JAPAN—In an exciting announcement to mark the new year, J-Pop queen Hikaru Utada makes a resounding return with the digital release of her eighth studio album, Bad Mode, just in time for her birthday.
Delivering yet another pop masterpiece with sophisticated edge, the global superstar further solidifies her iconic status with a string of envelope-pushing jams such as “One Last Kiss,” the theme song to EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME; “PINK BLOOD,” the soundtrack to anime drama To Your Eternity; and “Face My Fears,” which was written and produced by the pop royalty herself, alongside chart-topping producers Skrillex and Poo Bear, to name a few.
Utada’s new record contains four bonus tracks and three new songs, including self-titled “BAD MODE,” “Kibunja Naino (Not In The Mood),” and “Somewhere Near Marseilles.”
“BAD MODE” serves a euphoric electro-pop tune with its breezy melodies and soaring vocals, a quality that is rampant throughout her latest release. Its accompanying music video, directed by Joe Conner (Sam Smith’s “Pray” and Coldplay’s “Everglow”), is set to premiere during her online concert, “Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios.”
Images courtesy of Sony Music
Utada’s new studio album will be available on CD format (February 23), and on vinyl format (April 27). Following its release, the best-selling Japanese singer-songwriter and producer will be reissuing all her beloved classic albums on limited-edition vinyl: “First Love“, “Distance”, and “DEEP RIVER”, will drop on March 10, while “ULTRA BLUE”, “HEART STATION” and “Fantôme” will be available for the first time on vinyl this April 27, as well as an encore pressing of the Hatsukoi vinyl.
“Bad Mode” was introduced last month with lead single “Kimini Muchuu,” which was recorded with frequent collaborator and producer A.G. Cook—a renowned PC Music producer who has done incredible work with international stars Charli XCX, Hannah Diamond, and SOPHIE.
Images courtesy of Sony Music
See the full track list below:
01. BAD MODE
02. Kimini Muchuu (Main Theme for TBS Friday Night Drama Saiai)
03. One Last Kiss (Theme Song for EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME)
04. PINK BLOOD (Main Theme for Anime Series To Your Eternity)
05. Time (Main Theme for NTV Sunday Drama Bishoku Tantei Akechi Goro)
06. Kibunja Naino (Not In The Mood)
07. Darenimo Iwanai (SUNTORY Tennensui CM Song)
08. Find Love (Featured in SHISEIDO’s Global Campaign “POWER IS YOU”)
09. Face My Fears (Japanese Version) / Hikaru Utada & Skrillex
(Opening Theme for Action Role-Playing Game KINGDOM HEARTS Ⅲ)
10. Somewhere Near Marseilles
11. Beautiful World (Da Capo Version)
(Theme Song for EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME)
12. Kireina Hito (Find Love)
13. Face My Fears (English Version) / Hikaru Utada & Skrillex
(Opening Theme for Action Role-Playing Game KINGDOM HEARTS Ⅲ)
14. Face My Fears (A.G. Cook Remix)
Bad Mode is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music.
Listen to the album on Spotify here: