It was released on various formats by Epic and Sony Music Japan on January 18, 2019, and serves as the lead single from Utada's eleventh studio album, Bad Mode (2022).
It was recorded in both English and Japanese and serves as the theme song for Square Enix's 2019 action role-playing game Kingdom Hearts III.
Written in the same key as Utada's single "Sanctuary" (2006) and the song "Dearly Beloved" from the Kingdom Hearts video game series, "Face My Fears" is an electronic dance number with elements of future bass, featuring varying tempos and structure changes.
Furthermore, "Face My Fears" was packaged as an extended play, and featured the English and Japanese B-side song "Don't Think Twice", both of which appear in the same video game.
[3] In September, Utada confirmed she was collaborating with American DJ Skrillex and producer Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, and would work together on a single called "Face My Fears".
[4] Square Enix later revealed that it would be the opening theme song for Kingdom Hearts III, Utada's fourth inclusion to the series.
"[6] Many critics also noted the song's varied structure, with PopMatters writer Peter Piatkowski describing it as a "skittery, EDM-styled ballad.
"[12] Mick Jacobs of Spectrum Culture compared the sound to Jack Ü, a collaboration between Skrillex and American producer Diplo.
[15] On January 18, 2019, Epic and Sony Music Japan released it in a variety of formats, and serves as the lead single from Utada's eleventh studio album, Bad Mode (2022).
[6] The song was praised by Billboard, who said it "contains universal qualities of how game music ought to be while also embracing a modern sound and beat design, and hit producer Poo Bear's prowess presumably contributed to the achievement of this fine balance.
"[9] Mike Salbato of RPGFan described it as "upbeat" and "energetic," adding, "It's a fun song that I quickly warmed to, and once I saw it accompanying game footage, I was even further convinced.
"[14] Mick Jacobs of Spectrum Culture praised the song's sound and overall production, writing: "'Face My Fears' may not bring much new to the table, but it does signify the staying power of a J-pop icon.
[12] EDM.com writer Nick Yopko described it as a "uplifting future bass anthem fully encapsulates the epic, adventurous nature of the game it accompanies," while Rolling Stone editor said it "builds from a simple piano ballad to a dizzying EDM chorus filled with heavy programming and vocal processing.