"progress" Preview

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by relmy

^ I don't think that was the point being made. You've said yourself you accept it when people don't like something - it was a comment about those who get angry when people dislike something.

Yeah, this is a forum for Ayu, but equally we're allowed to express our disappointment/dislike/etc... without being called haters or being told "omg no it doesn't sound the same!!" or similar comments. It doesn't mean we're not an Ayu fan.

I'm lucky in the fact that I do like most of what Ayu puts out, but that doesn't mean I'm without criticism of it. As a fan, I feel it is my right to discuss elements of her music that I don't like. It's not putting down her effort or undermining her work, it's me having a subjective opinion on (mostly) subjective material.

Amazingly put!

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Rather than blaming Ayu for that, I think it's a fault of Komuro's. He has a really bad tendency to write amazing lead ups with awesome build up and then the payoff is nonexistent. It happens with a lot of his songs.

Yes it seems his melody for choruses are a little weak but the composition of the music is superb. I think that's why I fell in love with Love songs was because it was just such a beautiful album. Focusing on the music I get lost.

[pepper]

Her singles from RnRC feels generic.
I don't care personally, because I always end with loving most of her work.
In fact, i personally don't like the "fillers" in her albums (for me it's Don't look back and Lady Dynamite and these "experimental electro" songs on Next Level. I don't listen to EnergizE and rest of em. They are... fillers for me.)

Lots of "work" its up to.. singles. If EnergizE would have promo and Promo Video... maybe for some reason it would make them magic? Who knows.

Love songs "fillers" end up for me with "Omg they feel like they could be on one of her past albums!" I'm that kind of fan, but I know that could be hard to find for me that feel.

Dramatic songs are they... mostly generic. Also with the "cheery songs lalalala" and "Ehm typical japanese pop lalala with nostalgic theme that they could end her live concert"

I don't like the last type mostly. But I know that JAPANESE fans LOVE THIS TYPE. Somehow i don't know why. They love "epic ballads" and "generic poppy songs with melancholy". Her ballads and epic songs (just like progress) are just "HER" and I always end up with loving them. But I very understand why people want something diffrent. Something maybe like "GAME" or "Step you". Why must say?
Because they are CATCHY from the first time. People expects "WOWS" and emotions with 1st listening. Not songs that they are "ok" and they will end up with much appreciantions. They expects being curious (Sparkle, Love song), hype (Startin' Step you) tear up (GAME, Is this love?) - typical emotions that provides to LOVE the song from the top.

[(miss)understood]

I guess she kinda starts to get a little repetitive, hmm.

[truehappiness]

I think the really surprising thing about Ayu's music is that sometimes casual listeners respond pretty well to her more recent songs. Sometimes the tracks that are panned by longtime fans as boring or lacking in innovation have an audience in those who don't really listen to Ayu often, which makes me wonder.... if people who have been listening to Ayu nonstop since they became fans don't think a track is fresh but people who only listen to Ayu once in a while think it does sound new, perhaps many fans are just burnt out on Ayu?

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I think the really surprising thing about Ayu's music is that sometimes casual listeners respond pretty well to her more recent songs. Sometimes the tracks that are panned by longtime fans as boring or lacking in innovation have an audience in those who don't really listen to Ayu often, which makes me wonder.... if people who have been listening to Ayu nonstop since they became fans don't think a track is fresh but people who only listen to Ayu once in a while think it does sound new, perhaps many fans are just burnt out on Ayu?

I think it's like, nothing can ever recapture that moment you first discovered Ayu. It's so exciting and fresh and new and different.

[pepper]

^ I really felt that way while listening to "Love Song". Something really close to it.
I think I will never never be too old or bored with her music. So many years, I am kinda grown up and I cried when my friend told me she just got married. I like how she always reminds me of my best teenage years back then. It makes me younger.

progress it's just a fish in a sea. everyone can find a pearl in that sea i think. sometimes it's just about being bored by artists overral.

[Bubbly]

I think it's like this with every artist, I often see fans of artists saying how they are disappointed and people which did not follow the artist be impressed by the music so yeah, when something new for YOU it's more impressing I guess.
But I guess I'm easy to please xD I like all of Ayu's recent stuff

[Shirlaay]

As many have stated - I love the chorus!

[Misa-chan]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I think the really surprising thing about Ayu's music is that sometimes casual listeners respond pretty well to her more recent songs. Sometimes the tracks that are panned by longtime fans as boring or lacking in innovation have an audience in those who don't really listen to Ayu often, which makes me wonder.... if people who have been listening to Ayu nonstop since they became fans don't think a track is fresh but people who only listen to Ayu once in a while think it does sound new, perhaps many fans are just burnt out on Ayu?

Every artist has a fixed style that he/she will revert back to once in a while. progress is just a song from this style. I admit that when I first heard it, it reminded me of at least 3 different old ayu songs (Startin', blossom, Rule, to name a few). It's a song that makes one go "yes, this is definitely ayu". And it's true that fans can get bored with this, since it's basically the same style rehashed with a different melody. But personally, I love this style from hers, so even if this new song sounds a little "stale", I still welcome it with open arms.

Not to say I don't look forward to the times when she tries new styles. I absolutely adored Sparkle, GREEN, Slt, Love song etc when they came out.

Originally Posted by Zeke.

I think it's like, nothing can ever recapture that moment you first discovered Ayu. It's so exciting and fresh and new and different.

Definitely. Especially for latecomer fans who got into her after 2004. She had such a wealth of different styles then (from 1999-2004) for us to choose from, it probably spoilt us all rotten. XD And now, when we get used to having to wait months for 1-2 new songs, the spark is naturally not there anymore.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by Misa-chan

Definitely. Especially for latecomer fans who got into her after 2004. She had such a wealth of different styles then (from 1999-2004) for us to choose from, it probably spoilt us all rotten. XD And now, when we get used to having to wait months for 1-2 new songs, the spark is naturally not there anymore.

I agree with your reasoning! That's exactly when I came onto the scene.

[truehappiness]

I think it's like, nothing can ever recapture that moment you first discovered Ayu. It's so exciting and fresh and new and different.

Actually though, every so often, after a few months of not listening to albums... I have those moments just about every time, haha. It recently happened with Memorial address actually, and with Rock'n'Roll Circus after I watched AT10 a few times. It's kind of weird finding love in songs that you weren't exactly too hot on at first when an album first came out, but hey~

I guess for me, every time she has a new release, I always eventually feel like I'm discovering a new side of her even if the song does sound like it resembles some other track in her discography at first.

[ストロボ・EdGE]

I have those moments too. Like when I haven't listened to appears or RAINBOW or Who... for several months it's like "Oh yeah... THIS is why I love her."

It's those moments that give me hope every time there's a song like Sweet Season or Sunset.

[truehappiness]

Japanese guy from the UK's cover of progress.


So good~ though I think he guessed about who the composer was.

[keikeiaznqueen]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Japanese guy from the UK's cover of progress.


So good~ though I think he guessed about who the composer was.

WOW love it. And that just reminded me of what progress sounds like. LOVE the epic strings and the beat. I can't wait to hear the full version.

[Misa-chan]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Japanese guy from the UK's cover of progress.


So good~ though I think he guessed about who the composer was.

Oh this song is just gonna be awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!! ^^

[AyUmIXx]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Japanese guy from the UK's cover of progress.


So good~ though I think he guessed about who the composer was.

wow that guy sounds so COOL!
love it!
can't wait for the full version!

[njanjayrp]

That's pretty good~

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

...lack of any updates is causing a 1 min 40 second preview to become way more than it needs to be... haha

however, they did a great job.

[AyuGAME]

the cover is good! i will listen to this version while waiting ayu full version or clear version without people talking...
after listening to the cover, i just realize how strong ayu voice is...

[channy]

What is it with this new song "Believe"? Is it a rumour? I can't find a thread on AHS...