Global J-pop superstar HIKARU UTADA today announces the upcoming release of new album BAD MODE, available Wednesday, January 19, 2022. BAD MODE marks Hikaru Utada’s eighth studio album and follows a string of recent chart-topping hits, including “One Last Kiss” the theme song to EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME, and “PINK BLOOD” the theme to TV anime To Your Eternity. The album was introduced last month with lead single “Kimini Muchuu,” which was recorded with frequent collaborator and producer A.G. Cook. The official music video for “Kimini Muchuu” premieres today in commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of Hikaru Utada’s 1998 debut.
The music video for “Kimini Muchuu” gives viewers a preview of HIKARU UTADA LIVE SESSIONS FROM AIR STUDIOS, an upcoming concert special from Hikaru Utada to be released in celebration of the release of BAD MODE. Today’s video features footage from the show, which will premiere on album release day and Hikaru Utada’s birthday Wednesday, January 19 at 8PM JST / 6AM EST / 3AM PST and be available to watch through Sunday, January 23, 2022. Recorded at London’s legendary Air Studios, the concert is a first for Utada, who has gathered a group of renowned musicians led by bassist Jodi Milliner, bandmaster for Utada’s 2018 tour, to perform music from the new album. The concert was recorded and mixed by sound engineer Steve Fitzmaurice, who also worked on the new album, and directed by David Barnard, whose filmography includes Radiohead’s “In Rainbows – From Basement” and Eric Clapton’s “LOCKDOWN SESSIONS.” Additional details surrounding the concert and ticketing information can be found at the official website HERE.
Along with “Kimini Muchuu,” “One Last Kiss” and “PINK BLOOD,” BAD MODE will include the global hit song “Face My Fears,” which was written and produced by Hikaru Utada alongside chart-topping producers Skrillex and Poo Bear and features as the opening song to action role-playing game KINGDOM HEARTS Ⅲ, as well as “Time,” which features as the main theme to Japanese TV drama Bishoku Tantei Akechi Goro. BAD MODE will also feature never-before-heard songs and special remixes as bonus tracks. Previously unreleased tracks include Hikaru Utada’s first English track since 2019 entitled “Find Love,” which is the theme song to SHISEIDO’s latest global beauty campaign “POWER IS YOU.” Hikaru Utada is included as an ambassador for the campaign alongside American soccer star Megan Rapinoe and Spanish actress Úrsula Corberó, each representing the power of beauty within to transform society for the better. Hikaru Utada is also a brand ambassador for Japanese mineral water SUNTORY Tennensui, appearing in a commercial for the brand that features a song entitled “Darenimo Iwanai.”
Source: Press Release
