Music: *REVIEW* This is the One – Utada Hikaru

*A post I made on last.fm when the album came out. Figured I’d post it on here*

Alright, now I’ve read a couple of reviews for this album, listened to the album for the past day straight through a couple of times, and I think I might as well throw in my two cents.

First, let me state that I am a huge Utada fan. Have been for many years. First song I heard from her was “Uso Mitai Na I Love You” off of Deep River and I went on from there. She’s had some disappointments and great achievements in the music industry and I admire her for being able to bounce back and continue. So, after giving that little side note, I will go on to give my review of her new English album “This is the One.”

Going tell you now, I was not expecting much from her this time around when it came to making another album for the US. Her very first English album “Precious” under the name Cubic U was a nice stepping stone into the music industry and isn’t that bad of an album for how old she was at the time. “Exodus” is another story. Experimental, yes. Interesting to listen to, maybe, but that was not one of her best works. The argument was that it was another side of Utada and that she was trying out a new style is valid. However, the vocals were not her best, the ranges were to high, and the lyrics were a little out of place for American listeners (Don’t get me started on “Japan-easy” or whatever crap..).

First track: On and On – The song starts the album off nicely. Something upbeat and interesting. Sure, typical R&B beat you’ll find with anyone else. But her voice is very good on this song. The lyrics are quirky and different. Very good sound. I will admit, that man’s voice is kinda annoying in the back, but that’s a normal thing to hear in club songs. Its fun and different. Honestly, it will be a good single to have on the radio. Will get her a lot of attention. Rating: 4/5

Second track: Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence – FYI – First off, too long of a damn title. She should’ve just named it FYI. However, I understand that she sampled from the movie, so I guess its a good argument. This song is very good. Instrumentally, vocally, and the lyrics are very nice and simple, and smooth (Who else puts freakin’ Captain Picard in a song? That gains some points!). Honestly, this should’ve been her first single. If not, then On and On. A very good song. Shows her talent. Rating: 4.5/5

Third track: Apple and Cinnamon – Another song with a piano, yes, but its not a bad song musically. The beat is pretty good and her voice is fantastic. But the lyrics really disappoint me. She could’ve done so much more with lyrics to this melody, but instead we get nothing but repeats of the same words. Maybe she’s trying to express the pain of breaking up. I’m not sure, but she could’ve worked with this a little more. Could’ve grown into a better song. Rating: 3.5/5

Fourth track: Taking My Money Back – Ok, um… reminds me of something Beyonce (Whom I can’t stand) would sing or some other R&B chick. Interesting lyrics. Maybe she was trying to appeal to women who have had trouble with deadbeat men. I’m not sure, but its not really a good song lyrically. Her voice is good in this song though, and the beat is ok, but I would’ve expected something better. Rating: 3/5

Fifth track: This One (Crying Like a Child) – This song will grow on you after the “Aye Aye Aye” crap. The lyrics are very good and creative in this song and her voice is wonderful and shows her talent perfectly. The beat and melody are very good. Actually, this is a very good song for a potential single. Didn’t like it at first, but it does really catch your attention after a few listens. Rating: 4/5

Sixth track: Automatic Part II – This song is a hot mess. I’m sorry, but Automatic is a classic song off of the First Love album. One of the songs that made her so famous in Japan, actually. She should’ve left it alone. Don’t get me wrong, the rhyming is creative, and the beat is neat, but the lyrics are not that great and it just… doesn’t sit well with me (Hello my name is Utada like la da di da di da… what the hell?). Rating: 2/5

Seventh track: Dirty Desire – I will admit this song had to grow on me heavily because once I heard that “Love you long time” crap, I wanted to skip pass the song. But I gave it a full listen. Her voice is really great in this song. Definitely shows that she’s trying to seduce a man with her words and the beat is really damn good. Reminds me of Janet a bit, honestly, but its freakin’ sexy (and I’m a woman). The ending is surprising, but makes the song even better. Rating: 4/5

Eighth track: Poppin‘ – What the hell, Utada? You watched Mission Impossible or Bond before you made this song? Or did you listen to Christina Aguilera before recording? I mean, seriously.. this song is really odd compared to the other songs on the album that actually flow well. The lyrics are even odd. What the heck are you poppin’? Bottles? Men? Wolves? Stars? Sorry, the song just doesn’t fit with the rest of the album, but I guess she was looking for an interesting track to put on the list. Her voice is not good on this song, either. Too damn high. When she talks… its neat, but that’s it. Rating: 2/5

Ninth track: Come Back to Me – The song that started it all. I didn’t care for the song at first, but this song really grew on me over a long period of time. Her voice is very good. The beat is generic and typical, but the lyrics go rather well with it. I still do not think this should’ve been her first single, but I was starting to think that this was her way of getting her fans back after Exodus, secretly. Rating: 4/5

Tenth track: Me Muero – Honestly, I like this song more than most people. The beat is very different from the other tracks on the album. Her voice is strained a little, but still good and the lyrics are very interesting. Throwing in a little bit of Spanish is kinda neat, not too creative but its good. Its different, I’ll tell you that. Probably a favorite track of mine on the album. Rating: 3.5/5

Not gonna bother with the remixes. They’re… remixes.

Album overall: 7/10

A step up from Exodus, no doubt, but there are still a few things that could’ve not been so cliche. However, she showed a lot of her talent in this album like she does with all of her Japanese albums. Her voice was much better on this album and even I can tell that she was enjoying the songs as she was singing them. She put a lot of effort into this album to try and get noticed in the US and I think it will do a good job of doing so (If Def Jam doesn’t screw her over again). If she does well, she’ll be on her way to being world renowned. This may, indeed, be the one.