『A BALLADS 2』on sale 2021.04.08 [III]
The second installment in the Ballads Best series, 18 years after A BALLADS. The main release consists of two discs with 31 songs total, remastered from their original master tapes. Other versions will include blu-ray discs and goods (40 pages).
As per the TA store, the album will only include songs released after the first A BALLADS. No rearrangements or re-recordings have been mentioned in the announcement text. === EDITIONS ======== [2CD+2DVD+GOODS+Sumapura Music] ¥11,400 (AVZ1-96674~5) https://i.imgur.com/KRSyvykt.jpg ✦ TeamAyu / mu-mo shop limited edition ✦ Luxury BOX specification ✦ Digipak specification ✦ Goods: Special book (40 pages) ✦ Goods: T-shirt with jacket photo print ✦ Other jacket card ‣ DISC-1 - CD ‣ DISC-2 - CD ‣ DISC-3 - DVD ‣ DISC-4 - DVD [2CD+2Blu-ray+GOODS+Sumapura Music] ¥12,400 (AVZ1-96676~7) https://i.imgur.com/KRSyvykt.jpg ✦ TeamAyu / mu-mo shop limited edition ✦ Luxury BOX specification ✦ Digipak specification ✦ Goods: Special book (40 pages) ✦ Goods: T-shirt with jacket photo print ✦ Other jacket card ‣ DISC-1 - CD ‣ DISC-2 - CD ‣ DISC-3 - Blu-ray ‣ DISC-4 - Blu-ray [2CD+DVD+Sumapura Music] ¥4,800 (AVCD-96668~9) https://i.imgur.com/cjmHh6Tt.jpg ✦ sleeve packaging ‣ DISC-1 - CD ‣ DISC-2 - CD ‣ DISC-3 - DVD [2CD+Blu-ray+Sumapura Music] ¥5,200 (AVCD-96670~71) https://i.imgur.com/cjmHh6Tt.jpg ✦ sleeve packaging ‣ DISC-1 - CD ‣ DISC-2 - CD ‣ DISC-3 - Blu-ray [2CD+Sumapura Music] ¥3,200 (AVCD-96672~3) https://i.imgur.com/j8tuUhYt.jpg ‣ DISC-1 - CD ‣ DISC-2 - CD === CD CONTENT ======= Spoiler:
=== DVD/BD CONTENT ==== Spoiler:
=== COVERS =========== Spoiler:
=== Other ============= Spoiler:
|
|
Preview sounds great!
|
I don't want to post in the celebrity section thread about "Haru yo, koi" because it's gotten stressful in there, but I cried tears of joy when I saw the announcement. My god. And the preview sounds so good. I'm dealing with especially rough life circumstances at the moment, and this news has lifted me like a rising tide. Looking forward to the release now.
I wonder if the release delay was because she wasn't happy with the initial recording, or maybe because she wanted to refine it? Regardless, so grateful that she's giving us this even while busy managing her pregnancy. |
Quote:
|
The drums in Haru Yo Koi remind me of theme of a-nation '03 a lot.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
I can't stop watching that preview and I think it's been years since I've been so obsessed with a J-Pop release. It sounds magnificent and the video looks gorgeous.
It's such a dream that we're finally getting Haru yo, Koi after almost two decades. :weep |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
I'm just repeating myself at this point but omfg, we're getting a Haru Yo, Koi recording and PV! What a blessing :love
|
^I don't think the delay really matters too much since we're still getting Haru Yo, Koi on March 12, which is the only new thing on this release.
|
Quote:
|
It's already been mentioned a few times that the delay isn't exclusive to A BALLADS 2 and is affecting another avex artist, so I doubt it has anything to do with filming or obtaining rights for the DVD
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
This is amazing!
|
Is it normal that the album isn't listed on amazon japan yet?
|
Quote:
|
oooooh I wsn't using kanji... weird usually her released appears even when I type romaji on their site.
|
So I haven't used tenso for a while, do they still provide shipping to North America?
|
"She sang A Song for xx (A BALLADS ver.) instead
http://www.bilibili.com/video/av8123606" That's the one I was thinking of then. Strained and pitchy unlike Haru yo, koi. |
New avex releases are not put up on amazon Japan until they were released (or only some few copies) for a while already.
Idk why, but maybe because avex doesn't want that discount amazon gives for their new stuff? The contract changed? Idk, but it's not only Ayu, it's avex' artist in general. |
Quote:
Spoiler:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
recently i watched Secret tour again, and now i only realise, the intro before 'M' performance is the intro from 'M' from A BALLADS 1. she really like to put mixes by HΛL on stage, such as ever free, appears, etc.
just wonder in future she will do something like that again or not... |
HΛL + DAI + ayu = golden triangle.
I miss that era. |
^Same =(
|
Only one more day ahhhhh :love
|
Haru yo koi just released ! just listened to the full ver
|
https://twitter.com/AyuMiFans/status...79977316265986
AyumiFans posted the snippet! Trying to find the full version though... |
Quote:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V3i...ew?usp=sharing |
Thanks a ton, junshen!
|
Thank you junshen! It's magical <3
|
^Thanks! Already sounds so goooood! I hope it'll be available on Spotify before the release of A BALLADS II so I can binge listen knowing it'll show in the numbers!
Her voice is slightly too nasal at first I feel but the arrangement is GORGEOUS! I cannot wait to have a HQ version! |
I looooooooooooooooooooove iiiiiiiiiiiittttttttttttttttttttt
|
Quote:
|
That arrangement is STUNNING! She kinda went very light and airy for the first intro bits!
|
Quote:
|
oh wow the ending is magical!! I can't believe there'll be a visual to match this...
|
wait holy shit!!! is the song officially released or is this a leak?
|
It came out officially at midnight in a lot of places! PV probably later today.
The video will also be on some morning shows probably... there's two listings for her in the morning news! https://twitter.com/asadesu0600/stat...71708820652032 https://twitter.com/TBS_asachan/stat...67968264712192 Probably mezamashi too! |
listening to it right now. oh my god. it's perfection.
|
Just finished my first listen and I was so moved, I don't think I've enjoyed one of her ballads so much since Walk!
I said it already but I am in love with the arrangement, and I think the progression is really well managed. Such a great addition to her discography! |
the ending with the choir. what a climax. I got goosebumps all over.
|
Absolutely perfect!!
|
a little disappointed by this version of Haru yoi koi... A taste of "too much" : her live performancewas really better because simple, perfect vocal.
|
Not too long from now! |
dang, at least I have something to watch when I wake up!!
|
Omg this is making my day!
|
A perfect rendition of this classic, loved it!
|
Love the arrangements. Glad they put some effort on them and not over relying on cheap synth sounds. It feels rich.
Her voice sounds different there. I have to say I'm not fond of how it comes especially during the first part. It’s the thing I noticed immediately. It sounds really nasal, almost «live» (a recent one when she tries to sound sweet but it ends artificial, like she restrains herself adopting an unnatural tone). I don’t know how to describe it better. Like it’s not a bad thing in itself but I prefer the voice we’ve been used to on CD. Even her 2018 one. Hope I will get used to it if it’s any indication of the way she will sing. Other than that it’s a really beautiful song, quite happy with the arrangements. Also like how gentle she sings even when the song is coming to the end with the choir and all. It reminds me of the way she sings on Secret. I absolutely love how she sounds on it. Wish she could have recreated that feeling. |
omg the ending gave me so goosebumps!!! It's sooo epic!!
i too do feel she was restricting herself in the beginning. but I guess she really wants to control her vocals |
|
Added iTune m4a HQ from official iTunes release in DL session
|
the song is gorgeousssss
|
Everything about this is so... lush. It's stunning and I'm shocked lol Ayu you better deliver this type of magic from now on with your own songs dammit!
|
I don't even know what to say. This is literal perfection. I'm so freaking HYPED for the video!!!!! That ending with the choir and Ayu's adlibs gave me chills. :love
|
I'm stuck in a meeting now but I want to watch the premiere SO BAD now!
|
Quote:
Love it :luv2 |
One of my new all-time favourite videos :love
|
GOR-GEOUS
I was hoping they hadn't shown everything and their would be another outfit but still, the quality is insane in comparison with Ohia and DaD. This is a job well done, from the track to the clip! |
She nailed everything with this release. The song, the music video are just perfect. There is so much grace in this video, just love it <3
|
That video was just *chef's kiss*
|
Beautiful video!!!! Loved it :love
BTW her cover has been added to Spotify's "Women's Voice" Playlist (Celebrating women vocalists from Japan) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37...ITkqowClw&nd=1 |
It's just perfect. One of her best videos ever.
|
She looks great but her face is completely different with this pregnancy.
And she sounds great but also completely different. The video is beautiful though. |
I was about to post best PV since MAD WORLD and then realised... haha
Beautiful PV. I was afraid because of the director's past but it was very simple, very elegant. |
Dayumm, I am stuck in a really boring online meeting, and I really really want to see the PV. I'm only getting more excited when I'm reading all the positive posts here.
|
I have passed away
too good |
Quote:
Love the arrangement as well, such a beautiful track!:luv2 |
Love it :)
|
I saw the comment about the ending being magical, and that’s exactly my thought as well and came to post :) as for her voice in the beginning sounding nasally, Yumin in the original sounds like that too, so I assumed maybe Ayu was trying to emulate that.
|
MV was so epic, I really loved the end part
Is 春よ、こい available on Spotify? can not find it on Apple Music neither on iTunes :( (Apple was not appearing on his IG post) |
This whole release just blew me away. The song is everything: Ayu sings with such care and tenderness and sounds gorgeous, especially at the end (those last ad-libs are perfection), the arrangement is sublime, the build-up throughout the song is so beautiful and so well done, the choir adds such an Ayu stamp (and singing their parts lets me live my full back-up singer fantasy). And the video is so gorgeous, both of Ayu's looks are instantly iconic (especially the red one!!!), the sets and choreography and the dancers' looks are so good. She gave me everything I hoped for. :heart
|
^^ It will appear on Spotify etc. once it's midnight in your country. :)
Quote:
|
Quote:
https://music.apple.com/jp/album/%E6...556546084?l=en |
I'm blown away, it's absolutely beautiful. More of this please Ayu!!
|
Quote:
|
Spring has started and there's no turning back...
Stunning, gorgeous video. Beautiful ephemeral movements, amazing outfits and her voice blends so well with this spring-traditional arrangement. And the dancers...wow, everything was so well thought and it's just pure aesthetics bliss. |
I'm probably the only one who is a bit iffy about this.
Her voice sounds different, not bad but I'm not sure yet if I like it either. The PV is just okay for me - high budget for a simple scene makes beautiful shots. I'll give it more spins without the PV to make a final judgment. |
Quote:
|
Also -- Ayu's "dancing" is pure kabuki. I think that's what I like the most about this video.
|
Oh my gosh, this is gorgeous. For me, spring has definitely come with this cover of hers. I love how it keeps close to the original, but added different instruments to the arrangement. Also, the build up is so nicely and gently done, yet has a real impact. I'm crying a little right now. The visuals are stunning as well, not to mention the choreography, which is very fitting. I really hope she gets some good press for this, because she deserves this!
|
Very nice. :-)
|
awww i loved it! the PV is beautiful, and her voice is so soft. Her voice still sounds like ayu to me, but i think she changed the way she pronounces some syllables, which makes her singing sound unusual to me (not in a bad way though)
|
Finally watched it! Absolutely enjoyed every second of it. Gosh, she is so beautiful And what a beautiful arrangement the song has!
There is something different about the vocals, and it's good. It's not really polished, but somehow really pure or something. Okay, gonna log off now to watch it again and again and again! |
Some people are already complaining about her face for some reason and that her voice sounds different to the cover the did 18 YEARS AGO (people on Twitter btw)
https://i.imgur.com/WBAG3l3.jpg |
Beautiful song, beautiful video, beautiful Ayu. Not sure how I feel about her new vocal style yet, but the delivery was really nice and overall I really love it.
|
Quote:
I commented that her face looks strange with the pregnancy but after repeated viewings it seems that the contour (you can see it in certain shots) is also weirdly done. Not a complain, just an observation. Especially compared with how she looks in candids on Insta and how she looked at the Xmas live. I, and others, also commented that her voice sounds different. No one here has so far compared it to the performance 18 years ago. No one even brought it up until you did. Weird or different =/= an attack or a negative comment. Please don't read into it. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
She is going to look weird and different though because she’s pregnant ready to drop. Makeup and retouching can only do so much I guess. I actually think she sings it better here than the MF performance. I revisited it in anticipation and this is a much better vocal. |
Quote:
The music has such an elegant progression and she sings so peacefully. I thought strange the first "wa" but then I realised the original has the same direction hahaha The ending with her and chorus evoking the backing vocal lines, oh my, I passed away. And the video is so gorgeous, simple, gentle, but with a lot of diversity in the angles and scenes... it's been a while since I was so hypnotized with a MV hehe The looks, choreo... it's really a beautiful piece of work |
Are the choir saying haru yo koi, hayuku koi whilst she's adlibbing or just haru yo koi?
|
Quote:
"Spring, come, quickly come." Well, 春よ来い、早く来い (haru yo koi hayaku koi) |
I thought so! My Japanese is rusty aha, it is a nice touch
|
^That's a good question actually - are there any other differences from the original lyrics that Japanese-speakers can hear?
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:07 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.