It’s no small secret that Utada Hikaru’s always dreamt of dwelling with the common people.
During her concert in Boston for instance, she lamented to the crowd that she’s always wanted to go off and study in school again or try a whole new career path.
Simply put: Fame has simply never been her forte. (Her overbearing father/manager on the other hand…)
It should come as no surprise to anyone then that Hikki has announced that she will be taking a break from the music industry for a bit. Courtesy of Hikki Texts, a blog that translates Utada’s Japanese messages into English:
I am going to stop flashy ‘artist activities’ for a while and focus on ‘human activities,’ starting from next year. This is not a ‘retirement announcement’! Nor is this ‘rest’ or ‘recreation.’ This period is going to be the period for me to face the real me as a person, by studying something new eagerly and humbly, seeing and learning things in this while world I don’t know yet…I have no idea how long it gonna be – 2 years or 5 years, but I shall return, more matured. Give me some time.
That being said, I don’t think anyone should panic. If I know Utada, she’s going to keep erratically blogging about ointments, weird food, and that godforsaken teddy bear, Kuma-Chan.
Even if her duties as an artist will be on temporary hold, I’ve no doubt she’ll get the bug to keep recording. And perhaps that’s even better–no pressure for a release, no requirements to fit a certain sound.
In the meantime, the singer plans to quell her fans’ panic by announcing a second greatest hits compilation, Singles Collection Vol. 2, which is to be released later this fall. According to Hikki, the new album will also contain some new material:
Maybe 4 songs or so, 5 hopefully…! I’m right in the middle of recording, trying to make them something that can tell you my recent feelings, change of my heart. Please wait for a while, I’ll let you know as soon as the release date is fixed.
Personally, I’m happy about it! This is what she wants, and I believe she deserves that. She has been doing this since she was 15, after all.
Not to worry…she’ll be back.
