LOVE - Opinions, etc

[pimenta]

I LOVED the 3 new songs and the orchestra version of Song 4 u
But the rest of the mini... well, I usually dislike most of the remixes of Ayu songs anyway, I wasn't expecting much of them in the first place, I guess I'll just ignore them
The important for me is that I loved the new songs!!

But there's only one thing that is anoying me, and it's that cut in 4:09 of Missing... That part sounds so strange

[Leaf King]

Regarding the new songs,
production, arrangements, and vocals are all good.
I very much like Missing, even though it's not outstanding. But in simplicity there's beauty, too. I don't care for Song 4 u; and Melody, albeit boring, makes up for it with the arrangement. All songs sound like they could be used in a video game (FFXIII comes to mind), and seeing how I enjoy listening to game soundtracks, I'll probably listen to the instrumental pieces in the future. Actually, listening to the songs for the second time, I get a familiar feeling. They remind me a little of this one musical I watched a while back.

The remixes,
Song 4 u, I can already tell I'm going to listen to this version more than the original one. Thinking about it now, I wish they'd put a song or two in there with the arrangements from POWER of MUSIC. I never listened to You & Me after the one time I watched the MV, and it doesn't seem like I'll listen to it much more. Had there been less vocal in the "instrumental" version, I would have enjoyed it more. I don't like the SHINICHI OSAWA remix; the extended one is better, though annoying throughout. It's nice to see a long track-list, as it reminds me of Ayu's older releases, but it doesn't do much for me when I don't like the bonuses. The Missing Dubscribe remix would be fine without the dubstep part (that's just messy), and I don't like the Melody remix either. It has some interesting moments (starting at about 2:00), but after that it grows tiring.

I like LOVE more than I thought I would. It's a nice little record.

[jyujiw]

"Missing" just seems to be missing a part in the 4:09

Remixes = Meh.

no one will never beat the "Rule (80kidz's "No More Rule" remix)"

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by jyujiw

"Missing" just seems to be missing a part in the 4:09

Remixes = Meh.

no one will never beat the "Rule (80kidz's "No More Rule" remix)"

The production/beat of that song is freaking killer!

[untitled-for-her]

Originally Posted by jyujiw

"Missing" just seems to be missing a part in the 4:09

Remixes = Meh.

no one will never beat the "Rule (80kidz's "No More Rule" remix)"

Absolutely ADORE that remix!!

But yeahhh, the remixes on LOVE, I could have done without. Especially Dubscribe.
( -____________- )

[PoetGirl]

Melody is my fav track, too.

[MeyChan]

For me is something like this:

Song 4 U -> 9
Missing -> 10
Melody-> 8

[setsuka]

Melody is the best track, the other two are okay

the whole thing together is really forgettable tbh, unless the pvs are super duper amazing, this will become my least fav Ayu release eva

[JackieRos]

song 4 u: super awesome, I love it.
missing: terrible and annoying
melody: horrible

remixes are terrible, I just like the orchestra one.
This single is a flop.

[orbitalaspect]

Song 4 u, I feel is too short. I would've liked a good outro to match the awesome intro of the song. And the PV doesn't look very promising to me...

Missing, I also feel that 4:09 is "missing" something. Overall, this is the most old-fashioned sounding Ayu song in some time, and I love it.

Melody, the mixing sounds a little off to me. But I feel like this is something from GUILTY era. It's nice to hear Ayu do something that's actually her kind of style of rock.

Song 4 u's Orchestra Remix is pretty decent. I like the change of vibe yet that it still has the heart of the original song in there.

I do not like the SHINICHI OSAWA remix.

I liked the Remo-con mix, because it's something I generally would expect from a-yu-trance.

I can't even describe how bad the Missing and Melody remixes are. Waaay overboard with the glitchy crap.

And I just want to mention that it's nice to hear the instrumentals of everything. You can hear the production quality a lot in the songs by listening to the instrumentals.

[channy]

Originally Posted by jyujiw

no one will never beat the "Rule (80kidz's "No More Rule" remix)"

All the remixes of the "Rule/Sparkle" single were superb. It's one of my favourite singles due to the wide range of carefully produced remixes. Of course the original mix versions of "Rule" and "Sparkle" were just as great, too

[alternarist]

Song 4 u: a bit of a letdown. Tales of Xilia 2 versions sounded much more dramatic than the actual song.. choruses sounded as if not much effort is required to sing this song..

Missing: TOTALLY LOVING IT! Choruses sounded as if ayu is yearning for something dearly.. 2nd verse ayu sounded as if she is about to cry. In short, the tune, arrangement, music, vocals and everything worked for me!

Melody: Lacklustre. But i do agree that it sounded as if something from ages ago!

Remixes: Gross.

[freedreamer]

Let me just say...I shall ignore the messed up remixes as though I have never heard them. And I don't count an ORCHESTRA version as a remix because...to me, acoustic/orchestra alternatives arnt really REMIXES.

Ok so, let me first say, Ayu's voice is so good in all 3 tracks. Like what most have mentioned, the vibrato is very well-controlled so there isnt some overly dramatic words..

Song 4 u: I've gotten used to its shortness. The 2 u and 4 u part just claims the song. It's really strong and I think if she had repeated it, it would definitely have lost its effect. So I'll be listening to the entire song progress to that point (no pun intended). I love the beat in the song honestly...it's really as though you are journeying and climbing to the top of the mountain and then you finally reach it.

Missing: I think this song is just....i'm speechless really. It's one of her BEST songs EVERRRRR if I must say. And maybe one of the best songs I've heard in J-pop this year, and maybe one of the best songs I've heard EVERR. LOL! but really, the production is perfect! From the building up of the arrangement and the different segments of the melody..+that surprising piano rift before the 2nd chorus and that nostalgic winter-song guitar bridge..and that very emotional voice, uh I LOVE.

Melody: this is probably the song that I've been humming the most. it's really nostalgic for me. It makes me feel like lazing and going on a roadtrip to the countryside (well, no countrysides in Singapore). It's one of those feel-good songs for me, and really heartwarming.

These three songs get an average score of 9 from me. Even though, I cannot imagine other ways where they can get any better LOL. but still, im sure there's always room for exploration.

LOVE LOVE

[jang-kun]

Missing can really fit to I am... imo

[AYUCREA]

Song 4 u 10/10

Missing 10/10 my favorite lovelovelove...

Melody 8/10

remixes..I don't really mind. not a big fan of remix

[Endless_RAINBOW]

"LOVE" was a love at first listen to me. I heard the previews/watched the short PVs when they were released and I liked them, so I was expecting something big. Finally, all my expectations were met and I can say "LOVE" is one of her best works to date.

Song 4 u: I don't like "progress". In fact, is the only song from "FIVE" I don't have in my HDD. But S4u is beautiful, very anime-ish but in the good sense. And almost 4 minutes are enough for a song like this. 8/10

Missing: The masterpiece of this release. I absolutely loved the short ver. PV and the YouTube short edit. Now that we have it full, I can say this is one of her best songs in years. Maybe (and this is a very ultra tiny "maybe") lyrics could have been better, but I'm happy with the result. 10/10

Melody: I totally understand why "Missing" is the favorite track for almost all of ayu fans. But personally, I think "Melody" is simply amazing. The lyrics are so meaninful and emotional, and the music is really touching. I consider this to be a "song for the fans" ("Who...", "MY ALL", etc.), with a very strong message. And even though I recorgize the majestuosity of "Missing", my favorite is "Melody". 10/10.

As for the PVs, they are the weakest part of this release. They had really interesting ideas, but the execution was a big fail. IMO, they ended to be boring.

Overall, I'd say "LOVE" deserves an 8/10.

[waterballoon]

I feel Song 4 u was just a little rushed... it has a great melody and arrangement and vocals.. it's like the skeleton of the song was so perfect yet it felt a little let down. it's a theme song to a video game, it was so looked forward to... yet it felt short of songs like progress and Mirrorcle World.

Missing is the best song imo, and like others, that little gap/skip before the explosion in the chorus was really really annoying, but otherwise, best arrangement in an Ayu song since the Love songs album.

Melody i felt was a black horse. not many people are gonna like it cos the other 2 songs really overshadow it big time, but I loved the simplicity of it. it's sweet, beautiful and brings out Ayu's vocals really well.

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

In order I like Missing, Melody and then Song 4 u.
I prefer Missing's video as well.

But what I really wanted to express is how horrible the remixes are. They're so bad. (Not the orchestra one, the other two.)

[YUKARI]

so it's leaked? no-no, not going to listen it until I get the CD

[terra]

Song 4 u - 10/10
I just simply love the song I love the arrangement but I also feel it kinda too short. I still love the ToX2 intro though it sounds more epic!

Missing - 10/10
Another great track, along with Song 4 u I just love every bit of sound they put in this song. It's just amazing

Melody 7/10
It's not that I dislike it, I thought the arrangement was going to be great but in the end it's not that special imo felt like a filler song in this "mini album" lol