copied from my lj, didin't even bother to change the beginning xd
Well, my NEXT LEVEL came on Friday and I'm finally ready to review it... Being a BIG and I mean HUGE ayu fan I feel kinda disappointed with this album... but I like it nevertheless. Although, I recently came to a nice conclusion, that I'm going to like everything she releases simply because it's ayu. I know, I suck.
Bridge to the sky - very nice intro, builds tension and excitement
over listening to the rest of the album. But it should have had more lyrics IMO. 7/10
NEXT LEVEL - I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised with this song.Over the preview I was expecting happy BLUE BIRDish song, but fortunately this is just the chours. And even despite this, they are still fun to sing along. 9/10
Disco-munnication - It should have been made into full song, honestly. It's just great. It's just short and no lyrics... 7/10
EnergizE - the beginning is superb *_* then the English part is not. then the song gets terrible and yet after this the bridge is wonderful. The chours AGAIN get a bit worse but are still fun to sing. This song definitely gives me a headache. 5/10
Sparkle - it's just sparkling on this album *_* I love to listen to it, sing it and, hopefully, see it on this years tour. 10/10
rollin' - yet another superb beginning... and has electro-feel! that's a plus. It has too much edited voice though. Doesn't quite sound like ayu. Musicaly wise, I mean. Lyrics are one of the best on the album. And the chours lack something I can't place my finger on... 6/10
GREEN - why all single songs aon this album are great? dunno, but this one is really special. I love the traditional feel to it. Well, I'm an asian gig, whats of it
Load of the SHUGYO - nice, but nothing special. And an interlude. 6/10
identity - finally a great song! Superb beginning, again, and thank God it's still great after it. The lyrics are nice too 9/10
Rule - I like ayu rockish songs and it also applies to this one. Not very special, though. 8/10
LOVE'n'HATE - I really love this violin (at least I think it's a violin...). It's quite catchy, reminds me somehow of MY STORY.The countdown is great, especially the end 8/10
Pieces of SEVEN - Nice interlude... but what can be really said about interludes? They aren't horrible. And the ending reminds me of some old techno song... 7/10
Days - I didn't like this song at first... But it's just so lovely it was bound to grow on me *_* Now I find myself humming it all day 10/10
Curtain Call - I was really anticipating this song due to various opinions about it. The lyrics are really simple but quite nice nevertheless. Her voice sounds quite nasal at the beginning but get better later on. I like musically simple ballads even tough I think this one needs more upbeat parts. I like it but don't really feel it. Looking forward to seeing it at the concert though. 7/10
The booklet is quite disturbing. Crouchgrabing, tit-squeezing ayu is a bit too much for me. And it still remains mystery how come she has gloves and tips on them o_O
The new pvs are nice, don't have any plots but ayu looks really beautiful (and quite original for her - Sparkle) and I have to tell I was watching them with real pleasure. They are so esthetically done, that I have to like them.
Overall, I really like the album. However, the is not a song (except of the singles) that really catches my attention and makes me want to play it over and over again. Also it as too many interludes...if they were doing something, I wouldn't mind. But I didn't noticed tat the songs flow better with or without them. I'm still happy to have this album in my collection. 7/10