this is great.i guess i'm able to download the HQ soon?

I get what you mean. What I was trying to say was that... it was never clear who exactly wrote the letters. If we hadn't like a ton of letters in the room/hospital ward, I would just say the letters were written by Shu-ya in his subconscious world.

Yet with the letters appearing in "reality", it also opens up a possibility that it was Ayu who has been "writing" these letters; she says these words to Shu-ya, and in his coma state, he interprets these words as letters, just like what you mean.

But it's kinda weird, how Shu-ya's the one who's sending all these letters when he hears them anyway lol. Maybe in his subconscious world he thinks Ayu is the one who died instead.

And oh so a HQ version is up already? Gonna download it!

I read a few interpretations of Ayumi in the floating island near the pond...

I don't think she's being a Goddess like most delusional fans think she already is, I think that's the "heaven" in that world. As you can see in the background it looks like there are other floating islands which could easily be other people after death.

It's obvious that Shu-ya doesn't realize that he died. He believed that Ayumi died. In his mind, whatever's left of it, believes that is what happened to Ayumi.

In addition to the notes. I believe the letters that he sending are actually things that Ayumi had spoken to him while in his coma. Hearing them in his mind he could easily believe that he is thinking it and then sending it back to her without knowing it was her message to him.

__________

She not a spring chicken so I'm expecting her to age gracefully. I'm hoping she doesn't go the botox way and eventually shows some fine lines. She's earned them.

I think she looked pretty young in the You were... video because of the soft dewy look she had. BALLAD had that powdery washed out thing going on for the floating island. She did look younger during the motorcycle part.

I think this PV is really supposed to be like... Shuya thinks he is the one who lived, and kept sending messages to Ayu, saying like
"Please don't go," "I am so sorry" because he thought he killed her.
Because we dont see the real Ayumi until the very end, when it's revealed he is the one who is in a coma, or dead, or whatever.

The thing which made me believe it is that when he finds out that his mail just keeps getting sent back,
And then he finds postman, who is really him, the postman fades away, almost like the dream is over, and he remembers that it's Ayu who was okay in that crash.

But I also think they were both writing things for eachother, because they both felt the same way,
only Ayu is in real world, and Shuya is in coma dream world.

I think the PV is really supposed to be like "omg!! he's the one who died!"

^Yah I get the feeling it was supposed to be a surprise too, just from the way they show Ayu lying on the ground first and then it switches to Ayu getting up and seeing Shuya on the ground. I think the TV spoilers might have ruined it a bit, just like with Days. :laugh

Haha, so it was a good thing afterall not to watch spoilers xD I knew they would show the most important part

A sort of Romeo & Juliet? It could be. :yes :yes

Anyway I should allow my self to say that, even though I love crazily this song, the PV isn't good at all to me. I was disappointed by You were..PV not because it wasn't bautiful, but just because it didn't reach me.
But this PV is ugly to me. I'm sorry but it isn't in accordance with the song..mmh, no harmony at all among them.

I keep forgetting about RED LINE's existence. Like, it's just going to leak one day and I'm gonna be like "OMG! NEW AYU SONG!!" and be so happy cause I keep forgetting. xD

you said "considering". who considered these ballads to be the best? I don't think them to be :)

I don't like Secret, Together When and Curtain's call for the same reason I don't like You were..., I can say that they are a way too boring, typical, and non-interesting aka absolutely forgettable. many will disagree though :P

and I do find CAROLS and No Way to Say better, much better, so tastes differ ;)

well, I don't actual appeal to that "everyone" ;)

I mean the music, too much simplified & boring and same arrangement all over. that's what I mean, actually. and I think it doesn't make anyting good. because the music doesn't feel creative, it doesn't have that "it" feeling, I think, it's like a different variations of the one same song, I feel that way

I didn't mean darker side or light side. I don't care about the sides in music which fans here tell about it. when I listen to music, I don't think whether it's dark or light atmosphere, I just think whether it appeals to me and whether I want to to listen it again and buy the Ayustuff, or whether I should just keep it, but not listen at all :)

it did? I don't see it. I only see the MQ one.
:laugh

This is sure the most interesting interpretation of BALLAD's PV, in my opinion :yes

I lol'd at spring chicken :laugh but I agree with you, even if asian women still looks pretty young when they're old (especially their skin).I don't get why people think that you're younger only during twenties and after them you're are critically old lol. Ayu looks as a young woman and not like a girl anymore.

^well, it's not that way in like daily life...but in certain job industries, it is.

I mean, like example, models, figure skaters, anything where like, you have to use your body I think...after you hit 30, you're getting kind of old for those jobs.

Well... it's time for jpop to have an adult successful female singer....

so back onto things that are relevant...


is there any consensus about who the letters are from?

I've always thought they were from Ayu. I don't see how it could be from anyone else.

Do that really matter? I mean... if there was a right interpretation of the video, it would be released with a tutorial xD

There are plenty of ways to interpret Ayu PVs so many are better off drawing their own conclusion I guess. My conclusion is the that the letters were from Ayu :P

^There are plenty of ways to interpret anything xD

If you look closely, the "Sorry" message is in different handwriting then the other two.

yea i'd love to hear Ayu's interpretation.what she's thinking about this PV :D

my conclusion those letters from Shuya,he's writing what Ayu's whispering to him cos in his comatic world Ayu had died. the reality is Ayu's weeping beside him in the hospital and saying those things..that's why he got a big surprise when he knew that the mailman was himself and there's no way those letters can be sent to Ayu cos he's now in another world.Not in the reality.

well, people always complaining Ayu's looks old.she didn't look old but matured to me.it's normal thing as a human being to get older,we're not a robot.many other artist that older than her but still popular out there,so, what's the problem with Ayu, i think cos we're so use with cute litle childish Ayu :P and when she's 30 people still want her like 20 year old Ayu.even Ayu herself said that she didn't want to be an adult.Ayu's still Ayu no matter how old she is.Happy go lucky Ayu! :yes so, let things work like how they should be.

I believe the "Sorry" note is from Maro to us fans. Apologizing for not taking the role of delusional comatose motorcyclist and leaving it to Shu-ya to take; yet again.

he'll need more then a sorry to be forgiven lol. He can start by wearing less clothes :innocent

:roflmao:roflmao this is my favorite interpretation for the Sorry note! i straight away agree with this :laugh fact that Ayu didn't see this not, maybe Maro sneak into the room from the window and quietly put the note on the desk! :laugh

LOL you rock!

Maybe we'll understand BALLAD PV a little better once we get to see the Making Of...


^YES!!

I think the letters are pretty obviously from Shuya, because we can see him drop the letters to the mailbox.. O_o But if you mean the ones on the hospital room's floor, then I think the interpretations about them being the thoughts of them both seem eligible. But of course you should interpret the PV the way you think it is, it doesn't have to be just one and right way we can see the PV :P

I think this (BALLAD) is one of the saddest PVs Ayu ever made up there with ENDLESS SORROW and Voyage. :(

yea Voyage is a sad PV,she's suffered a lot in that PV, well is there a BALLAD version 2 Ayu? XD

There was a time when ayu acted really good with her age. It was back in 2005 or so when she released STEP you --> B&D. The make up and the wardrobe she chose were quite mature and suited her taste. So actually I prefer her looking more mature than her kawaii images.

(why are some people complaining about how old ayu looks? my gaaaaawd she looks good for her age, end of story. i bet you'd all look worse by the time you reach that age. HAH! suck on that.)

my quick thoughts:

You Were... - pretty, but boring. one setting, weird looking dancers. i liked the puppet teddy bear best.

BALLAD - best ballad PV since Together When... multi-scenery, a plot, SAD... BUUUUUT--that cat scene. it was cheesy, kinda of funny... and such a dramatic plot just b/c u swerved for two cats? i love animals, but that wasn't strong enough of a catalyst for the plot.

I like the PV very much!! :D Well.. I mean, there are pretty scenes Ayu sitting around all pretty~ Shuya is the one struggling and everything.. Very sad. She should have moved a little or something? :) hh But I really liked (I know it sounds bad..) the motocycle part.. Unexpected but fits. There are really lots of details.. I just don't get what is Ayu doing in pink dress if she's alive?! Shuya is in a coma I'm guessing, so if she's fine what is she doing there??
I'm just disappointed in vocals... =/ Maybe I'll get used to them lol

Good comparison. :)

I think had HEAVEN a slightly more integrated concept, it would have been just as good, too.

BALLAD = best PV concept execution in quite a long time.
The concept was there for many of them recently, it just didn't translate as well as it could have like BALLAD.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the BALLAD pv!!!! Ayu's dress is so pretty, and the pv is amazing, and it's just....amazing. Lol, but Shuya's hair is different! XD

This music video is definitely one of her best, right at the top of my list with Days, fairyland, and JEWEL :D

But, as my friend said, "You were...and BALLAD are two PVs that actually make you think to understand them..." lol

Like, You were... was really hard for me to understand, but then I read some of the interpretations of it, and it's suddenly so clear! And BALLAD was kind of easier; I figured that one out on my own lol XD

I love ballad over It was..., I thought it was... was good but then I saw ballad and I was in love, Im a bit confused with the weird people things in It was... and ayu just looks stunning in ballad :blove. Overall Im happy with how they turned out, I cant wait for it to arrive now, and dam tinkerbell for extending the release date :P

At first I was confused, but don't you mean 'You were...'? :P

i really love both the songs also,,,and susnet = :(

Now that some rips are out finally...

You were... & BALLAD are amazing in 320kps. Especially BALLAD. Finally I hear all the little details, and it's so beautiful!

RED LINE is :heart it's like a throwback to Ayu in the ASFxx era... wonderful. I love how child-like and innocent the song is.

You were... orgel mix was so-so; I can't notice a difference in her singing, but the music was very pretty and cute.

Sunset Orchestra mix was disgusting. I love the horns and cello, but something felt so weird... just like the orchestra mix of Days. It felt like the song and the instrumental didn't really match... so that's the only one I don't really like in the whole single.

"boku ga tsuyoku tsuyoku ni kiite" in RED LINE gives me goosebumps. That can't be Ayu's voice. It's so 1998.

I'm SO pissed at how she sings the last chorus in the orgel version, the way she sings it in the original mist is my favorite part of the song, and she doesn't do it on the orgel version.

RED LINE sounds like it's going to be so much fun~~

I've heard Red Line. I think it's really good to hear it. I think, RL will be my number 1 song after BALLAD right now :D

the orgel not bad.i can use the music box part as my sms ringtone right now :D
i need my copy first!
huhu..cdjapan haven't send it out yet

I just listened to the 30 sec HQ version of Red Line, and I like it so far. I haven't listened to the orgel version yet though, I'd rather wait for the single.

RED LINE is so beautiful! I can't get over how amazing it is. Much better than both A-Sides. It gives me an amazing feeling when listening to it. Refreshing that Ayu can still make good music!

Red line is good, and I love the orchestra version of Sunset. :love

I'm waiting for You Were... music box version to hear what it sounds like. I hope it leaks soon.

RED LINE is love!

RED LINE is beautiful and wow i can't get enough of it after You were.. and BALLAD . this single made my day :weep

SUNSET orchestra version so soothing,lovee it!

thanx Ayu for this awesome single,you prove it now you're still Ayumi Hamasaki no one can beat you..always..for the first time crying when i listen to this single.:bawl

:heart:heart:heart

I love sunset, so i think orcestra version is so amazing and great add to the single.
I cant wait to get it.

RED LINE is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this single is perfect

i still don't really like RED LINE.its too noisy,IMO.i can feel its as noisy as sunrise.but its not a bad song.

RED LINE is really a great song!!

It's really catchy and sounds like something ayu would release during 2000 which is not bad at all!

The music box version of You were... is heavenly. Getting it to my player as well.

Sunset orchestra version is beautiful, I liked the instrumenation.

Excellent single, ayu. 10/10.

RED LINE is seriously perfect. I love the choir in the background during the choruses (alongside everything else :P)

And You were... music box version sends shivers down my spine (in a good way)! It's amazing. I love it.

The orchestra version made Sunset a little better. :yes I'm still not crazy about it but I prefer this version.

BALLAD and You were... got even better as they got HQ. :laugh

This is a really great single <3 I love every songs!!!

RED LINE is great, my favourite song from this single. :yes

Is the music box version of You were.. supposed to have other vocals? They don't sound different to me at all. :shrug Still don't like it.

And still don't like Sunset, sorry, even in this calm orchestra version. XD

i hope the japanese fans would really appreciate this single.it's really beautiful! :love

waiting for the translation of RED LINE

yes it's state that that You were...(music box mix -retake version-) so it's different from the original version.

They are extremely different from the ones in the normal recording o.0

This has to be my favorite Ayu single in a long time, im loving all the songs and new mixes. Im so glad I bought it, cannot stop listening to all the songs <3

Seriously? I guess I have to listen to both versions right after the other then. XD

If you try singing the songs with emotion, it's really heartwreching. listening to BALLAD in HQ now actually gives me goosebumps especially when the chorus roars in..damn its epic >.<

RED LINE sounds superrrr friendly don't u think? I love the choir parts. They make the song have that really heartwarming feeling. Rock guitars are always <3
I like how this song is a birthchild of Replace + MY ALL.

You were... music box is lovelyyy. her voice just SHINES through this orgel track. Hahha..thankfully it isnt some Marionette -prelude- esque track haha..if not it's gonna be so spooky. I love the part where the rock guitars were suppose be. It's beautifullllllll O.O

Sunset ~orchestra~ is BEAUTIFUL. I love this song. The orchestra is fantastic. Fits in really well with BALLAD btw.

very very good single! The quality of the content is very high.

freedreamer,
i agree with you
RED LINE is super friendly song
when i listen it, i feel like I'm Home.... ^___^

imo, this single should have been You were... / RED LINE and BALLAD should have been the b-side :3

After all, this single is simply amazing, perfect for winter :) I'm glad that these songs will be on her next album :) So...

You were... is a nice ballad. I didn't like it at first and I found Ayu's vocals irritating, like now a bit. But after some time I really liked it and I think it's a nice ballad. The PV is ok, and I don't care about lyric, because it ended up really pale.
BALLAD is... awesome. It's probably the best Ayu's song this year and the best ballad after Together When... I love that traditional touch in it and the refren is beautiful. The PV is also great (if we cut off Shu-ya) and the lyric is sad & nice. This song amazed me :D
RED LINE ~for TA~ is an okay song, but I probably won't even listen to it anymore. It's one of those annoying friendly songs that are irritating and I don't like Ayu's voice in it.

This x100. :innocent It's the first thing I thought of, actually. Even if I liked BALLAD more, I just can't see it as an A-side. :\

GREAT-GREAT-GREAT single. :love I LOVE every single track. I wasn't big of You were... at first but now I LOVE it even more than BALLAD. RED LINE is fun and positive.
MV's are also Great. BALLAD PV is Gorgeous You were... is also intresting PV just need to understand hidden message. :P
MUST BUY!!

So yes... now that the full single is out, I'll state my opinion on all the songs.

You were... is a nice song, but I don't find anything amazing about it. It's a really good song, but it won't become one of my favorites, I don't think. I still think the PV is gross and cheap looking and definitely the worst thing about this whole single. x.x

BALLAD is absolutely amazing. This is possibly Ayu's best ballad for me since, dare I say, Memorial address or End roll? :heart The vocals are absolutely haunting and the lyrics are gorgeous. And to top it off, the music video is just her best since pre-NEXT LEVEL. Wonderful, wonderful song. :yes

RED LINE ~for TA~ is extremely disappointing. Am I the only one that dislikes this song? I don't hate it... but I think it's annoying and I'm definitely going to forget about it. I do think it'll be one of those songs that even though I don't like, will be awesome during the encore portion of concerts. (like MY ALL although I ended up liking that. xD)

You were... (Music Box mix -retake version-) is pretty, but I like the vocals in the original a lot better, so this will also probably become another forgotten mix.

Sunset (Orchestra Version) is great! I'm surprised how much I liked this. I don't like the original Sunset much at all but this orchestra mix is so nice. :) I'm totally ready for another Acoustic Orchestra/Classical album, please. Can you imagine a classical version of BALLAD? *_*

Overall, the single is good and I'll be purchasing it in the near future, but I think it could've been a tad bit better.

amorphose, I agree with you totally :yes

After listening the full Single.. I have to say, I really love that Single.
I really like all songs on that single. (^.^)''
A really good Single!

I love everything about this single. I won't go into much detail but this single is pretty much one of her best for me. Many things that bothered me before have now grown on me immensely and now I can't think of a single thing wrong with this single lol. Gives me high hopes for her new album :D

~Perfect winter single~

I've had RED LINE on repeat ever since I downloaded it...the lyrics are so touching and everything about the song makes me feel like crying. It's songs like this that make me remember why I fell in love with her in the first place.

i LOVE this single. too, too, too good.

Ok now I can say that overall Yw/BALLAD is her best single so far.

RED LINE is a really really cute song and as other said it remind me a lot the early Ayu :yes
isn't amazing as Yw and BALLAD, but RED LINE is really catchy and I put the music player on repeat lol :laugh.

Sunset (Orchestra Version) isn't bad, but isn't so good as other orchestra version's songs. I mean, it doesn't make Sunset a decent song as Days (Orchestra version) lol

Yw (Music Box Version) has slightly better vocals, overall is a nice track but not so different like Marionette -prelude-.

It would definetly be awesome if this version comes out.

RED LINE ~TA~ is lovely :love this song can go along with the I am... album perfectly
reminds me so much of Daybreak :D
BALLAD I didn't like it at first but once the HQ and PV leaked..I'm a total sucker for it
just emotional and weren't as forced as You were...although I love the oriental touch of this song though
You were... This song is lacking something..the beat or wrong singing style?!

overall I'm quite happy with this single even better than S/S in fact :yes

chocopockymaster
please translate the RED LINE's lyric for us...
i want it badly... ^___^

You were... = Not as good as her winter songs...Actually, I think this is her worst. I don't really know why I dislike it. I just can't get into it.
BALLAD = The song that saved the whole entire single for me. I love the song (although the PV...Yeah no)
RED LINE = Needs time to grow

So I just listened to the whole single. I must say, it's a VERY good single. I really enjoyed it. I didn't know You Were....~music box ver~ was going to have ayu's vocals too, I thought it was just going to be the pretty, soothing music box sounds, but having the vocals made it even better! That version made me like the song even more. As for Ballad, I already love it to death. Red Line was awesome, I love how happy sounding it is :yes. Sunset Orchestra Ver. is sooooooooo pretty, like omg :luv2.

RED LINE is very concert-ending friendly. It seems like a perfect closing song. I think the Japanese really liked MY ALL and I'm guessing they are trying to throw the concert ending song out there as part of the new single. I like it. I love the ending part!

I think the quality of the whole single is above average. But sad to say, her singing technique and voice is really deteriorating. The way of singing of high note is much worse than before. She is now straining her voice to force a high note. In the past, she was using head voice but now is not. That's sad.

OMG!!! You Were (Music Box mix-retake version-) is so beautifullllllllll :x

boring-est single ever

I have to say that BALLAD is LEAGUES better than You were... and I'm really quite surprised and disappointed that BALLAD isn't being used as the A-side for this single. I know it's a "double" A-side but Ayu tends to neglect the second halves of said singles, I think? BALLAD should be getting the attention here, not You were... which is just a copy of stock winter ballads.

Anyway, my only gripe with it is that alan had a song called BALLAD this year XD

You were... really isn't all *that* bad, it's just that I've heard its style and theme so many times before I'm not really impressed, you know? And BALLAD feels like the softer, slower side to GREEN and I'm really pleased with that. They complement each other nicely.

ETA: Red Line is a cute song. I've got no beef with it. It doesn't stand out to me as anything OMG AMAZINGGGGGGG but it's sweet and I can see myself liking it as background music.

I really can't stand the You were... music box mix. Ayu's voice is WAY too loud and strong here, it drowns out the music box! They should have re-recorded her vocals for this or done something to make them quieter. What a waste :/ I mean, it's pretty and cute but I really wish she wasn't so freakin' LOUD.

i always tend to like Ayu's winter singles...this is no different, haha. they're usually my favorite Ayu single of the year (following her spring/summer/winter singles).

You were... : i like it, but that's just that. i do enjoy the PV though. i was pleasantly surprised when i first saw it. (idk, maybe i just like how it looks GaGa-ish. i love me some GaGa!)

BALLAD : the absolute winner in this single. i honestly think this is one of her best winter songs along with "Together When..." and "JEWEL"! i love the PV as well, more than "You were..."

RED LINE ~for TA~ : it's quite rare that Ayu has legit b-sides, but when she releases one, it's always a memorable one. her vocals sound the best here. and it's not severely over-produced, which i like.

i also really enjoy Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ (Orchestra Version). *_* better than the original, imo! You were... (Music Box mix -retake version-) is also pretty.

overall, a great single. as a huge fan over the years, i know Ayu is over her peak. but i still really enjoy whatever she puts out. :)

I listened to RED LINE & I can't say it's a bad song, but it left like 0 impression on me no matter how many times I had re-played it, I couldn't remember it at all afterwards

RED LINE to me is a kids song.. Not very appealing to me. But i am so attracted to the music box version of You were... OMG.

Wow, that describes my feelings of BALLAD perfectly, lol. o_O I've played it soooo many times now - I even had it on repeat for almost a half an hour one day - trying my hardest to like it, or even remember it, but I just can't. :eyebrow

I love every song on this single and the covers are just perfect

I can't wait to get my copies in about 1 week

well... RED LINE.. hmmm.. not bad not perfect.. 7.5/10.. maybe RED LINE its a song that suits more for LIVE concert.. you never know..

You were... - the style of music is similar to Ayu's ballads so it didn't impressed me
although the song is good. About the PV, she said she will be covered with JEWELS but it turned out to be
lights! And there is the weird dancers. Well, kinda different. It's 6/10.

Ballad - On the melody, I was expecting this to be different but it turned out to be a
resemblance of slow version of "HAPPY ENDING", "Moments", "Part of ME", other ballads...
D.A.I has quite disappointed me. Oh well. It's 6/10

Haven't heard the song RED LINE.

My thoughts in a nutshell. But I really dislike Red Line. It reminds me of a creepy song I heard as a child called 'London's Burning.'
BTW wheres that Sakurai pic in your avatar from?

Actually the vocals were re-recorded... that's why it's a new vocal mix.

Anyway, I love this single. :D I really like You were..., the lyrics are easy to relate to and I see the link between the PV and the lyrics. Same goes to BALLAD--it's more soothing and dramatic. (I listen to You were... more though, only because it's the more relateable ballad with the easier melody.)

I LOVE Red line. It's such a sweet song with such motivational lyrics. I really appreciate Ayu's thoughts to her fans--since she listened to their requests to make this song.

The music box and the orchestra version of Sunset are also very pretty. Kinda disposable though--wouldn't be disappointed even if they weren't there.

I like RED LINE so much! I think it's so beautiful ^^ The melody and her voice is just so amazing. I was pretty surprised, I thought it would just be something totally overhappy, but I don't think it's too much. Just great ^^

BALLAD is pretty cute too. I can't really decide whether I like it or love it, 'cause it's just.. so special! I can't say anything but that I like it very much. And the PV is SOOOOOO great

You were... doesn't say much for me though. Her voice sounds so much like in BALLAD, but the melody and instruments just isn't as good. I don't hate it at all, but I can never even remember the melody of it..
The lives of it is SO great (at least the first one), one of her best live songs today!
The PV kinda creeps me out.. I just don't like the whole concept of anything.. But I love the hand in the beginning XD

After listening to this single in my car where the sound is amazing, I love BALLAD even more! It sounds way more beautiful and grand surround sound! And I heard DRUMS :D:D:D:D Did not hear those before at all lol.

I really like this single :yes

i don't like the original mix of you were... but the video is seriously amazing, i love how artistic it is :luv2

Ballad is a beautiful song, the highlight of it it's the chinese violin to me. When i was on the Paris subway there was (i think it was in the Châtelet station) a chinese guy playing this instrument and i loved it!! it immediately reminded of BALLAD :heart too bad i can't say the same thing about the video; i was seriously disappointed. Visually, it's quite... boring. and the background looked... here comes the cursed word... cheap :(

Red line sounds like rock for kids. It's ok.

And the music box version of you were is insanely beautiful, i loved the instrument and ayu's voice is amazing :heart
can't wat to get my copy.

overall, a really strong single :luv2

I just got my copy today xDD So I'm a little late to the party but...........did Ayu have a cold during the BALLAD filming? She had a face mask on....maybe she was just allergic to the grass though? Poor Ayu suffers in her PVs! Injured wrist in Rule, colds....blah!

This is a wonderful single. I really loved You were... when I saw the leaked PV but BALLAD is actually much better! They're both such wonderful A-sides <33

You were... 6.5/10 (A little forgettable but has a lovely PV. I love the scenery and Ayu's costume but don't get the bear at the beginning xDD I wanted to hug it though as it made me feel lonely!)
BALLAD 9/10 (A great song...reminds me both of Days and theme of a-nation '03. The PV story was really touching and I loved the direction and the acting. It's a bit similar to Distance Love but much better portrayed <33 I was actually touched by Shuya's acting for once xD)
RED LINE 7/10 (A little bland on first listening, but I like how it reminds me of GREEN xD The lyrics are super sweet. The chorus is really catchy though...it gives me the feeling of independent though, even though it doesn't really sound that similar.)

Remixes 7/10 (Sunset Orchestra ver should have been on that single and replaced with a RED LINE or BALLAD remix. The music box version has lots of potential...I'd love an instrumental only version o___o;;;;;;; )

Personally I prefer RED LINE in this single. I like ayu's more understated songs (life, in the corner, beautiful fighters ect.) its a nice break from the melodramatic pieces, like You Were...

Lol no, she wears that mask during concert rehearsals too~
It's just to avoid breathing in dust/other things

I agree. I get so sick of Ayu's melodramatic songs. Less is more sometimes. <3

^ yeah. i agree *in some condition* XD LOL

RED LINE ~ for TA ~ is really a refreshment :)
never heard of Ayu singing that kind of cheerful song for quite a long time already~
i love this single a lot!