Like a gleaming ball of memories

Utada Hikaru
HEART STATION/Stay Gold
EMI Music Japan
February 20 2008

Like a gleaming ball of memories

Hikki’s double a-side HEART STATION/Stay Gold suitably goes along with the sonic evolution she’s been going through since going all New Age/synth-pop on us on ULTRA BLUE. And much like that album, this single carries much of the airy, calm, atmospheric music Hikki’s now known for. But then there’s something a little off.

Off in a good way, though. In both the songs, there are hints of R&B, a huge flashback to her older days when R&B music was her main focus. “HEART STATION” presents us with a plink-plonky keyboard atop aggressive beats and a breezy, longing mood. It’s a bit of a grower, but now, it can fully say that it’s a great Hikki song. The ice cool “Stay Gold” is the R&B-er of the two, complete with minor key piano, staccato effects and full-on R&B beats. Both old and new Hikki fans should be satisfied with this release, but I was personally hoping for a b-side or something.

Or that just may be the fanboy in me.

ONE WORD: REMEMBER?

~ by JJ on February 25, 2008.