Ahead of Hikaru Utada’s first greatest hits album, SCIENCE FICTION, the artist released a new edit of their worldwide hit “Somewhere Near Marseilles” – “Somewhere Near Marseilles (Sci-Fi Edit).”
The original “Somewhere Near Marseilles” closed out their 8th album, BAD MODE, and ranked 10th on Pitchfork’s “The 100 Best Songs of 2022” list. It also appeared on THE FADER’s “The 100 Best Songs of 2022” list and was selected as one of the top 10 songs of 2022 by prominent music outlets such as Slant Magazine and BrooklynVegan.
“Somewhere Near Marseilles (Sci-Fi Edit)” finds British artist Floating Points, who co-produced the BAD MODE version, transforming the slow-burning electronic meditation into a concentrated rush of club-ready escape. While retaining the emotional tension powering the original cut, this rework uses house elements to put an extra spring behind Utada’s longing.
To celebrate this new release, a re-edited music video for “Somewhere Near Marseilles (Sci-Fi Edit)” premiered on YouTube. The original music video was shot at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in the summer of 2022.
Additionally, to mark the release of the artist’s highly anticipated greatest hits album SCIENCE FICTION on 10 April, a special three-day online “SCIENCE FICTION Listening Party♪,” where fans from around the globe can gather together to enjoy all the tracks appearing on the album, will be held.
The event kicks off on Wednesday, 10 April, at 9 pm Japan Time on the music platform Stationhead. It will continue on YouTube from 13 April at 9 pm and conclude on 14 April at 9 pm on the online space LOUNGE, operated by the streaming platform AWA. “Hikki Staff” will also participate in the event’s chat and comments section.
Details for Online Event SCIENCE FICTION Listening Party♪
Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 9 pm (Japan Time) on Station head
*Please download the “Stationhead” app and follow “hikkistaff” on the platform beforehand
*Station head is exclusive to Apple Music’s paid subscribers and Spotify Premium members
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/stationhead/id1076117681
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stationhead.app
Saturday, 13 April 2024, 9 pm (Japan Time) on YouTube
Sunday, 14 April 2024, 9 pm (Japan Time) on LOUNGE by AWA
https://mf.awa.fm/open_utadahikaru_0414_pr
Release Information
Single “Automatic (2024 Mix)” – released on 22 April 2024
Linkfire: https://umj.lnk.to/automatic_2024mix
Single “Somewhere Near Marseilles (Sci-Fi Edit)” – released on 3 April 2024
Linkfire: https://erj.lnk.to/u6NY21
Greatest Hits Album SCIENCE FICTION – to be released on 10 April 2024
https://utadahikaru.lnk.to/SCIENCEFICTION
*Special campaign:
https://digital.umusic.com/utadahikaru_sciencefiction_en
Tour Information
HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024 Official Website: https://live.hikaruutada-tour-official.com/en
About Hikaru Utada
Since their debut on 9 December 1998, Hikaru Utada has achieved numerous remarkable milestones in their career. Their debut single, “Automatic/Time Will Tell,” sold over two million copies, propelling them to become one of Japan’s top artists at 15.
Just a few months later, their first album, First Love, shattered Japanese CD sales records that still stand unbroken today. In 2022, their eighth album, BAD MODE, garnered high praise domestically and internationally and was crowned the best album of the year by the internationally renowned music media, Pitchfork.
The Netflix series “First Love,” inspired by Utada’s eponymous single, achieved tremendous success in Japan and Asia. On 9 December 2023, they celebrated their 25th anniversary since their major debut in unbelievable style, announcing the much-anticipated release of their inaugural greatest hits album SCIENCE FICTION, slated for 2024, as well as a nationwide tour, HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024.
Hikaru Utada Official Website: https://www.utadahikaru.jp
