[panda87]

after listening to them all, i really think she has lost her writing spark.
but indeed, this is the NEXT LEVEL. the album surely is electronica/experimental, which i was hoping for, and i was a bit satisfied. but i felt a deep disappointment. i was not too pleased... maybe b/c it's she's so different with this one. it's her best DISCO album... i loved the wicked craziness of it... so at the same time, i'm very very impressed and satisfied as well. at times i think she rushed this and composers just through things together. the songs seemed scattered and not well-composed... but i guess that was her view of going to the next step.

so overall, i'm very impressed yet taken-aback with the NEXT LEVEL album. it's still sinking in i guess, however, i enjoyed each song... but she just doesn't have that thoughtfulness anymore.

EDIT: here's my full review w/o ratings b/c... i hate picking a number.

Spoiler:

Bridge to the sky - it's just... so beautiful. i think its her best interlude yet.

NEXT LEVEL - beautiful. its a new sound that isn't to reminiscent of any previous songs. i really love this song. composition is well done and sounds rich and complete.

Disco-munication - this one really made want to jump up and go disco crazy. it's a push... but it sounded quite shallow... as there was something missing that had to fill in some gaps...

EnergizE - this one is really cute yet sophisticated-sounding at the same time. but i don't think it has the magic like her previous songs where it has a lasting impression on me, where the tune sticks or has anything that stands out. it's like, just another great pop song.

rollin' - absolutely "rollin'"-like. unexpected sound from Ayu... so i felt "wow... not bad, ayu. not bad" i enjoyed it but don't love it. it doesn't stick either.

Load of the SHUGYO - this one kicks butt. but the rock part sounds a bit "cheap" if you get what i mean.

identity - at first, it starts out like someone drunk composed this. it's crazy... but picks up and tries to make sense. i think the chorus totally saves this song b/c i loved the chorus, also b/c it's memorable.

LOVE ‘n’ HATE – i really like this one. i think it'll grow huge on me too. it's dramatic and something new i didn't expect. however, it seems incomplete. i feel it needs a "climax" to it... not a song i'd listen to on repeat though.

Pieces of SEVEN – amazingly composed... beginning sounds a bit creepy but later on it turns out to be a genius composition that almost stuck on me as memorable.