that note, I'd love to hear Utada cover one of her mother's songs as a tribute. THAT would be something special!

[thomas]

Originally Posted by orbitalaspect

And on that note, I'd love to hear Utada cover one of her mother's songs as a tribute. THAT would be something special!

I love that idea! Song suggestion: 冷たい月－泣かないで－（動画）★藤　圭子（with cubicU）

[Maemi]

Originally Posted by orbitalaspect

I'd love to hear Utada cover one of her mother's songs as a tribute. THAT would be something special!

Me too

[bluegie]

Originally Posted by amorphose

Where did you even download it? Or are you just talking about the 1 minute version?

The 1 minute version lol. I can't wait for that long. I have to listen the song (even if it's just a minute) on my iPod everyday .

[Purple Neko]

Hey would anyone be able to pretty pretty please upload the songs (not on youtube)? For some reason I can't listen to them because copyright stuff in the US. I'm kinda going a lil crazy not being able to hear these lol .

[thomas]

Hanataba wo kimi ni (90 second preview) for those who haven't heard it yet.
Google Drive link

EDIT:
Manatsu no Tooriame (60 second preview)
Google Drive link

Please tell me if the links work, never uploaded anything to Google Drive before.

[Purple Neko]

Originally Posted by thomas

Hanataba wo kimi ni (90 second preview) for those who haven't heard it yet.
Google Drive link

EDIT:
Manatsu no Tooriame (60 second preview)
Google Drive link

Please tell me if the links work, never uploaded anything on Google Drive before.

Thank you thank you!!! They work just fine. They are beautiful previews!!! Thank you so so much! You just made my day!

[Andrenekoi]

God no! Utada can't sing enka!

[orbitalaspect]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

God no! Utada can't sing enka!

Well, like a Utadafied version of Enka.

[mi|kshake]

I love Be My Last too! I remember being so hyped for my copy of the single arriving (which I ordered along with Mika's Glamorous Sky and Yuna Ito's Endless Story!)