[happy_ai]

I think NEXT LEVEL is probably her most forgettable album...
Its just not her strongest album, and its doesn't really come close to any of her older ones either

1 - Bridge to the sky - Is a decent opening to the song NEXT LEVEL, nothing really to wow over

2 - NEXT LEVEL - Despite the PV lacking in... everything-the song opened pretty well, the chorus is light and catchy and her voice sounded less force. But 2 minutes into it, it already lost any excitement the opening was trying to build. And is it me or are her bridges sounding more and more alike?

3 - Disco-munication - Sounded very 80s... which isnt a bad sound but lacked something.

4 - EnergizE - Ah~ ayu and english has never sat with me well (well, RAINBOW was always an exception for me) Another 80s sound, Disco-munication did its job with and introduction to this. Voices an sound failed for me. Its sounded like a song more for Morning Musume than and empress of Pop like Ayu... Dont get me wrong, I love MM. This might be a hit during concerts though, hm?

5 - Sparkle - Now this song I liked! Its aggressive lyrics, smoking PV and hard yet soft sound is just what she's being up since she starting having a rockish sound. And I completely understand why its after EnergizE-lyrically, its a continuation of being strong instead of being 'uncool'

6 - Rollin' - A soft, quiet start... an interesting build up... taking forver but lets give it a shot... then some weird sound (her voice in some filter I guess) and finally you'd hear her voice--synthesized and sort of... what's the word... cluttered? Yes, thats what it was. It definitely gives the next level level feeling but it was unwelcome to me.

7 - GREEN - A dramatic shift from Rollin'... this album really needed more fluidity! Amazing start, the traditional sound is very nice to hear. Vocally, its very natural-vibrato and all and even though it might take some time you really like/love its worth it. Songs like this take time to appreciate.

8 - Load of SHUGYO - I like this... starts off pretty slow but its perfect for what comes after.

9 - identity - Haha, the beginning sounded like something from a concert of hers "YEE-AAH YEAH YEEAAAHHH!". It got my attention though. I really liked this one too. The rock sound reminded me of something could have been a leading track on her (m)U album. Its a very cool song.

10 - Rule - At first I didn't like this song when I bought the single. The beginning just jumped into the song... there's something about the sound of it that I didn't like. Maybe it was the voice filter. The best parts were when you'd hear her voice clearly. And I have to say the bridge rocked my world... its the only thing I really look for in this song now... which is a shame. I think if I just heard an instrumental of this song, without her vocals- I'd be just fine.

11 -LOVE'n'HATE - Nice title, very different. The opening with the violins were amazing to hear the counting would have been cool if she suddenly hit zero after saying seven. Lyrically, Im satisfied... not floored but not bored. Not the best song of the album but not the worst.

12 - Pieces of SEVEN - I agree with some of the other people here... why did it start slow and end with rockish/techno? the transition was not smooth at all and was probably the worst interlude Ive heard from Ayu.

13 - Days - I got a No Way To Say feeling at first.... but its quickly went away--finding its own identity. Its a sweet ballad-ish type song. It wont go wont as one of her best ballads but Days is amazing.

14 - Curtain call - At first, while the piano was playing, I got the sense it was a cheap HEAVEN knock off. lyrically, its sort of lazy... her voice is ok but not really expressing any emotion through it. Its nice to listen to, especially toward the end where the choir backs up Ayu's vocals. Its goes back to her voice and then its end with a shaky note--Im not impressed with much but I listen to it.

Overall... hm, Guilty is probably a step or two better than Next Level....
Buying the singles would be better than buying the album
The songs dont move well with each other--random this and that all over the place
smh, not really happy with it