Global J-pop superstar Hikaru Utada today reveals the official tracklisting for their upcoming album BAD MODE and shares a snippet of title track “BAD MODE” ahead of the album’s January 19th release. Initially introduced with November’s lead single “Kimini Muchuu,” BAD MODE is set to feature Utada’s recent chart-topping hits like “One Last Kiss” and “Face My Fears” as well as six never-before-released songs in both English and Japanese. One of the six new tracks, album opener “BAD MODE” is being previewed today by way of a short music video.
You can check out the preview below!
“BAD MODE” is one of three tracks co-produced by Floating Points’ Sam Shepherd, who figures as one of the album’s main collaborators alongside contributions PC Music founder A.G. Cook, megaproducer Skrillex and more. Directed by Joe Conner, the official music video for “BAD MODE” will debut in full during Utada’s forthcoming concert special Hikaru Utada LIVE SESSIONS FROM AIR STUDIOS, which premieres alongside album release on Wednesday, January 19.
Marking Hikaru Utada’s eighth studio album since their debut in 1998, BAD MODE ushers in yet another new chapter in the evolution of their already massive career. A culmination of the last three years, the 14-track collection includes a string of chart-topping singles like “One Last Kiss,” co-produced by A.G. Cook as the theme song to EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME, “PINK BLOOD,” the theme to TV anime To Your Eternity, “Time,” the main theme to Japanese TV drama Bishoku Tantei Akechi Goro, “Darenimo Iwanai,” featured in a campaign for Japanese mineral water SUNTORY Tennensui and more. 2019’s global hit song “Face My Fears,” which was written alongside producers Skrillex and Poo Bear as the opening song to action role-playing game KINGDOM HEARTS Ⅲ, is also featured on the album in both Japanese and English language versions of the original song and as a new, never-before-released remix version by A.G. Cook. The PC Music founder also features as a co-producer on Utada’s newest single “Kimini Muchuu,” released in November alongside the album’s initial announcement.
Check out the music video!
Elsewhere, BAD MODE will include six brand new songs, including title track “BAD MODE,” one of three songs produced in collaboration with English producer and musician Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points, who also contributes to “Kibunja Naino (Not In The Mood)” and “Somewhere Near Marseilles.” Meanwhile Utada’s first track fully written in English since 2019, “Find Love” features as the theme song to SHISEIDO’s latest global campaign “POWER IS YOU” for new ULTIMUNE™ Power Infusing Concentrate. 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.
In celebration of the album’s release, Hikaru Utada will release Hikaru Utada LIVE SESSIONS FROM AIR STUDIOS, an upcoming concert special featuring the new music. Debuting on album release day and Hikaru Utada’s birthday Wednesday, January 19 at 8PM JST / 6AM EST / 3AM PST, the special will 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.”
To get more information and tickets, head to the official site: Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios (utadahikaru.jp)
In addition, the track listing for BAD MODE was released! Here is what you can expect to find on the album!
Hikaru Utada – BAD MODE
ALBUM TRACKLISTING –
- BAD MODE
- Kimini Muchuu
- One Last Kiss
- PINK BLOOD
- Time
- Kibunja Naino (Not In The Mood)
- Darenimo Iwanai
- Find Love
- Face My Fears (Japanese Version) – Hikaru Utada & Skrillex
- Somewhere Near Marseilles
- Beautiful World (Da Capo Version)**
- Kireina Hito (Find Love)**
- Face My Fears (English Version) – Hikaru Utada & Skrillex**
- Face My Fears (A.G. Cook Remix)**
** = Bonus Tracks
Source: Press Release
