The way FIVE is designed, it's H<3PE.

As of right now, FIVE is the only logo she's had a hand in designing. It had to do with LOVE&HOPE post-tsunami. IMO, this is probably the most ignorant post you've made here...

The covers are nice I think, not bad.

Prefer the CD version because I don't like her blank stare (bc of the contacts), I think the CD+BR edition kinda creepy.

The CDL is a great idea with bad results, the logo's font is bad and her sitting on a dice felt weird idk cheap kinda way, it could've been better. And the duck lips....I thought it was gone for good but I was so wrong

I recognize that the TEXT on the cover is somehow supposed to look like the word "hope," but I don't believe for a second that she conceived the title "FIVE" with the MEANING of "hope" remotely in mind. At all. Like, I remember there even being an interview where she said she didn't know what to call it and Leslie Kee suggested "FIVE" literally because there were five tracks.

There was no magical symbolism behind the word until the typography/logo design came into play. Just because the title text can spell out "HOPE" if you look really closely doesn't mean the title is meaningful or that its "meaning" is any less an afterthought.

I'm not ignorant of the story behind the title. I just don't buy it.

is her hair forming the letter L in both CD ONLY and CD+Blu Ray cover? Lol

holy lord I just noticed her hair 'forming' an L on some covers! Ayu'll get divorced and serve us her vespertine! YAAS can't wait for her pagan poetry and hidden place!

SERIOUSLY HAHAHAH THE HAIR FORMING THE L?!?!

Surprise, the Font on A ONE covers works very well. I am glad she didn't use "A" logo for Letter A.

I LAUGHED SO BAD PEOPLE TALKING THE L HAIR. XDDDDDDDDDD People really have nothing else to say beside paying some unimportant details! XDDDD

CDL cover, fish lips is back! <3

It looks so Instagram, lolol wasn't expecting it to be this simple though.

I wonder what to expect for the booklet... and back cover shot.

I wanna see the full tattoo that she has on the top of her back! Is it new? I don't remember it being there in her "naked" photoshoot.

...Omg. :luv2 The "A ONE" covers are absolutely, breathtakingly gorgeous & stunning! The simplicity of the covers just make them sooo much more beautiful, too. :luv2 I love ayu's hair (that color = :heart) and makeup & I totally love the font they've used, as well! I think it fits very nicely. :) I am, overall, super impressed & completely satisfied with these covers and just even more excited to listen to the album, already! :D

..Oh! And if I had to pick one favorite cover, it would totally be the CD+Blu-ray. :love stunning!!!

I also really like the CDL cover, too! It's so cute! I love ayu's look, especially her nails & shoes. :heart

omg so glad I ordered the CD+DVD version
LOVE these covers!

The album covers are pretty uninspired, and I really dislike the CD DVD one. It looks like she fell out of bed and is waking up like, "Wha, what happened?"

The CDL cover has too many graphics and Photoshop and shizz going on.

My goodness...I'm speechless. I cannot say anything about it - except it's just purely STUNNING! One of my favorite album covers recently. miwa's ONENESS covers also released, and while it's also epic, it's not as epic as what ayu has. :o

Also realized did not use a specialized "A" logo there, scratching out rumors that we're going to have this some kind of "love theme". Although that space - A(L)ONE...?

As for the CDL cover...meh.

I love the hint of tattoo peaking out.

I hope we can see more in the booklet!

Finally preorder CD+DVD in cdjapan. The cover is awesome!!

Am I the only one who actually likes the CDL cover? The logo is campy and fits the photo used. I wouldn't be surprised if they did the photoshoot with it in mind.

But its circus guise!!! It can't be a casino. The cover looks casino all the way XD But i like it nevertheless. Its just its too out of the theme like the CDL Goods and the logo if you'll take the literal "circus".

And i'm really loving the "headache" pose in the CD only version.

Yeah the fact that it's circus but she went with casino is really annoying. But she went the same route with RnRC tour. That had casino portions as well. So...maybe she's confused lol

I like this covers!

For Ayu, I think it's like "Circus" is "Cirque" which is "Vegas" for her.

the covers are very simple, ayu looks gorgeous, but just again way too simple, only can hope for great booklet pics.
my favorites are CD+DVD and CD Only, the bluray version looks kinda creepy haha.

Covers for A ONE are fantastic, simple and not pastel coloured, love it. LOL! At those that read into Ayu's hair and viewed it as an 'L'.

CDL covers are, interesting, I like them but don't love them. Concept was expected, and better executed than what first thought.

I was expected for something iconic and epic so I'm pretty disappointed with covers. CDL cover is too much photoshop.

The BD editions was nice although it was so generic for her. Slash that. All cover was generic. In the other hand, CDL cover was tacky.

Only Ayu can turn selfies and turn it into an album cover. Kind of expecting the usual "A" logo tho

I loooooove those covers ♥

really like the album covers

The album covers are a bit magazine but they're really pretty. I like the CD+DVD and +Bluray a lot. Her eye is weiiird on the CD+DVD though, I can't unsee it and it's ruining the photo.

The CDL covers just look awkward and too edited, did they even edit on the rabbit ears?

I think the album cover fits the songs. Would people prefer another Party Queen cover for them to be 'interesting'?

I adore the album covers!! Her natural look makes the covers amazing. And the typography makes the covers elegant.

me like it..

a lot

um yaaawn...
Hey, remember the time when Ayu made an effort making album artwork with a concept?
Like I am... or Rainbow??

Good times those were!

It was also a weird time for her as a person though judging from interviews. She obsessed over her image and starved herself to be skinny among other things... wasn't healthy. I think she's let go of a lot of that aside from her concert standards.

Im really interested to hear her artwork direction lol. "We did these for popteen but... they represented my album so here they are lol!" Or im off and theres some random meaning behind a nice picture?

HOLY SHIT I LOVE THE ALBUM COVERS. CD-only is definitely my favorite. Blu-ray version seems -just- a tad off, while the CD+DVD is just good.

The CDL covers, on the other hand, are total catastrophe.

aww the covers with Ayu just being pretty again.

Somewhat expected this simple type from the current Ayu. lol.

for some reason album covers looks more like single covers than album

they are super pretty tho but still :yes singles have usually different feeling than albums

She's almost 40 now. I think she should be able to assert and convey that kind of vision and strength in image with more control over her insecurities than she had in the past.

One that I don't understand is why they covered her tattoo in one cover and the other not.

you mean Hello new me? That's reflection in the mirror

The CD only cover is HEAVEN. I'm gonna order that one.
I don't like her lips in the cd+bd one. Duck lips!
Lovely photoshoot and THE FONT OMG IT LOOKS PERFECT.

the covers for the CDL are a big NO NO for me

Why none saw the hidden message behind the title???


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAQ04ciWEAAhopq.jpg

I only dislike the one where she's downside and you can see a bit of her boob.
CDL's are funny, but cheap, not like the concert itself wich was wonderful.

I love all the 3 covers for the album! CD only is definitely my favourite out of the 3. Pretty surprised that they use a brand new shoot for the CDL concert. Loving it!!

oH MY GOD :roflmao

RAMONES? What's Ramones?

I like CD only the most, than CD+BR.

I wonder is this means that TA version will comes out with the same covers?

I don't quite see the connection you are trying to make here.
She can be healthy and confident and still have album covers with concept and meaning. I guess she just can't be bothered.

YAAS ayu, stan!

Wtf is Ramones?

Inspiration doesn't come as easily when you're mostly satisfied and happy. You see it all throughout artistic & creative works through time - great artists tend to make their best work when they're dealing with tragedy or personal conflict.

All I can think is about the troll picture of her insta picture being rahashed as the cover. This was way too close to that lol

Album covers are very pretty. I really like cd+blu-ray cover, I think that's the one I'll be using in my iTunes library. I'm also hoping that the album will be released on iTunes worldwide without any delays, as Colours is still not on iTunes Canada.

CDL cover on other hand is eww. Flower boobs, fish lips & ugly design. I don't care much tho as I won't be buying it anyway.

She used to be extremely strict about her image and controlled every aspect of her look and everything that went out. Nowadays, probably after 2009/2010, she stopped being as control freakish and kinda just went with the flow for releases. I mean, I don't know if the Ayu of 2001-2002 would have let that CDL cover go out in the form it is in since it's a little rough around the edges.

I know it might be 'reaching' for a reason as to why she might be lacking in a 'fully realized look' in her CD covers (as opposed to just pretty shots), but it seems to make sense given the timeframes. However, I don't think she's really been much for concept OR meaning to be honest when it comes to her covers if you really look back at what we've had from album to album.

Also I think she was probably the most 'creative' around her peak around A BEST/A BALLADS and then reverted back to 'pretty' for covers after that. (see: I am..., RAINBOW, A BALLADS, ayu-mi-x IV, etc.) It also really depends on the photographer she has at the time IMO and Leslie Kee probably satisfied the most fans before becoming a scandalous individual to the fanbase.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, this. The only ones that seemed to be deeply symbolic of anything were Duty, I am..., RAINBOW, PQ, and I guess A BALLADS? (I'm sure I'm forgetting something but still, they obviously aren't really the norm for her.) For the most part, she's always been about pretty face/glamor shots. The only real difference with A ONE (and LOVE again and Colours... and Secret... and probably some others lmao) is that nowadays they don't really have any intriguing aesthetic theme going on and are just... pleasant and pretty regardless of how well it really matches the music inside.

NEXT LEVEL was pretty fitting of the album. Fun, colorful, cute.

Rock'n'Roll Circus also fit the album's vibe to me. But then the peach/pink thing started with Love songs....

Isn't there something inside the CD case that will explain something or other?

Let's be honest, more than half of her albums/singles covers are (pretty or not) face shoots. But when she DOES something different, it really is incredibly done.

Probably on/in the physical album itself.

If I remember correctly yes she said we'd understand the meaning of "A ONE" once we open the CD case or something

I don't like he CD only and CD+Bluray covers. They look as if she's having sex and riding a man... I can't stand this cute but at the same time hyper sexualized lolita look. I love it when her covers are hyper sexualized but have a message or concept behind them. I love LOVEppears cover, Duty cover and the Sparkle PV to death for example. I'm still hoping the booklet reveals some kind of message wich connects with the covers. But I don't think I'm that lucky...

When it comes to her best album covers with an actual message and/or concept, for me it would be LOVEppears, Duty, A BEST, RAINBOW, A BALLADS, (miss)understood (yes, there IS a concept and meaning behind the covers, people just don't get it because even when now a lot of people complain about the lack of a concept, most of them just prefer 'beautiful' shots), NEXT LEVEL (USB ver.) and FIVE.

So I guess it's the CD case that will give us the answer?

I don't think this is intended to be sexual. They were going for 'simple' but I see how it can be a little gravure-ish.

you know? while i think this time they did well with the covers, i can't say they are very strong and firm. When i look at them it seems like it was an accidental success lol like you need just a light push on the photoshoot and the typography and the whole thing would be an other fail lol i'd say Japanese graphic people and art directors need to have a chat with whomever is doing korean pop groups' covers. Or better be replaced by them. I've just been looking through a bunch of stuff in downloads section and in general online to get my music back, and k-pop groups have some of the best covers. They are visually appealing and have sleak composition as well as the typography, not to mention quite a few are very creative. They stand very clear and strong for me. Thus their stuff come off as a whole piece. SERIOUSLY. She needs people like that in her team!

Korean covers make me a little upset though because they have nice packaging and good design (due to hiring design firms and new talent) but the music isn't really all that great typically.

Japan has never been at the forefront of design unless you're like Mr. Children or something. (their former design director was Kouki Tange, the guy behind alterna/ourselves/Because of You)

^well music is a whole other issue here.
I personally always say that if you are an A class artist you need to do your stuff 110% to the details, not just music. And not to leave the selling aspect of the packaging behind. Sure you cannot judge a book by it's cover but the cover and packaging definitely are important in this age and day. I'd say if you don't want/don't feel bothered to get it all done properly then might as well just release the thing digitally with a random pic as a cover and call it a day.lol

Japanese artists' strong suit has never been packaging. With Chinese/Taiwanese pop artists, it's a mix of the 'simple' design from Japan and the 'crazy/outlandish' design from Korea.

It's just different strokes for different folks, I guess. You're going to see Japan focus more money into live performances and stuff rather than their packaging compared to Korea since they don't really do annual tours that often.

^mmm you're right. They do tend to put more effort into tours.
It's kind of like k-pop is sold on image and visual aspects, while j-pop on experience? i don't know....

though I wish Ayu had all of them.

I think the covers are very elegant :)

The CD + DVD cover is just awkward to look at. Why did they crop it to show more of her boob than her head? The other 2 are nice. CDL's is awful. She needs to stop with that facial expression. It only works if your Koda Kumi or Rupaul

I need double case big :(

PLEASE.

Not sure if someone already mentioned this, but maybe the cover has a cut-out letter that wouldn't be obvious in online pictures, so when you separate it, you can see a word, whether it's 'alone' or 'atone' or whatever.

No the cd/dvd to bluray. Where is her tattoo in the cd/dvd one?
I'm sorry, what?
It doesn't look good with anybody. Thank goodness ayumi doesn't overdo it like them.

How come some of y'all are getting sex vibes from this? The bitch is literally just laying down, not preparing for anal lol y'all are too damn much.

I'M DEAD

under hair?
http://i.imgur.com/3GezWC2.png

I love this covers! So classy! She is stunning and for the first time I'm not that annoyed by her contact lens.

Judging from some reaction to the covers it can be "A bone" too. :D

That... makes no sense... :shakehead


I like the CD+Bluray the best. CD+DVD is cropped really awkwardly.

the CD covers are gorgeous!! some of her best I'd say. :luv2
The CDL cover though... tacky as hell.

It would be fucking awesome if the meaning behind the title is A[T]ONE.

Kind of like GUILTY ~episode II~

A WORLD IS ONE hopefully

I really like these covers and the mood they give. I just wish for a different expression on the CD+bluray and that it and the CD only weren't cropped as much.

Otherwise, I love them. CD+DVD is perfect.

The CDL however....
For such a nice CDL I'm sad they gave it this horrendous cover. Like, who made this? Why did ayu approve of this? They have a lot of potential that was just wasted. That outfit could've been used for better. And all the tacky extra designs and what not need to go.

^They never really put much effort on CDL material...

Except here someone tried to do something and did it horribly. When they were probably better off taking a photo of ayu and leaving a white background or something. Or taking an old photo of ayu at the beach lol. Or a shot from the concert lol.

PCDL & Future classics were flawless tho

i hope CDL14-15 covers burn in hell :tired

I seeeeee

Any japanese word that fits in the title ?

the font is thin like Moon/Blossom, Love songs, LOVE, again, LOVE again, Feel the love/Merry go round/ Terminal, Zutto/Last minute/Walk xD

But its not bad at all

You're looking a little too high and low to confirm this A [L] ONE theory, haha. 'A' for effort!

~~~

Find it funny though, how people find these covers hyper sexualized. While the CD+DVD version might be a little gravure, I think its only because of that low cut top she's wearing and where they decided to crop the image. It doesn't look like it covers her breasts much at all even if she was just sitting and it fell normally over her body?? Aside from that, I don't think she was even trying to be sexy or sexual in these covers at all.

CD + Blue ray cover, I hated at first, but its grown on me. I think when the larger images were released, it looked good from the low quality looking small ones that we first saw. To me it just looks like she's up to something... as in I know something you don't.

CD is just hands down beautiful. Its intimate yes! With how its cropped and her expression, some what ruffled hair... but I think to say she looks as if she was riding a man or orgasming is just beyond LMAO. She looks restless.

But you know, to each their own.

that's about tattoo, not the hidden meaning

It's just a coincidence it was shaped like that, lol.

Absolutely loving the covers for the album and CDL! That was I was expecting for A ONE, simple, close up Ayu. My favorite CD+DVD.
CDL covers are fun and different and I'm so glad it isn't a shot from the concert! I agree, they are over retouched and look artificial but I actually love that and I think it was done in purpose.
Also can't wait to see the design for TA box and goods!!

CDL oh my....no :(

I wonder where's the TV CM for this album... it's coming out in less than a month. Hopefully we see many promotions!

banners from official site
http://i.imgur.com/EjF8nyE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wwPQWiE.jpg

Ayu's pic fpr the CDL is better without the text on it. With this photoshop retouch I feel like I see a video game's cover. It reminds me a dark version of Alice in wonderland. Ayu in the role of the rabbit (even if the rabbit is black and not white here)

I love the covers of the album... the DVD... not so much.

The album covers are amazing. :love.

But if I were to pick a fave one, it would be CD+Blu-Ray.

Are there textless cover for all covers?