May 30 2009
Album Review: This Is The One - Utada
She’s a superstar in Japan, but most of her very limited fan base in the U.S. know her through being featured in the video game Kingdom Hearts, or her Japanese work, or 2004’s Exodus (her first official release in the U.S.).
When I first heard “Come Back to Me,” as enjoyable a ballad it is, it was a disappointment because I knew it wasn’t going to become a hit in the U.S. (a.k.a. I will remain apart of the minority that knows about this immense talent).
Her effort to break into the American mainstream is very evident, but don’t expect that from Utada if you haven’t heard the album yet. While there are many mainstream R&B beats and stylings (particularly “Taking My Money Back”), a typical American would still find the music and lyrics here quirky and eccentric. It’s a clear and commendable step up from Exodus, but definitely not a mainstream album.
Is it a solid album? Yes. Is this the one in the sense that she sees it? No.
Rating: B
Track Pick: “On and On”
