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^How is that F-ing Flawless when your scores for more than half the album lie on the bottom side HAHAH!! I guess its the whole package?
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Here's my review:
tasky - 8/10
To be honest, I only heard this ONCE because interludes/intros were never my thing but I know this is one of the better instrumental pieces in her career!
FLOWER - 9/10
It's actually growing on me still. I absolutely LOVE the power she has on this track and bringing something new to her discography. It's so strong and kinda like a rude awakening if anyone came expecting a beautiful spring song. I've gotten used to her accented vocals in the chorus which is actually really refreshing and fierce. And yes, the traditional sounds are superb.
Mad World - 9/10
I honestly expected more when I first heard it. But after a while, it felt so right. Everything was just tight in this song. From the progression, to her vocals and to the emotions that are conveyed - everything was on point. I could even envision this very vast wordly feeling when listening to the chorus, as though she was belting from a mountain...kinda like a SURREAL PV HAHAH or even a very psychedelic PV where she spins in a cube. The piano opening is gorgeous too, and the riffs are LOVE.
Breakdown - 9.5/10
(Honestly after going back to Shape of love, I can't remember how this one sounds.) There's something very unique about the melody. It seems like a ballad from some period war drama and I love those desolate vibes. And the way the chorus just HITS is perfect. And have I even started spazzing about the amazing clever ending?!?! I can't even. I love it when they put in something special in music to convey something. Like how Last Links was only audible on the right side for the beginning. It's so beautiful to know they thought about giving the song its own unique character for what it intends to convey.
Survivor - 8.5/10
DIG THIS ENTIRELY! INSPIRE was one of the FIRST J-Pop songs I've heard LOL so this is an amazing throwback to that nostalgia. I've been dreaming of a fierce pop dance track from Ayu for the longest time and finallyyyy. The tribal sounds are so apt!! Though, I have to agree with SunshineSlayer, the chanting does sound..subpar? It STILL sounds like her dancers singing LOL. If it was a more TRIBAL ETHNIC chant, maybe that would be much more eclectic and rich-sounding. Still, I love how there are guitars and a good beat and yes birds.
You are the only one - 9/10
The celtic and ethereal sounds of this doesn't make it sound like a J-Pop tune at all! For the beginning, I have Angel vibes LOLOL (and this song is honestly what Angel wanted to become but didn't). Ayu truly soars on this track especially at the end! OMG what on earth is that? That's definitely something you wont come across ever in her music. All that belting and adlibbing which sounds PERFECTLY HEAVENLY. And also, I actually find her vibrato STUNNING. There's this very opera-tic and warm feeling when she sings in the first chorus. Overall, an amazing ballad with amazing well-controlled vocals!
TODAY - 9/10
Not sure why so many people arnt fond of this song?!?! It's so simple and beautiful! And that's one of the greatest points about it. The piano and warmth exuding from the melody is gorgeous. In fact, I find it one of her best midtempo "filler" (if you must call it) tracks. It's definitely better than Melody, Gloria (do you even remember that song), RED LINE. I love how she drags the last note in the lines of the chorus. I can also totally imagine her going "Eyy...soredemo..." during the piano section to intro her dancers or band. And the positive message in the song matches so well with its mood. Everything is great!
Mr.Darling - 7.5/10
Hello Darling! Indeed this song is such a dear. Thank goodness its not an overly cutesy track and its even acoustic, which adds more points to it. It's really not that bad not on par with some previous tracks which are similar.
Summer Love - 9.5/10
YES I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH! It's PURE J-POP EDM and J-POP is what you're listening to btw. Not American EDM pop. So embrace it! Usually I have issues with songs that start out darker and transit into a lighter cheery mood, but I somehow DIG this so much! There's this part in the intro where I can envision some form of signature dance move because it's just soooo catchy. And I'm sure this song is gonna be a blast in the concert.
OVERALL:
Really enjoyed this album a lot! And will continue to do so since I think most of these songs are ranked high up in her disco already.
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