Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai - Ayu ~Anything Goes~ XV (AHS' Ayumi Hamasaki General Discussion Thread)

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I'm curious what else was on that demo tape.

Story > everything else on A ONE

Even though I'm not a huge fan of The Gift (it's OK!) I always liking reading what Ayu has to say about it. I like hearing her talk about her reaction to first hearing it and which songs in her discography she loves.

Okay since discussing the hate for Ayu songs is the new trend here let me suggest the next one: ANother song

I like ANother song and What is forever love tbh. All of FIVE was perfect.

HOWEVER!!!!

Both songs suck live if she does them solo.

noooo ANother Song is so beautiful. I really don't get the hate? was it because of Naoya?
I had it on repeat when the album was out.
I still love it now of course.

I actually don't mind the A7 version of The GIFT. I agree that it is one of the weaker songs on A ONE however.

I have no idea what story sounds like.. I forget it every time right after the song is done.
ANother song is really nice. Naoya and Ayu have a nice harmony

What is forever love >>>> ANother song

ANother song sounded so basic R&B, it's not bad but that's it. I prefer those two than DREAM ON tbh

They are both pretty unique in her discog though which I appreciate.

If you ever wondered what an early Ayu song would sound like if it was sung by 5 Korean guys.

The song arrangement and composition is Ayu from beginning to end. End Roll, TO BE and For My Dear... teas.

Sayonara is largely unlistenable for me. SpeXial is tone deaf af.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustavopc (Post 3189765)

^ I expected some sense and the song not making it to the final cut of the album. The song ain't shit, but it just doesn't stand out. Unfortunately ayu seems to be in love with the song and that's when we needed someone to question her on what she's doing, which is a topic I guess was discussed recently in this thread. I say The GIFT is not on pair with the other ballads on A ONE, and seems like there is a handful of people here who agree with it. Thing is, I don't know how her Asian fans reacted to it, and since that's the market she's focused on, there is nothing left for us to do except discuss it, which everyone seems to be doing so, and without rude comments which is great

The GIFT is most like a song produced through a contractual deal between Ayu and JJ Lin as a promotional effort of hers in the markets he is bigger than she is right now, while promoting him where she has more influence than him. It has far less to do with "she is surrounded by yes-men" than it has to do with gaining some market. Considering JJ Lin is a big star on his own, it's not like she was in position of being picky with the demos, and at the same time, she song should need like something he composed, and at least his stuff I listened on youtube aren't groundbreaking either.

Considering The GIFT is one of the most watched PVs from A ONE era, it seens like the deal worked, btw.

It was immediately apparent to me that "The GIFT" was nothing more than a promotional gimmick to reach more Asian fans. "Sayonara" is really the same thing. Two of her weaker tracks in recent memory, but it comes with the territory of cheaply pandering to a broad segment of the audience.

Sayonara is one of her best songs but different strokes for different folks.

I LOVE Sayonara but the guys' voices all sound so bored, haha.

And yeah, The GIFT and Sayonara were definitely "Ayu's foray" into a wider Asian market and I think it worked in getting a bit more of an audience for both tracks and the videos but the results were kinda lackluster. Sayonara was POPPIN' but the Asian boy band was horrible at singing. The GIFT was okay but JJ Lin's singles are WAY better than what he made.

I kinda wish when Ayu collaborated, people would bring their A-game. You know that Armin did with Terminal IMO. (even if it was reminiscent to Ferry vs. Armin) But for some acts like DAISHI DANCE, I feel like Sayonara and stuff like What is forever love are not the AMAZING material that he is capable of.

I like Sayonara, I just wish it were solo or with someone with a more complementary voice.

I think Sayonara would have worked with Urata.

(Why... with Urata >>>>>>>> Why.. with JUNO)

I also like Sayonara, though I agree that it probably would have sounded better with someone else than SpeXial. And I like Why... with JUNO. He has a nice voice and for me it fits the song well. And he does not sound so emotionless as SpeXial.

I wish she would collaborate with a female artist. Don't need to be someone special, but I am bored of all those collaborations with males.

The bonus track after BRILLANTE though blew the original out of the water though IMO.

I think people would EXPLODE if Ayu did Ayu x Namie or Ayu x Utada.

It's possible it is difficult to find female artists to collaborate with Ayu.... maybe they are intimidated a bit? Or maybe Ayu is afraid as well?

If she keeps going for the Asian angle, I think the likeliest would be Jolin or S.H.E. as a pairing.