Search - Utada :: This Is The One

Is This the One?

Philip Masiakowski | Milwaukee, WI USA | 11/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm sick of hearing all of the American music fans say "I discovered Utada from Kingdom Hearts!" when she already had a tremendous career in Japan, so I really wish I wasn't one of them. Unfortunately, I am...this is my first real Utada experience (not including Kingdom Hearts and the single "Exodus '04").



That's probably debatable, though, since--despite her well-acclaimed position as a J-Pop star--"This Is the One" is distinctly not J-Pop. (This is probably the reason why I bought it, since I'm not into J-Pop.) No, this is all English, and it feels very American-R&B-ish throughout.



After being familiar with her work mainly through Disney, my eyes nearly popped out of my head on songs like "Dirty Desire" ("working my 9-to-5 thinking 'bout a 69"?) and "Poppin'" (referencing a strip-tease and popping bottles). And much of the album's not-so-explicit lyrics have to do with heartbreak and cheating, a far cry from what I was expecting.



Nevertheless, some of the tracks are absolutely gorgeous. "Apple and Cinammon" and especially "This One (Crying Like a Child)" are among the best R&B had to offer this year, and lead single "Come Back to Me" isn't bad either--sounds like a typical R&B diva track, and that is a definite plus as she tries to break the American market. And, overall, I don't nearly feel as depressed by the end as I did after sitting through some of the R&B this year had to offer (see the heartbreaking lyrics of "Epiphany" by Chrisette Michele).



With other electronic, up-tempo songs like "Taking My Money Back" and "On and On" to recommend it alongside the slower stuff, This Is the One is a solid album. Its production is top-notch (not surprising, featuring Tricky and LA), and Utada's voice sounds beautiful. The bonus tracks, clearly designed to please Kingdom Hearts fans, are a nice throw-in, though many fans--including myself--probably own both soundtracks from KH I & II. Still, (finally) having "Sanctuary" (the English version of "Passion") is great.



Overall, a good release, cautiously recommended (with some of the dirtier tracks, DON'T buy it for your Disney-loving son or daughter)."