New album titled 'MADE IN JAPAN'

[mizuki-7]

Apparently this album is a return to form, "awakening" of Ayumi Hamasaki, a new NEXT LEVEL and was challenging for her. "That's the Ayu we've been waiting for"

Thank You !!
I'm always a bit sceptical when I hear sentence like this because it's the best way to be disappointed if it's not what I actually wanted lol but if it's true YEAH !!

[truehappiness]

I hope the album sounds as diverse as they're hyping it to be! I'm expecting something a bit like Rock'n'Roll Circus or (miss)understood as far as genres go.

[oaristos]

Originally Posted by rainbow_smile

Apparently this album is a return to form, "awakening" of Ayumi Hamasaki, a new NEXT LEVEL and was challenging for her. "That's the Ayu we've been waiting for"

That's pretty exciting even though NEXT LEVEL is not my favorite album of hers. However, I think we can expect something different and not so "safe" this time, so that's great

Don't know what to think about an album whose songs follow the seasons of the year. If MADE IN JAPAN is so sonically diverse, I'd like to have a few interludes to keep the album balanced! Let's see.

[truehappiness]

I think they just used the words "NEXT LEVEL" to mean that she's "stepped her game up".

[oaristos]

^ Oh, got it! Thanks I thought they were actually comparing MIJ to NEXT LEVEL.

[Uknow!]

I can't wait...

[TheRainbow]

I hope it's sonically nothing like NEXT LEVEL though lol.

[mizuki-7]

I expect a good balance between ballads, slow/mid-tempo and up-tempo songs! This idea is interesting if it's well done I can imagine this album starting with bright songs but rather mid-tempo, following with more energic songs and finish gradually with calmer songs ! All will depend of the work of arrangeur if they have been able to really re-create the atmosphere Ayumi wanted to do =)

[rainbow_smile]

That's the quote where they're talking about next level:

そうして、丸裸になった彼女が着地した新たなNEXT LEVELでは、

聴きなれた歌声も、かつてないほどの変化を遂げていたり、

いったい、浜崎あゆみに何が起こったの？？

So I'm not sure if they're talking about the album (since they wrote it in English and with all capitals, just like the album title), or just saying that she's stepping her game up.

[Coelacanth]

Hoping for at least a few songs with a 'fuller' sound (i.e., synth elements as an accompaniment rather than the fundamental template of the song).

and if you're going to have a digital 'rock' song, the mixing at least has to be good (Last minute/Sorrows vs. count down)

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

OK interesting...so are we expecting an official announcement soon, or is it just going to drop like Beyonce does? I don't see the latter being very smart for sales, but it would make me happy!

[Coelacanth]

I feel like it's gonna be a 'surprise' drop. Having no official announcement when there's news stories about the album floating around is a bit odd.

[mizuki-7]

^
She has nothing to loose at this point I wouldn't be surprised if the album drop digitally the same day as the tour start with a physical release the following wednesday !

[JinHamasaki]

Originally Posted by mizuki-7

Honestly ? Isn't a bit cliché to assume because the album's title contains the word "Japan" so she has to be dressed like a tradional japanese ?

http://109news.jp/event/20160503/58789/?detail

I do think it would be cliched, but ironically Ayu has NEVER had an album that culturally identified "Japan". ayu-mi-x IV is the closest and visually I thought it was stunning.

[Yoake]

"awakening"? To me it already happened with A ONE and sixxxxxx. ^__^
I'm very excited about this new album. I think it's really interesting how they are building the hype strategically.

[Gustavopc]

I think they are referring to the album cause of the way they have capitalized it, and they probably meant so cause that was a path almost new to her when she did NEXT LEVEL. If that's it, I'm curious to hear what will be the new sound she'll bring to this album. I'm crossing fingers for a real rock track and a Shape of love-ish ballad.

[Surreal17]

Mad World reminds me of everywhere nowhere, talkin 2 myself, Mirrorcle World and rollin' so I'm really excited about this track.

Mad World : "Tell me, if it were you, how would you live in this era？ / Tell me, for I'm already sincerely nauseated with this era / Where should my real intentions be?"
Comparision:
everywhere nowhere : "The more convenient the products become / The more inconvenient our hearts become / I wonder if some day / Man may be symbolized, too"
talkin 2 myself : "Just because this is the age full of information and temptations / We should make the choices of our own / You know / That creation comes after destruction"
Mirrorcle World : "Did I imagine this kind of future? / Did you imagine this kind of future? / Did I wish for this kind of future? / Did you wish for this kind of future?"
rollin' : "The world is rolling around at the speed of rebirth / The world is rolling around at the speed of rebirth / It's falling into confusion, and despair and desire come to us alternately / We can't continue to live in the traditional way"

All these songs are written from a broader point of view and they either come as warning, advice, disappointment or awakening from the false complacement the world has fallen in. Mad World may have something to do with the cyber bullying that ayu was recently talking.
Also, as genres are concerned, we have 2 types for this sort of lyrics : upbeat euphoric trippy (everywhere nowhere, rollin') or hard rock (talkin 2 myself, Mirrorcle World).

[Heavenly]

The four seasons theme ?
Welle, that's the open door to Spring Diary and Fall/Autumn Diary

[Gustavopc]

^
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[TheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Heavenly

The four seasons theme ?
Welle, that's the open door to Spring Diary and Fall/Autumn Diary

With the intros Rainy diary and Leafy diary.