Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai - New album (January 2023)

Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/index.php)

- Ayu Music News (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2)

- - New album (January 2023) (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125489)

The CD only cover is gorgeous.

Album info released

https://avex.jp/ayu/discography/

https://img.imageimg.net/artist/ayu/...ct_1035035.jpg

Images from mu-mo
https://img-shop.mu-mo.net/images/X/...=330&sr.dh=330
https://img-shop.mu-mo.net/images/X/...=330&sr.dh=330

Remember you
2023.01.25
AVZ1-63413/B~C
[CD+2DVD+グッズ] ¥12,500（税抜）

・TeamAyu/mu-moショップ限定盤
・豪華BOX仕様
・写真集（92P）付き
・スマプラミュージック付き

[CD]
01. Nonfiction
02. (NOT) Remember you
03. Dreamed a Dream
04. 23rd Monster
05. Summer Again
06. ray of truth
07. Remember you
08. オヒアの木
09. 春よ、来い
10. taskinson
11. MASK
12. VIBEES
13. Nonfiction (Yohanne Simon remix)
14. Just the way you are

［DVD (DISC-1)］
01. オヒアの木 (video clip)
02. Dreamed a Dream (video clip)
03. 23rd Monster (video clip)
04. 春よ、来い (video clip)
05. Nonfiction (video clip)
06. Summer Again (video clip)
07. MASK (video clip)
08. オヒアの木 (making clip)
09. Dreamed a Dream (making clip)
10. 23rd Monster (making clip)
11. 春よ、来い (making clip)
12. Nonfiction (making clip)
13. Summer Again (making clip)
14. MASK (making clip)

［DVD (DISC-2)］
- a-nation online 2020 -
00. Opening Movie (Directed by くっきー! (野性爆弾))
01. Dreamed a Dream
02. Startin'
03. Jump!
04. GET IN GEAR!
05. vogue
06. Far away
07. SEASONS
08. ayu-mi-x Mega Mix -a-nation 2020-
09. Greatful days ～ glitter ～ independent ～ Sunrise ～LOVE is ALL～～ You & Me
10. BLUE BIRD
11. July 1st

Quote:

Originally Posted by gentasol (Post 3355320)

https://avex.jp/ayu/discography/

https://img.imageimg.net/artist/ayu/...ct_1035035.jpg

Remember you
2023.01.25
AVZ1-63413/B~C
[CD+2DVD+グッズ] ¥12,500（税抜）

・TeamAyu/mu-moショップ限定盤
・豪華BOX仕様
・写真集（92P）付き
・スマプラミュージック付き

[CD]
01. Nonfiction
02. (NOT) Remember you
03. Dreamed a Dream
04. 23rd Monster
05. Summer Again
06. ray of truth
07. Remember you
08. オヒアの木
09. 春よ、来い
10. taskinson
11. MASK
12. VIBEES
13. Nonfiction (Yohanne Simon remix)
14. Just the way you are

［DVD (DISC-1)］
01. オヒアの木 (video clip)
02. Dreamed a Dream (video clip)
03. 23rd Monster (video clip)
04. 春よ、来い (video clip)
05. Nonfiction (video clip)
06. Summer Again (video clip)
07. MASK (video clip)
08. オヒアの木 (making clip)
09. Dreamed a Dream (making clip)
10. 23rd Monster (making clip)
11. 春よ、来い (making clip)
12. Nonfiction (making clip)
13. Summer Again (making clip)
14. MASK (making clip)

［DVD (DISC-2)］
- a-nation online 2020 -
00. Opening Movie (Directed by くっきー! (野性爆弾))
01. Dreamed a Dream
02. Startin'
03. Jump!
04. GET IN GEAR!
05. vogue
06. Far away
07. SEASONS
08. ayu-mi-x Mega Mix -a-nation 2020-
09. Greatful days ～ glitter ～ independent ～ Sunrise ～LOVE is ALL～～ You & Me
10. BLUE BIRD
11. July 1st

IM GAGGINGNTHDNENCNSJFJ SHE LOOKS SO GOOD!!! I kinda wish the photoshoot setting was a bit better cuz like a hotel room is like… really? But at least she looks stunning!!! I was not expecting 14 tracks overall, and it seems she ended up scrapping Pray for you, which i’m kinda bummed but it’s okay. I’m very curious to see what’s up with (NOT) Remember you and Remember you… maybe it’s going to be a Sunrise/Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ or POWDER SNOW/P.S II situation? Very intrigued

Yaaaaas queen. I loved the cd only cover.

the dress reminds me so much of Secret's dress XD

but the tracklist...i mean
i wished the JP tracks are bonus tracks and that remix too...
5 new tracks excluding taskinson

For an album with such strong singles going for it… very underwhelming album cover(s), and a lot of the new tracks seem like joke titles.

I’d even go as far as to say this is probably the worst album cover she’s ever done.

Nonetheless, my body & soul are ready for a new Ayu album!

I don't even care at this point. I'm just ready for a new album! Can't wait!!!!

I’m surprised no one mentioned the my name’s women Panasonic CM — that’s immediately what I thought of haha.

I’m also a bit over her fascination with hotel photo/video shoots but, I like the mood of the covers a lot. The colors and her haircut actually remind me of Carly Rae Jepsen’s newest album cover.

VIBEES was not a title I ever expected to come from Ayu lol.

More than anything, I’m so glad 1. the photoshop isn’t crazy, 2. it’s more than just a one color background, 3. it’s not campy.

taskinson doesn’t even make sense lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPL (Post 3355335)

taskinson doesn’t even make sense lol

Very few of her “task” tracks have. It’s an interlude in the vein of all the others.

For whatever reason I feel like ray of truth is an interlude. Lol. Or perhaps the (NOT) track is.

And is VIBEES meant to be pronounced VIIIIIBES (vaaaaaaibs)? The way they’ve written it is like “Vai-bees” lol. I’ll never be able to not say that looking at the title.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOONAppears (Post 3355322)

I kinda wish the photoshoot setting was a bit better cuz like a hotel room is like… really?

I didn’t get hotel vibes I got like avex boardroom vibes. Lol.

I loled when I saw (NOT) remember you! I guess this will be a kind of interlude too? So only a few new songs, hope they’re good!! Maybe VIBEES will be one of those humming7/4 type tracks and I hope remember you will be a ballad finally!

so
(NOT) remember you / ray of truth is interlude
+taskinson
ONLY 3 or 4 new songs
I Remember you

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan (Post 3355328)

I’m surprised no one mentioned the my name’s women Panasonic CM — that’s immediately what I thought of haha.

THIS (I was sleeping so I could not mention it earlier xD )

They chose a dress where they could easily photoshop her waist ... it's ridiculous.

> bad setting (come on)
> lazy tracklist

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke. (Post 3355337)

I didn’t get hotel vibes I got like avex boardroom vibes. Lol.

Oh god that’s even worse LMAO

I’m honestly very intrigued as to what these new songs will sound like, the vibe of the singles from the album have generally been very hard hitting (obviously with the exception of the ballads, but even they’re grand in their own way) so i’m expecting a very EDM/house inspired album. It would be pretty on trend too, especially with the success of albums like Charli XCX’s Crash and Beyoncé’s Renaissance. I’m gonna do a list of the new songs and what I feel/hope they’re going to sound like

Spoiler:

- (NOT) Remember you: I don’t think this will be an interlude. I know that if it was it wouldn’t be the first time she includes an interlude on an album 2 tracks in (ie Opening run on I am… and Discomunication on Next Level) but based on the placement of this song on the album, something tells me this is going to be a very sassy and powerful dance breakup song. Kinda like (don’t) Leave me alone (also getting similar vibes with the title)
- ray of truth: Now this one i could def see being an interlude. but i’m really hoping it’s not 😭 when i saw the title it reminded me of Madonna’s Ray Of Light, which kinda goes with what I said about me thinking this is going to be a dance oriented album. However, I don’t particularly see this being a dance song, i have a feeling this will be more of a ballad. But considering how the next few songs seem to be the ballad section of the album, i’m starting to fear that this is indeed an interlude track…
- Remember you: This will be the antithesis of (NOT) Remember you. I predict that she might pull a Sunrise/Sunset (Love is all) and use the same melody as (N)RY, but with different lyrics. If (N)RY is more of an unapologetic, optimistic breakup song, then this feels like it will be more full of lament. I have a feeling this will be a piano-driven ballad with a bittersweet feeling.
- taskinson: there is no doubt about it, this is an interlude and i think it’s fun how she’s kept this whole task thing going for so many years. i generally enjoy tasuku’s instrumental tracks so i’m very excited to see what this one sounds like. seeing as to how this is heading into seemingly the more upbeat section of the album, i can see this being something like The Judgement Day, where it bridges the more slow ballad section with the upbeat dance section.
- VIBEES: This is a very weird title lmao. I agree with Zeke that this most likely isnt supposed to be pronounced Vai-bees, but i can’t help saying it like that 💀 I’m (for some reason) thinking new jackswing for this song. The genre is making a comeback and it wouldnt be too farfetched since Mask was also a 90s throwback. I’m also seeing Ayu rapping which would be hilarious, this is definitely gonna be a fun song
- Nonfiction (Yohanne Simon Remix): now this one is interesting. bcuz it isnt being marketed as a bonus track, and it’s even integrated into the main album tracklist. it kinda reminds me of how Mariah Carey included the original version of Heartbreaker on her Rainbow album, as well as the remix ft Missy Elliott and Da Brat (something which she did again with Loverboy on Glitter) I’m not familiar with the work of this artist so I don’t know what to expect, but i’m going to guess it’s going to be an EDM style remix. Maybe the placement on the record will make sense once the album comes out, but for now i’m a bit perplexed
- Just the way you are: a part of me thinks this is going to be a ballad based on the title and placement of the song. another part of me thinks this is gonna be an upbeat track based on how ayu sometimes likes to subvert expectations when it comes to album closers (see flower garden, independent+, and summer love). i’m kinda leaning more towards ballad, but then if it is a ballad it would be weird to have it right after a remix… almost feel as though there should be an interlude before it, maybe that’s why the remix is there?? i don’t know, we’ll just have to wait and see when the album comes out

Obviously this is just me speculating… dreaming… perhaps maybe even being a little delusional lol. I’m no insider and i have as much as an idea of the sound of this album as you guys, but it’s always fun to imagine and share expectations of something with other people, so i wanna hear u guys’ thoughts: what do you think/hope that this album is going to sound like? and which track are you claiming? personally i claim ray of truth :)

This album is a joke.
The title, the song titles, the (I guess) 2 interludes.

Clearly a lack of inspiration. That's too bad because with nonfiction and summer again it looked like she was back but ... well, nope.

And the covers, come on. No inspiration at all, the place looks cheap as f**, she's past the thinnest waist ever but no, let's make it flat just like she's 17yo with a cruel lack of imagination (hello Panasonic 2004 CM)

And the pose ... seriously. Well, it annot be worse than the junkie fake smile of missunderstood but it's really, really bad.

I'm pretty sure "I remember you" will sound as bad and cheap as "Days" and "You are the onle one".

Ayu, it's the first time I'm so disappointed in an album release. Not gonna buy it this time, sorry not sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foyuki (Post 3355340)

so
(NOT) remember you / ray of truth is interlude
+taskinson
ONLY 3 or 4 new songs
I Remember you

I was about to say this. I think there'll be 3 interludes, though I hope not.

I feel the cover art is not that bad, but I agree that she and her crew like to use a hotel/ballroom as a shooting location. At least she looks gorgeous and natural (except for the curves of her body which is def photoshopped, yet I don't quite mind).

It's quite a time I have been looking forward to her new release.

PS: the last track "Just the way you are" reminds me of "The Way I Am" from TROUBLE.

Avex fired the person who came up with awesome song/album titles... long ago

I love all the covers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insanes (Post 3355345)

I think it's not fair to say covers are bad. She is presenting her as a more mature woman. I like the covers, much more natural than Secret, for example.

I'm afraid we are going to have more interludes than we expected, but.. anyway! This is what it is, her comeback in a long, long time, so let's try to enjoy it as much as possible.

I don't remember the last time we had the chance to speak about the covers and the kind of songs we'll be finding out with just the titles of the songs. Let's enjoy this moment, because it will take a long time to be repeated again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insanes (Post 3355345)

I understand everyone has a different opinion and that is totally valid, but we haven’t even heard any snippets of the songs to assume they’re already going to sound bad just cuz the album cover and tracklist wasnt to ur taste. I don’t expect everyone to be optimistic or have the same expectations for the album because again, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but some of the comments you’ve made seem a little harsh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by krtman2002 (Post 3355350)

It is fair to criticize the covers because we have like 100+ others to compare (album/single).
Some of them are REALLY stunning and some are really bad/cheap.

You can be a mature woman with a proper background and less use of photoshop to look like you have the body of a teenager.

A woman of 44 does not look like this physically speaking.

I don't understand the rage for the covers... actually I do understand it. After 6 years people have made a specific image of what they expect for covers and disregarded that those covers are really similliar to the album covers she had the past 10 years. It is a mix of ''A One'' and ''secret''. I this she looks great on them.

the tracklist... it feels like there are at least 3 interludes and a remix... so 10 songs total, which is usually the lenght of her albums (Guilty, Next Level, Colours had 10 songs). Also the number of songs was told earlier (12) and we were expecting to have 1-2 interludes, now they changing it to 14 and we have 3-4 interludes, so... it is about the same.

My main concern is that I don't like half of the previously released songs.

I'm curious about VIBEES. Overall, I'm glad the album has 14 tracks.

I dig the covers, specially the CD only ver. But hell, I wish my whole house was as "cheap" as the room she used

I think the covers are fine. Masayuki's first covers with Ayu but IMO his photography doesn't translate well to cover shots.

taskinson looool
the dress reminded me of that old Panasonic CM hehe
I dislike the covers, sorry. it looks like she spent 10 minutes posing and then they did some 10 minutes editing and that's all. kinda feels like there's no big concept...

and, God, her chin... makes me feel pain. she chopped it too dramatically!

but overall I'm happy we'll finally get something new!

Covers feels really instagramish after Nonfiction and Summer Again since they had lavish photoshoots (Nonfiction having that in you face-pink and Summer Again had drop-dead gorgeous cover) but as krtman2002 said, she is mature woman in her 40s. I'm more happy with these than something overly sexual trying to be 20yo-style some artist in her age seems to convey. Covers are boring but STUNNING. I don't think she ever had album covers which had huge WOW-factor. NEXT LEVEL maybe?

Many of the new songs sounds like interludes but I'm eager to see how they turn out! All of us are entitled to have our own opinions but let's wait for the final product before slamming it to the ground? After her amazing almost 25 years old career we should know her already well enough to say she is anything but lazy!

We all have been waiting this day for so long so I understand if some have high hopes for this release. At the same time we all wish this album to be worth waiting but at the same time she can't please us all since we have our own opinions.