[News] NEW ALBUM March 2009

[Zeke.]

Its seems the news is making its way to other news sites (Yahoo, etc.).

I searched google with "浜崎 あゆみ NEXT LEVEL アルバム"

[love in music]

no rain, can't get the rainbow..

[GRACE]

Originally Posted by part of Me ♥

no rain, can't get the rainbow..

It's not raining, it's storming.

[Zeke.]

Regarding the 2nd CD...
Someone mentioned it's a PCDL Live CD. Audio from the concert.
I would think a ~10th Anniversary BEST~ would be better, you know? All the 10th Anni. versions on one CD?

[Ayumiko]

o_O...I dunno what to think about it...USB?? if this is all true...NEXT LEVEL sounds cool though...I expect cool looking covers. I really hope there's more than 13 tracks...please ayu!!

[Creamy Ayumi]

For me, the source is the T.A site.^^

[ohsixthirty]

this has been announced on TA? can anyone else confirm?

here's a better translation of the info:

http://ayunews.wordpress.com/2009/02/12/next-level/

The First USB Album

Singer Ayumi Hamasaki (30), will release a new album on USB which will be included in the memory. As digital distribution is accelerating away from CD sales, the new package was designed as a work plan. This is the first attempt in the music industry. Along with the regular CD, it will be released on March 25th in limited quantity.

USB memory storage device is designed to assist in reading and writing data to the PC by plugging the terminal. The data included in this CD is designed to encourage people to listen to the PC capture. This was tried with the indie artists, and is the first in the majors.

The Album “NEXT LEVEL” is her first original album after her 10th anniversary. It shall be sold in 4 versions, CD only, CD and DVD, 2CDs and DVD and a CD and USB version. All that is recorded on CD includes 13 songs and 6 music videos to be included with the booklet and lyrics.

Memory capacity is 2GB (gigabytes). Using the data recording capacity is 0.8 GB for the remaining capacity of 1.2 GB can be used freely. Price is 6800 yen (tax included). USB Memory 4000-5000 is usually distributed around the circle, “bargain” price was set. CD case is included in the same case size, to be displayed in the record store shelves. In addition, the USB shall be added on the Oricon sales data memory.

Many young people buy songs or singles in digital distribution sites and the songs imported to a PC. They listen to music on their PC, copy them to iPod and listen to music in the music player. Hamasaki “The style of listen to music has changed, and we decided to launch this product in the listening position.”

As digital music management have become commonplace, CDs are quickly dying out. The work package was devised only to Hamasaki “I want to leave a form and try a new one.”

Rough translation from Japanese to English by Rinoa.

Sources:

Empry at Jpopmusic
Sponichi

[Raleigh]

Mainichi posted the same article. Seems it's true then...

[Zeke.]

^Omg, they officially announced it already!?
Why would they do that with Rule/Sparkle not even out yet!?
Damn it. I wanted Life on the album. Now I don't.
It better be "Days, Green, Rule, Sparkle"...
1 interlude. 8 FULL LENGTH SONGS.

[Creamy Ayumi]

Sorry for quality, i'll make caps quickly

[♥ you!]

I hope it's just a translation error. I can't see them making the CD versions limited edition. But 6800 yen for a usb? NO THX, and only 13 ****ing songs?
COME ON AYU.

oh and the title sucks too.

ugh

[Raleigh]

Also Ayuangel posted more details about the album.. I think she's from Team Ayu so it's pretty official. At least the USB looks pretty

[GRACE]

Okay good, the USB version is the limited one, this is starting to brighten up a bit.

[ohsixthirty]

can't wait to see the USB stick more closely. it looks gorgeous!

[Melrose]

6800?

Isn't it 4800? Judging from the picture.

Btw, MIRRORCLE WORLD IS ON THE ALBUM.

Noooooooo. >_<

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by Melrose

6800?

Isn't it 4800? Judging from the picture.

Btw, MIRRORCLE WORLD IS ON THE ALBUM.

Noooooooo. >_<

WAIT, source?!

[Ayumiko]

the usb looks really nice...o_O...I want to get the 2cd+dvd and the usb version. Too bad there's only 13 songs...please no more than 2 interludes!

[Raleigh]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

WAIT, source?!

Yes I'm curious to know since TA didn't mention any hint of the songs to be included.

[daniel9]

so the memory stick is the most expensive version. i will probably get the 2cd/dvd one. i dont see the point at all in doing that new thing

[Raleigh]

Originally Posted by daniel9

so the memory stick is the most expensive version. i will probably get the 2cd/dvd one. i dont see the point at all in doing that new thing

I think avex have noticed how Ayu fans are more and more willing to chip in money for her stuff so they're keeping the trend by releasing expensive stuff.