Ditto on all of that. :D

^ +2

Yes yes yessss :heart

I am fine with everything as long as the lyrics aren't about two people in love or love in general ^^

From the preview, to me it sounds like one of the album songs on my story, like Liar or Hope or Pain.

You've never heard Liar and HOPE or PAIN? crossroad preview is like 2 x slower than the two.

I said it sounded like/similar to them not that it is either of them.

I would LOVE another "because of you." From any single.
:)
Can't wait for the covers.

AMEN!!
I love that idea, the ballad, the pop song and the rock song

I agree but i would preffer a epic ballad like HEAVEN

Yes. I agree with this. Or something like hanabi 2 where she basically pours her raw emotion into the vocals/pv.

Those are exactly the type of songs that came to mind when I heard the crossroad preview. winding road also strongly came to mind. It sounded VERY MY STORY-ish imo, but who knows how it sounds now with the added strings and all. :P

I can see that everybody needs exactly the same types...

We are tired of Red Line/MY ALL/Momentum/Next Level/Blue Bird casualy pop/medium tempo/almost ballad...
If ballad - let it be more nostalgic, not so powerfull and 'that' MOON/No Way To Say/you were... type.

Some people wants rock, some people dont... this is a thread about what people really expect... AYU READ THIS!

XD

I'm not tired of those at all. I want more powerful ballads and pop songs like those you mentioned ^_^

^ sure, everyone got own taste, but im reading 3-4 sites of here, and i just calculate XD

I don't see what's so bad about the encouraging uplifting songs....they're perfect for there own reasons.

But yeah ill hold fast to my rock thing. Cuz rock owns my heart (and free & easy)

@pepicolada: no powerful ballads...what a shame...but some old ballads (most really) are quite powerful
I think another epic foriveness ballad is in need. Lyrically awesome was that ballad. Also just easily one of best ballads and compositions imo. Hasnt made another like it sense. HANABI ~episode II~ is also one of her best ballads, etc imo...so I wouldn't mind anything as epic as these
No more stupid Days, teddy bear, JEWEL....yeah yeah I love them like crazy but they're just pretty ballads with some nice lyrics. They're not EPIC.
I think that's what I liked about MY STORY ballads...they were like stories from the heart (although carols is my least fav of them)

The thing about powerful emotional ballads is that when listening I always get this feeling of "OMFG THIS IS SO ****ING AMAZING THIS IS WHY I LOVE YOU AYU" etc but with the slower ones they're just pretty and nice to listen to and don't give me that feeling.

Let's just hope L doesn't stand for love. lol or have any "~" in the title" they seem to go hand in hand. Love ~since 1999~ ~refrain~ ~Dakiatte~ ~destiny~, Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~, Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~.

omg this so sfm

Umm, why is everyone saying she only releases midtempo-y pop songs lately? Even just on the last album she had Lady D, Sexy little things and Sunrise; none of which are like that. And NEXT LEVEL had almost no midtempo songs...

I'm not going to think about what songs I want her to make because that will only lead to dissappointment. I'm just looking forward to what's coming. :)

I am with those people who really hope that crossroad coupling song or one of the songs on L is like an epic ballad, and then a rock song...

It's been a while since we have had either of the two, except for BALLAD, but I don't know if BALLAD is a good representation of an epic ballad... anyways,

I am waiting for a pure rock song like talkin' 2 myself or even a Rock-style song like Marionette or count down... Microphone was a good step in that direction of pure rock, but it has like sort of a not-so-dark dark rock song feel.. I don't know how to explain it. I'm waiting for the one with the heavy lyrics and which we can yell too... LOL.

And I am waiting for a HAPPY ENDING type of song... the song which is really really sad, but it's neither epic nor loud... one that you can imagine tears flowing from the eyes without the melodrama ahaha...

I definitely don't want a RED LINE song... go away. LOL Too many of those lately.

And maybe I'm the only one, but I think a song like appears would be good too, that kind of sound. Or you know what, maybe I'd like some kind of sounds we haven't heard yet... And it'd be good if she didn't play it safe with her vocals like MOON and blossom, and take risks and do her high notes again, like we can hear in crossroad preview.

With the exception of ~since 1999~ those are all good songs though.
And the titles don't matter anyway...it's the song that counts.

And what's ~dakiatte~? I don't know how I don't know this...

I don't think Ayu participated in the ~dakiatte~ version. That was just Tsunku.

I want Ayu to do whatever she wants, haha.

Well, that's great. Knowing TK, he probably took what seemed like a fairly simple arrangement and added layers and layers of stupid synth sounds.

Yeah actually I don't think I'm going to think like "it better be like ____" or "i really want it to be like ____" or whatever anymore. Whether it be something I'm really craving, or a type of song I don't want to hear at the moment, I'm just going to listen to it and judge it for what it is and see if it does its job in being a great song.

Best comment ever.

Ditto too... :yes

+10000000000000000000000 :thumbsup

I hope so :D

Me too! Sounds wonderful. :)

actually, I remember he mentioned guitar and strings

I don't know.. I checked out some of the songs TK worked on with Randy Waldman (same two people who worked on crossroad) that were said to have strings in them but I could hardly hear anything. It probably would be better off with Yuta Nakano arranging it.

Yeah, people need to stop getting their hopes up! For their own good!

And stop being overly pessimistic as well, for their own good. Don't tear houses down before you build them.

(That didn't make any sense did it? :shakehead )

Kumifans already have covers and previews....hope we get something tris week

^Ayu's stuff ALWAYS leak late, I wouldn't hold my breath just yet. =P

Her stuff is always released way faster. We probably won't get Ayu's covers & stuff til late this month or early September.. or maybe even longer if Avex feels like torturing us again.

Lol, well I for one think it's less harmful to expect nothing. To expect way less. I always get excited after hearing the hype and because everyone else fills with excitement and it always ruins it for me.

Or you could be optimistic and just not be completely disappointed when it doesn't turn out the way you want it to! Sounds like the best method to me : P

I'm really curious about the single now ... I have a strong, deep dislike of TK but I hope Ayu can surprise me!

I'm curious how the other song on the single will sound since it's by TK too. Another one of his upbeat songs? I'm a little scared about that if it is.. I usually HATE his upbeat songs.

ot: That's why they say Denmark is the happiest country in the world (it's true, go look it up) because we're like: "Oh, world series? Football? Well, we'll just lose, whatever". And so; we don't get dissapointed. "More taxes? Well we thought so. Meh". That's just kinda sad. Expect something good to come, always! Otherwise it'll just be like that flatline kind of excitement. No real high, no real low.

I like TK I'm digging the whole synth thing, if that's what we get. I know a lot of people hated Days (now expecting SoldierofSilence to post that she loved it, hehe) but I loved how that was arranged. If it's anyting like that, I'll cry for joy.

I don't mind TK's production, though he could've done better with a song is born ^^

I'm one of the few who like A song is born too lol. I guess his stuff is hit or miss with me. I will admit that he does make memorable songs though, I can never forget how any of them sound even after listening to them once.

^ I like a song is born cuz of the lyrics, the song was somehow better live and the classical arrangement was superb, I guess it's his arranging skills that I would question xD

the live of a song is born for Stadium Tour won me over... so touching <3 I love the song ever since!

yeah, it gets progressively amazing :love The last 2 choruses are <3

I know right??? you can tell how much she feels that song... and perhaps the lyrics :)

There's something with TK and ayu... They just seem to work quite well together. I hope I'm right with their upcoming works too :)

I do enjoy A song is born ... but I hope crossroad can blow it out of the water

You're alone on that one!

Please, I do not want her doing whatever she wants, If she made just the type of music she likes, we will end up with moon part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. and red line/life/my all part 2, 3 ,4, 5 etc. and orchetra versions of every other song.

Actually more like Sexy little things, Don't look back and Microphone.
Or did you think that someone else wanted her to make them and not she herself? :P

She did say that the summer and winter ballads she likes doing but she casually release them also to satisfy her company.
She has no problem with it and like it but maybe sometimes she would probably like it to be different.

This.

Ayu has done what she wanted for how many years now?

Maybe I'm the only one thinking that avex is gonna kill her artist with same release as Kuu =__=" Anyone knows the first weekly sales comparison of last 3 singles from Kuu and ayu?

Edited :
Sunrise 75.352 vs 3 Splash 62.576
You were 89.739 vs.Alive+CWGB (31,078 + 32,468 = 63546)
MOON 70.568 vs Gossip Candy 60207
*not all of them released on the same date*

although MOON only surpassed 10k from Gossip Candy, but I think we can be relaxed since MOON didn't have any promotion.
BUT, I think so many people around the world pre-ordered crossroad with L, which is will be sent out along with L on the second week *sigh*

Nope, he's not :)

If ayu did what she wanted, we probably wouldn't have a single remix album from her.

No, that's Avex. I'm talking about her original songs.
It's pretty clear that she has creative control with her songs.

Go find and listen to singers who don't like the music they make then, I'm sure they really pour their soul into it.

i personally would love orchestral and acoustic remixes of every song. lol

^yeah. me too :)

Humm, after reading so many references about TK, why does I'm optimized this single will absolutely beats ayu '__'a

Amuro exploded onto the Japanese music scene with Body Feels EXIT, with the aid of somewhat legendary Japanese producer Tetsuya Komuro. From then, every single Tetsuya Komuro produced for Amuro became a major hit ranking high on the charts.

He's even composed the song "Missing You" which is Japanese Bonus Track from Backstreet Boys album, Backstreet's Back

He's also ever collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto, the Japanese musician, composer, record producer and actor, based in New York and Tokyo.

globe 1st until 4th album (1996-1998) is always #1 at oricon chart.

AAA single Aitai Riyū/Dream After Dream (Yume Kara Sameta Yume) is #1 weekly on oricon chart.

TK also ever composed music for Bananarama's single in July 1995, I Found Love.

TK is also the man behind the successful of Ami Suzuki, which is ever competed with ayu itself in 2002. (source : wikipedia)

and the most important,
Seiko Matsuda consecutive number 1 record ended when her 27th single "Precious Heart" was ranked at number-two because Tetsuya Komuro's "Gravity of Love" was ranked at number-one

although Tamaki Nami's single "GET WILD" which is composed by TK only get #7 on oricon chart .__.a

^^All of those facts are kind of irrelevant because they are all from the 90s.
It has been a decade...people and their tastes have changed.

I don't really think anyone wants a generic 90s sounding jpop song...
Hopefully TK does something a little different.

^ most of the time the composer of the song doesn't have much to do with the song being a success or bombing xD And even though AAA's Aitai ryuu got #1 it's just cuz their fan base's getting bigger, it didn't sell much more than their previous singles :)

Ayu just mentioned on one of her tweets today saying that she just finished filming a PV...and it's directed by Takahide Ishii~
don't know which song though~

Nothing is wrong with me. I was talking about the preview...try to stay calm people! :rolleyes

Yay! News!

Omgomgomg I just googled him... he directed Startin', part of me, Rule and momentum. Yessss. :luv2

^OMG!!!!!
those are awesome pvs

yay!! cant wait to see this new pv!!!

didn't he direct MOON? maybe there will be connected pvs

I certainly hope so! I felt MOON was missing an ending. Maybe that's why there isn't a PV for blossom yet...?

Actually MOON is missing an interesting first half :P

he directed:

Startin', BALLAD, Rule, Days, (don't) leave me alone, Together when..., part of Me, momentum, Beautiful Fighters, BLUE BIRD, Born to be...

He didn't directes MOON, MOON was directes by the one who directed Don't look back...

Japanese fan tweeted Ayu loving the fact Ishii is directing a PV of her again... XD

I really hope the pv he directed is a ballad coz they're his best ones.

His work is truly AWSOME exept Beautiful Fighters, BLUE BIRD and Born to be...

(don't) leave me alone and Born to be... are some of her worst PV's and the worst PV's I have ever seen :laugh please let it be a ballad PV! all of his are awesome

Ah, yay! Another PV! I suppose she's probably filming the L and crossroad PVs at the same time since they're being release so close to one another...

I hope we'll find out what the "video clip" on crossroad is.

But remember that "L" is NOT a song - it's the title of a three-song maxi single as her 50th single...

I think that one of the songs from "L" must have a PV... :innocent

This ! But I'm still confident (am I a stan ? :D)

Oh, I hope they turn out good because I'm half and half with that director. :shakehead

Well when he's good he's REALLY good. I think part of Me and BALLAD are some of her best PV's.. and I always loved BLUE BIRD, momentum, Together when..., Rule, and Days. His good PV's outweigh his bad ones so it's not like you have to be a stan to be excited/confident!

Yeah...sadly those PVs are not her best. Together when... and Momentum aren't that great either. I'm a little concerned, but I hope it will be ok.

Please no MOON sequel, I hardly complain about Ayu's PV's, but that's a PV I'd rather forget.

(unless in the sequel she breaks out of the room and destroys the world or something)

He's more of an average director when it comes to Ayu, I think.

Her stellar ones tend to be from basically everyone who isn't Ishii or Shimoko. (Kouki Tange, Hideaki Sunaga, Wataru Takeishi, Masashi Muto, Tetsuo Inoue, etc...)

I wonder when Ayu will step into the director's chair herself, haha!

He meant the PVs for the L single, it already is confirmed there will be two. Since we don't know the titles, it's easier to refer to it as "L" because it's the single name.

you need to learn to read, man

I wouldn't mind a sequel to MOON, I love that PV and I think they could tell us more about the story. I get the feeling the blossom PV will be connected to it, but we'll see!

I did not know that there will be two songs for the L single...

I hope the new PV is not going to be like Born to be... that overuse the lights. It is so not environmental friendly and wasting energy.

Btw, I find this profile on google, is he (http://www.facebook.com/people/Takah...hii/1731687527) really Takahide Ishii who directed ayu's PVs?

Man... that's a stellar list. The only ones I don't like are Born to be... and Together When... but the other ones are outstanding and overshadow them so I'm excited.

Really good director, i LOVE BALLAD

Eeeehm... i don't think so, he seems too young lol

After all, that's a manner of tastes, isn't it ? I mean, I LOVE Together When PV, and many people here seems not to like it, so, let's all wait patiently to the releases and judge after we know it. And hey, aren't we use to hear everyone complaining about new relaeses ? xD

I absolutely love Together when pv. I think most of those mentioned pv's are good but I didn't enjoy startin' and born to be.
I'm curious as to how crossroads will sound in full though, hopefullysomeone who went to a-nation and heard it will give us a quick review :)

There will be three, and the official site mentions two video clips on the single. This has been known for weeks now :l

He's kinda... Half'n'Half. It's either going to be very good like Rule(!!!), momentum and part of Me. If not, it'll probably be bad or downright boring like (don't) leave me alone or *shurgs* Together when... I still believe that is her most boring PV ever.

Yes a new PV :love

Really great PVs, my favourites are Startin', BALLAD, Rule, Days, part of Me, momentum and BLUE BIRD, they are amazing!!!
But i hate some like Born to be... and (don't) leave me alone.
And the song of Beautiful Fighters is bad, but the PV is cool

I'm so hoping for that one day.

I'm not very fond of the majority of PVs that Ishii has made...

When it comes to Born to be..., I think the lighting is fantastic. The setting, the reflection of the water, the dancer, those are all really beautiful, imo.

But to me, the thing that ruins the PV isn't the fact that we can't really see ayu, but with the cheap school "picture day" background and children telling us their "dreams."

Anyway, he does hit the occasional gold once in a while, so I'm not going to assume anything :D

*edited, bad wording on my part. sorry.

I thought I was the only one liking the aesthetics of Born to be... PV!
I actually really like the fact that the light is dazzling... water drops etc...

Yet overall it's not an amazing PV...

IMO, Ishii's PV are usually bland, there's not a lot of things going on...
And my principal problem with them is that they tend to look "cheap" (usually the settings scream fake -Paris street + rocky backdrop in TW, Days city, everything in Startin'; cg effects look old; color scheme is too rich and contributes to this issue... ect.

I only enjoy momentum and (D)lma (I really don't know why as there is anything appealing in ths PV -apart from ayu-, but I could watch it everytime haha).

So I hope this PV will remain "simple" and won't try to show off and failing.

his PVs are pretty good imo. Except for (d)lma lol, one of the worst Ayu's PV ever.
And yes, I find quite good Born to be. It's not that bad :shrug and part of Me is really awesome :luv2 my favourite PV followed by forgiveness.
I'm hoping for a good PV though, but if it'll comes epic as some of them.. well I'll be really happy.

I think you took the words right out of my mouth :D

Like for part of Me, it's so pretty! But the animated snake, mantis, and ayu's growing hair are just so... cheap to me :\

Am I the only one who fully likes Born to Be... And (don't) leave me alone and Beautiful Fighters

I never saw what was so wrong with these. She has worse imo.