5 years on from A ONE - what do you think?

[mizuki-7]

I really liked this album back then after the desapointing Colours (Though I applaud her desire to offer something different with it).It was in a way saffer for her but at the same time is it really saffer to release a 90's inspired album in 2015 ?
Now I've still the same opinion this album is rather good but I don't feel like listening to it as a whole. Songs are lacking uniqueness standing beside her gigantic catalogue and some sound like attempt to redo allready pre excisting songs but qualitatively lesser (Last minute = Memorial Adress, Story = Walking Proud, The SMGO = Snowy Kiss). It feels like a negative opinion but it's not the case at all I just prefer to pick one particular song depanding my mood while I have no difficulty listen to Made in Japan in full ...so yeah A One is not bad but not great either =)

[Toniayu123]

I refuse to believe 5 years are gone already. Feeling old. The album is good musically, and kinda a “come back” to the original Ayu sound. But it lacked something, as all albums did since Love again. Vocally wise, it was a huge step down from Colours for me. While her voice sounded incredible in 2014 (and maybe in 2015 too) the recordings for A ONE are a bit painful to listen to. And sadly it went downhill with MIJ.
Warning still rocks.

[pedronekoi]

I have a special connection with A ONE because it was released during my first trip to Japan. And it was insane to go there after being a fan for all those years, and always following her career thru the internet, and see the billboards, the album on the stores and all of this. I really like the album for the memories other than the songs tho. But The Show Must Go On was my bop during that year!

[thinkingoutloud89]

like it for what it is, as with every other ayu. i think I don't dislike any of them - most of them just have a different approach. I got everything from Ayu prior (miss) understood at once. 1998-2004 never had a chance to be seen like anything after.
I think I got turned of by everything that went on with her despite her concentrating on the music. It just felt like she needed to do an album, yet I really love most of these songs.

THE GIFT is only beaten by beloved in boredom for me.

[mi|kshake]

Still love A One! Not quite sure where it places but it is one of my favourites. TSMGO being a highlight. And we got Winter Diary A7 Classical!

[Evan Odinson]

I love this album, I really do! The only tracks I don't love are Anything for you and Story lol but the rest for me is amazing

[Cahz-]

A warm and beautiful album. Loved The GIFT's raw vocals since day one, that makes that song unique on her discography imo.
That being said... M(A)DE IN JAPAN is just on another level.