Hikaru Utada takes a break

Hikaru Utada...feeling unsure | 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

Comments

  1. I'm not surprised at all by this news, I was kind of expecting it. She should just do what she wants to do. She wants a life outside of music who can blame her for that. She prob needs to recharge the creative juices also. Personally I think she wants to get married again. ^_^

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  2. When i first heard this i literally went "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" and my mum was like WTF? lol :/

    *Plays "Prisoner of Love"*

    I did kind of think something like this would happen too but i didn't want to think it was true.
    It's been like 2 years since "Heart Station" but it feels like 5 so it makes it even more depressing, if she'd released a full album or even a greatest hits/studio package like Kumi did for "Universe" then it would be better but one of the reasons i love Utada is because she's an artist and not just a robot, like J said she marches to the beat of her own drum and that's what gives her the creativity to make the music we all love.
    She's been working since she was 15 so i can't hate on her for wanting to try and live a normal life for a while, I have a feeling she's going to become like Kate Bush, one of those musical genius's that dissapear for years on end only to re appear randomly with a masterpiece but i just hope she doesn't take 12 years like Kate! X_X

    I can't wait to hear the new songs and Utada better make a video for every single one lol

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  3. i just hope she makes a compilation of greatest hits in japanese to english version like first love or can you keep a secret.

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  4. Your thoughts are similar to mine; I'm happy for her and I hope that in her time off she'll accomoplish what she wants (including marrying and having lots of babies with you apparently ;-)
    I'll be buying her new album when it's out as well as check out her first 2 albums in her absence (need to get roudn that...)

    I also hope one of the new songs is part of the next Kingdom Hearts game, although as the new Evangelion film is already in development I hope another song is for that too! But I just want everything; new songs, Utada to release her UK gig on DVD, and so on.

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  5. Utada is such a darling. Not very into her music but still very good.

    Utada is just someone you can't help but stan for.

    ANYWAYZ, good luck Utada and have fun with your "human activities."

    I'm not complaining, quality music over quantity, and Utada is exactly like that.

    I would love if Utada came back with the R&B sound she had earlier in her career though <3.

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  6. this made me so sad! i am happy that she is taking care of herself though..

    hopefully she will emerge again =)

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  7. 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!?

    What the hell J. You done got me excited for a game and song that don't even exist yet. -_-

    I agree with you though. And if this makes her music better, which I don't doubt it will, then more power to her!

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  8. Utada is probably not going to be releasing a song for KHIII (if it's even coming out). She said in an interview that her integrity and dignity as an artist makes it hard for her to translate her songs from japanese to english and vice versa. She has said that songs written in japanese are meant to stay in japanese and vice versa once again. Also, her manger, who is also her father, said that disney doesn't pay well for all the work she has to put into making the song. Sqaure enix will proably recycle simple and clean for the game

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  9. The woman definitely deserves a break. She's kept such a great image, her albums have all been quality over quantity...pretty sure she's still recovering from her divorce. I say this time off will lead to even more interesting music in the future. And I await that day!

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