New single 'Dreamed a Dream' by Tetsuya Komuro out July 31st, 2020

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

The first song I remember listening to thinking the mixing was worse than before is Talkin' 2 myself, where it sounds like a "wall of noise" during the chorus. But I think one of her worst song in terms of mixing is Tell all. I love that song, but it doesn't sound like it went through compression before being released. It's really rough around the edges in other ways too though. Another song that I can remember off the top of my head that has issues is Mirrorcle world.

If I had to make a guess as to what the issue might be... I think it could maybe a be a money, time and scheduling issue? Something changed entirely in the way ayu released music after (miss) understood, going from a regular pre-set schedule every year with 3 singles and an album to random releases, as well as a greater focus on live performances. The industry was and is under pressure making less money, people started listening to LQ digital tracks instead of CD... I'm sure they'd made some difficult priorities. Also Ayu seems to sometimes make last minute changes, which might be more difficult to handle when there's no regular release schedule anymore.
Mixing takes a lot of time, especially when you have many elements in a song like in most Ayu tracks.


If you'd like to hear another example of sub par mixing, head of to my instagram where I posted a rock mix of Dreamed a Dream...

I agree. It really started after (miss)understood. It wasn't too bad in talkin' 2 myself and I'm still able to ignore it here. But even though I loved Mirror and was so excited for Mirrorcle World, I always found it way too noisy and I barely listen to it. It annoys the hell out of me. Same goes for Tell All. What really bothers me with those two as well as now with Dreamed a Dream: They could have been so damn great. They have exactly the kind of J-Pop sound I usually fall for. But they are all so noisy I avoid listening to them. It's a shame.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Chibi-Chan

I agree. It really started after (miss)understood. It wasn't too bad in talkin' 2 myself and I'm still able to ignore it here. But even though I loved Mirror and was so excited for Mirrorcle World, I always found it way too noisy and I barely listen to it. It annoys the hell out of me. Same goes for Tell All. What really bothers me with those two as well as now with Dreamed a Dream: They could have been so damn great. They have exactly the kind of J-Pop sound I usually fall for. But they are all so noisy I avoid listening to them. It's a shame.

I tend to not think of it as going back quite that far, but maybe you guys are right. I remember the first track that it really screamed out to me was Party Queen itself. It was just soooo flat. And that continued for the next few albums. Then I thought Made in Japan got a lot better. Then it got worse again. Really, really weird. I also agree with truehappiness that this at least doesn't sound as bad as the Party Queen/Love Again era.

[summerain]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

I tend to not think of it as going back quite that far, but maybe you guys are right. I remember the first track that it really screamed out to me was Party Queen itself. It was just soooo flat. And that continued for the next few albums. Then I thought Made in Japan got a lot better. Then it got worse again. Really, really weird. I also agree with truehappiness that this at least doesn't sound as bad as the Party Queen/Love Again era.

In the case of "Party queen" specific track, it's clear for me it was intentional. The whole atmosphere of the song is build to emphasize the feeling of "void" the album wants to imply. That "rose-coloured" and "golden" vibes are awkward and totally fake and that's why I really like that "emptiness" of the arrangement.

The mixing of the album isn't superb, of course, but in terms of artistic choice, I think I get what she was trying to convey with that album-opener track. It's like when you're so drunk (or high lol) that the sounds around us are getting blurred and empty, representing the sadness within her at the moment, even if she was partying hard.

[mizuki-7]

I’m not an expert at all but the only album I’ve a problem with is party queen which is a shame because I really like it. Some songs are well produce like shake it, the jazzy songs for exemple but reminds me, call, letter and some others make me cringes...in these songs her voice is so badly mixed with the music it was a big downfall after love songs ...

[Uemarasan]

Oh yeah, this is the Ayu I need in my life. Sounds like something from her best days! The teetering towards chaos in the chorus, the extravagance, the too-muchness of it all. I like how my ear can’t keep up, demanding several listens, and that it sounds like something from the early 00s with regard to the mix. Perfect.

[truehappiness]

talkin' 2 myself was the first time Yuta started composing for Ayu, so that could be it as well. Prior to that, he only ever worked with Ayu as part of H/\L. Also H/\L at that time was still active with members like Mayuko in there. I think H/\L as we know them dissolved in like 2009-2010?

[truehappiness]

It's nice to see the song getting received well by random listeners in Japan! It seems like it reminds people of the 'older times' while still feeling fresh. Comparing Route 246 to Dreamed a Dream, someone said that Ayu's song was more like TM Network while the Nogizaki song was a bit more globe-like, which I kind of get.

Official audio on her channel is at around 176k at the moment and the "YouTube Audio" version is at 25k.

[brener]

This song is so nostalgic. And yeah, it's not one of her best tracks, but who cares, she got a whole pack of impecable ones. In fact it's good enough for me to enjoy a new Ayu release that I was longing for <3 <3 <3

[URANUS]

I wonder when the PV will be released?

[truehappiness]

If there is one, maybe with the next album? If it's like Ohia no Ki though, maybe they'll film it before a-nation or just after?

[truehappiness]

It seems at least like the mixing got weird once Naoki Yamada 'replaced' her usual mixer entirely. IMO, that's when the levels of instrumentals and vocals started to get really bizarre and uneven. Before then, her songs may have been loud/busy/noisy but they were at least balanced which I think are both being conflated as the same problem. I don't think it was ever noticed before Party Queen onward because for the most part the same guy who knew what to do was working on her albums but now he's only back once in a while or for half of an album so it's a mixed bag. Party Queen especially as an album was weird because other than the next LOVE/Return Road, the rest of the album was mixed by foreigners. David Reitzas who did a bunch of songs on Love songs and progress did the best job there with how beautiful you are.

[truehappiness]

I guess they could always contact some of the remixers and provide them with means to make a full version perhaps!

[MelKeigo]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I guess they could always contact some of the remixers and provide them with means to make a full version perhaps!

This would be very nice
I'd love an orchestra version of Ohia no Ki

[thinkingoutloud89]

^but as much as I Love MW, I still think mirror has a better feeling.

[Chris85]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

^but as much as I Love MW, I still think mirror has a better feeling.

I was absolutely obsessed with the song when it came out. My co-workers had to ask me to remove it from my ringtone, because they couldn't stand the "yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah" part.

[summerain]

I really loved Mirror when it was released, but after Mirrorcle World (one of her best records ever), it falls flat for me.

[love in music]

Wait there are actually people who don't like Mirrorcle world?
The song is definitely up there with some of my favorite ayu songs and I can't even listen to Mirror anymore, seems pointless.

[RealLight]

Mirrorcle World is iconic, I love the final verse

Originally Posted by summerain

I really loved Mirror when it was released, but after Mirrorcle World (one of her best records ever), it falls flat for me.

I listened MW before I knew it was an extension of Mirror, and after I listened to it, I always felt it was kinda flat compared to MW.

[//ABEST]

Originally Posted by MelKeigo

Completely agree with you, Mirrorcle world is one of my favorite ayu songs, I'm actually shocked people dislike it this much XD

I agree! If I ever had to choose only one ayu song I could listen to the rest of my life, it would be Mirrorcle World without any doubt. It's like her modern classic and might be her most iconic song since her prime. I love it so much.

Originally Posted by RealLight

I listened MW before I knew it was an extension of Mirror, and after I listened to it, I always felt it was kinda flat compared to MW.

I always prefered Mirrorcle World over Mirror because Mirror seems too busy and flat + mixing is kinda bad imo.

[ExodusUK]

Mirrorcle World is iconic and it gave us the best wow ow wowah yeah since evolution shook us