I can understand she focus her energy towards touring rather than recording. The problem here is to market this release as an album when it can hardly be considered a damn single.

^If you think 5 tracks isn't worth of a single I wonder what do you expect of one.

:yes:yes:yes

Fan entitlement is an ugly thing.
I AM SO MAD THAT THIS THING IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO BUY! HOW DARE AYU MAKE ME SAVE MY MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE!

Do you know what a hyperbole is?

My only problem in this release is actually just its being marketed as an album. If at the first place they marketed it as a triple-A side single plus two bonus tracks or even a Mini album. Everything else is good so far. I hope the new songs are really single material.

Girl, don’t be pushing your opinions as facts and sounding rude to boot.

The last album of Ayu’s I would personally consider “stellar” is Next Level. As a result, I would personally prefer that she focus on touring and making her old songs remain relevant to me.

But, I feel like the rest of her fans would have a meltdown if she did that. I really follow Ayu for her past hits and enjoying her glam lifestyle and tours, and I would assume that I’m the minority.

Until now I loved basically everything released by Ayu, since My Story (I became a fan around that time). I loved LOVE again project as well, to give you a hint of how much "forgiving" I am with her choices.

This time is the first time I feel a little bit betrayed by Ayu. The problem for me isn't the 5 track album per se, but that she was teasing this project with something like "finally I can put in music 2 years of emotions and memories" more or less. You would imagine that for an artist that could pack a lot of different music in an album per year, after two years at least she could release a 10-14 track album. Instead we have 3 songs (because when she teased the "two years of emotions related music" she already had released WotQ and WORDS, that, btw, I deeply love, especially WotQ).

Moreover, I would be perfectly fine with a 5-track project release if this would give me a hint for a future release. Like if this was a maxi single I could expect an album before the end of the year, but like this who knows when we will have a new album and I'm really scared of what to expect from the next album... Other 3-5 songs for one year?

It's undewhelming for me because I'm used to listen Ayu's most recent release daily until the next one but with mini album I reach the "burn out" really fast (Indeed with sixxxxxx I had to mix it in a playlist with A ONE to not get tired of it too soon). Maybe Insted of releasing A ONE and sixxxxxx in a short time period she could keep sixxxxxx's songs to make a full album with Trouble's tracks. But I think the concepts would not allow it.

What would help me to enjoy thia release would be a teaser that there will be a new album in the next months, I would be ok with another 5track album, but it should be released not after December.

Btw I noticed the "W" concept as well. And I think, since in japanese W means Double we can say that evey song start with "Double(W) letter", so as æ is a double letter. :D

oh, piss off.

we're on an old-school vBulletin forum, for Christ's sake. get acquainted with forum culture. or else go back to tumblr or reddit with that "waaaaaaah stop pushing your opinions as facts" nonsense.

perhaps you should respect your forum elders, because i don't know who the hell you are with your 28 posts to be calling me "girl" over a relatively inoffensive post.

and yes, toots, you are in the minority.

#SpillTheTea

All the drama here.


I would like to watch Just The Beginning after the editing.

I'm almost at the point I don't care if she wanna put all her energy on touring instead of recording, because neither of them are having me excited as it was before. And that's what making this realease feel hella underwhelming because I was dying for new material, and then, she comes up with this.

Anyway, you do you, Ayu.

i'm so excited with her new album!!! Why do you complain so much? Enough that an almost deaf girl is going to release a new album. Stop demanding so much. Ayu is working very hard because her time is running out to continue singing.

Damn, I think I'm in love :x

Yup - I'm interested to see what kind of... "adjustments" have been made to the Osaka show.

I can't wait to watch the Okinawa concert. I thought Chapter 3 was awesome - hopefully it was a good concert.

You're flawless :roflmao tell them! And your post they quoted was spot on anyway.

:laugh

I am acquainted with forum culture. I was simply telling you that the way that you are posting your opinions is rude. You are free to have them, I don't care if they are different from my own. But, I think that AHS has the potential to be a lot more respectful than you were being.

And you are not my elder; I've been on AHS since 2006. This is just a different account.

I'm not trying to be rude to you, if my "girl" came off as such then I apologize, I was attempting to make the post more light. But as I stated before I think there are more respectful ways to say what you said. And now you're being rude again.

And Andrenekoi, I thought you wanted to marry me? :grumpy

Yeah, this makes sense. It would be nice to know that there might be more around the corner.

Wasn't that a polyamorous relationship? We can all love each other and recreate the WARNING PV <3

Hm, I don't know if I would consider it if Coelacanth is invited. Girlfriend might try and choke me for real, not just in a sexy way. And if they taste just as salty as they sound, I dunno...

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Mods, suspend me now.

:laugh

To be honest I believe she will just brush me off :B

:shakehead Being almost deaf doesn't mean the song she made is always good.

i'm down.

Now we are in trouble... who wants to Max to my Ayu? :D

At this point, I'm just gonna treat it as some DELUXE SINGLE and it kinda sucks because I want the tour but its really expensive. But then again, its really a matter of perspective, whether I want to see it as a CONCERT c/w extra CD with new songs OR as a DELUXE SINGLE c/w CONCERT.

This week on AHS (for those of you just tuning in.)

Ayu announces release date for 'Album That's Not Really An Album But We're Going to Call It An Album Because Fuck You'

Andrenekoi and Wednesday (AKA The mysterious disappearing and reappearing account) announce their surprising polyamorous relationship with Coelacanth. From enemies, to frenemies, to friends with benefits all in a span of one forum page. Someone(s) going to be feeling the love tonight.

Furthermore, is Ayu bloated because of her period? Because of fillers? Is it muscle? Is it a bad fitting outfit? Or is just fat? Dr. Drew is in to tell us the science behind it all because that's totally necessary at this point considering how much it's being gossiped about in the other thread.

All that and much more, folks! Keep tuning in!
---------------


Ah, I've missed how weird AHS can get.

I literally laughed so much I cried. XD

Aw, someone is bitter here.
Want a cookie?


Regarding single/mini/album.
Oricon has rules for that , if I remember correctly - if the mini is too short in length, it's going to be counted auomatically as a single.
In the end it doesn't really matter tho.
I still really wonder, why she had the feeling she has to release new music soon and not just release the concerts on its own.

^ I know it’s true for the opposite (Exile Fantasy was technically a single, but had too many songs so it charted as an album) but do you know of any instances where an album charted as a single? I’m not doubting you, I’m just curious.

Ayu's A charted as an album too.

Yeah, that's what I meant. :laugh
If it's too long for a single it charts as an album and vice versa.
I try to find Oricons rules for it on their site regarding that.

For the record, I’ve had three different accounts here. My first, I had my username changed three times. Then two others. I like to keep AHS on its toes.

Mm, toes.

Just kidding :laugh

:roflmao

Oricon's site is a pain in the ass. They only have a short overview how they count and ask everybody, who wants to know more, to write an e-mail. Sure.

So I've searched the Japanese net and found the info on Wikipedia:
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82...83%90%E3%83%A0

So according to this, an album for Oricon is an album, when it's 5 original songs (not tracks) or more. It mentions Ayu's A having 14 tracks, but only 4 original songs, which is why it was counted as a single.
So looks like it only is about the number of original songs. The UK chart e.g. counts singles as albums, when they have more than 4 tracks and/or the length is exceeding 20 minutes.

^interesting!!!

What I don't understand is, even if this is technically an album, why wouldn't avex just call it a mini album considering both FIVE and sixxxxxx are considered minis?

Memorial address and FIVE were officially minis to avex as well as LOVE and again.

sixxxxxx and TROUBLE seem to both be promoted as 'albums' by them. But when categorized elsewhere, they'll just be EPs too.

The lack of activity In the last 2 years could be the reason. A mini album could seem a little lazy right now.

I think they're just gonna call any release that isn't obviously a single (one or two songs + instrumental) a "new album" from now on. I think they did the same for A7 Classical instead of calling it a remix album.

I definitely see how at least this release got people talking. I haven't posted on AHS in possibly years (don't really remember the last time) but this one got my attention.

I've been consistent in buying Ayu releases, be it CDs, DVDs or more recently Blu-rays, so I'll go the extra mile to import via Tenso. But I have definite mixed feelings.

I agree with those who say the price is actually pretty standard for what we're getting - the "album" is mini album pricing, and the blu-rays are fairly consistently priced for her, and most other Japanese releases as well.

I'm glad to see the deluxe box will stay in CD sized packaging. I was worried the albums would end up in Blu-ray packaging because of the bundling.

I'm a bit sad that the "album" is only 5 tracks, especially given that she made a big deal about the studio time on social media. However, I'm excited to finally get a full quality version of WORDS and hopefully an audio remaster of We are the QUEENS. I am an audio quality snob so while I've heard both tracks I haven't listened to them extensively.

Has anyone considered the idea that even though there's only 5 tracks, the last track might be some 10 minute opus or something? It would be a new thing for Ayu... and certainly would bring the runtime up closer to "album" status... (I'm just being hopeful here ^_^; ).

[mini album]
Memorial address - 4 new songs
LOVE - 3 new songs
again - 4 new songs
FIVE - 5 new songs

[album]
sixxxxxx - 6 new songs
TROUBLE - 5 new songs


They're probably stepping on the border while meeting Oricon's limit of [5 songs = album] rule. FIVE could've also been named as an album, but probably the team didn't dare play such a trick back at that time.

It would be pretty funny if there was a whole album in there as a 'hidden track' after track #5.

LOL like 5 songs in the last track

i hope there is a secret track though...like a really dark one like Memorial Address (since she has been doing throwbacks so much)

Don't set my expectations too high!

I don't really like WATQ and WORDS, they are ok, but I don't really want to listen to them. Both demos also nothing intersting. I hope at least last track will be good surprise as "Anything for you" was.

Unlike sixxxxxx with the S titles, the Ws seem random but if they can mean "Double" I was just thinking that they could be a hint to that, lol.

Knowing Ayu and avex these days, it'll probably be like what was done with Suzuki Ami's Infinity Eighteen Vol.1. Just a hidden track at the end of snippets from an all-new project coming soon... And then it turns out to be Kidz Bop Sings... Hamasaki Ayumi - You&Me plus Trance, Dance, Tradance, Trap, Hip Hop, Clip Clop, Chill, Psybient, Ambient versions, an Orchestral Version, a Classical Version, the Instrumental Version, an Instrumental of the Orchestral Version, and Commentary tracks for each one where Ayu whispers parts of a subliminal message we all end up losing a week of our life trying to dissect before we realize it reads "L0V3 4G41N."

I wonder if Ayu is actually seeing double the number of tracks on this album than she actually put on? Maybe she's like, "Yes, that's 10." And this is the first time she's hearing that it's actually five songs.

As for my thoughts, I love the covers. F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. Thank God she's still got it image-wise. I'd give anything for the Max Mat. cover to have been something she did for Party Queen. This looks more authentic to the "lonely/controlled queen/product of avex" protest.

The tracklist. I don't know what to say. I think I'm more so concerned about the production and singing. I heard a live of Ayu from this year and was very surprised at her vocal strength. Her shows are still at least somewhat interesting. But it's the lack of body/soul/detailed production and real investment in the experience of each song that will make or break this for me. She scored on the imagery. Please, God, have her score on these songs.

I doubt it's gonna be 10 songs, given that it's 1944yen. lollllllll

They called sixxxxxx a mini album in their initial announcement, and in one more article (I can try to find them again later if you want), but after that they called it "new album" :D

Why would the price even matter if it's a theoretical surprise?

Imagine if the Hidden track is the poetry reading XD

if the DOUBLE theme holds, this is definitely gonna become some part of a DOUBLE ALBUM concept. like AND DNA. and [DOUBLE TROUBLE] is really coming to look super real now

OH NO :no. If one of the five songs is interlude then maybe reading poetry would make sense as interlude.

Imagine if one of the 5 tracks is the poetry reading...

And another one is another version of that mysterious Spotify track...:dead2:D

^ but then there's no place for the second mysterious track that she also sang at the concert :P unless it's a hidden song

And this is why dis bish needs to open up her comments on IG so the public can lash out on her and have her change her entire approach to this album lol

^ 3 weeks before release? I think it's too late for any changes.

I can imagine how this album was created.

Ayu: "Ok, with this we have 5 songs. We need at least the double of that amount."
Max: "yeah, otherwise we will get in trouble"
Ayu: "That's genius!! Let's get in TROUBLE" :mischief

What if every song has actually a second hidden track like independent+? That would be consistent with the Double concept. lol Do we know the total amount of the minutes of the whole album? But well... Ok, let's not get expectation that high...:no

I just read that her new "album" will only have five songs. I was hoping for a song blowout after she was talking so much about recording and since it has been a little more than two years since MIJ. I guess I hyped myself up too much (or got hyped up too much). ;o;
Well, I will get it anyway. No PVs is actually a good thing, because it means it will be cheaper. Though I can definately see why some people won't buy it.

The limited edition cover is just no. Not sexy, not sensual, not flirty playful - just unnecessary.

I think guys you are waiting for way to much about this release...
I can be wrong but I'm sure there is no hidden track or surprise. Just 3 new songs and 2 old (boring) song.

EDIT: That being said, What is possible is that another mini album with 5 tracks will be released later. It would be cool.

All this and we don't even have the songs yet.

I'm exhausted just reading everything...

not yet, but closer to the release day some stores like amazon or tower records update this info

can't wait to see the tracklist. Why it's still a secret if small part already visible on photo of package

We can hear a little of the new song.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Blse-jvHoXP/?taken-by=a.you

that's a new level of teasing lol

^ It's so original lol and she looks so good! hahaha

I LOVED THAT TEASER HAHAHAHAH she walks to us and walks away LITERALLY TEASING

That scene was so soap opera like lol Wonder if that's a scene/setting from a PV...

This. That’s what I thought but it’s a bit unlikely though? Because it would mean we won’t know the title of the songs in the hidden track unless she reveal...

Love her look!!!

She looks sooo good here! How can anyone say she's fat? :shakehead

Saw this teaser on her Instagram. She looks great and the music has caught my interest.

I guess ppl say she's fat because she's a popstar, especially when compared to Namie, Kuu or even Hikki?

But in all honesty, for her age, she actually has good body.

This look like the one from the streaming app. The quality is not that good but I'm loving what I'm hearing so far. I really didn't expect something that upbeat from the teasers on spotify. It looks like there is a lot happening on the music side.

:laugh


Teasing the new song on IG is really a nice idea. I wonder if she'll do the same for the other songs. I suppose it'll be that song we'll get at MUSIC FAIR. Maybe we'll have to wait until that day to know its title.

When does the album usually leaks? I guess one week before official release day right? Now I really want to listen to it

I doubt it is going to leak, maybe 1 day before but no more, nowadays any j-pop album leaks...

That would be amazing! But it sounds way too good to be true!

I think the most plausible option at this point is the second mini album, potentially with 5 songs starting with M and called DOUBLE? :P

Or maybe we can get different versions of each song in jacket A and B.
From the demos, we got slightly different tracks from the same music. Maybe the concept of double is this.

I would really like if there were actually PVs, but they we released through streaming instead of sold.

An idea just crossed my mind : Could TROUBLE be the answer to fans who criticized Ayu on twitter two months ago? Suddenly I find that intriguing that Max is mentioned in Ayu's cover and that the album is called TROUBLE after what happened.

Oh. My. God. Yes. Please. This would be an awesome concept!! Even this as a future release, I'd support it.

For me, there's no chance I'd have the money to by anything right now anyway, and I haven't bought anything "new" of Ayu since... never, actually. I always wait for it to get cheaper and/or buy some Korean/Taiwan version from YA. Who knows, maybe someone will sell the DVDs separate later on ebay or something :P

However, a lot of people are stating their opinions about the release and I have nothing to add to that, I love reading everybody else's comments and thoughts, but everything I feel has already been said one way or another.

Love or hate TROUBLE, but gosh, I love how the community comes together like this ^-^ Cookies for everybody!!!!

What happened? My memory stinks.

Edit/ Oh right that! Thanks

^Some messy fans started twitting Max asking him to "do something about Hamasaki Ayumi".

I don't see why they would have two jackets unless there was some noticeable difference between the two versions outside of the covers. This waiting game is killing me!

That teaser sounds good. But I'm hoping of a track with more punch worthy of the theme 'trouble'. Something WARNING-esque.

I wouldnt get my hopes up about differences between versions, hidden tracks etc Knowing Ayu and her team, if there was even the tiniest difference between songs they would have specifically said it

I like all the new covers ^^

This is so cute hahaha I love it :D Song sounds great, it's nice to hear her vocals.

Is there a thread on this already? What started it/happened?

^I think that was discussed on the social media thread. Max posted something on Twitter and people started asking him to do something about Ayu. He answered he would talk to her.

The Max cover being a joke about that would be amazing

what a piece of .....!
Give me that phone gurl! :eviltongu

I don't think so... The demos weren't really different versions, they just showed how the song can evolve during the production process.

New developments in the Ayu 'Fuck You Album' controversy: Can Ayu still hear out of her left ear? We've got the horizontally flipped Instagram clip that's stirring up TROUBLE!

Ha ha that would make sense for a change!

Japanese fans actually had legit complaints about her concerts and her 20th anniversary (tickets being too expensive, TA members getting shitty seats, too many dancers, Timmy's outfits, no release at all despite it being her 20ths etc.) and were not just bashing her. One of them asked Max to do something about it.

I'm not complaining about the complaints, but don't you think asking Max "to do something about it" crossed the borders of "talk with your employee" and went to some "watch yo sister" patronizing territory?

^the "do something about..." is a translation from Japanese to English someone here came up with. Personally I would say whoever wrote it seemed angry, but I wouldn't say it was patronizing, just a clear statement that Max should talk to her since he is obviously kinda her boss. But no matter how you interpret this one statement, actually most other people and their tweets weren't disrespectful at all and just voicing their disappointment

Well, considering her status in the industry and (now I'm complaining about the complaints) the mediocrity of the complaints, I think it's very disrespectful. I mean, bad or good choices, I think these issues are not directly related to Max and claiming this "intervention" sound very immature from her fans.

I don´t think the video is flipped, because the letters on her bag are not mirrored. So she has the right ear on the phone.

the snippet sounds promising, something with Warning/identity wibe, something "selfconfident"-ish.

I can't make anything of that clip but I love both those songs so :luv2