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This Is The One
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- 153,992 plays
- 182 favs
- 111 shares
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- Hikaru Utada
- Released 2009
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- Simple and Clean [*]
- 05:03
- 4,979 plays
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songs
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- 11
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Simple and Clean [*]
- 05:03
- 4,979 plays
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- 12
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Sanctuary (Opening) [*]
- 04:25
- 4,364 plays
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- 13
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Sanctuary (Ending) [*]
- 05:58
- 3,728 plays
album review
Written while she was finishing her 2008, Japanese-language album Heart Station, This Is the One is singer, songwriter, producer, and Japanese megastar Utada's second attempt to crossover to the English-speaking market, and a much more reasonable one at that. While the English-language album Exodus tried to be everything at once, Utada the performer is clearly defined here with slick, polished production supporting her songs rather than dominating them. The opening ballad, "Come Back to Me" is everything good about Utada all in one, with simple, precious lyrics and a delicate melody sharing space with a clever idea, which in this case is the bombastic piano intro that's straight out of classical music. Clever ideas are Utada's secret weapon as "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence -- FYI" combines the classic Ryuichi Sakamoto movie theme its half named after with contemporary R&B flavored come-on's, as in "FYI: We're gonna be up all night." The sexually charged "Poppin'" would be a much lesser song without the smart arrangement which wonderfully re-creates the spy movie sound of the '60s rather than becoming a James Bond-biting cliché. Describing a couple's compatibility as "Apple and Cinnamon" makes the Tori Amos-like cut a standout, but most of her lyrics are riddled with clichés with plenty of "whispers in the dark" and whatnot. This means the epic, emotional "Sanctuary" suite that closes the album has to rely on arrangement and delivery, and Utada nails both, combining the grandness of a Disney song like "A Whole New World" with the angst of, remarkably, Nine Inch Nails. Big, behind-the-scene names like Chris "Tricky" Stewart and Antonio "LA" Reid point to the urban meets pop attitude of the album, but Utada will not be overshadowed. This album is hers alone and when placed next to Exodus, it's aptly titled. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
See all-
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- Exodus
- Released 2004
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- First Love
- Released 2000
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- Ultra Blue
- Released 2006
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- Heart Station
- Released 2008
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listener reviews
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This is the One
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- By JiggySora S
- 6/27/2009 06:25:34
- The Album This is the one is great, but The lack of U.S. Market is puting her Down, But I Have to Say that its Different in a good and o.k. way.
But i still luv her and her Music and the album: This is the one!!!
I Love U Hikki!!! :-) - Be the first person to rate this review!
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Is This the One?
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- By Nisshoku1981
- 4/3/2009 03:57:22
- I would have to say Yes! There are so many great tracks in this album. I've been a fan of Utada Hikaru for at least 8 years and have everyone of her albums. I must say this album was far better than Exodus. I hope this album will take Utada Hikaru on a journey of being an US sensation!
- 4 out of 4 people
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This IS the One
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- By Tomenaki
- 3/25/2009 01:40:35
- I've followed Utada (Hikaru)'s career for quite some time and she only gets better with age like a fine wine. This album is no different.
Despite the lack of promotion and success of her previous english album, Exodus, This is the One (TitO) really shows a bit more to Utada in the american market. This album is more cohesive and just easy to listen to.
TitO really plays to a smooth vibe that Utada has in her Japanese music but still works for the mainstream sounds of songs on the radio as well. Also, while there is more of a mainstream R&B feel to this album, Utada still has her type of sound in every track.
Overall, this is definitely an album to look into and buy. It IS the one for Utada to finally make her way into the American music market. - 3 out of 3 people
- think this is useful
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