Most accurate post EVER.

Honestly, I think the new version of A Song for xx is the only one worth anything (it's incredible). That, RAINBOW, the inclusion of dolls, and the artwork are the best parts of the release. The rearrangements do help it flow better, but at a cost imo. I feel I enjoy the idea and energy around A BALLADS more than the work itself. It gave us two gems which was great.


I'll see how this one turns out in the end, especially if there are no changes to the original tracks. At this point, only looking forward to hearing Pray for you in full and what I assume is the PV for it.

I saw that https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1hh...92062104551179
It’s seems like a fake but from where came these vocals it’s definitely her voice ?

It's actually from A BALLADS 1 "Who... Across The Universe" version.

Thanks it’s sounded familiar but I didn’t remember from where ;)

That's cute, but the blinking is very creepy.

I hope she does a proper advert for it. It feels like forever since I've seen one of her adverts.

^She doesn't even have to hire the man saying A BALLADS because she herself said E BARAADO in the commercials :laugh

Lmaoooo

i would want something like this. A little bit homeage to the original A Ballads.

https://i.imgur.com/QVITeNg.jpeg

I like that!

yes I made it. Homage to both Rainbow and A Ballads 1 ::yes

Wow I love this! You need to smack a watermark on it, it has potential to go viral among Ayu fans! :luv2

That is gorgeous!! :luv2:luv2
Would even make me consider buying it if that was the official cover!

Once again, fans doing a much better job than the so called Ayu's "creative" team

I want RED LINE ~for TA~ to be included.

^oh noe, I think that song is as overexposed as MY ALL -

^ How?

^it has two versions, she performed it tons + its bland.
I just really don't like it, I also would not count it as ballad either.

I know I will definitely be using your cover when the album is out. This is beautiful!

She literally just perfomed it twice, at CDL09-10 and TA Tour 2016

I would love SAKURA to have a nice remaster, the mix on LoveAgain is a little thin. I really like that song. I could also hope for Mad World but... the mix on Made in japan is good enough for me.

I doubt SAKURA will be re-mixed... if the remaster is better, it’ll be subtle. :-/ I would rather have a reworked version (piano & orchestra version maybe). It’s the drums that kind of bother me.

A thing that bothers me with new Ayu mixes is, they often have a very bright reverb on the vocals that gets annoying. They did a very nice remaster on the Loveppears 2 years ago, vocals were so pleasing to the ears.

By the way guys, a lot of the selected songs have official acoustic versions (or piano-based originals like JEWEL and Curtain call). I tried making a playlist last night on my own iTunes and it sounded pretty good! I recommend it if you guys feel like it ~ a great way to kill time while waiting for this album to drop.

(And FYI, Moments' acoustic version on the single is so much better than the one in Ayu-mi-x 7 IMO)

I like the CD and Boxset cover, but I'm curious about the sleevecase.

^me too. According to cdjapan the first press DVD/bluray comes in sleeve packaging as well, so I wonder if we might get different covers like in Love songs.

Will mu-mo ask for t-shirt size for +2DVD/BD sets, or they just have one size? Not that I’m going to wear it if they’re going to stick with cover art on it, but I’m just wondering how does it work.

thank you! Didn't expect it to receive so much love. :love
here's a redone/hires version for your library.


https://i.postimg.cc/mPGxg7rj/ABALLADS2.jpg

^It looks awesome!!! :luv2

With the A BEST re-release and iirc CDM DVD tshirts were one size

Yes! Absolutely gorgeous

Woow amazing. Will definitely use it.

Okay now I’m deeply disappointed by the theme of the original covers.

Thank you! I think you should post this in the Ayu Fan Works section in case someone doesn't obsessively check this thread every day :laugh

Where does this picture originally comes from, though? I haven't seen it before and think it's reviving the Ayu spirit that I need in my life right now :tired

^ It's the 2CD+DVD/BR cover for A BALLADS 2

Check first post

I know someone said in this very thread that trying to understand Ayu's/Avex's marketing is a waste of brain cells but I still a bit confused by what happened ahaha

Ayu teases us every day for a full week with a new clip, only for it not be even hinted at during the Saturday video, and now radio silence? Talk about building suspense!

Are we expecting a preview of the new clip and/or Pray for you in tomorrow's drop at all?

Guys!!!!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMCkIwYB...=1l3yis16c43sx

new teaser on instagram
new mv looks like

*is shook*

Quick quick someone check the tempo based on the choreography to see if it’s for Pray for you. If not, read her lips to see if the lyrics if for an old song XD

To be releases March 19? (Is that what it says?)

^tomorrow at 7 pm =)

Oh this looks intriguing!

Yes! I'm ready!

It means released tmr at 1900 hrs

Looking incredibly promising.

that looks good!!!!! excited for it

So tomorrow no new tracklist? Or both things?

I just can’t imagine it being for pray for you lol.

Can't wait ! Guys are dancing so maybe an mid tempo ballad ?

I think both, the last part of the tracklist and probably the PV release right after

It looks stunning already

I guess that answers my question from earlier! Yay for news!!

The dance doesn't necessarily scream mid-tempo to me, looks like how they would dance on Anything for you or songs like this, doesn't it?

I still can't imagine that it could be for anything but Pray for you but I'd be happy to be wrong!

Thanks for clarifying!

Thanks! :-)

exciting!! I don't think it's Pray for you tho... she has this fierce look on her eyes that reminded me of GREEN/Mirrorcle World. Let's see!

This is what i thought. lol

I just repeat to myself I will not have high expectations. But it looks great.

I just tried googling what i could read from her lips, i got SAKURA :D I'd die of laughter if that's what it is xD I mean the visuals are VERY obvious :D

oooh so exciting!!! :luv2
At least we don't have to wait for too long to know :D

I now wish the GOOD coming with the release was an Ayu doll in that kimono.

Can't wait to see the PV! Although I wish it was for something other than Pray For You, I reckon it is PFY.

She looks so gorgeous. Why wouldn't it be Pray For You? I just don't understand why many people are expecting another song. Anyway, I'm already happy with this release.

GORGEEOUS!!!!!

Same, I know it looks like it doesn't fit with the preview we had of the song but I really can't imagine why she'd announce and tease a new song just to make a PV about another one.

Really excited for tomorrow!

Who knows, maybe there’s another new song. The rational side of me believes it’s Pray for you though.

I think it fits the preview just as much as Part of Me had similiar visual and vibe as a song. It didn't have a super oriental instrumentation.

True, part of Me didn't really sound oriental I suppose!

I'm really excited for whatever happens tomorrow now, a full PV would be ace but I'd even take a preview of Pray for you!

Actually, the instrumental isn't like GREEN, but the melody and some bits of the arrangement evokes some oriental ballad vibes.

That gaze to the camera at the start...

Can't wait seriously I skipped ayu releases on the last years but this PV!!

Marionette + Part of Me = Pray for you

the nihilist part of me knows that this is most likely for Pray for you, but the hopeful part of me hopes this is for something else because man, that song does not deserve a video clip that looks this amazing.

But we haven't heard the song yet... just an instrumental

I'm not feeling hopeful from the instrumental that we have.

Yeah I was thinking that after posting my comment, I can’t put my finger on it but the melody of the chorus especially sounds quite oriental! Reminded me of how much I love part of Me!

I know!! I wish the clip could actually include that piano note after a silenc when she looks at the camera, works so well!


I was hoping I’d wake up later but now I have to wait almost 1 hour and a half! I’m too excited!

Our prayers have been heard. The pv is for haru yo koi

Omg so the MV is for Haru yo, koi!

IT'S HARU YO, KOI.

I'M HAVING GOOSEBUMPS. SHAKING.

It's Haru yo koi 🥰

New vocal is perfect

What a curve ball ��
She's done it.
Great surprise.

I almost flew the eff out of my seat

OMG ayu cover Matsutoya Yumi's Haru yo koi！

Such a troll but brilliant move! Always wanted a studio version of this cover :luv2

I gasped so hard this is so goooood!

I lost my shit when I saw this, so happy

Is it a new song? I am not even aware of that, I could find a version of her singing the cover on youtube. I can guess it is a cover, is it a new recording?

I had goosebumps all over my spine. I can't express how positively shocked I am. She is delivering 100% with A Ballads 2 <3 I can already tell the arrangement is divine.

I can't believe it's happening lol

This is the best possible outcome. We've been wishing for her to record it for years and now she really did it! She sounds amazing and the PV looks FABULOUS ALREADY AAAAHHHHH! :heart

this is better than I could have expected. I am so happy. she sounds divine. she looks perfect. the song is perfect. all is good.

I did not expect that!! I knew she can still deliver awesome stuff! She sounds amazing in it! After so many years, FINALLY!

Well that didn't age well...

Full PV will be out next Friday:

Really smart move imo. An iconic Japanese song the general public will be attracted to, and a gorgeous looking video to promote it. Also love song is a ballad too? Guess my concept of what a ballad is should be updated lol And Yay for that Secret performance :luv2

Also... are you telling me we are only going to have 5 videos on the 2nd DVD? Lol I’m sure there are some surprises to come yet...

omg someone called it and everyone was like "nah, it's SAKURA"

this is a cover of a Yumi Matsutoya song. she performed a (truly wonderful) orchestra version of this for a TV show in 2003.

Oh my gosh! I absolutely love this! Haru yo, koi is one of my all time favourite J-Pop songs of all time and I still remember her performing it back then and now she finally gives us a recording. This is a great surprise! <3