Face My Fears

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"Face My Fears"
Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd
  • Hikaru Utada
  • Producer(s)
    • Skrillex
    • Poo Bear
    • Utada
    Hikaru Utada singles chronology
    "Chikai"
    (2018)
    "Face My Fears"
    (2019)
    "Time"
    (2020)
    Skrillex singles chronology
    "Agen Wida"
    (2018)
    "Face My Fears"
    (2019)
    "Warlordz"
    (2019)

    "Face My Fears" is a song by Japanese-American singer

    studio album, Bad Mode (2022). It was recorded in both English and Japanese and serves as the theme song for Square Enix's 2019 action role-playing game Kingdom Hearts III. After being approached by Square Enix to work on the video game, Utada asked Skrillex to remix "Don't Think Twice
    " for the game, but later decided to collaborate and create a new song.

    The song was written, composed, and produced by Utada,

    Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd. Written in the same key as Utada's single "Sanctuary" (2006) and the song "Dearly Beloved" from the video game series, "Face My Fears" is an electronic dance number with elements of future bass, featuring varying tempos and structure changes. The song's lyrics are about taking risks in life and confronting one's own fears. Furthermore, "Face My Fears" was packaged as an extended play
    , and featured the English and Japanese B-side song "Don't Think Twice", both of which appear in the same video game.

    Many

    Japan Hot 100. Additionally, it charted in France, New Zealand, Scotland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, marking Utada's first success outside of Japan. To promote the single, a music video featuring Kingdom Hearts III visuals was uploaded to YouTube
    .

    Background and development

    In early 2018, Utada announced that she was collaborating with

    In September, Utada confirmed she was collaborating with American DJ

    jazzy melody lent toward a dance remix."[6]

    Skrillex approached Utada in 2017 while they were in

    Metropolis Studios in London, England.[8] Skrillex and Tom Morris mixed the songs, while Bob Ludwig mastered them at Gateway Mastering Studios.[8]

    Composition

    American DJ Skrillex serves as a collaborative artist to "Face My Fears".

    "Face My Fears" is a musical departure from Utada's previous Kingdom Hearts contributions, shifting from a mid-tempo

    brostep and further future bass elements, noted in Skrillex's individual music, and "reflect the pace of the adventures depicted in the game, expressed through a contemporary style infused with elements of the current post-EDM trend."[6]

    Many critics also noted the song's varied structure, with PopMatters writer Peter Piatkowski describing it as a "skittery, EDM-styled ballad."[10] Piakowski also stated that the song's composition, production, songwriting, and Utada's vocals were "shredded, mutilated, and processed to melt with the rest of the busy production."[10] Nick Yopko of EDM.com described the track as a "love letter to a series both artists have held near and dear to their hearts."[11] Bradly Stern of MuuMuse thought its "mainstream EDM festival-friendly" sound was a musical departure from Utada's previous two albums, Fantôme (2016) and Hatsukoi, which Stern described as "somber."[12] Mick Jacobs of Spectrum Culture compared the sound to Jack Ü, a collaboration between Skrillex and American producer Diplo.[13]

    Release and promotion

    "Face My Fears" was first revealed in October 2018, with previews of both the song and "Don't Think Twice" appearing in trailers for Kingdom Hearts III.

    vinyl format was released in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[20] A live recording of the English version was uploaded to Utada's YouTube channel.[21]

    Critical reception

    "Face My Fears" received positive reviews from

    music critics and Kingdom Hearts fans.[6] The song was praised by Billboard, who said it "contains universal qualities of how game music ought to be while also embracing a modern sound and beat design, and hit producer Poo Bear's prowess presumably contributed to the achievement of this fine balance."[9] Mike Salbato of RPGFan described it as "upbeat" and "energetic," adding, "It's a fun song that I quickly warmed to, and once I saw it accompanying game footage, I was even further convinced."[14] Mick Jacobs of Spectrum Culture praised the song's sound and overall production, writing: "'Face My Fears' may not bring much new to the table, but it does signify the staying power of a J-pop icon."[13]

    According to Bradley Stern of MuuMuse, the song "feels fresh for all parties involved" and highlights Utada's "signature vulnerability and bravery".[12] EDM.com writer Nick Yopko described it as a "uplifting future bass anthem fully encapsulates the epic, adventurous nature of the game it accompanies," while Rolling Stone editor said it "builds from a simple piano ballad to a dizzying EDM chorus filled with heavy programming and vocal processing."[11][22] Peter Piatkowski of PopMatters was slightly critical of its structure and production, calling it "jerky" but "catchy".[10] Sputnikmusic, on the other hand, was critical of its inclusion in Bad Mode, claiming that its overall structure did not fit with the rest of the album's content.[23]

    Commercial performance

    "Face My Fears" was a modest commercial success in Japan. The physical format debuted at number two on the

    UK Singles Download Chart.[b]

    In the United States, the English version debuted at number 98 on the

    World Digital Songs chart.[35][36][37] In its first week, it sold 10,000 downloads and generated 2.5 million streams in the United States.[9] It's also Utada's first appearance on a Billboard chart since 2009, when "Dirty Desire" peaked at number 16 on the Dance Club Songs chart.[38] By the end of the year, "Face My Fears" was ranked 49th on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and sixth on the World Digital Songs chart.[39][40]

    Track listing

    Japanese release[c]
    No.TitleLength
    1."Face My Fears" (Japanese version)3:42
    2."Chikai"4:34
    3."Face My Fears" (English version)3:42
    4."Don't Think Twice"4:34
    International release[d]
    No.TitleLength
    1."Face My Fears" (English version)3:42
    2."Don't Think Twice"4:34
    3."Face My Fears" (Japanese version)3:42
    4."Chikai"4:34

    Credits and personnel

    Credits adapted from the liner notes of the Face My Fears EP.[8]

    Locations

    • Recorded at Metropolis Studios in London; mastered at Gateway Mastering Studios.

    Personnel

    • Hikaru Utada - vocals, background vocals, arranger, composer, producer, programmer, songwriter
    • Skrillex - featuring artist, composer, mixing, producer, programmer, songwriter
    • Chris Dave - drums
    • Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd - arranger, composer, songwriter, producer
    • Jodi Milliner - bass
    • Reuben James - piano
    • Steve Fitzmaurice - recording engineer
    • Masahito Komori - vocal engineer
    • Tom Norris - mixing engineer, programmer
    • Bob Ludwig - mastering engineer (all tracks)

    Charts

    Release history

    "Face My Fears" release history
    Region Date Format Label Ref(s).
    Various January 19, 2018
    • streaming
    • Sony Music Japan
    [41][42][43]
    Japan CD single [8]
    Taiwan
    • Epic
    • Sony Music
    [44]
    Japan March 6, 2019
    Vinyl
    Epic Japan [20]
    United Kingdom 29 March 2019
    [20]
    United States [20]

    Notes

    1. ^ [6][9][10][11][12][13][14]
    2. ^ [29][30][31][32][33]
    3. ^ The track listing for the Japanese/Taiwanese release are used on physical and digital formats, referenced here:[8][41]
    4. ^ The track listing for the International release are used on physical and digital formats, referenced here:[20][42][43]

    References

    1. ^ a b "新曲『誓い』(ゲームソフト「KINGDOM HEARTS III(キングダム ハーツ3)」テーマソング)を発表!ゲーム最新トレーラーが全世界に向け本日より公開!" (in Japanese). Hikaru Utada's official site (utadahikaru.jp). February 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    2. ^ "7枚目のオリジナルアルバム「初恋」収録曲『誓い』がテーマソングの「キングダム ハーツ」シリーズの最新作、「KINGDOM HEARTS III(キングダム ハーツ3)」の発売日が決定!最新トレーラーも公開!" (in Japanese). Hikaru Utada's official site (utadahikaru.jp). June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    3. ^ "Chikai – Song by Hikaru Utada". Apple Music. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    4. ^ "ゲームソフト『KINGDOM HEARTS III』オープニングテーマ『Face My Fears』をSkrillexと共に制作! 2019年1月18日にシングル発売決定!" (in Japanese). Hikaru Utada's official site (utadahikaru.jp). September 28, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    5. ^ "Skrillexと共に制作されたゲームソフト『KINGDOM HEARTS III』オープニングテーマ『Face My Fears』も含むシングルCD 2019年1月18日に発売!本日より予約スタート!" (in Japanese). Hikaru Utada's official site (utadahikaru.jp). October 26, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Russell, Erica (January 31, 2019). "Skrillex on His 'Kingdom Hearts III' Theme 'Face My Fears' With Utada Hikaru: 'I Think I Did It Justice'". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    7. ^ "Skrillex on X: "Also I wrote that chords for face my fears in the same key as Passion as well , good for live mashups !"". X. January 22, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    8. ^
      Sony Music Japan
      . ESCL 5150.
    9. ^ a b c "How Hikaru Utada & Skrillex's 'Face My Fears' Became a Billboard Hot 100 Hit". Billboard. March 1, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    10. ^ a b c d Piatkowski, Peter (January 27, 2019). "Hikaru Utada: Bad Mode (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    11. ^ a b c Yopko, Nick (January 18, 2019). "Skrillex & Hikaru Utada Release their Kingdom Hearts II Theme "Face My Fears"". EDM.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    12. ^ a b c Stern, Bradley (January 2019). "'Face My Fears': Hikaru Utada & Skrillex Lead Us Into the Future (Bass)". MuuMuse. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    13. ^ a b c d Jacobs, Mick (February 4, 2019). "Hikaru Utada: Face My Fears EP". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    14. ^ a b Salbato, Mike (January 25, 2019). "Face My Fears / Hikaru Utada". RPGFan.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    15. ^ Reed, Ryan (December 10, 2018). "Hear Skrillex, Utada Hikaru's Dizzying Preview of New Song 'Face My Fears'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    16. Sony Music Japan
      . Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    17. ^ "Kingdom Hearts III (Japanese・English Version), the Official Sequel to Disney and Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts Series, and PlayStation®4 Pro Kingdom Hearts III Limited Edition Confirmed to Be Released Additionally, Kingdom Hearts III (Chinese subtitle Version) Localiation Confirmed!" (Press release). Hong Kong: Sony Interactive Entertainment. November 22, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    18. ^ "Hikaru Utada & Skrillex - Face My Fears [Official Video]". YouTube. February 1, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    19. ^ "Available Today For Digital Pre-Order Face My Fears EP From J-Pop Star Hikaru Utada". Sony Music. December 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    20. ^ a b c d e Vinyl formats listed below:
    21. ^ "宇多田ヒカル『Face My Fears (English Version)』Live ver". YouTube. January 20, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    22. ^ Legaspi, Althea (January 31, 2019). "Skrillex, Hikaru Utada Take a Nostalgic, Animated Trip in 'Face My Fears' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    23. ^ "Review: Hikaru Utada – Bad Mode". Sputnikmusic. January 23, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    24. ^ "デイリー シングルランキング 2019年01月17日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. January 17, 2019. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    25. ^ a b "週間 シングルランキング 2019年01月28日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. January 28, 2019. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    26. ^ "週間 合算シングルランキング 2019年01月28日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. January 28, 2019. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    27. ^ "Face My Fears - Hikaru Utada" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    28. ^ "週間 デジタルシングル(単曲)ランキング 2019年01月28日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. January 28, 2019. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    29. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Japan. February 4, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    30. ^
      Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique
      . January 25, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    31. ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
    32. ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
    33. ^ a b "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    34. ^ a b "Hikaru Utada Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
    35. ^ a b "Hikaru Utada Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
    36. ^ "Digital Song Sales". Billboard. February 2, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    37. ^ a b "World Digital Songs Sales". Billboard. February 2, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    38. ^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. January 10, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    39. ^ a b "Year-End Charts - Hot Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    40. ^ a b "Year-End Charts - World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 2019. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    41. ^ a b "Face My Fears – EP by Hikaru Utada" (in Japanese). Japan: Apple Music. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    42. ^ a b "Face My Fears – EP by Hikaru Utada". United Staes: Apple Music. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    43. ^ a b "Face My Fears - EP by Hikaru Utada". Spotify. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
    44. ^ Utada, Hikaru (2019). Face My Fears (CD: liner notes). Taiwan: Epic Records, Sony Music. 19075933152.

    External links