Quote:
Originally Posted by Aozora
However, my favorite part about Ayu's music was how it started softly and kept building up towards the end when her chorus was the strongest. It seems like on NEXT LEVEL the songs have the opposite effect. The beginnings of the songs were amazing (especially LOVE 'n' HATE) but after that... it seemed repetitive and nothing really built up. If it had... this would have easily beaten GUILTY for me.
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I think that's probably the thing I don't like about this album. All the new songs have pretty weak climaxes..
I think
NEXT LEVEL is the weakest album track. Does this song even have a climax? And was I the only one shocked that this was a DAI composition? It has a good melody and stuff, but by DAI's standards it's barely impressive.
rollin' is pretty sweet. It reminds me of a 21st century version of
too late on acid. However, I think the song would have definitely benefited from an interesting bridge to build up to the final chorus. In addition to that, I think the mixing is strange.. like there isn't enough "boom" to it. This might just be due to the fact that the song is completely programmed though.
identity reminds me a lot of B'z, which is definitely a good thing. What's great about the song though, is that it sounds even better if it's played consecutively with
decision and
1LOVE. It's a lot like those two songs, except a little funkier and with better instrumentation. The bass and drums sound a lot more prominent in this song as well. Actually, the drummer on the record is Josh Freese (who formerly worked with Nine Inch Nails and is the current drummer for A Perfect Circle) and the bassist in Chris Chaney (who also played bass on
Together When...). The breakdown in the middle is just, wow.. badass.
LOVE 'n' HATE is pretty good. I'm so glad she decided to do a song with a little bit of an urban flavor. But I mean.. the sound is a lot like American pop/R&B circa.. 2004? I mean, it sounds
really dated and forced. I think Yuta should stick with the rock arrangements. It's still pretty "fierce" though, it should probably be good live. Did anybody notice how sexy her voice sounds when she's counting?
EnergizE is really fun. I don't get all the hate for it at all. It's up there with her other "fun" songs like
AUDIENCE and
independent (which both have clapping lol), while not being too upbeat and chaotic like
until that Day... and
evolution
Curtain call is alright. It's the new song I've least listened to, to be honest. I don't feel like, this ~amazing~ emotional connection to it like some of the power ballads on GUILTY. I will say that the instrumentation is well done though, it reminds me of "Hey Jude" from the Across the Universe OST, very well done. I would have gotten emotional if the melody was just a little stronger..
Rule has grown on me a lot. I used to think that its melody was really weak and unmoving, but I think I've finally connected with the energy of the song. The verses are really strong. The chorus is too, just not by itself lol. The song flows very smoothly.
Sparkle is pure awesomeness. I love the filthy electro-ness and all the rough synthy sounds throughout the song. I love how the chorus just explodes. The energy is all there. Only complaint is that the ~no, no, no~ part carried on a little too long.
Days, loved it since I first heard it. Nostalgic sound. Wonderful vocals. Gives a feeling off that I can't really explain.. it makes me feel happy, even though I feel like it shouldn't.
GREEN is great. It feels totally out of place on the album because it's the only time Yukumi and tasuku appear, so the song has a really different feel, but this is an excellent, excellent song. It shows that tasuku is still a very strong arranger. I'm really proud of Ayu because the song has some very nice vocal moments.
And finally, yeah, the interludes.. I like them all. Probably won't listen to most of them again though except for maybe
Bridge to the sky.
Pieces of SEVEN surprised me. I didn't think HAL would actually change things up. Sounds nice though.
That wraps up my overall thoughts on the album I guess. Not sure yet how it stacks up to her other albums, definitely in the lower half though. Duh, lol.