NEXT LEVEL album thoughts

[SURREAL__RAINBOW]

lol we should have a deluxe album of NEXT LEVEL, with the best from her pasted 2 other albums, Secret and GUILTY:


NEXT LEVEL -DELUXE EDITION-


CD1
01.Bridge to the sky ~2~ (a complete song with lyrics, more than 4 minutes long)
02.NEXT LEVEL
03.Disco-munication
04.Leave Me Alone (new version from (don't) leave me alone)
05.EnergizE
06.Sparkle
07.rollin'
08.Glitter (new mix)
09.GREEN
10.FUTURE YET (complete version of Not yet with lyrics and pv)

CD2
11.until that Day... (plus pv)
12.Mirrorcle World
13Load of the SHUGYO
14.identity
15.Rule
16.LOVE 'n' HATE
17.Pieces of SEVEN
18.Days
19.Curtain Call
20.Life (hidden track)

DVD
01.Mirrorcle World pv
02.Days pv
03.GREEN PV
04.Rule pv
05.Sparkle pv
06.NEXT LEVEL pv
07.Curtain Call pv
08.FUTURE YET pv
09.until that Day... pv

+making ofs








LOL xDD

[KuroixShiroi_Namida]

Really nice album. I liked the variety of genre's prevalent throughout the tracklist. GREEN seems a little bit out of place but it's not much of a deal XD. Curtain Call's fantastic - nostalgic, touching and beatiful.

Iunno but GUILTY imo is much better lol. Maybe a few more listens it'll change!

[Jason]

I'll be posting a full review tonight.

Basically, I think it's a good album that has some problems. It's not her best album but it's far from her worst.

[Azmaria]

I definitly love this album, but I feel that GREEN and Days don't fit in the album
I love Days, but I think it would fit more the atmosphere of Memorial Address or MY STORY

my fav song is identity and EnergizE

overall complete different, well for a while the styles have been changing, but I think NEXT LEVEL is a positive album for me ^^

[alternarist]

Originally Posted by Kirshwasser

i think she says I.D

thanks for the correction. if she said ID, then it sounds perfectly fine!

[freedreamer]

Originally Posted by SURREAL__RAINBOW

lol we should have a deluxe album of NEXT LEVEL, with the best from her pasted 2 other albums, Secret and GUILTY:


NEXT LEVEL -DELUXE EDITION-


CD1
01.Bridge to the sky ~2~ (a complete song with lyrics, more than 4 minutes long)
02.NEXT LEVEL
03.Disco-munication
04.Leave Me Alone (new version from (don't) leave me alone)
05.EnergizE
06.Sparkle
07.rollin'
08.Glitter (new mix)
09.GREEN
10.FUTURE YET (complete version of Not yet with lyrics and pv)

CD2
11.until that Day... (plus pv)
12.Mirrorcle World
13Load of the SHUGYO
14.identity
15.Rule
16.LOVE 'n' HATE
17.Pieces of SEVEN
18.Days
19.Curtain Call
20.Life (hidden track)

DVD
01.Mirrorcle World pv
02.Days pv
03.GREEN PV
04.Rule pv
05.Sparkle pv
06.NEXT LEVEL pv
07.Curtain Call pv
08.FUTURE YET pv
09.until that Day... pv

+making ofs


LOL xDD

HAHAH thats what I suggested...except that it doesnt come in a set..
http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87618

[Insanes]

Well I could not wait to listen to it and find what she prepared for us.

At this point, after the second time I listened to it, I really don't like electro-type.

Where are the melodies we were used to have ?

I have the feeling of playing an old video game like Bare Knuckle when I listen to the tracks which were not released as singles.

It is like an UFO in Ayu's discography -_-'

Next level, Sparkle, Rule, Green, Curtain Call and Days are the one I like, the most.

I'll just keep listen to it, I finaly may appreciate it.

[Nu-NRG]

To be honest it's nice that ayu is brave to experiment with this album but I think the album tracks(for the first time) is hella weaker than the single materials ..usually is the other way around but I think this album is a grower. It'll gona take some time for me to digest it lol but overall thank god no more "HONEY" type of songs..I never liked that style and the way she uses her cutesy voice..
Oh the interludes are very nice this time around and should full songs like mirror and must say the transitions from Pieces of SEVEN to the last two ballads ..very awkward techno beat then soft mellow songs...
my only complain is...TOO SHORT...*play* aww over already? 14 songs..with 4 interludes..

[Nandokanji]

i love this albm, it has a whole new vibe to it, definitly worth the title NEXT LEVEL.
the only 2 songs that dissapointed me were LOVE'n'HATE and Rollin'.
They weren't nesseceraly bad but i just think she could have done more with it.
GREEN feels really out of place, but the flow into diffirent styles goes pretty wel except for Pieces of SEVEN, it just really doenst work with days.
overal i think its worthy of an 8

[[taskin.ayu]]

This album didn't do it for me, and that's the first time an Ayu album hasn't done it for me since I first started listening to Ayu with Memorial address. I agree, there's no emotional connection in this album. Usually when I listen to Ayu, I don't understand the lyrics, but I can still feel the emotions in the songs I listen to. I don't really get this with these songs. I like some tracks, like LOVE'n'HATE and NEXT LEVEL (even though it's too similar to BLUE BIRD), but the group of album electronic tracks are so forgettable, I don't even feel that they're concert worthy.

I dunno.. I have to listen to it a few more times, but I don't think I will be purchasing this album.

[ren'ai]

Well I'm actually disappointed with Ayu. This really is a level down from her normal brilliance in my opinion anyway. I have to say I love her single tracks (they are quality Ayu work) and only 2 of the album ones - Curtain Call and LOVE'n'Hate. I do hope the others grow on me in time..

[TeeMo]

I think maybe the genre of this album is electro?..

[Kazeyomi]

NEXT LEVEL is..

her best album since Secret

Bridge to the sky
In the lq preview sounds really different, more upbeat, but is a nice intro to the album

NEXT LEVEL
Is adorable. I fall in love with this song *_* so softer Ayu seems said 'I walk on a new road, follow me!'

Disco-munication
Ayu, why isn't it a full song? Would be another amazing track.

EnergizE
Really happy song, it's so and so but I need to listen it once more for love it.

Sparkle
Amazing song, as I already said.

rollin'
Nice electronic song! The chorus is catchy, her voice fit well with the arrangement.. i love it !

GREEN
Great track, one of her best song.

Load of the SHUGYO
.. another interlude would be perfect as full song >_<

identity
Well, is a nice song but.. sounds too much like (don't)leave me alone and 1 LOVE put together.

Rule
Ruuuruuu lol not her best rock song, but I like it. Really powerful and perfect for an action crappymovie/comic/cartoon as DB.

LOVE 'n' HATE
This is the most unexpected song in whole album! And my favourite track (with rollin')

Pieces of SEVEN
This is the only interlude should remain an interlude even if is really great seems put randomly and don't introduce as well at the next song.

Days
This song is one of her worst ballads ever. Nice lyrics, and beautiful PV but.. the arrangement is so bland. The only track that I dislike :/

Curtain call
Ayu's voice is strange but the song is simple and beautiful. This is one of her best ballads ever lol


Other said that isn't an Ayu-album, but it doesn't for me. She wants to have fun, she want to try other genres.. it doesn't mean she's superficial or 'omggenericelectropop' lol. I'm really proud of her and of this album too it's uhm.. since RAINBOW that I don't listen an experiment like this, from her. Too bad this is really short ;_; more tracks would be perfect! GOOD JOB AYU \*_*/

[panda♥]

This album is incredibly different compared to ALL of her other albums. I'm really happy that Ayu is trying something different and really starting to experiment more with her music and lyrics alike. So far, LOVE'n'HATE is my favorite song. I love the orchestra sounding parts but the whole song is pretty groovy. This album sounds like you can get up and dance to every song. I'm very happy with the album so far. It's not boring but it's not COMPLETELY out of Ayu's element either.

I love the fact that it's alot of different genre's into one. You hear some techno, rock, pop AND hip hop. I'm incredibly impressed with this album.

(I couldn't help but joke about how some of the songs sounded really Korean boy band popish though! XD)

[tsuki]

okay, I have to say that I'm in love with her new album... it feels so fresh and new, just what I needed.

Ayu, you make me happy, and I love you for that.
mooah!

[ayu_ready?]

as usual, every tie new Ayu stuff comes out there are so many haters & lovers, LOVE n HATE, LOL

I OMFG FREAKING LOVE THIS ALBUM NOTHING CAN CHANGE MY MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT IS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN WAITING & WANTING FOR A LONG TIME

FOR ME IT SOUNDS NOT BORING BUT COOL & WORKING UP!

AWESOME WORK, I'M SO HAPPY I'VE NEVER BEEN IN THESE 5 YEARS <3

I LOVE LOVE LOVE

I even forget that 2 new bad PVs, lack of ballads & many interludes, plus I love the booklet & the style & atmosphere

I LOVE ELECTRONIC MUSIC SO MUCH, Ayu mixed ROCK, ELECTRO & POP

GENIUS

my new most-fav album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have none bad words at all, first time in a long time

my most fav tracks are Bridge to the Sky, Disco-munication, rollin' & LOVE n HATE



I give it 9 out of 10, for the lack of good new PVs & ballads

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE

[SunshineSlayer]

I have to say, after listening to this album a few times, I actually don't have much inclination to listen to some of the songs all the way through already. Just as I mentioned earlier in my review, these songs really don't stay with you for very long.

[darc_aqua]

The album is very different, but its still ayu. GREEN was misplaced and that interlude leading up to the ballads was not fitting.
I hope the MVs on the DVD are in widescreen. getting tired of the 4:3 DVDs

[PoetGirl]

i cant believe it, everytime i try to post ahs is not available.

i love the album, its very fun and cool and has some awsome tracks like love n hate, identity, curtain call, energize, and my fav NEXT LEVEL
i dont have track i actually hate, just one i still dont feel, its rollin', its kinda still weird for me. its not her best album EVER, but its alright, fun and enjoyable

[Jason]

Okay, here's my thoughts on NEXT LEVEL.

First, I'll get the negatives out of the way.

#1. It's not the fact there's too many interludes, it's 2 other reasons. Pieces of SEVEN really serves no purpose on the album. It's supposed to serve as a transition between LOVE 'n' HATE and Days. It doesn't. If it were composed the other way around: trance to the mystic slow paced music, it may have been saved a little.

#2. GREEN and Days, I feel, really don't fit into this album. Especially GREEN. It almost feels as if they weren't even intended to be in the album in the first place.

#3. It may just be the interludes, placement of them or that alot of the songs are so enjoyable but the album feels shorter than it actually is. It's feels as if only 20 minutes has passed by the time the last few seconds of Curtain call are playing.

Now, what's good about the album? Well, the songs. I love every song on the album (as is the case with just about every ayu album). I feel writing a whole part on it would be boring so, a track by track take on it would be more interesting.

1. Bridge to the sky
I love this intro. In a way it reminds me of RAINBOW's intro. It's so foot-tap worthy.

2. NEXT LEVEL
Definitely one of the strongest album songs on the table here. It's got a nice melody, the verses and chorus just flow into each other perfectly and it sticks in your head for aaaages.

3. Disco-munication
God. I had hoped this would be song when I first learned of the tracklist. It's definitely my favourite interlude on this album, though.

4. Energize
I believe when I get my copy of the album and listen to it in high quality I'll like it better, I think some of this song suffers from the quality. It's a fun pop/dance song and I love the use of engrish..

5. Sparkle
Although it wasn't a song that got me excited about the album as much GREEN and Rule did. I do like this song and still listen to it over and over again

6. rollin'
This one took abit of time to grow on me. I still think it's one of the weakest songs on the album. The chorus does nothing for me but the verses have me hooked. I just think this song could have been, well, for lack of better word, better. Maybe I'll like it more when I get a better quality version.

7. GREEN
I gave my opinion on this song some time ago. I think it's a beautiful oriental song but it's really out of place on this album.

8. Load of the SHUGYO
Although this is an interlude with attitude I find it very basic. It's still fun to listen to

9. identity
My favourite song on the album. It packs such a punch with it, I find it hard to get out of my head. This one just... blew me away.

10. Rule
One of my favourite singles from the album. I could still listen to it over and over now lol

11. LOVE 'n' HATE
I just can't think of any words for this song. I really do love it. The composition is just astounding. I can't wait to see the lyrics for this one!

12. Pieces of SEVEN
^^See above for my opinion on this one.

13. Days
One of the weakest singles from the album but I do give it much love. It's a fantastic and sweet ballad

14. Curtain call
This ballad builds up to such an epic climax it's a PERFECT ending for the album. The lyrics may not impress me that much, but the song itself is just beautiful, imo.

In the end, I think this album is great for what it is; a fun and catchy pop album. It's got a few problems with it but all the songs are great and the range of styles are fantastic. It's not her best album but it's definitely not her worst work either. Great work Ayu!

8/10