NEXT LEVEL album thoughts

[PinkShinigami]

01. Bridge to the Sky
Sometimes I think "Why all those "aaah" sounds?". I don't really like that. But anyways, it is a amazing interlude to NEXT LEVEL, and it's like it is a part NEXT LEVEL. Sometimes, I actually pick Bridge to the Sky before I hear NEXT LEVEL, and normally I skip ALL interludes. So it's all fine!
Rating: 9/10

02. NEXT LEVEL
So amazing! The only song I have ever heard where I can just.. Smile. Without any meaning, It's just such a nice song, and it is MUH better than I thought from the CM preview! It just can't be descriped!
Rating: 10/10

03. Disco-munication
The start.. Ugh. It's sooo bad, and it actually get me to skip it everytime I get to the third track of the album. But when you are some time into the interlude, it is like "Woaw.. Why isn't this a whole remix?". Then it's just amazing. Too bad that the start really ruins this!
Rating: 7.5/10

04. EnergizE
This reminds me so much of High School Musical that I could be mad to it! (lol) The start with the english words, it's so nearly something they could sing in a HSM song, and sometime in the song is the exactly same melody as in the SONG HSM. And because of it (Most because of the english) I don't really like it, but when you have heard about 2 minutes of it, you are just somehow in the glad rhythm.
Rating: 4/10

05. Sparkle
It like.. "Saves" EnergizE's wannaba-techno thing! It's a great song, but also a bit booring to me. But really amazing that Ayu can sing it! I can't, no matter how much I try, but her vioce is just amazing to it, and it's the only "real" techno-song on the album, as the rest is more rocked. And I like it.
Rating: 8.5/10

06. rollin'
I wonder if any japanese people do even understand what she says in the start. I like the idea of the technical voice, but i think it has to much rhythm for it. Then, when her normal voice appears, it's too much "normal" compared to the start. But it is really the only bad of the song! It isn't "amazing", but really catchy and good anyways. When the chorus begins with "Sekai" (Probably the only word I understand of the song lol), i'm just sold!
Rating: 9/10

07. GREEN
This song was probably released before Ayu had the idea of the "NEXT LEVEL" album, 'cause it doesn't fit in anything else lol. The start isn't as loud as from the single version (I think.. I have only downloaded it, I get both album and single tomorrow), and it's something that has changed it much - in a good way! It's such a great song, and I love the japanese theme in it!
Rating: 8/10

08. Load of the SHUGYO
I don't ever really realize that this is in before identity. It's like.. Something I never hear, even if the computer plays it! But well.. It's way to orginal for a interlude, just like from her old albums, way to booring to me.
Rating: 4/10

09. identity
Probably the best track of the album! When I read the lyrics before I heard it, I was like.. ID ID ID ID WTF? But it isn't in a way that I thought, it is better than I could imagine! This song is just over way to fast!
Rating: 10/10

10. Rule
Due to that I really, really loved this song when it came out, I thought this would be one of the best songs of the album. I still really love it, but there is so many much-better tracks! Now this is just like.. A song. Not anything special compared to every other track. But, it has high ratings anyways!
Rating: 8/10

11. LOVE 'n' HATE
OMG, OMG.. Oh my god.. It sounds like she has lost creativity and just found it easier to take the "No no" part from Sparkle, and make a countdown for it.. But well, it's a really, really good song, and those two things can't destroy it!
Rating: 9/10

12. Piece of SEVEN
Guess the name comes from the countdown of L'n'H? Who knows. This reminds me of either something under the sea or in the jungle. Lol? But it's what I feel. When I heard it the very first time, I was like "I scream if this is going to be rock, it will destroy it". And then, it was ending out in rock, but in a really lovely way, and it still had the same melodies as in the start!
Rating: 7/10

13. Days
I had actally never heard this loud before, and before I did it, I found it very booring. But now, I actually really like it, but still only to hear loud. It has 2 rating, if I'm listening to it loud or not. But in the end, it's a very good song.
Rating: 8.5/10

14. Curtain call
Many fans said such things as they cried to this song. Why? I find it a bit booring, and it's only like 2 minutes in the song it's beginning to be interresting. A good end for an album , but well.. I skip it close to every time.
Rating: 5.5/10

The whole album
Even if a lot of my rating ins't that high, it is comepared to the other tracks of the album, but compared to other tracks from older albums, it's all very good! It is really the NEXT LEVEL, and a great step to a new style, that is amazing! The best album to date!
Rating: 9.5/10

[amorphose]

The singles are good (besides for Rule) but the rest of the album is the worst Ayu has ever done. It depresses me to say that, but that's how I actually feel. =\

The songs are so mediocre and I don't see it as a "next level" at all. There were too many interludes. I am so tired of those things. The title track sounds like BLUE BIRD + glitter more than any of her other songs sound like others. EnergizE is annoying. I swear I've heard identity's guitar part elsewhere and the lyrics sound repetivie. LOVE n HATE is okay, but the style is not right for Ayumi and I think it sounds awkward. Curtain call is good, but that's because it was just her voice and piano... And rollin' sounds like it's trying way to hard to be like Sparkle and failing. >_<

I'm just so depressed because I was so excited for new Ayumi material and now I've gotta stick it out til her next new single, which probably won't be until after the tour. x.x

[Zeke.]

^ Wow, the worst she's done...? It's weird you say that and I'm posting after you because I LOVE IT.

Ranking albums as a whole (since I've been an Ayu fan)
1. MY STORY
2. (miss)understood
3. NEXT LEVEL
4. Secret
5. GUILTY

I like all of Ayu's albums but it seemed that every album was just a little below the prior. I'm happy because NEXT LEVEL jumps Secret and GUILTY in my book.

The album style is great. It's perfect for Ayu and I love electronic stuff. It's also a big plus that this is probably the album I am going to remember that has AMAZING interludes.

Ranking:
Sparkle
Days
identity
EnergizE
LOVE 'n' HATE
Rule
NEXT LEVEL
rollin'
GREEN
Curtain call

[PrincessAyu]

Originally Posted by amorphose

The singles are good (besides for Rule) but the rest of the album is the worst Ayu has ever done. It depresses me to say that, but that's how I actually feel. =\ The songs are so mediocre and I don't see it as a "next level" at all(...)

I agree with you and it saddens me too. I was disappointed with ayu's changing vocals over the last year, but I got to accept it more esp when I saw her singing Over in the CDL and all. But this is definitely the worst she's done. I can't believe people say it's their 2nd favourite tied with (miss)understood

NEXT LEVEL gives you a very false first impression of the tone for the rest of the album. It's soothing and nice, but repetitive. And it's actually a mash-up of ayu's "BLUE BIRD" and Brian Addams' "Boys of Summer".

Discomunnication... that's the worst interlude in the history of interludes. Energize sounds cutesy, but it's so empty somehow :/ it really lacks the "ayu factor".

Concerning Sparkle, I do like that. It still has the old Ayu in there somewhere and it's catchy.

The rest of the songs have catchy elements, musicwise. Such as the opening of LOVE n HATE. And the disco/techno elements I usually really like, in trance or others songs, but Ayu just made the new songs terrible. Also the vocals are many times distorted or overpowered by the background music... >_>;;

Then comes out of place ayu-factored-GREEN. Well GREEN is totally and completely out of place, but is SO soothing for your ears after the rest.

I just can't believe nearly everybody's saying "I _LOVE_ IT!!!" every year, with every album it's the same. Everybody always LOOOOOVES Ayu's stuff. That's really the influence of the product hamasaki ayumi huh? Because (miss)understood was a great album and people are comparing NEXT LEVEL to that album. I think you can only say after a few years of NEXT LEVEL having been around if it's as great as (miss)understood or not. At the moment many people are listening to it, but will they in ...3 years? For me there's no catchy elements in the new songs (save for Sparkle) or something that makes me actually want to hear a song.

I remember people saying RAINBOW was terrible, but RAINBOW definitely pwns NEXT LEVEL. But this is just my opinion, I'm almost scared to post since everyone's always so positive about ayu's stuff. No matter what it is. (save for a few of you)

ps. the poster above me says the interludes are amazing. Can't say disco-munnucation is anywhere near the class and unique element of well, "tasking" for example, or "Not yet".

[Zeke.]

^ OUCH. Lol.
I understand what you are saying about people loving the albums each year. For me it's always "yeah I love the new album" too but like I said, I actually felt this album placed higher for me than GUILTY and Secret, probably because it's so different. It's weird to think I was so dissapointed by (miss)understood when that was released but looking back I actually really like it. Lol.

But yes; if people are comparing this to (miss)understood, I agree.

[sitara]

Originally Posted by PrincessAyu

I just can't believe nearly everybody's saying "I _LOVE_ IT!!!" every year, with every album it's the same. Everybody always LOOOOOVES Ayu's stuff. That's really the influence of the product hamasaki ayumi huh? Because (miss)understood was a great album and people are comparing NEXT LEVEL to that album.

lololol, that's because we're her FANS!! :p
i didn't enjoy secret or guilty as much as NL, and also for these albums people were swooning!! can't be helped. i like NL despite of its flaws and too many interludes. you hate this release, but you might love the next it's not like you have to wait too long for new ayu material.

[ayu-fan]

this album is really good, the albums tracks are outstanding, even better than the singles. the only bad thing about this album is lack of ballads.

[Rurutia]

Originally Posted by milky_way

This is exactly what I want Ayu to do. I'd rather her take a break for at least a year, and then come back with some amazing material rather than keep putting out mediocre music.

what do you mean mediocre music? I absolutely love the new music she's been releasing. So its kinda selfish in my eyes for you to want her to "take a break" just because you deem her music now as "mediocre." Some of us like whats shes been releasing and apparantely she does too, if she keeps on singing

[love in music]

Originally Posted by Rurutia

what do you mean mediocre music? I absolutely love the new music she's been releasing. So its kinda selfish in my eyes for you to want her to "take a break" just because you deem her music now as "mediocre." Some of us like whats shes been releasing and apparantely she does too, if she keeps on singing

agreed. her music is so far off from mediocre. and i think this album is better than both Secret and GUILTY. i think i've mentioned this before but this is the first time since the release of RAINBOW that i've loved every single track on an ayumi album. so i think ayumi did a great job on this album and haters well, you know where you can go. (see left)

[Not~Yet]

^-That's pretty contradictious, what you say. You say people who don't love this album can **** off and call them haters.

Then you say this is the first album since RAINBOW that you're fully loved and think NEXT LEVEL is better than Secret and GUILTY.

So, to put is this way: for me GUILTY was a really great album and I've loved every album of hers from ASFXX-GUILTY. I'm not really into NL.

Now, what if NL was released when GUILTY or some other album was released and GUILTY or some other album was released now? You surely would be dissappointed because you expected so much because you loved the previous album. Then we all GUILTY/other album lovers would be like "This is such a great album. Seriously, you HATERS can go you know where".

So yeah I think you should try seeing where other people are coming from before making such comments.

[love in music]

Originally Posted by kyuutii_hanii

^-That's pretty contradictious, what you say. You say people who don't love this album can **** off and call them haters.

Then you say this is the first album since RAINBOW that you're fully loved and think NEXT LEVEL is better than Secret and GUILTY.

So, to put is this way: for me GUILTY was a really great album and I've loved every album of hers from ASFXX-GUILTY. I'm not really into NL.

Now, what if NL was released when GUILTY or some other album was released and GUILTY or some other album was released now? You surely would be dissappointed because you expected so much because you loved the previous album. Then we all GUILTY/other album lovers would be like "This is such a great album. Seriously, you HATERS can go you know where".

So yeah I think you should try seeing where other people are coming from before making such comments.

eh wot? i've liked her albums after RAINBOW but i was saying it's the first time i've loved every single track on an album since then. and i didn't say for haters to **** themselves. i just kindly directed them to the left... (it's not serious, don't take it so hard)

[Not~Yet]

^-**** off (meaning: go away, leave, go "you know where") and to **** themselves are two completely different things..... -____-;;;

But good if you're not meaning anything bad, I just got that impression from your posts. And that wasn't directed only at you but also those people who call non-NL lovers haters and so on so don't you take it so hard either

[aura~]

I still don't know why people keep trying to fins the old ayu nowadays... she has changed (luckily for me) and growed up... she's not the same person so she can't do the same as before... I mean.. don't expect her to release anything similar of her earlier albums... it's basicaly imposible... And well.. for who thinks it's a rushed album, mediocre songs, etc... well... ayu doesn't need to put out an album for money, i mean... she release music because she wants and she love to keep doing it... if she didn't like the songs on NEXT LEVEL sure she wouldn't have released it.

Well.. my opinion of NEXT LEVEL... Since it's the unique album I love all the songs without exception, nowadays is, for me, her best album. (m)u or memorial addres are also great... if memorial were a full album i would rank it the first... and (m)u... well I like almost all of the songs, but i only LOVE with passion few... Secret and GUILTY were good when they were released, but time has passed and Secret has lost A LOT and GUILTY... is okey, but I only keep listening continuosly mirror, t2m and marionette.

So because of thay NEXT LEVEL is for me her best album... my ranking of eahc song...

Bridge to the sky: 6/10 it's good, but after all only an intro and not so special as Mirror was.

NEXT LEVEL: 10/10 one of the best, the good feeling it gives me is priceless! I love to listening this song and makes me smile during 4,30min without stop.

Disco-munication: 4/10 I don't really like this interlude...

EnergizE: 7,5/10 I don't feel a lot happy songs, but I really like this song... it's good because the only happy songs I like are evolution, unite, and some other, because she keeps on singing them one time after another... so is a good point that without any live I love this song.

Sparkle: 9,5/10 First I didn't liek it a lot... but it has growed inside me and now is one of my favourites, i realy like it and i find amazing to sing it!

rollin': 6,5/10 without counting the interludes, my least favourite song of the album. I don't really like this excesive electronic voice, but I find amazing the chorus. and the lyrics are awesome!

GREEN: 7/10 (after the shock to pass from rollin' to GREEN~ xD) well... it was firstly my favourite from the single D/G but it has changed (like R/S), i don't know, it has lost its magic... but even that, it's still a beautifull song that I enjoy listening, not as much as before tough.

Load of the SHUGYO: 5/10 well I don't liek to rank high the interludes... because are only interludes... (only Mirror deserve that XD) it's good, better than D-munication, but not special...

identity: 10/10 absolutely in LOVE with this song! Is somethign I cant descibre! this song and its lyrics ar eimpresive! I can't stop listening to this one! for me THE BEST song of the album (also with NL, L'n'H)

Rule: 8,5/10 while sparkle has gained some pints, Rule has lost some... firstly I found it awesome.. but although I still love it a lot and I think tis amazing... i don't know... is like somethign is missed...

LOVE 'n' HATE: 10/10 also in absolute LOVE with this one.. not as identity, but almost. IMO this song has the BEST lyrics of this album... I lvoe the melody I find it really original in her discography ^^

pieces of SEVEN: 6,5/10 IMO the best interlude of the album. Although I think the Rock part wouldn't have to be there... I mean... is also a shock to pass to Days after that XD

Days: 8,5/10 As I've said, it has become better than GREEN IMO after its release. I really love this song, I fell the lyrics a lot, I find it really emotive... a lovely sweet ballad ^^

Curtan call: 9/10 I find this ballat absolutely awesome! Is extremely simple but its emotional power is amazing! I really enjoy this ballad!


In conclusion, i'm in love with all the album, I love all the new textures it has, and the new sounds she has included, I fell a lot the majority of the lyrics and I'm in love with almost all the songs, and the rest are still awesome!! I rank the album with a 8,5 ^^


So this is my opinion.... ^^

[Seiko Yua]

01. Bridge to the sky
i'd say good for an opening. not my most favorite. maybe if ayu wasn't singing it'd be a little better. for me, it feels like she's singing in it to make up for there being four instrumentals and thus sings random stuff. but then again, not the worst.
6/10

02. NEXT LEVEL
okay, i get it: ayu's going to the next level in her life -_- the pv's boring and this track is skippable and maybe a bit out of place? seriously, with this album being the most techno-ish and electronic since maybe LOVEppears (hell maybe even since ever), NEXT LEVEL, GREEN, Days, and Curtain call seem to just be shoved in there for the album's sake of having 14 tracks.
4/10 (good driving track maybe, hence pv)

03. Disco-munication
i had high hopes of this being a vocal track but it has a good beat and it keeps me interested in the whole thing. i could do without the ayu voice beat thingy a little bit, but it adds something.
8/10

04. EnergizE
HATE this song!! ayu, sing your age.
1/10 (for effort)

05. Sparkle
this song is slowly growing on me and so is the pv. it's very different and dare i say a bit britney spears-ish but WAAAY awesomer XD it has a danceability, sexiness and bit of creepiness that the pv captures pretty well. anyone else think of lady gaga when we see ayu in the shades?? O_o
9/10

06. rollin'
love the beginning of this one!! i was hoping for a Marionette pt. II when i first heard it but then i'm like: "aww..." when the beat starts. love the verse, the bridge, and the chorus throws me a bit off course (sounds a bit cutesy) but me likey
7.5/10

07. GREEN
this song is growing on me as well. when the single came out, i preferred Days way over GREEN; and while i still love Days, GREEN is getting up there. i thought ayu was trying to be too chinese or something so maybe that's why i had a grudge. but without the video i don't get that vibe. i say it's a good rest from all the electronic-ness.
8.5/10

08. Load of the SHUGYO
pretty cool. it reminds me of a samurai like running through the woods and fighting and stuff haha XD i love songs that give me that kind of imagery.
7/10

09. identity
again, LOVE the beggining!!! and then all of a sudden POW! comes the beat and i'm all "aww..." but i admit it's catchy and different.
7.5/10

10. Rule
i have to like this song since this is a big step for ayu in the western market and i clap for joy for her. sometimes i feel there are too many instruments, but from the bottom of my heart, i do like this song.
7/10

11. LOVE 'n' HATE
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7....0 hmm, wonder where she learned to count. i guess it makes sense. most of all i like the orchestra and the electric guitar. it gives me a fresh breath of pure ayuness.
9/10

12. Pieces of SEVEN
LOVE this interlude. we go all pure moods at the beginning and then go into the cliche ayu interlude and then all techno-y and it's all fun.
8/10

13. Days
love the pv, love the song. i always want to cry when i hear it. i would totally include this into her epic ballad list. i am reminded of No way to say when i see the pv (i guess it's the snow), but ayu's sooo much cuter in this one. i enjoy the 8-bits of tears remix, too.
10/10

14. Curtain call
such a sucker for ballads. i like how there's just piano and nothing else. and the lyrics are so simple yet it says so much. *content sigh*
10/10

overall, i give this album a 7 for now (not the average of the scores from the individual tracks). it's different and i like how ayu took risks (identity and LOVE 'n' HATE) and i also don't like how she took risks (EnergizE). but i can see myself listening to this album a lot more and liking songs better. so we just wait... >.>

[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by walking.proud

NEXT LEVEL: 10/10 one of the best, the good feeling it gives me is priceless! I love to listening this song and makes me smile during 4,30min without stop.

This I agree! I can't stop smiling while listening to NEXT LEVEL either... it's so light, serene and feel-good... dayum!

[mi|kshake]

First impressions from just watching the PVs:

Days - Heard it all before. And she's done it better (Together When...). Still the PV is kinda cute and in comparison to Curtain Call this is way better.

Green - Love! Wish there were some more street shots in the PV though!

Rule - need to listen to it more to decide. Definately not as good as my favourite Ayumi rock song which is Guilty, but I didn't expect it to be. I hope to enjoy it as much as Talkin to Myself.

Sparkle - Again not sure what to think yet - still have to find the chrous. But definately interesting!

Next Level - nice and the PV has some nice scenery too. I did think she was going to start singing Blue Bird at on point. Think it's a grower

Curtain Call - yuck! Songs like these are the reasons I used to hate ballads! Doesn't sound very Ayumi-ish at all. Boring.

mi|kshake~

[Maemi]

I've finally listened this album...today. It's the first time that I feel for some Ayu's album to be a little weak. It's good, but I still don't like it completely. My opinion might be changed later, I'm not sure. Some songs are very strong, while the others seem to be out of place.

Anyway, the songs I really enjoy and like are:

- Bridge To The Sky (It reminds me of Catcher In Light, although it's not the best opening for an album)
- NEXT LEVEL (Catchy with nice lyric)
- Disco-munication (cool)
- Rollin' (Ayu's voice is awful, but the beat of this song is awesome)
- Identity (I like it, but it still lacks smth)
- Love'n'Hate (cool)
- Days
- GREEN
- Rule
- Sparkle

The songs that I don't like/feel out of place are:
EnegrizE, Curtain Call, Load of the Shugyo, Pieces of SEVEN = BORING.

It seems I like all songs except EnergizE, Curtain Call, Load of the Shugyo and Pieces of SEVEN. It's more than good and NEXT LEVEL as album really misses some ballads!

[haikudasai]

Is she working with the same composers/arrangers as always?

[waterballoon]

^ According to the credits, most of her arrangers are HAL... usual gang.

Her composers, however, were kind of varied IMO. Days was composed by Kunio Tago, GREEN by Tetsuya Yukumi, most of the other songs were composted Yuta Nakano though, and this person kind of joined Ayu's team like since GUILTY onwards.

And my apologies if I spelt anyone's name wrongly, because I can't exactly remember...

[mi|kshake]

After listening I am a little disappointed but I'm not gonna write the album off yet cause I think I always feel a little disappointed when her new album isn't as consistent as (m)u. With Guilty it was alright at first - enjoyed a few songs - but have really grown to appreciate it recently. Her last few albums have had great intros and opening tracks but NL doesn't.

It is it me or is the album not that easy on the ears? A lot of the tracks sound quite angry to me lol. Still Green <333

And it actually does feel quite short. The interludes are a little weak too. Pieces of Seven is quite odd - Ayumi dreamy sound/techno/rock. A bit much going on lol.

mi|kshake~