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I'm super surprised by Ayumi's ballads this year. Anyone remember back in 2009 when You were... / BALLAD came out and everyone on AHS pretty much unanimously agreed that Ayu was out of good ballads? I was definitely not expecting the ballads from A ONE and sixxxxxx, and I immediately noticed that Anything for You / Walk / Shape of love / Story are somehow so much like Ayumi's typical ballad but so goddamn memorable.
I've listened to Anything for You and Walk maybe a few dozen times now, but I immediately remembered the melody for Walk when it leaked in December. And the same for Story when A ONE came out. I can actually play that song in my head throughout the day. And Shape of love is much like that. I've found myself imagining the song playing, and the intro piano repeating.
It makes me happy, as Ayumi's ballads were what I first came to know of her, and even at her low points, I still liked them. But these, compared to BALLAD / Days / Sunset... It's so nice to hear Ayumi Hamasaki in the music again.
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