SINGLE REVIEW: Utada Hikaru- HEART STATION/Stay Gold
Both Beautiful World/Kiss & Cry and Flavor of Life were absolutely astounding singles by Hikaru, and I am expecting no less of this single. The buzz going around is that at least Stay Gold is amazing. My biggest hopes are a fantastic vocal performance and hopefully some unique music. I really loved the ballad version of Flavor of Life, but I also liked Beautiful World. Everything about Hikaru’s work is engaging because of her unique voice and musical perspective, and that’s the reason I continuously listen to her.
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The first song on the single is HEART STATION, a synthetic ballad-esque number. When I first listened to for the first time, I wasn’t captivated, but I’ve become addicted. The reverb and beautiful vocals by Hikki really work out powerfully in the end. The song is created with a constant percussion track and relentlessly shifting synth so pretty that it manages not to confuse you. Hikki’s vocals. Ahh, Hikki’s vocals. The beautiful quiver in her voice is absolutely beautiful, and the constant perfection is utterly entrancing. Overall, I like this song a lot more than both Flavor of Life and Beautiful World. The composition is catchier, and the way that it’s presented creates a great atmosphere and an enjoyable experience.
Vocal Performance Grade: A+ — Musical Performance Grade: A — Composition Grade: A+
Overall Grade: A+
The second A-Side is the gorgeous piano ballad with an electronic twist, Stay Gold. I didn’t like that the song began with the chorus, but I thought the synth and piano worked out wonderfully together. Hikki hits some fantastic high notes in this song, and her vocal performance is once again supreme. I like the flow of this song, and it has a nice direction. This song is better than both of her previous two A-Sides as well. I can see why they made this single a double A-Side, because choosing between the two would be incredibly difficult. I’m addicted to this song too, and I honestly can’t say which one is better. They’re both really amazing in their own respects, so it’s hard to compare them. Stay Gold follows a more classic ballad instrumentation, but they both are relatively slow and heart-felt. I like the electronically distorted background vocals, even though it removes this song’s ability to be a true ballad.
Vocal Performance Grade: A+ — Musical Performance Grade: A+ — Composition Grade: A
Overall Grade: A+
SINGLE GRADE: A+
Good review. I am in love with HEART STATION and am glad it’s the lead-in single to the album. Stay Gold is all right but I expected a little more.
Yeah!! Go Hikki Go!! XD
I really love HEART STATION and I’m waiting for the karaoke version!!
And as amaiyume says, me too, I was expecting a little more from Stay Gold.
But the single is awsome!
In my opinion, in the last month Hikki is doing a great job, and I want the new album, which in going to be release on the 19th of March!! And the name is HEAR STATION (what a fantasy…XD)
I’m so happyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
oh, forgive my horrible english…I’m Italian ^_^
Hikki is so good!! She should be more reconigized in the United Kingdom! theres like only a total of 70 fans out of 6.5 million people or so…
She’s like the best singer EVER!