Hikaru Utada drops 'Somewhere Near Marseilles (Sci-Fi Edit)' alongside re-edited music video

HIKARU UTADA DROPS “SOMEWHERE NEAR MARSEILLES (SCI-FI EDIT)” ALONGSIDE RE-EDITED MUSIC VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, AND ANNOUNCES 3-DAY ONLINE EVENT “SCIENCE FICTION LISTENING PARTY♪”

TOKYO, JAPAN – 3 April 2024 – 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 “The 100 Best Songs of 2022” list by Pitchfork, while also appearing on THE FADER's “The 100 best songs of 2022” list, as well as being 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)” also premiered on YouTube today (https://youtu.be/miYNI5hvcdo). 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 be participating in the chat and comments section during the event.

Details for Online Event SCIENCE FICTION Listening Party♪

• Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 9 pm (Japan Time) on Stationhead
  *Please download the “Stationhead” app and follow “hikkistaff” on the platform beforehand
  *Stationhead 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
  https://youtu.be/Fg5ULSd6T_c
  
• 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