[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Embleu

I'm one of those people who think that Ayu's artistry was better when she assumed more creative control. While I still enjoy—very much—newer songs like Glitter, Green, and Sunrise, I feel that, with some exceptions, mostly from Secret and the amazing Will, Ayu's music since 2004 onwards has been more intentionally aimed at gaining mainstream popularity rather than being ars gratia artis. Free & Easy, Dolls, Heartplace, Naturally, Daybreak—these weren't big hits with the Japanese public as far as I know, but they are IMO "quintessential" Ayu songs; you can "feel" Ayu through every aspect of them, their melodies, lyrics, and PVs.

I quite agree with this as well. As I said though, it doesn't mean her current stuff is bad but there are aspects of her older material that I certainly miss.

Originally Posted by Delirium-Zer0

I think if you look at her whole discography honestly and without prejudice, you can see that she's improved, regressed, and improved again several times in several areas. I think the differences in our tastes can really reflect that.

Maybe it's just me though, but I feel she regressed a couple of years ago and has basically stayed at that same level getting neither better nor worse in most areas.