Hatsukoi (Hikaru Utada album)

Hatsukoi
Hatsukoi
Studio album by Hikaru Utada
Released	June 27, 2018
Recorded	2017–2018
Genre	J-pop; soul; R&B;
Length	53:33
Label	Epic; Sony Music Japan;
Producer	Hikaru Utada
Hikaru Utada chronology
Singles from Hatsukoi
	"Ōzora de Dakishimete"; Released: July 10, 2017; "Forevermore"; Released: July 28, 2017; "Anata"; Released: December 8, 2017; "Play a Love Song"; Released: April 25, 2018; "Hatsukoi"; Released: May 30, 2018; "Chikai"; Released: June 27, 2018; "Too Proud"; Released: November 6, 2018;

Hatsukoi (初恋, Hatsukoi, lit. "First Love") is the seventh Japanese-language studio album (tenth overall) by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada. It was released on June 27, 2018, as her first album under Sony Music Japan sublabel Epic Records Japan. The release coincided with the commemoration of her 20th Anniversary as an artist in Japan. A national tour was announced to support the album in November 2018. The five previously released songs were confirmed in the album track list, for a total of twelve songs, including the title track "Hatsukoi" and the Kingdom Hearts III theme song "Chikai".^[1]

Hatsukoi debuted at the top spot of the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart with 203,787 copies sold on its first week or release.^[2] This was her overall tenth number-one album in the chart, but became her lowest first-week album sales since Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 (2010).^[3] The album also debuted at the top spot of the Oricon Weekly Digital Albums Chart with 38,185 downloads, making it the highest first-week download record in the chart's history at the time.^[4]

A 2 LP vinyl version was released on November 7, 2018, at the request of her fans. The album was her first vinyl release in 16 years since Deep River. It has a different mastering by Chris Bellman of Bernie Grundman Mastering Hollywood and a limited serial number.^[5]

^ "HIKARU UTADA is releasing her 7th original studio album, "HATSUKOI (meaning: First Love)" on June 27th 2018, just in time to celebrate her 20th Anniversary of her debut!". utadahikaru.jp. Utada Hikaru Official Website. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
^ "2018年06月25日～2018年07月01日オリコン週間アルバムランキング". ORICON NEWS.
^ "【オリコン】宇多田ヒカル、女性ソロアーティスト初のCD＆デジタルアルバム同時2冠". ORICON NEWS.
^ "オリコン週間デジタルアルバムランキング 2018年06月25日〜2018年07月01日 | Oricon News". Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
^ "Hikaru Utada's Album 'Hatsukoi' to Receive Limited Edition Vinyl Release With Serial Numbers". Moshi Moshi Japan. UMoshi Moshi Japan. Retrieved August 17, 2018.

[1] "HIKARU UTADA is releasing her 7th original studio album, "HATSUKOI (meaning: First Love)" on June 27th 2018, just in time to celebrate her 20th Anniversary of her debut!". utadahikaru.jp. Utada Hikaru Official Website. Retrieved April 24, 2018.

[2] "2018年06月25日～2018年07月01日オリコン週間アルバムランキング". ORICON NEWS.

[3] "【オリコン】宇多田ヒカル、女性ソロアーティスト初のCD＆デジタルアルバム同時2冠". ORICON NEWS.

[4] "オリコン週間デジタルアルバムランキング 2018年06月25日〜2018年07月01日 | Oricon News". Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.

[5] "Hikaru Utada's Album 'Hatsukoi' to Receive Limited Edition Vinyl Release With Serial Numbers". Moshi Moshi Japan. UMoshi Moshi Japan. Retrieved August 17, 2018.

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