One Last Kiss (EP)

''One Last Kiss'' is an extended play by Japanese musician Hikaru Utada, which was released in the US on March 9, 2021. 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. 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.

Commercially, 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 history

"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. In early September, Utada performed the song at many music entertainment programs in Japan: at ''Count Down TV'' on the night of September 1, ''Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ'' on September 3, ''Utaban'' on September 6, and both ''Music Station'' and ''Music Fighter'' on September 7. "Beautiful World" was performed during Utada's two date concert series '' Wild Life'' in December 2010.

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. It first appeared as the final track of their 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. The song plays at the very end of the film Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, as the camera pans out of Ube Station and towards the town of Ube, Yamaguchi.

Title track and release

"One Last Kiss" was written and composed by Utada, and produced by Utada and English PC Music producer A. G. Cook. 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. Critics noted the bittersweet tone of the song resembles much of their earlier work such as ''Ultra Blue'' and ''Heart Station''.

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 features the character Asuka from the film series. It was released in 4 versions: 3 North American versions released in August 20 and a European version released in October 22.

Track listing

Charts

Sales and certifications

Release history

References

External links

''One Last Kiss''
on Hikaru Utada's official web site

{{DEFAULTSORT:One Last Kiss (Hikaru Utada album)
Hikaru Utada albums
2021 EPs
Hikaru Utada compilation albums
Japanese-language EPs
Sony Music Entertainment Japan albums
Epic Records soundtracks
Sony Music soundtracks
Milan Records soundtracks
Milan Records albums
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Anime soundtracks
Albums produced by A. G. Cook