In their latest single, ‘何色でもない花’ (Naniirodemonai Hana, in English: ‘A Flower of No Colour’), Hikaru Utada encourages us to believe again – if not in love – at least in ourselves.

“Sometimes you want to believe in something but you can’t, because you don’t believe in yourself – if you can’t believe in yourself, you can’t believe anyone, so instead of doubting yourself, try your best to trust yourself,” their statement said of the new single released 12 February (Monday).

“It’s been such a long time since I wrote such a candid love song. I hope it reaches anyone who feels afraid to believe in something,” the Japanese singer-songwriter also said in a previous statement.

‘A Flower of No Colour’ was co-produced by hyperpop pioneer A.G. Cook, who also worked with Utada on ‘Gold 〜また逢う日まで〜’ and the BADモード (BAD MODE) tracks ‘君に夢中’ and ‘One Last Kiss’ (for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time).

The song also features as the theme tune of the Fuji TV series The Gift of Your Heart (君が心をくれたから), starring Mei Nagano and Yuki Yamada. The show premiered last 8 January.

An accompanying music video, directed by Tomokazu Yamada (‘Gold 〜また逢う日まで〜’), takes Utada by their lonesome to the middle of a snowy hinterland, dancing on ice while lost in their emotions.

Following the critically acclaimed BADモード, Utada is set to release a greatest hits compilation on 10 April to celebrate their 25th anniversary in music: SCIENCE FICTION. They are also embarking on nationwide tour of the same name, kicking off on 13 July at Marine Messe Fukuoka.

Listen to ‘何色でもない花’ here: