I think people are misunderstanding the way some of us are using the word "execution"...especially in the context of the cover and not the album as whole package.

I don't think it's unfair or bad form to say the cover isn't executed well, in our own opinions. I feel (as do others) that if it was going to look like a tabloid, it could have done a better job at looking more like a tabloid and less like a 12 year-old fan made a cover. That's part of execution, and no one's going to convince me the music in the album is supposed to affect that. Unless the lyrics explicitly state why the cover doesn't do a good job resembling a tabloid (imo), I don't think the music and lyrics will influence this aspect of the execution.

In some ways a cover is tied to the music and in some ways it's not. There can be a disparency between the execution of the cover and the execution of the album. We can agree to disagree on this if you'd like, but I don't think my opinions are "uncalled for."

I really really love the CD+DVD+DVD version <3
The other covers looks like the after-party's hangover lol

Love your post! :)

Execution has always been a bit of a problem for the design team that Ayu chooses to work with, or at least it seems like it's been an issue since 2004/2005. My guess is that they've just never had someone "INSPIRED" as their art director.

It'll be interesting to see how Ayu's explanation factors into the other parts of the album [back cover, booklet, etc.] so I'm reserving judgement on the 'meaning' until then.

I see what everybody is saying about "execution" and I completely agree. They could have used the exact layout for a tabloid magazine and put headlines all over it with scandalous pictures and whatnot... Seriously, so many other ways to execute this theme. The mistake she made was actually alluding to the real meaning behind the covers. She should have ignored the entire shitstorm and just let it be. Great novelists leave their works open to interpretation, they don't go out and try to explain it. That's the beauty of art.

I just think it's funny that when Ayu actually does produce a cover that is supposed to have some deeper, hidden meaning (because lbr most of her covers are straightforward glamour shots) it's criticized immediately. If you read the initial reaction by members in that thread, there's comments that attack her character, her morals, and just various comments that are extremely misogynistic. Now, after Ayu explained it, the same people are trying to backtrack and say that the covers would have been fine in terms of the sexiness BUT were executed poorly. Why can't Ayu be "trashy" for the sake of being "trashy"? And who's to say that this is the first "trashy" thing she's done for the sake of being "trashy"? People have a complete lack of respect for the subjectivity of art and they get on their moral high-horses. When I explained to people that I thought the Duty cover was more risque they all asked if I was "smoking crack" as if my interpretation of those covers was completely unfounded. I see dark sexual symbolism behind those covers. If you don't, that's fine. Just because YOU don't see it, doesn't mean it's not well-executed. I'm also glad Timmy called out fans. Judging by the misogynistic comments on this forum, some of you are rather unsophisticated and vapid.

Also, I think Ayu would take offense to those who are saying she's trying to change her image, or trying desperately to be "trashy." We all know she isn't Koda Kumi and that overt, in-your-face sexuality is never going to be her major selling point. There's a lot of different sides to her as a woman - that's what she was trying to get across in the STEP you PV. She doesn't want to be put into one box. You know, maybe the reaction to these covers is merely proving her point and helping to make the idea behind these covers more salient...

^I would say some of her more interesting covers, the ones that don't limit themselves to show some pretty Ayu shot are also among the ones that generates the most controverse... Of course, this happens only after I am... before it she was GodAyu, where every fart was deep and artistic.

Especially the batch of generic ballads on I am..., they were so deep, special and unique.

I think a big part of the controversy and uproar stems from the fact that Ayu had created her image withouth sexuality being a prominent feature. A lot of people value(d) that aspect of her, and this is such a sharp deriviation from her past image. There's no denying that people change and no one can deny her that right to evolve, but her manner of expression and desires have changed. That doesn't mean her fans' values have changed, though. And that's not immature, that's not selfish: that just means Ayu has evolved differently from some of her fans.

When Linkin Park first emerged I really respected them because they didn't cuss in their songs. They said that it didn't make the words any more powerful and were therefore unnecessary. I respected their values and even valued them myself. Then they started cussing in their third album and I felt distanced. Sure, it was their right to change their values and do something different that fit their current feelings, but I thought they had proved their original case that music didn't need swearing. It's just a differnce of opinions now - their feelings changed, mine didn't.

So what I'm trying to say is that while some people might be annoyed at others being upset over her new sexuality, I think they have to also understand that these people are probably just expressing their displeasure with the change in their favorite singer's values and/or methodology. That's an assumption and generalization, and someone's going to say, "well, then just move on, stop whining, and don't come back." And that's like saying, "hey, if you hate how your best friend has changed, just drop him and move the **** on. Never talk to him again."

That went off on a tangent...

To be honest, I feel that they just picked any old image from the past, made those the covers and said "She's sad and lonely!" It just doesn't mesh well.

But the covers are growing on me. She definitely did something different lol.

YEEHEHEEHES!! D':

Did you read my mind? That's exactly how I feel. I've been always proud of her for not being extremely sexual or cheap! For me it's a really devastating feeling when I look at her most recent image changes...

Do you guys remember the Hamasaki Republic book? In these photos she almost seemed superhuman and full of melancholic feelings.

If I look at wonderful Hamasaki books that represent a completely different image, a classy image, and then get to see pictures like in the Part Queen thread I feel like punching my fist in my own freaking face D:<

I loveee the covers! except the one with the shoe, that one's okay, but the other two I love :heart and woah her boobs look awesome.

Kumi did the whole lonely party girl thing with Physical thing but it's much easier to see the concept and get the message in lyrics and a video than it is with a photograph like Ayu is doing

But still, as covers, I love them. I was tired of seeing elegantly dressed, doll-faced Ayu staring blankly in to the camera. This is so different and out there for her, I really like it :yes I would have preferred it if it didn't have the 13th album sticker and barcode though

I agree about the DJ part!

now, please, all "Ayu-meanings-interprets", anyone, please explain to me the meaning/sign/symbolism of being lonely in the picture of Ayu showing off her ass in a doggy-style, I might be too shallow to see the loneliness a bit lower of her back? thank you.

Yeah, actually I believe u r too shallow to see the loneliness :P U r still nice though...

Seeing by only the cover itself it's really hard nor impossible.
Meanings comes along with songs and their lyrics though. That's why I said there's always a meaning behind her album covers at least.
Like for ASFXX. She's looking quite naive, insecure and sad on the album cover and it reflects the lyrics of the songs. It's not just a pretty face that belongs to a girl called 'ayumi hamasaki'.

But well that's just my personal interpretation :shrug

I know and I am waiting for songs & lyrics! but since we're talking about the cover, that is why I asked
by your logics, Ayu in the PQ covers looking happy and weird and this position again, her lyrics should be about fun and weird things, but she told us it was about the loneliness, no connection again...:shrug

no signs of sadness/loneliness, direct or indirect
I think Ayu & a mirror would be a good idea. Ayu on the outside - party queen, and in the mirror Ayu inside - some artistic dark image. or her partying hard in a crowd of people and in the mirror her image of 'alone' in the darkness...

lolwat?

This. All of this. :)

In all honesty, I don't think it has anything to do with her sexuality.

I mean if she is a lonely party queen this is a beauty picture to depicted that.
I mean has anyone ever gone to a party and seen that one girl who feels bad about themselves and always manages to take all her cloths off and wants to be the center of attention...
its sad and ayumi has "pictured" this really well.

This made my day a whole lot better

I really dislike those covers...disappointing