Utada’s back with 2 new digital singles – 真夏の通り雨 Manatsu no Tooriame (Midsummer Showers) and 花束を君に Hanataba wo Kimi ni (A Bouquet For You). Manatsu is the theme song to NTV’s news show, “NEWS ZERO”, while Hanataba is another theme song for a drama called “Toto Nee-chan”.

If you don’t have it yet, you can download the songs on the iTunes (Japan) store here:

• Manatsu no Toori Ame – 真夏の通り雨 – Single – 宇多田ヒカル
• Hanataba wo Kimi ni – 花束を君に – Single – 宇多田ヒカル

Utada Hikaru has been on hiatus for a long time and everyone was excited for her comeback. Although the two songs are getting mixed reviews from fans, I personally love both of the songs. They’re quite melancholic, but both songs show Utada’s emotional growth as she went through some highs and lows in the duration of her hiatus. You can definitely feel a stronger, gentler Hikki from listening to these two songs. I like the melodies of both songs, although my favorite of the two would have to be Hanataba. I’ve read somewhere that she wrote this song for her mom, which just levels up the emotions and makes you understand really the feelings behind the lyrics and the melody. That’s what I love about Utada, she is able to tell a story with her songs, and she tells (and sings) it very well.

You can watch the music videos in the link below:

• Manatsu no Toori Ame – JPOPASIA
• Hanataba wo Kimi ni (Short MV) – Utadahikaru.jp

How do you find the new songs? Let me know in the comments section below!

Photo Credit: aramajapan.com