Album Review: 宇多田ヒカル - Heart Station / Utada Hikaru - Heart Station

sky | August 24, 2008

Info

Album: Heart Station (Buy Album)

Artist: 宇多田ヒカル / Utada Hikaru

Release Date: March 19, 2008

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Tracklisting:

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Review By: sky

Review

Utada Hikaru is no stranger to anyone who listens to Japanese music, and she recently released her newest album Heart Station in March. This album is the fifth and latest consecutive number 1 album, and follows the success of her previous album Ultra Blue. It currently ranks as the fourth highest selling album of 2008, and also the highest selling album by a female artist in 2008. Prior to the release of the album, she released the single Flavor of Life, which became an immediate hit with fans. One certainly hoped her next album would be just as well-received as the single, and she has not disappointed.

The album starts off with the track Fight the Blues, which has a catchy beat that shows off Utada’s skills as both a producer and a vocalist. It provides an upbeat tune that will carry the listener on through the album. Next comes the track Heart Station, which has a nice R&B beat, and also hints at heart break. She speaks English during part of the song, and it brings out the feeling of lost love echoing throughout the song. It’s pacing is done nicely, so it doesn’t get too slow and monotonous, or too fast for a sad song. This song is an instant classic in my books, and I believe most would agree. The next song, Beautiful World, returns to the upbeat tune of Fight the Blues, with a hint of keys in the background. Ensuing is the ballad version of the hit single Flavor of Life. It’s a slow song, and Utada’s soulful vocals really seem to tell a story throughout the song. The tracks alternate between slow and upbeat all throughout the album, as can be seen by contrasting songs such as Stay Gold and Kiss and Cry. In the middle of the album, there’s an interlude track, which I found very creative, as it combines the soulful vocals of Utada with an upbeat tempo. Also, it gives the listener a feeling of being at some grand show, as well as making the listener anticipate the following items to come. The tracks continue alternating beats, so the album doesn’t get too depressing, and tracks like Prisoner of Love and Take 5 continue the feeling of heart break that the album brings. Towards the end of the album, she unexpectedly throws in Boku wa Kuma and Niji-ru BASU, which depart from the feeling that the album has given thus far. They take on a more kiddy feel, but gives the listener a refreshed feeling, Finally, the album concludes with the hit single Flavor of Life. This version is the original one released prior to the album, and thus has a more upbeat tune, which is catchy and gets stuck in one’s head easily.

The album really did live up to the success of the single, and I think this album is worth listening to over and over. Also, with the switching between slow and upbeat tracks, one can listen to it regardless of their mood and still find something for them. A great album in my books.

Check out Heart Station’s music video.