[SheFliesHigher]

Hmmmmm, I don't really know yet. I like it, but I can't really say how much. It usually takes me a while to formulate a solid opinion on an album. I tend to dislike things, then like them, or the reverse. I'm terrible at comparing how much I like different albums and rating them because I feel like it's hard for me to rate one thing I like over another thing I like.

What I can say for sure right now is that the 2 tracks that jumped out at me right away were "Identity" and "LOVE 'n' HATE". The rest, I had to digest for a bit.

BIRDGE TO THE SKY
Meh. As an intro, it doesn't have much oomph, especially when you compare it to Mirror, which was just mind-blowing and set the mood for the album.

NEXT LEVEL
I'm not feeling this one yet. I like instrumentation, but the chorus and Ayu's vocals aren't grabbing me.

DISCO-MUNICATION
Cool and funky. A good intro into the electro stuff that is coming up.

ENERGIZE
I like the "put your hands up together" part, but the rest is just kind of redundant, and I don't like the beat of the chorus. Maybe it will grow on me.

SPARKLE
I wasn't sure about this one at first, but I like it now. The chorus is my favorite part.

ROLLIN'
I hate the vocoder parts! But I do like this song overall, even though it took a couple of listens.

GREEN
Great song, but doesn't belong on an album like this.

LOAD OF THE SHUGYO
Pretty nifty.

IDENTITY
Caught my attention right away. I love the "whoa" background parts when she sings "ID, ID". BUT I do not like how she sings the "yeah yeah yeah"s. Take those out and the song would be near-perfect.

RULE
I approve.

LOVE 'N' HATE
Very different sound! I love it. Each individual part is interesting: the counting, the "hahaha", the chorus. Yup.

PIECES OF SEVEN
Is this supposed to be a reference to how Ayu counts to seven in Love 'n' Hate? Anyway, it's probably the weakest interlude in my opinion.

DAYS
I always thought this song was better than Green. Wonderful ballad.

CURTAIN CALL
I wasn't wowed right away, but it's a sweet and simple song. I do wish Ayu would tone down the vibrato, though.

Overall, I'm not sure I like this electro-pop direction Ayu has taken. The music tends to be loud to the point that it overpowers her voice, and some of the effects are a little grating. The placement of the songs is a little weird, and I hope Ayu will stop padding her albums with interludes in the future--2 should be the maximum!

I'd probably give this album a 7/10 for now. It's not as strong as GUILTY and certainly not as strong as SECRET.