JUJU to cover Utada’s “First Love”

A little bit of sad news: Satoshi Kon, renowned Japanese filmmaker and animator (Millenium Actress, Paprika) as well as younger brother to Utada’s longtime guitarist Tsuyoshi Kon (Be My Last, Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-, Utada United 2006), passed away on Tuesday in Tokyo at the age of 46. Read a full obituary written by New York Times film critic A.O. Scott here.

Utada’s blog and official website have both been updated with some big news: Utada will be releasing “Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 2″ this fall, which will include all singles since “Dareka no negai ga kanau koro” plus an additional 4-5 new tracks. No release date has been set.

Additionally, Utada mentions on her blog that, starting next year, she will take a sabbatical from her career to focus on areas of her life outside of music. She does not detail a timeframe for her break, but does mention she will begin releasing music again at some point in time. Utada says she wants to leave with a bang, which is why she is releasing the single collection and new tracks, along with starring in an upcoming unnamed TV commercial.

On a side note, Utada’s official website has gotten a thorough revamp, along with a new profile image, surely taken during the Shibuya photoshoot back in May. More details to follow.

According to several Japanese fans, Utada was spotted in Shibuya (Tokyo) filming something outside on Thursday, May 20th. Some fans waved from their office windows, and Utada is said to have smiled and waved back. While there’s no word on whether this was a photoshoot (cover shoot/artist photos) or some sort of video shoot, it seems safe to assume that an announcement may be coming in the near future.

UPDATE: Apparently it was a photoshoot and not a video shoot.

Though nothing has been officially announced, Utada has mentioned on several occasions that she’d love to record a cover album in the near future. This begs the question: What would you like to hear on a Utada cover album? Any guesses for what might actually end up on such an album?

Utada played her final show on the “In The Flesh” 2010 Tour tonight at O2 Academy Islington in London, England. This marked the end of the 9 city, 10 show tour, her first since 2006. Shows in both New York City and London were videotaped, so hopefully a concert DVD will be forthcoming. Congratulations again to Utada for successfully completing her first ever international tour, and thanks to all the U.Bloggers who tweeted during these past few weeks! It’s been fun!