Heart Station

Heart Station
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 19, 2008
Recorded2006–2008
StudioBunkamura Studios, Shibuya, Tokyo; EMI Music Japan Studios, Shibuya, Tokyo
Genre
Length56:54
Label
Producer
Hikaru Utada chronology
Ultra Blue
(2006)
Heart Station
(2008)
This Is the One
(2009)
Singles from Heart Station
  1. "Boku wa Kuma"
    Released: November 22, 2006
  2. "Flavor of Life"
    Released: February 28, 2007
  3. "Kiss & Cry"
    Released: May 31, 2007
  4. "Beautiful World"
    Released: August 29, 2007
  5. "Heart Station / Stay Gold"
    Released: February 20, 2008
  6. "Fight the Blues"
    Released: March 27, 2008
  7. "Prisoner of Love"
    Released: May 21, 2008

Heart Station is the seventh studio and fifth Japanese-language album by Japanese and American recording artist Hikaru Utada. It was released on March 19, 2008, by EMI Music Japan sublabel Eastworld, and globally on March 26, 2008. It is Utada's eighth consecutive studio album to be fully written and produced by them, with the co-production completed by Teruzane Utada and long-time collaborator Miyake Akira. Recorded between 2006 and 2008, it was worked on whilst they were recording their ninth studio and second English-language studio album, This Is the One (2009). With the album artwork photographed by Japanese photographer Mitsuo, Heart Station was released in two formats: a physical CD, and as a digital download.

Upon its release, Heart Station received very positive reviews from music critics, who commended the production, songwriting, and Utada's musical direction and vocal performance. However, minor criticism was aimed towards the lack of innovation and surprise-value of the album's material. Commercially, the album was a success in Japan; it peaked at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart, and was ranked the fifth best-selling studio album of 2008. With over one million sales as of June 2011, it is ranked amongst the highest selling albums in Japan of all time.

Seven singles were released from the album; "Flavor of Life", "Beautiful World", and "Prisoner of Love" sold over one million units, while "Flavor of Life" is ranked as one of the best selling singles of all time. They performed several songs from Heart Station on various Japanese television shows, including Music Station, Music Fighter, amongst others. Since its release, Heart Station has broken records and has been awarded several accolades.