GoldenRule 741 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Utada Hikaru's new album, "Fantome," is currently the fifth-ranking album on iTunes US, surpassing GOT7's "Flight Log: Turbulence" and the Hamilton soundtrack overnight. The album has thus become one of the highest, if not THE highest, charting JPop albums on iTunes US - a much larger market than Japan's iTunes. And it's still getting positive updates on Kworb, meaning it could rise a little higher before its peak. This is incredible for a few reasons. First, unlike with KPop, there's no "JPop wave" in the US. Japanese artists rarely have any luck breaking into the US market. Utada built a sizable fanbase entirely on her own. Her charting success is hers, and nobody else's. Second, this is Utada's most Japanese album to date. It uses far fewer English lyrics, and even the titles are in Japanese. "Fantome" in no way caters to the ears of American listeners - and we're totally here for it. The pervasive idea that Westerners want foreign acts to genuflect to their tastes is disproven yet again. Finally, it's proof that when Japanese artists make their music legally available for purchase in the US, it sells well - at least for big artists like Utada. For a long time, Utada's team would release her music in Japan first, and then in the US months later (if ever). By making the release date the same for Western markets as it is for Japan, they ensured that all of the fans hyped up about the new album could buy it immediately - and not resort to illegal downloads out of impatience. As an Utada fan, I'm so excited for her. I'm excited to see where "Fantome" lands on Billboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Everything 23,397 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 queen of jpop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXORCIST 3,393 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Utada is legend .... ii cant argue with that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.._.. 88 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 A True Queen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowdjinn 5,655 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Second, this is Utada's most Japanese album to date. It uses far fewer English lyrics, and even the titles are in Japanese. "Fantome" in no way caters to the ears of American listeners - and we're totally here for it. The pervasive idea that Westerners want foreign acts to genuflect to their tastes is disproven yet again. i keep saying that. That also counts for Kpop. Its just wrong to change music for international fans. Many of these fans show interest because the music is different. If they make their music like western music.... it just takes away the charme, imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sillysone 6,340 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Legends only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinyobi No Asa 347 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 queen of asian pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♥ jae's bae ♥ 740 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 queen of asian pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreamSoldier 294 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 And to think gringos are closed minded and just plain stupid (because they are, and yes, I'm biased because of events between my country and US), this is amazing, just to think that a new generation is opening itself to world instead of thinking that everyone has to make themselves "more gringo" to make an enter in the united states market. Great job Utada, you were able to at least change a little their little mind-set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sofi 17,143 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proxima Midnight 110 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 legend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuyukaiDesu 476 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 kween! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vader 3,297 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 hopefully more acts start doing this too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31415 38 Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Fantome is such a great album! Congrats to Queen Hikki <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocumentaLy 6,033 Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 I don't really think this would happen for most other acts because Utada is the only act from the peak of the JPop wave of last decade who was generally likable among international fans. And today, there aren't really any unifying acts in Japanese music. Things are much more separate today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitedove 1,849 Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 The last time I looked it was at #3. I haven't seen the latest yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onesnowyday 1,315 Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 congrats for her!! Hope her success continues ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gudetama 1,463 Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Finally, it's proof that when Japanese artists make their music legally available for purchase in the US, it sells well - at least for big artists like Utada. For a long time, Utada's team would release her music in Japan first, and then in the US months later (if ever). By making the release date the same for Western markets as it is for Japan, they ensured that all of the fans hyped up about the new album could buy it immediately - and not resort to illegal downloads out of impatience. 100% agree with this. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that I was able to purchase it on the release date. Even earlier this year, there was delay for Manatsu no Tooriame and Hanataba wo Kimi Ni. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flopdiva 8 Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 I don't really think this would happen for most other acts because Utada is the only act from the peak of the JPop wave of last decade who was generally likable among international fans. And today, there aren't really any unifying acts in Japanese music. Things are much more separate today. QFT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinning star 26 Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 Since she got so much hype with this comeback, so when will she announce her world tour? Or should her international fans wait until her 20th anniversary, like Laruku did in 2012? I need more Madison Square Garden live concert by Japanese acts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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