I didn't understand why TODAY isn't a ballad for a lot of people. For me, even "Mad World" and "Marionette" are ballads.

"Mad World" maybe is more of a mid tempo thing, while I agree with Marionette, that's totally a power ballad. Today is something in between i'd say, could totally work as a ballad.

So far, I like the content she's teasing us with.
Covers are beautiful. Tracklist is great so far. It's not complete yet, right? Because so many song are missing, I thought she would actually include songs like Virgin Road, Missing, The GIFT, Pray, Zutto... Walk, Ivy, how beautiful you are... etc.

I really wish she would include Sweet Scar. That song deserves so much more credit.

I really wish for Ivy to be included!

There’s no way she fits all of her great ballads into this, so I’m curious to see which ones will be left out.

Don’t forget that A Ballads did not include End Roll back then!

A Ballad is not defined by its tempo but by its structure, hence songs like Mad world, Last Minute, memorial address, a song for xx, alterna, return road and maybe even fairyland and sweet season and so on are technically ballads or at least have traits of one. If you strip some of these of their music, they become proper ballads (the ASfXX version on A BALLAD or the Orchestra Version of alterna for example).


ballad: a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. but in music it indeed usually refers to a slower sentimental or romantic song - but not necessarily.

16 of the 20 songs revealed are pre-2010. I hope there's no more of those on the remaining tracklist.

I had no idea the art for A BALLADS was considered recycled at the time. Is there more information about that?

If only people in that thread would have known about her soft focus photos era from L onwards.

That old forum link is so funny ahahahah, it made my day

I still miss Pray (really love this song), Zutto and Mad World :/

I'm really loving all the teases and reveals she's doing lately. It's so much fun to join in on the Discord. The only song I feel is taking up another ballads place is Curtain Call. I know we're not getting rearrangements etc but I feel this is one song that would benefit from it for me.

Yes, so much yes :yes

^Sweet scar indeed is amazing, it's one of my favourites. I also love Ivy. I don't care for Sakura, Melody or Missing and always found the other two way more creative and beautiful.

^Yeah I agree, I like SAKURA tho but I have to be in a really specific mood to really enjoy it somehow haha the acoustic piano version of Melody is really nice but neither are tracks I listen often and missing is fun live but not a big fan of the studio version, it's "missing" something for me :laugh

I feel a bit more optimist about this release after reading all those reactions for the past compilation :laugh

As an Ayufan A BALLADS was the most unnecessary release ever but I can't hate it since:
i) the covers were epic and massive
ii) it unveiled RAINBOW and the lovely Sotsugyou Shashin

Now for A BALLADS 2 I'm glad she's releasing SOMETHING if lucky she can pull off a Mai Kuraki and live off best albums and release new music in between

A BALLADS has RAINBOW, excellent rearrangements, and a track list that flows SO well. I have no complaints.

What's the point of doing these videos to promote the album just to make them private the following week? .-.

^ understanding Avex is a waste of your mental resources, you’ve more luck discovering the meaning of life

Post of the decade.

I am so excited this is my first purchase since the 15th anniversary of A best was released!