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That's true about anything, not just Ayu. When you enjoyed something, but seem to not enjoy it any longer, you don't say "it will improve", just "it was better, and isn't good now".
And specifically to Ayu, in my opinion, she did go downhill, for whatever reasons people attribute it to. The improvement has been more gradual though. I guess it all depends on which part of Ayu you enjoy the most, because while I think she's declined in some areas, she's improved in others and given new things for her fans to enjoy. But should the new things be at the sacrifice of the old? I don't know, I guess it depends on how you value what was lost and what was gained.
To use vocals as an example, 2003-2005 was good compared to 2006-2010. She's "good" now, but not at her (most widely regarded) highest standard. I think we have to accept that things like retraining your voice take time.
I think that's the problem though, part of Ayu's image is doing everything to the highest standard, so when, in a fan's eye, it isn't the highest standard, it's not good enough. It's a double edged sword really - of expectation, delivering quality... but not actually having a standard quality. Because in regards to music, quality is so subjective.
Like how Ayu calls everything "the best she's ever done" - I think her work ethic needs to be taken with the same pinch of salt as people take this comment. By that I don't mean she doesn't work hard, but that "highest standard" doesn't mean EVER, just what she's capable of at the time.
(Yes, I like writing long things)
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