Well, I hope they sign those damn papers asap then because I watch a lot of Japanese videos on YouTube.

You have to sign the papers to BE region locked, not the other way around. If avex don't do anything to monetize their views beyond ad support, then nothing will happen. AKB videos have opted to take subscription money and ad money both, which means now there's licensing issues to worry about. Therefore, region blocking (since technically the music is only licensed for sale in Japan/Asia. They may EVENTUALLY be unblocked if they decide to license their music for sale worldwide, but I wouldn't bank on it.)

So no, they better NOT sign those damn papers - they better leave their revenue streams alone lol

ayu isn't realesing anything (except dvds/concerts) right now so I had another of my crazy dreams today :D:D

ayu was releasing maxi single something like mini album but it was written that it may change (so everytone was speculating about the longer tracklist)

it was like Mirror/Mirrorcle Word part II, i dont remember the title really but it does had "Mirror" in the name. We had one mp3 (the song was called "NO PROOF") and it had "remixed" begining of Mirrorcle World, but later it was completely diffrent song. It wasn't so fast as MW, it was fierce and it was similar to alterna.
3 covers of the "mini album/maxi single/something something" was very edgy (even Artcika made a set from these pictures omg in my dream) it was blonde short haired or long haired and her face was halth covered with white paint and she had black lipstick. Something across Sexy little thing theme and Song 4 u :) It was kinda old Lady Gaga feel-like (somebody even said it).

It was awesome.

I'M DYINGGG

OMG SOMEONE HIRE THIS PERSON.
that'd be epic. I've been waiting for something along the lines of alterna/mirrocle world for a bit now. Tell All was similar, but I'd want an entire concept, say a single or an album etc

lol they had to probably be really special then xD it's funny how it's "even". Why would i waste my talent and time using some boring pics, of course lol /jk

i wouldn't be mad if she did it. She needs to get edgy, seriously.

Is anyone familiar with the concept of "mono no aware"? I believe it is the basic theme for the trilogy "vogue-Far away-SEASONS", and actually is a very reoccurrent theme in Ayus lyrics overall ("It Was" comes to mind as well, and I believe the Island Mix really enhances the feeling of mono no aware").

Anyways, I realized impermanence is the theme across these three songs, and the video emulates that theme.
The covers as well (vogue being the moment, Far away being the end of it, and SEASONS being the reflection of the entire experience)

For example, vogue begins with:

Far away speaks from the perspective of a rather recent heartache, when the life-cycle of a relationship and/or series of moments has come to an end.

Together, these two songs transmit coming into existence, and disappearance.

SEASONS then encapsulates the concept of "mono no aware". It transmits the experience of it all - the happiness, AND the gentle sadness that lingers - the birth and death of each moment, and the feeling it leaves behind (drawing parallels to the seasons and how one individually has a birth and death, and together can be viewed as one birth, spring, through death, winter). Memories fading after the passing of seasons, but in the moment, feeling as if those times would last forever, and being naive to the transience of things.

It closes out with the following lines (two separate translations):
I think it is very much in line with the concept of "mono no aware" and the composition of the song even reflects that. And since it is so in line with that concept, which Japanese have a clear understanding of, as its heavily engrained within their culture and aesthetic, probably why it resonated with so many people and remains one of her biggest hits. Which for her has probably taken on new meaning as she still performs it now when appearing on television, with the impermanence aspect probably reflecting more so the state of her super stardom.

You can even go so far as including "ever free" within this concept, as it was included on the vogue single. It too, falls in line with the sadness of transient things and impermanence. All things have a temporary nature, and that's just the way things are.
http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/mono-no-aware

I was just listening to Sexy Little Things and I was thinking about how this song gives a really weird feeling. It's one of her most...unique sounding songs...but it's more than just that. It's fun and catchy, but it's really unnerving. For some reason when I listen to it, I feel like I'm being assaulted. I can't describe it all the way, but it just carries a very....unsettling feeling.

@Zeke: very cool analysis. I totally see what you're saying. That's what I love about those songs you listed how they have this sad message while being pronounced so subtly and gracefully.

Zeke: I'm actually really glad someone here has mentioned this lol... the feeling of "mono no aware" that permeates a LOT of Japanese film & music is one of the things that sets it apart from Western media. J-pop had this sort of nostalgic prettiness when i first got into it that's sadly become less common now... but J-pop melodies always gave rise to nostalgic or wistful feelings for me. Ayu's anxieties about the future were really well suited for expression in a "mono no aware" context... the melodies we got from people like Kazuhito Kikuchi and DAI really had that sort of mood to them. Anyway, Ayu's "despair trilogy" was my introduction to her, more or less, and they really exemplified that idea melodically. No big shock that the trilogy would make me a fan once you realized that the "mono no aware" idea is probably the thing I love best about Japanese music & art.

It is interesting to see how her older songs rank against her newer ones. You & Me surpassing Blue Bird? Wow!


Anyway... I just realized I don't listen to LOVE again at all anymore.

And Ayu has so many songs that every time I hear one I struggle and think, "WTF IS THE NAME OF THIS SONG!!!!! Oh, 'appears'..."

AND AND, I found a Japanese thrift store that has every major album she's ever had! I bought A Song for XX <333 I actually like that album, contrary to most fans lol.

I like A Song for XX more and more as time goes on, lol... Its sound was outdated & lame for awhile but now enough time has passed that it sounds more retro cool. lol

I just watched the CDL Cirque the minuit for like the 20th time and I always cry during "walk" and "forgiveness". So beautiful!

I honestly dreamt of Ayu last night, and I saw it clearly that she'll release a 2-A single called Roads/Ningle whatever engrish that second title she may come up to. LOOOOOL

I love the discussion about the trilogy.

I found some live performances of ayu uploaded by different users that have also passed the 1 million mark :

Itsuka no Merry Christmas Live 1999 - 2,928,848
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm8fkioPlLg

Love song from Best artist 2010 - 1,883,080
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsFOzEG-Huc

A Song for xx 2001 Live - 1,825,040
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st8eRKaqchU

beloved live from Power of Music - 1,801,057
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fFXzBHd7pw

Boys & Girls 31/12/1999 - 1,301,018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2owCz5wgGQw

SURREAL from DOME Tour 2001 - 1,274,881
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc6Jncc7sFc

Dearest (ive from Asia Tour 2008) - 1,257,511
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnRO8PyH2RU

Dearest (Live from ?) - 1,216,185
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McJRDV5WWjg

July 1st & Hanabi Live 2002 - 1,192,965
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm8fkioPlLg

Depend On You from Super Live 98 - 1,136,142
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DwVzKhX3_w

and many many others very close of 1 million views

That Dearest performance is from Digital Dream Live, December 2002 :)

Song 4 U tales of xillia 2 : 2.9 million

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB4bvAK__Ks

Love song from Best artist 2010 - 1,883,080
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsFOzEG-Huc

I love this performance. Ayu's voice sounds so raw and cool *_* I love when Ayu gives off the "powerful fighter" vibe. That's when her eyes are looking fierce and she is singing with all her might.

I feel like Dearest has become a very forgotten ballad. Like, at least in Japan. Considering it was released in her peak, you'd think it'd be more famous. But I feel like it isn't lol.
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Been listen to Pray today. I think the length of this song made me avoid it for awhile. But the structure and lyrics are really great. I wonder how a video would've turned out for it. It's definitely deserving of one. Too bad it'll be forgotten, too. Haha

I don't mind the length of her songs. Some of her longest songs are my favorites. Dearest, forgiveness, close to you, CAROLS, fated, Virgin Road, etc. They don't feel as long as they are when I listen to them. :)

^^ I always pictured a video for pray as something like her just standing on top of a hill/rock with lots of wind, ayu wearing a long but light dress with some like helicopter shots some closeup like going around her and some mid-distance shots without lip-syncing just her kind of bathing in sunlight. Sounds kind of cliché but i think it would work with the song