[maikaru]

I made a translation~

This is the Hamasaki Ayumi whose single "rule/sparkle" became the world theme song for the movie DRAGONBALL Evolution, who has established the record of 20 consecutive number 1 entries onto oricon. The rule pv in which she assembles an all boys battle line, is an aggressive and japanesque and with the world of these lyrics, "First, let's destroy these rules, both of us," it presents a samurai-like dance, and because of that, it's very very impressive. This is the Hamasaki which immerses herself in such hot and vigourous works. She has 10 full original albums under her belt.

The latest album, Next Level, is not something that was created unexpectedly. In order to recite this title, after all, it's necessary to look back at the activities of the year 2008.

Last year was opened with the release of Guilty. And in a manner similar to previous works, she started the ASIA TOUR 2008 from the fourth month on the fifth day. In the midst of artists who are celebrating their ninth of tenth year, from the moment she greeted this 10th anniversity punctually, she began this 10th Anniversity project. This success is also quite like the Ayu who hates anything that looks like plans. The single released on the same day, Mirrorcle World, is a historic achievement of 10 consecutive years of number 1 singles.

In September, she released a single collection which commemorates the 10th Anniversary, "A Complete ~All Singles~", and performed at Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taiwan, for her 10th Anniversary Asia Tour. In December, she released her 44th single, "Days/GREEN", And closed her 10th Anniversary firmly with a Countdown Live concert that was packed with thankful feelings to the fans who there is nothing above.

And, from the beginning of the year, she turned into a "NEXT" mode. She is not clinging onto the glory of the past, instead she has thrown that away and is heading to the next. If that kind of force was not existent, then there is no reason for Hamasaki Ayumi to be Hamasaki Ayumi. She has put that resolution into NEXT LEVEL, hasn't she.

Like the aforementioned Rule's lyrics, "Let's destroy these rules", and the Sparkle's "Don't enter into a defensive, show me your offensive" were a representation, this work has a lot of songs which have this kind of thick and deep color. From the past, the expression: to show your own resolution without hestiation has been used by Ayu, but, from the beginning of Guilty, we've caught sight of words that have not just been about her own opinion, but are increasing in expressions that should be used to cheer up or encourage the listener.

If we think about that, and looking back at the opening of 10th Anniversary Tour, Talkin' 2 myself's part, "Through destruction, creation is born, and you know that", was said through a dramatic accapella, and that tour's ending, Mirrorcle World, which includes: "Did you really wish for this kind of future?," and an alarm bell ringing for the modern era, was layed out. To be able to survive in this high risk era, she has volunteered bravely her body, and was a stage that was stimulating us. If there wasn't, wouldn't there be nothing after this? Next Level has inherited this serious message. The song rollin', which is composed of "This era is turning, like in the speed like it's facing the end. We've crossed the boundary line, where disappointment and hope are fighting each other," is the most extreme.

Be that as it may, like the lyrics in the title song, "It's not scary! It's alright!!" the title song is painting a brighter future. And of course, there is also the love songs! And also, the last song, which was composed out of listening to the voices of the audience during the chorus, the impressive song "Curtain call." This is the treasure that the 10th Anniversary brought. It's okay to say that this is a song created by both Hamasaki Ayumi and her fans. In a method which includes only a single piano and a chorus, which is not decorated or elaborated on, it can be said that this is proof that she has reached another higher level.

On the fourth month on the eighth day, she will be rushing into the 12 year**. And immediately following that, she will start a brand new tour that is holding the album in its hands. According to Ayu, the stage is certainly something which is the place found in the lyrics "we are moving towards the next stage." And furthermore, it's an Ayu who is looking towards a high level. And while we are staring at her back, we all want to face the next stage too.

** the article makes a mistake and calls it the 12th year, but it's just 11 years.