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^ I hope there are album review threads for all the other albums (ASfXX, loveppears, i am..., rainbow, my story, (m)u, secret, guilty, next level).
Here's my review
1. starting over
I love how the song sounds so funky. It really sets the mood for the album and it transitions smoothly for the album. My only gripe is that they didn't include the lyrics of the song so that we could know what that man is saying.
9/10
2. Duty
This song starts off with the violins. That in itself is a good start. I love me some violin. The chorus is okay. Ayu's voice isn't too bad. Her voice has improved from LOVEppears and her superbly sung debut. I just love the instrumentation of this song.
8.5/10
3. vogue
Oh yeah. What else can I say about the song. It's lyrically sparse, but I don't care. That arrangement. Oh yes. It sounds very oriental/asian, and thats a great thing. One of the best songs on the album.
10/10
4. End of the World
I listened to vogue while I was writing this review. I couldn't switch to End of the World because, well, vogue is the shiz. Well, I love how the song builds up to its chorus. However, with headphones, Ayu sounds like her super-dee-duper ASfXX days during the chorus. Ugh shoot me now. The arrangement and versus save this song. By no means a bad song. Just don't use head phones.
7/10
5. SCAR
The arrangement sounds like a fairytail. Oh, it's magnificent. I hated the song at first, but then I grew to love it. The chorus is alright. You're here for that arrangement though.
9/10
6. Far away
Ayu was doing that ethereal pop shiz way before Hikki, and this song is proof. I love hikki, but this song just snatches all of Hikki's weaves when you play it whilst walking out late at night with headphones. Most of these songs rely on arrangement, and this song does not lack in that department. It's nostalgic beauty. Amazing.
10/10 *if this song were to go heat to head with Beautiful World, then I don't know any more*
7. SURREAL
I went through phases with this song: neutral, like, intense love, boredom, meh, meh, alright. What touched me the most are the lyrics at the end of the song. I know there was a thread with the interpretation/flow of the lyrics, but I still disagree with everything said in that thread. Much like the Japanese fans, I can relate to these lyrics in my own personal ways. Although I'm not as phased by the lyrics, they're still some deep shiz.
9.5/10
8. AUDIENCE
I like it. There, I said it. I love how it's so poppy and happy. Not much I can say about this song. It might or might not get you moving. A recommended track.
9.5/10
9. SEASONS
I used to hate this song. I still do, to a degree (based on old feelings). But I like listening to it (go figure). Ayu's voice is not the best in this song. The arrangement is where it's at. It's some old nostalgia thing. I love nostalgia. My current feeling towards this song is much stronger than the old feeling. A must listen. Also, the Japanese went caca for this song. Ask any Japanese person about Ayu and you'll get these songs : ASfXX, Boys & Girls, Evolution and Seasons. SEASONS is easily in Ayu's top 5 songs ever (for the Japanese). Just an addition: I have talked to a gazillion Japanese people, and the first song they say "OMG I KNOW THAT SONG" is Boys & Girls. Just an FYI.
10/10
10. teddy bear
This is where things get messy. It's definitely a sweet song. It's better than most of Ayu's cute songs. The lyrics are also okay. The song itself is not a mess, but it marks the beginning of the end for the album.
8/10
11. Key ~eternal tie ver.~
Weird name titles come with flaws. I don't want to admit it, but I am going to review this song for what it is not, like many reviewers on high-profile websites do. AYU, WHY YOU NO BELT DURING THE CHORUS?!? She could have made it epic. She could have. Who directed her during this song? They need to go to the 3rd floor corridor in Hogwarts. They need to go see Aragog. You catch my drift. I do like the arrangement and Ayu does sound nice during the chorus for what she does sing. *dies* THIS SONG IS MISLEADING. IT LEADS YOU ON TO AN EPIC CHORUS THEN SHATTERS ANY HOPES YOU MAY HAVE HAD.
7.5/10
12. girlish
Ugh. What is this? It's a bit cute, but the song drags like that bride dress Ayu wore to that concert which I've conveniently forgot the name of. There are better ending songs.
6/10
Overall
8/10
Just ditch the last three songs and you've got a classic.
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