Face My Fears
"Face My Fears" | ||||
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Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Hikaru Utada singles chronology | ||||
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Skrillex singles chronology | ||||
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"Face My Fears" is a song by Japanese-American singer
The song was written, composed, and produced by Utada,
Many
Background and development
In early 2018, Utada announced that she was collaborating with
In September, Utada confirmed she was collaborating with American DJ
Skrillex approached Utada in 2017 while they were in
Composition
"Face My Fears" is a musical departure from Utada's previous Kingdom Hearts contributions, shifting from a mid-tempo
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.
Critical reception
"Face My Fears" received positive reviews from
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
In the United States, the English version debuted at number 98 on the
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
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 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
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
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | January 19, 2018 |
|
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[41][42][43] |
Japan | CD single | [8] | ||
Taiwan |
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[44] | ||
Japan | March 6, 2019 | Vinyl
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Epic Japan | [20] |
United Kingdom | 29 March 2019 |
|
[20] | |
United States | [20] |
Notes
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Chikai – Song by Hikaru Utada". Apple Music. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Sony Music Japan. ESCL 5150.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d Piatkowski, Peter (January 27, 2019). "Hikaru Utada: Bad Mode (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Stern, Bradley (January 2019). "'Face My Fears': Hikaru Utada & Skrillex Lead Us Into the Future (Bass)". MuuMuse. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Jacobs, Mick (February 4, 2019). "Hikaru Utada: Face My Fears EP". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Salbato, Mike (January 25, 2019). "Face My Fears / Hikaru Utada". RPGFan.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Reed, Ryan (December 10, 2018). "Hear Skrillex, Utada Hikaru's Dizzying Preview of New Song 'Face My Fears'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- Sony Music Japan. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Hikaru Utada & Skrillex - Face My Fears [Official Video]". YouTube. February 1, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c d e Vinyl formats listed below:
- Sony Music Japan. ESCL 5150.
- Utada, Hikaru (2019). Face My Fears (Vinyl: liner notes). Japan: Epic. ESJL-3114.
- Utada, Hikaru (2019). Face My Fears (Vinyl: liner notes). United Kingdom: Epic, Masterworks. 19075928011.
- Utada, Hikaru (2019). Face My Fears (Vinyl: liner notes). United States: Epic, Masterworks. 190759280119.
- ^ "宇多田ヒカル『Face My Fears (English Version)』Live ver". YouTube. January 20, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Legaspi, Althea (January 31, 2019). "Skrillex, Hikaru Utada Take a Nostalgic, Animated Trip in 'Face My Fears' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "Review: Hikaru Utada – Bad Mode". Sputnikmusic. January 23, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Face My Fears - Hikaru Utada" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Japan. February 4, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. January 25, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Hikaru Utada Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hikaru Utada Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Digital Song Sales". Billboard. February 2, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "World Digital Songs Sales". Billboard. February 2, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. January 10, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Year-End Charts - Hot Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Year-End Charts - World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 2019. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Face My Fears – EP by Hikaru Utada" (in Japanese). Japan: Apple Music. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Face My Fears – EP by Hikaru Utada". United Staes: Apple Music. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Face My Fears - EP by Hikaru Utada". Spotify. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Utada, Hikaru (2019). Face My Fears (CD: liner notes). Taiwan: Epic Records, Sony Music. 19075933152.
External links
- Face My Fears (Analog album) at Hikaru Utada's website.