Utada feels "This is the one"

Hikaru Utada left a message on her myspace page to let her fans know that she'd titled her forthcoming english language studio album This is the one. The album is produced entirely between Stargate and Tricky Stewart. If Utada has worked with Tricky, then I'd bet money The Dream was in on at least one of those sessions. Tricky Stewart and The Dream a package deal these days. Most artists who are signed to Def Jam end up working with Stargate, Tricky Stewart and The Dream. Janet Jackson did, Mariah Carey did, Rihanna did. They're almost like stable producers there. I was hoping Hikaru would've worked with at least 2 other producers. I would've LOVED for her to have worked with Danja and to also work with Rodney Jerkins again. Hikaru spoke out on why she opted not to...

This time the reason why I decided to work with Stargate and Tricky was because I didn’t want to have any big producers on the album like Timbaland-type producers that have their own color coming out, like their character is strong, like Timbaland-esque. [I wanted to have] track makers instead of producers. Stargate and Tricky are more like track makers. They’re producers - but compared to Timbaland-type producers, they’re better at bringing out the quality and characteristics of a particular artist.

I get what she means. But how strong Timbaland comes through on his productions often depends with who he works with. There have been instances in Timbaland's discography where his sound compliments the artist and allows them to do their thing and shine (Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Kiley Dean, Brandy, Justin Timberlake) and then there have been instances where his sound is just so stank and obnoxious that it overshadows the artist. It can also depend on the artist themselves. If they have their own unique style and aren't defined by a producer's sound, then they'll be able to take a Timbaland beat and own it and not let the beat own them. Hikaru came through strong on the Timbaland productions on Exodus, so I'm not sure what she was worried about. But I guess it was for the best, because Timbaland's sound is a mess right now. That n***a has no clue what he's doing right now.

Confirmed tracks for This is the one include "F.Y.I", "Me muero", the often speculated "Apples and cinnamon" and of course the album's lead single "Come back to me". The album will feature at least 10 tracks. I'm hoping the final tracklist see's at least 13 tracks. But I have this horrible feeling it will only be 10 tracks, with the version of Ne-Yo's "Do you" which featured Hikaru being a bonus track.

The music video for "Come back to me" is due to premiere any day now. The video was shot over the course of 2 days by Anthony Mandler, who has also directed music video's for the likes Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna and T.I to name a few.

This is the one will release on March 4 in Japan and March 24 in the U.S - the same month as BoA's self titled english langauge debut. So it'll be interesting to see how they fare and who sells better. Hikaru has my vote. Purely because, she already has a name for herself in the States, she sings better in English, her artistry and individuality comes through stronger on the one song we've heard so far and, I love her. Needless to say I'll be snapping up a copy of This is the one. I gotta support my future wife and her music endeavours. I just hope the album gets a UK release around the same time as the U.S release, because I think Hikaru would do really well in the U.K - possibly better than she'd do in the U.S. If the U.K release is set in conjuction with the U.S one, then we'll see the album hit shelves across the U.K on March 23.