Hikaru Utada takes a break

I feel like uploading a YouTube video showing my facial expression at this news. Because I've received tweets, e-mails and messages about this 'groundbreaking story', and I can imagine everybody is thinking I'm breaking down like a mother f**ker. But do you know what my YouTube expression would be? Not surprised. Just a shrug.

Hikaru Utada had been making strange comments sporadically about being unsure of what her next release would be and what she wants to do. And everything to me signalled that she wasn't really sure what she wanted to do at all. I'd posted in a past Hikaru Utada related post that there's a chance her next release would be another singles collection, and lo and behold: it is. But this isn't the biggu newsu.

Hikaru Utada recently posted that she plans to take a break from music for at least a year. Fansite Hikki texts translated her official message, and this is the part where fans hearts probably broke like a plate on a ceramic tiled floor.

I am going to stop flashy "artist activities" for a while and focus on "human activities, " starting from next year. This is not a "retirement announcement". Nor is this "rest" or "recreation."

This period is going to be the period for me to face the real me as a person, by studying something new eagerly and humbly; seeing and learning things in this wild world I don't know yet. I think that's something that should be called "human activities," different from "artist activities". And it should lead to my growth as an artist too, as a result.

Of course I may be making music during that time.

When the time comes that I realize I have grown up a little as a person, and I feel the need to let you all hear my music, that is about time I will do so.

The artists I love the most always seem to be the ones who drop albums rarely with huge gaps inbetween releases - so I'm kind of used to this. If Brandy's not doing this shit, then Hikaru is and visa-versa.

One thing which always attracted me to Hikaru Utada (aside from her awesome music and sexy eyes) was that she always did everything her way, at her own pace, with honesty and integrity. So I'm actually glad she's decided to do whatever she wants to do, and step back from music. It shows a level of bravery and confidence that not many artists in the J-game seem to have underneath all the flashy videos, weaves, press on claws and enough make-up to build a sandcastle. It's almost as though some artists fear they may lose their fan base unless they roll a single out every 2 months and an album a year. (I won't name names of the bitches who roll like this, we all know who they are). So I say: Good on Hikaru was staying true to herself. If this makes her happy, then as a fan and her future husband: I'm happy. She actually ran this shit by me on the phone (in my dream). Fans should try to be glad for her, and at the prospect of what this could potentially do for her music when she reaches that place where she feels it in her heart again. I just hope she doesn't do a Lauryn Hill. I think a part of me would die inside if she return to music as some po faced, brain dead trampy husk of a woman.

Hikaru has stated that she has no idea how long her hiatus from music will last. Thankfully she's left behind some awesome music to tide us overm and her Singles collection volume 2 will be a pretty nice send off. Hikaru's second Singles collection will feature 4 to 5 brand new songs, alongside her single releases from her Ultra blue and Heart station album - which should make for a pretty hot collection. It may as well be treated as a new album. By the time her albums drop only 4 to 5 of the songs are new to us anyway.

I'm not sure whether Square Enix have approached Hikaru Utada yet in regards to Kingdom Hearts III. But if Hikaru is able to keep off of the music for as long as it takes for SquEnix to show this game - then her theme song could end up being her big return to the music scene. Because let's face it: Square could not possibly have anybody else do a Kingdom Hearts theme. Hikaru is synonymous with the franchise now. And what an explosive reveal it'd be. BAM! New Kingdom Hearts III trailer. And BAM! Oh shit, was that a clip of a new Hikaru Utada song!?

Utada Hikaru single collection vol. 2 is tentatively set to release by the end of this year. If it releases around Christmas, it'll sell like f**king crazy.

Now excuse me whilst I go play "Take 5" and see if it features any subliminal messages.

Album reviews: Deep river | Ultra blue | Heart station | Exodus | This is the one