Deep Dive: Utada Hikaru Part Eleven (BAD Mode)

    Does anybody feel like Utada Hikaru's tenth studio album, BAD Mode, is a soft reset of the Utadaverse? Just about everything is different from her last studio effort, Hatsukoi. Sound, aesthetic, approach. Even visually. This time around we get a comfortable look from Utada both visually and sonically. But this still doesn't make the ride any less exciting. Oh no. Compared to Hatsukoi, BAD Mode is an animal that continues to show you all its stripes. In all seriousness, I bought a hoodie in that same color because it just looks comfortable. Put your hoodies on, and let's deep dive!

    In a way, I think BAD Mode is a nice return to form. It's like a pre-hiatus album yet with improved and mature sensibilities. It's also very fun and doesn't take itself seriously at times which feels very Utada. She's a person that can have fun and yet still have a deep outlook on life. Case in point our first song of the record and title track, "BAD Mode."

    "BAD Mode" is a trip right from the beginning. It's funky. It's groovy. A total throwback to disco. It's the gift that keeps on giving. It also takes us out to left field during the bridge which sounds like a tropical waterfall where all you can think about it is the water, green plants, wet rocks, and sunlight poking through tall trees. And then that outro. We get an Utada F bomb drop, and it is kickass. 

    I think one of my only complaints with the albums is that most of the songs were released previously in some shape or form, but this is Utada's way of showing off each track so I will let it slide. When "Kimi ni Muchuu" was annouced at a single near the time of the album I was like "okay. I just won't listen to it so I'll have more to enjoy on the album," and I'm glad that I did. There's a fragility here that sounds like an autumn day with the piano. It's just a jewel of a song. Her vocal performance is so strong on this track. It's also like a slow burn which works great for this ballad. It adds a new element in as we listen along so by the end it's just a firework show. 

    "One Last Kiss" is Utada to the max. It's her flexing that creative muscle once more. It's a new take on a league she created with songs like "Beautiful World" from Heart Station. There's this haunting nostalgia at play here. It kinda hits you like the experimental takes from Ultra Blue, but with the approachability with songs from Deep River. It just overwhelms you with emotion. Absolutely beautiful. 

    "PINK BLOOD" sees Utada covering new territory and conquering it. It's jazzy and snazzy. It continues the haunting we've see since "Kimi ni Muchuu." It's strength lies in its unconventional-ness. We've had an epic 4 song run here. Stronger than any Utada album proceeding it. Which says a lot because we're 24 years into a career here and still growing. I'd also like to take this time here to talk about how Utada released many of the songs from the album as preceding singles, and they're excellent songs. But the way they are shown off on this album in its sequence actually makes them stronger. There is never a time that I listen to this album that I don't listen to it all the way through. It's a thrill from top to bottom. Songs that may not have seemed super strong as a single champion this album during listen throughs and show off their various charms. 

    "Time" is also no exception to this. It sounds even better after following the dramatic "PINK BLOOD." I enjoyed it highly as a single because "Time" is just so... anxious? The chorus swoops in and Utada's vocals take you to heaven. She definitely had her sound planned out, knew how to access it, and knew how to conquer with it. 

    "Kibun Janai no (Not In the Mood)" sounds like a rainy day, and it boasts perhaps the album's best hook. The "rain, rain go away/I'm no in the mood today" is simple yet effective. The outro takes us to the science lab for an experiment. There's a shift in the album here that seems to never let us leave that science lab. Speaking of lyrics, Utada's got some great ones here on this album. Shout out to the chill out hook of "BAD Mode."

    "Dare ni mo Iranai" was the first glimpse into the experimental avenue Utada would drive us down. Her vocals here are strong even when she whispers. She gets lusty here. The English makes the song catchy. It sounds like the same waterfall location as the "BAD Mode" bridge throughout. Maybe that connects the two songs? Or maybe I just let my imagination run wild. The drums on this song are whimsical and fun and are a small part of what makes the whole song. 

    I prefer the Japanese "Kirei na Hito (Find Love)" to the English version. (I find the English lyrics a tad bit awkward). So I will cover that here. The squeaks of the beat are such ear scratchers! I love it. The chorus is one of the album's best. But the beat is the best thing about the song!

    

    I was so glad to know "Face My Fears" was going to find its home on this album because I love the song. It fits the Kingdom Hearts aesthetic, but it is also just such an enjoyable banger. Her vocals waver yet are very strong. "Fears" bangs yet has its own color and is unlike Shrillex's other works. Thus this song marks the only collaboration on the album. 

    Though! We did have A.G. Cook all over this album. He's known for his work on Charli XCX's output. He also worked on Renaissance by Beyoncé. He really tightened the production up here which fit Utada like a glove. Seriously a match made in heaven. 

    Which leads me to my next point. Utada beat Beyoncé and Drake to the 90s house revival punch by several months. She's never been shy on creating or being the first to jump on trends. I have to argue that I think Utada did it the best. Case in point: "Somewhere Near Marseilles."

    "Somewhere Near Marseilles" is Utada's longest song on an album yet clocking in at 11 minutes and 55 seconds. Which is amazing. It goes in so many different twists and turns it never feels like it drags. It's a thrill from the take off to the landing and grows as it goes along. The hook "I'm in London/you're in Paris" which also gets repeated in Japanese "boku wa London/kimi wa Paris" is just so. Damn. Fun. I'm calling this the album ender because after it we get other versions of songs we've already covered. It just feels like a strong album ender too. The most experimental of the lot here too. It also appeared on many year-end best lists.

    Overall, BAD Mode is a crazy strong album. I thoroughly enjoy it and love it. It quickly earned a place in my heart next to Utada's other endeavors. It being only "10" tracks and an hour long plays up its strengths as there is no room for filler. It does what it needs to and then leaves you looking to repeat it. Listen to this album. It's great introduction to Utada if you've not listened to her previously and want to dive in as it provides samples for everything she provides. It's just a crazy good album.

    This is the last entry in our Utada Hikaru Deep Dive. Anything new she releases will be covered under the Superstar Standouts series or Top Pops. I have enjoyed doing this deep dive series immensely as I love Utada so much and rediscover her work frequently. (This time I did with Hatsukoi!) Utada is just a genius, and I will always find her offerings intriguing and spectacular. 

I'll now attempt to rank her albums:

    1. Heart Station

    2. BAD Mode

    3. Ultra Blue

    4. Deep River

    5. Fantôme

    6. First Love

    7. Distance

    8. Hatsukoi

    9. Exodus

    10. This Is The One

    That was brutal. So tough. I think 2 through 9 can flip flop a lot. Heart Station will always be my number one though. That is such a special album to me. Anyways, here is the standard Deep Dive ender:

Rank: S Rank! I don't do drugs, but I would spend my BAD Mode with you, Utada!

Recommendation: Seriously perfect for late night city drives. (I do this a lot!)

Standouts:

    All of the 10 tracks we discussed, really!

Thank you for reading this Deep Dive series! Our next artist up with be the beautiful and expressive, Hamasaki Ayumi! Please look forward to it!