One Last Kiss (EP)

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One Last Kiss
A multi-coloured character sketch of Shinji Ikari on a white background
EP by
ReleasedMarch 9, 2021
Recorded2007–2020
GenreJ-pop
Length38:56
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
Label
  • Epic
  • Sony Music Japan
Producer
Utada Hikaru chronology
Hatsukoi
(2018)
One Last Kiss
(2021)
Singles from One Last Kiss
  1. "Beautiful World"
    Released: August 29, 2007
  2. "Beautiful World (Planitb Acoustica Mix)"
    Released: June 27, 2009
  3. "Sakura Nagashi"
    Released: November 17, 2012
  4. "One Last Kiss"
    Released: March 10, 2021

One Last Kiss is the first Japanese-language EP by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru. It was released in the US on March 9, 2021.[1] It was released for promotion of the Japanese animated film Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time around the time of the film's release. It contains all the previously released theme songs that were made for the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.[2] It also contains the theme song "One Last Kiss", which was co-produced by A. G. Cook and released in conjunction with the film on March 10, 2021.[3] The EP debuted at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart, and at number one on the combined physical and digital Oricon albums chart as well as the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart.

Background and release[]

"Beautiful World" debuted on the radio and was released as a ringtone on July 23, 2007, and after as a physical single on August 29, 2007.[4] In early September, Utada performed the song at many music entertainment programs in Japan: at Count Down TV on the night of September 1,[5] Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ on September 3,[6] Utaban on September 6,[7] and both Music Station and Music Fighter on September 7.[8][9] "Beautiful World" was performed during Utada's two date concert series Wild Life in December 2010.[10]

In 2009, the song was rearranged by Russel McNamara for the second film of the Rebuild of Evangelion series, as "Beautiful World (Planitb Acoustica Mix)". It was released as a digital download on June 28, 2009. The song was commercially successful, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.[11] It first appeared as the final track of Utada's second compilation album Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2.

Utada wrote "Sakura Nagashi" at the express interest of the staff for the Evangelion movie series. Although on hiatus at the time, Utada wrote and composed the song due to their appreciation of the movie series; they had also composed the themes for the previous two Evangelion films. "Sakura Nagashi" is a J-pop/piano rock song, composed of piano and strings, and in the latter part of the song drums, guitar and synths. It was written by Utada, and British songwriter Paul Carter.

"One Last Kiss" was written and composed by Utada, and produced by Utada and English PC Music producer A. G. Cook.[12] The music video of the song was directed by Neon Genesis Evangelion director Hideaki Anno, giving a glimpse of Utada's personal life in the United Kingdom.[13] Critics noted the bittersweet tone of the song resembles much of their earlier work such as Ultra Blue and Heart Station.[14]

On March 9, 2021, it was revealed "One Last Kiss" would receive a physical release internationally. This was organised due to large demand from overseas. The cover will feature character Asuka from the film series, and is planned for a summer 2021 release.[15]

Track listing[]

One Last Kiss Japanese track listing[16]
No.TitleLength
1."One Last Kiss"4:12
2."Beautiful World" (Da Capo Version)5:58
3."Beautiful World"5:17
4."Beautiful World" (Planitb Acoustica Mix)5:12
5."Sakura Nagashi" (桜流し, "Flowing Cherry")4:42
6."Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" (2007 Mix)3:26
7."One Last Kiss" (Instrumental)4:12
8."Beautiful World" (Da Capo Instrumental Version)5:57
Total length:38:56
One Last Kiss International track listing
No.TitleLength
1."One Last Kiss"4:12
2."Arashi no Megami" (嵐の女神, "Storm Goddess")4:16
3."Show Me Love (Not a Dream)"4:17
4."Goodbye Happiness"5:21
5."Can't Wait 'Til Christmas"3:44
6."Hymne à L'amour (Ai no Ansemu)" (愛のアンセム, "Anthem of Love")6:33
7."Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" (2007 Mix)3:26
8."Beautiful World" (Planitb Acoustica Mix)5:12
9."Beautiful World" (Da Capo Version)5:58
10."Sakura Nagashi" (Instrumental)4:41
Total length:47:40

Charts[]

Chart performance for One Last Kiss EP
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[17] 1
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[18] 2
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[19] 1
US Current Album Sales (Billboard)[20] 99
Chart performance for "One Last Kiss" digital single
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)[21] 40
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan)[22] 1
Japanese Combined Singles (Oricon)[23] 1
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[24] 11

References[]

  1. ^ "One Last Kiss by Hikaru Utada". AppleMusic. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Hikaru Utada Performs Final Evangelion Film's Theme Song!". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. ^ "Hikaru Utada Official Website | NEWS". Hikaru Utada Official Website. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  4. ^ "宇多田ヒカル、話題の新曲がついに解禁!" (in Japanese). Barks. July 23, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  5. ^ "September 1, 2007". Count Down TV (in Japanese). September 1, 2007. Tokyo Broadcasting System.
  6. ^ "宇多田ヒカル Beautiful World" (in Japanese). Fuji Television. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  7. ^ "September 6, 2007". Utaban (in Japanese). September 6, 2007. Tokyo Broadcasting System.
  8. ^ 主演者ライナップ 2007/09/07 (in Japanese). TV Asahi. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  9. ^ "September 6, 2007". Music Fighter (in Japanese). September 6, 2007. Nippon Television.
  10. ^ "宇多田ヒカル一時休止前ラスト公演で感涙&Ust新記録樹立" (in Japanese). Natalie. December 13, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  11. ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Japan. July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  12. ^ "A. G. Cook on Twitter: "Co-prod the @utadahikaru single One Last Kiss, also the theme song for the new @evangelion_co film