It sounds like your Utada tastes are similar to my own. For me, the first album and the last 3 albums starting in 2016 along with Pink Blood are timeless jams. But especially Fantome and Hatsukoi. Pretty sure I’ve shed tears to those two lol.
The re-record of “Traveling” brings so much new life to the song to me. The added sonic layers and her vocal ad libs in the background where she’s harmonizing with the beat-I don’t know if I need to listen to the original much again. Also “Electricity” is so damn good, feeling fed with this!
I really appreciate this review, even if I don’t agree with some of your opinions re: the vocals and the mixes. You really dove deep into this collection, and at 35 minutes, you’re absolutely feeding us, haha. I also wouldn’t have been able to tell that you were filming in a way that was any different than normal. I also really LOVE your hair so much! It looks so stunning! Great video, as always! Your Friend, Matthew
I don’t hear the “struggling” in the new re-recordings. I think her voice has gotten more huskier and thicker over the years. Maybe that is what is confusing it for “strain.” But I don’t really hear the strain. I have always heard fans talking about roughness in her voice and I believe it’s the overall rasp that makes her sound like she’s straining. It’s an issue raspy singers have as notes sound more thicker in those higher octaves. I know she strained a ton in 2006 with the United Tour 2006 though. I think that thicker tone sounds better for r&b music tbh. So I think her voice fits Addicted to You better with more rasp and thickness.
Same here. I think there's a tendency among fans sometimes to be a bit critical of artists' voices as they age, particularly more feminine sounding voices. You get used to a particular sound from the artist, and over time that sounds becomes more refined, more tempered, and ithat change is not something everyone will personally care for. I happen to love the sound Hikki's voice has now, especially for the re-records.
I'm not confusing the rasp for strain lol. As I said in the video, there's a general rasp, which I like too, but it's not the same thing as being unable to access high notes in the head voice.
Hey! Thanks for giving some insight about the Def Jam. I had no idea what happened with that record company because I’m very ignorant of the Music Industry, but when you explained a possible reason why Utada didn’t feature her older English songs, that made a lot of sense. It’s sad because she had some really fire songs from Precious, Exodus, and This Is the One. Aside from that, please ignore my username because this is a coincidence, but I really love the track COLORS 2024 Mix more than the original or 2018 remaster because the dramatic drum sounds made a difference for me; especially in the final chorus when the drums came in so powerfully! In fact, this is my overall favorite tracks. I didn't like the re-recordings. It didn't go well with her aged voice
Its just surprising so many non-Japanese people appreciate utada's Japanese songs. I dont think many of them even understand the language, or at least fully understand. As a native Japanese speaker, I love the whole album. She's still got it!!
I didn't really notice any vocal strain in Hikki's voice at all with any of the re-records. It's true their voice has deepened a bit and isn't quite as airy as it used to be, but I feel like that suits the tone of their songs better, particularly with the sci-fi perspective they seem to have for their music, which I didn't know until recently was how they thought of their music, but it does make perfect sense. Also, I very much had the impression when Matthew and I were listening to it together in our ALP that a lot of the new mixes had been opened up. The stereo sound felt wider, the various instruments, sounds, backing vocals and lead vocals felt layered in a way we hadn't experienced before, or maybe they were there before but because of the technology of the time, we simply couldn't hear it. Either way, I feel like there's really a lot to love about this collection. The re-records really give a different perspective of the songs for me. A maturity they didn't really have before (even though their songs have always seemed to show a maturity beyond their chronological age), which I find gives a fresh sound to the songs. I very much love this collection, and I'm honestly hoping for a new album following the tour!
It was a Soild Greatest hits Collection, I don't think it was needed it but i enjoyed it: ARTV Style Score: 3.5/5 Favorite Tracks: Electricity, Hikari (Re-Recording), Gold (Mata au Hi Made), Traveling (Re-Recording), Somewhere Near Marseilles (Sci-fi Edit), Naniirodemonai Hana (A Flower of No Color), Addicted To You (Re-Recording).
Yeah my biggest complaint is with the re-recording of Addicted to You. As a fan of more of her rnb stuff like from Distance, I was always awed by her faster vocal runs and low smoky notes. In the re-recording, that run she did in the second verse got slowed down and then the very last "I think Im addicted to you" run as the end wasnt even attempted. It's missing that youthful sound I agree.
I think simple and clean should’ve been the rerecording she should’ve done instead of hikari. I think her vocals would’ve sounded better with the way she sings in English. 🤷🏻♂️
I'm surprised how many people don't like the re-recordings!! I'll be honest-- I prefer all three originals over the new versions, but that was my expectation from the beginning. The originals are some of the best tracks ever made and I don't see how you really improve on that 20+ years later. But I really love and appreciate the re-recordings anyway. Also-- in regards to their "Utada" tracks-- it might be wishful thinking, but I think that we're gonna get the vinyls later this year when the Asian tour wraps. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Def Jam owned by UMG? The same UMG that owns owns EMI music and worked with Sony to release SF? To multiply the wishful thinking by two, hopefully that coincides with them announcing an North American/EU leg of the tour! 🤞
Glad you like the re-recordings! I hope you are right about Utada vinyls and more international dates, although my credit card will be fine if those things don't happen XD You are right, actually. UMG does own Def Jam, EMI and Sony. I don't know if they still operate as separate entities as far as copyrights, each country has a different CEO for UMG, who knows? But I feel like there is a certain reason for the English albums being let out of the vinyl press and SF collection.
I wonder if Hikki has vocal nodules now tbh. Cause you made the point of her having off and on performances that sound better than others. That happens to signers with nodules often. I wonder if she has ever got checked for it.
It sounds like your Utada tastes are similar to my own. For me, the first album and the last 3 albums starting in 2016 along with Pink Blood are timeless jams. But especially Fantome and Hatsukoi. Pretty sure I’ve shed tears to those two lol.
The re-record of “Traveling” brings so much new life to the song to me. The added sonic layers and her vocal ad libs in the background where she’s harmonizing with the beat-I don’t know if I need to listen to the original much again. Also “Electricity” is so damn good, feeling fed with this!
Yas!
I really appreciate this review, even if I don’t agree with some of your opinions re: the vocals and the mixes. You really dove deep into this collection, and at 35 minutes, you’re absolutely feeding us, haha.
I also wouldn’t have been able to tell that you were filming in a way that was any different than normal.
I also really LOVE your hair so much! It looks so stunning!
Great video, as always!
Your Friend,
Matthew
I'm glad you are appreciating the new content on the album so much! Many thanks for the compliments!!
I don’t hear the “struggling” in the new re-recordings. I think her voice has gotten more huskier and thicker over the years. Maybe that is what is confusing it for “strain.” But I don’t really hear the strain. I have always heard fans talking about roughness in her voice and I believe it’s the overall rasp that makes her sound like she’s straining. It’s an issue raspy singers have as notes sound more thicker in those higher octaves. I know she strained a ton in 2006 with the United Tour 2006 though. I think that thicker tone sounds better for r&b music tbh. So I think her voice fits Addicted to You better with more rasp and thickness.
Same here. I think there's a tendency among fans sometimes to be a bit critical of artists' voices as they age, particularly more feminine sounding voices. You get used to a particular sound from the artist, and over time that sounds becomes more refined, more tempered, and ithat change is not something everyone will personally care for. I happen to love the sound Hikki's voice has now, especially for the re-records.
I'm not confusing the rasp for strain lol. As I said in the video, there's a general rasp, which I like too, but it's not the same thing as being unable to access high notes in the head voice.
Hey! Thanks for giving some insight about the Def Jam. I had no idea what happened with that record company because I’m very ignorant of the Music Industry, but when you explained a possible reason why Utada didn’t feature her older English songs, that made a lot of sense. It’s sad because she had some really fire songs from Precious, Exodus, and This Is the One. Aside from that, please ignore my username because this is a coincidence, but I really love the track COLORS 2024 Mix more than the original or 2018 remaster because the dramatic drum sounds made a difference for me; especially in the final chorus when the drums came in so powerfully! In fact, this is my overall favorite tracks. I didn't like the re-recordings. It didn't go well with her aged voice
Thank you for watching!! Glad you enjoying the new COLORS mix, it is really great.
Passion, This Is Love & Deep River should have been on it for sure.
I can agree with those :D
Its just surprising so many non-Japanese people appreciate utada's Japanese songs. I dont think many of them even understand the language, or at least fully understand.
As a native Japanese speaker, I love the whole album. She's still got it!!
I didn't really notice any vocal strain in Hikki's voice at all with any of the re-records. It's true their voice has deepened a bit and isn't quite as airy as it used to be, but I feel like that suits the tone of their songs better, particularly with the sci-fi perspective they seem to have for their music, which I didn't know until recently was how they thought of their music, but it does make perfect sense.
Also, I very much had the impression when Matthew and I were listening to it together in our ALP that a lot of the new mixes had been opened up. The stereo sound felt wider, the various instruments, sounds, backing vocals and lead vocals felt layered in a way we hadn't experienced before, or maybe they were there before but because of the technology of the time, we simply couldn't hear it.
Either way, I feel like there's really a lot to love about this collection. The re-records really give a different perspective of the songs for me. A maturity they didn't really have before (even though their songs have always seemed to show a maturity beyond their chronological age), which I find gives a fresh sound to the songs.
I very much love this collection, and I'm honestly hoping for a new album following the tour!
Glad you are enjoying it so much, Delenn! I really hope we get a new album in the near future too.
It was a Soild Greatest hits Collection, I don't think it was needed it but i enjoyed it:
ARTV Style Score: 3.5/5
Favorite Tracks: Electricity, Hikari (Re-Recording), Gold (Mata au Hi Made), Traveling (Re-Recording), Somewhere Near Marseilles (Sci-fi Edit), Naniirodemonai Hana (A Flower of No Color), Addicted To You (Re-Recording).
Glad you are enjoying it!
Yeah my biggest complaint is with the re-recording of Addicted to You. As a fan of more of her rnb stuff like from Distance, I was always awed by her faster vocal runs and low smoky notes. In the re-recording, that run she did in the second verse got slowed down and then the very last "I think Im addicted to you" run as the end wasnt even attempted. It's missing that youthful sound I agree.
Totally! Thank you for watching!
I hope we get a Re-Recording of Simple And clean with the Re-Recording production.
Update: It just came out yesterday
I think simple and clean should’ve been the rerecording she should’ve done instead of hikari. I think her vocals would’ve sounded better with the way she sings in English. 🤷🏻♂️
Interesting take. I think it's been a while since she's performed that one live.
My Opinion she will release a Re-Recording of Simple And Clean later this year.
Update: It was just release
So she just dropped Simple and Clean and I think it sounds so much better than Hikari 🤷🏻♂️ what do y’all think?
@@apollokain2542I think their both equally great
I'm surprised how many people don't like the re-recordings!! I'll be honest-- I prefer all three originals over the new versions, but that was my expectation from the beginning. The originals are some of the best tracks ever made and I don't see how you really improve on that 20+ years later. But I really love and appreciate the re-recordings anyway.
Also-- in regards to their "Utada" tracks-- it might be wishful thinking, but I think that we're gonna get the vinyls later this year when the Asian tour wraps. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Def Jam owned by UMG? The same UMG that owns owns EMI music and worked with Sony to release SF? To multiply the wishful thinking by two, hopefully that coincides with them announcing an North American/EU leg of the tour! 🤞
Glad you like the re-recordings!
I hope you are right about Utada vinyls and more international dates, although my credit card will be fine if those things don't happen XD You are right, actually. UMG does own Def Jam, EMI and Sony. I don't know if they still operate as separate entities as far as copyrights, each country has a different CEO for UMG, who knows? But I feel like there is a certain reason for the English albums being let out of the vinyl press and SF collection.
I wonder if Hikki has vocal nodules now tbh. Cause you made the point of her having off and on performances that sound better than others. That happens to signers with nodules often. I wonder if she has ever got checked for it.
All singers have off performances because their instrument is their body, there are so many factors that affect it, including nodules