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#1
11th May 2016, 08:39 PM
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And this is something, I really hate those 2 songs XD 
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#2
11th May 2016, 03:52 PM
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Tasks reminds me of this performance.
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#3
11th May 2016, 03:56 PM
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tasky – Awesome intro. Definitely one of the best interludes on her discography. Love the fact that it builds up to FLOWER. 5/5
FLOWER – I love it. It’s really good. Love the Japanese atmosphere and the drums. Nice ending. The chaos in the choruses bothers me a tiny bit but other than that the song is perfect. 4.5/5 Mad World – Absolutely LOVE this one. My favourite on the album. Makes me teary-eyed and it just breaks my heart, so strong it is. And Ayu’s voice is just pure magic. I love how deep and sorrowful she sounds. 5/5 Breakdown – It’s strong but the thing is... It reminds me of Shape of love which is a good song but there is something that makes it just mediocre for me. The same with Breakdown. There are some things I find nice, like the piano at the beginning, the chaos at the end and the drastic ending that follows. 2/5 Survivor – This one was a grower but just because it’s soooo different. Had to listen to it for a couple of times before making an opinion. But it’s awesome. Strong, bold, unusual, weird. There are so many words I could use to describe it. I love when Ayu makes weird stuff like this. I’m a huge fan of alterna, Sexy little things and Ladies Night, just to mention a few... Love the choir, love the chorus. The verses are a bit bland compared to the rest of the song but it’s still awesome. 4.5/5 You are the only one – Beautiful. Relaxing. Love Ayu’s voice in this one too. Love the beginning which reminds of Survivor. The last chorus is super. So emotional and strong. It’s just a bit bland in the verses. 3.5/5 TODAY – It’s ok. Generic compared to the rest of the album. Like the Halaahalaa parts, though. 2/5 Mr.Darling – I know many people haven’t liked this one but I’ll have to differ. I love the title and I love the song in itself. I usually like this kind of mid-tempo/rock-ballad songs, such as Last Links. This reminds me a bit of that song. The choruses touch my heart the same way Mad World does. My only complaint is that she sounds a bit too cutesy in the verses. In the choruses it doesn’t bother me. 4.5/5 Summer Love – I’m not usually a huge fan of this kind of songs but this... This I like. Love the o-o-o-o-o parts and the EDM vibes. 4/5 Overall, I love this album. I think it flows really well and I enjoy listening to it as a whole. 6 out of 9 songs got a 4 or higher which is very well. Mad World is definitely the best, though. <3
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#4
11th May 2016, 04:30 PM
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tasky - Gorgeous intro, definitely one of the best of her entire career. I really feel this represents how Ayu sees herself as an artist as well. 5/5!
FLOWER - tasky leads perfectly into FLOWER, and together they're a powerful beginning to the album. I really love her vocals here as well. 5/5 Mad World - Where did this come from?! Another powerful song... very emotional. I really love the effort she put into it. Another 5/5 from me. Breakdown - This is so 'Ayu' it almost hurts! Very melodic. I feel like she is really trying to weave a story here, and not just through the lyrics. The abrupt ending to leave us hanging is very poignant. 4/5 Survivor - I actually love this! I get (Miss)understood vibes?  The chorus is again very powerful but for a different reason than the first two songs. I can really visualise Ayu singing her heart out to record this in the studio. Lots of positive emotion. 5/5You are the only one - A beautiful ballad, something refreshing and very well done. I'm usually not a huge fan of her ballads but I really loved this one. The ending of it just made it another obvious 5/5 for me. TODAY - A medium-ballad that could have fitted on A ONE/Love again/Love songs for me. It's nice and Ayu's vocals are smooth, but there's no initial hook here for me that is of the same standard as the rest of the album so far. 2/5 Mr.Darling - A cute song, but having both TODAY and Mr.Darling running together just makes this part of the album feel a bit sameish. I like the guitars though and her little high notes three quarters through feels quite nostalgic. 3/5 Summer Love - It feels a bit out of place, I think an additional interlude inbetween this and Mr.Darling would have helped it fit a bit more into the album for me. It's a good EDM track though - catchy, nice hooks, good vocals. Not really my thing but it's obvious that Ayu had fun with this one and wanted a new upbeat dance track for lives. 2/5 Overall A strong new album - I do miss her interludes and I think an additional one or two would have helped piece together the different genres at work here. That said, the first six tracks are the most solid I have heard from her in a long time and I really love what ideas she incorporated. I read elsewhere that someone felt she really had a message to share... I feel that here, too. Overall a 3.5/5! Last edited by koumori; 11th May 2016 at 06:14 PM.
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#5
11th May 2016, 04:54 PM
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tasky - that's an interesting intro, i'm in love with that shamisen! 5/5
FLOWER - somehow this is so heavy but at the same time it has that softness in there because of all the other traditional instruments. It's like GACKT melted in with Ayu lol I really love it. 5/5 Mad World - I really am enjoying this one a lot. Her vocals remind me of Klaha, because of the way she sings. I love that deeper range she's giving here. The song it self is really good, too. Really like the chorus, the way everything just melts into one with that occasional piano sneaking in. I actually really would love if this one got a PV. There's just something about it that would give a great visual. 5/5 Breakdown - man..this song is gorgeous. The verses are a bit on the simpler side and a bit more mediocre, but the way that chorus is crafted and the whole melody flows is really lovely. I love the richness in the arrangement in the choruses. She sounds nice too. And that guitar part near the end is a killer. 4/5 Survivor - this is straight up INSPIRE on steroids! I was never a fan of INSPIRE, but this one is LOVE. She sounds really strong and fierce, too. And i love the arrangement! Amazing track! 5/5 You are the only one - oh my this one is such a stunning beauty. The airiness and the smoothness of the arrangement and the flow is gorgeous, the use of that something what sounds like scotch pipes is a very unique addition to the rest of it. The only thing that bothers me a little is Ayu's faked vibrato that she's using in some parts, but her voice sounds so angelic in the higher notes in the chorus that i forgave her instantly for that. Absolutelly breathtaking track. Best ballad since Sweet Scar for me. 6/5 TODAY - this is a very typical Ayu track. It does feel like a great concert ending piece. Rather forgettable but still nice to listen to. She sounds lovely. Does feel like it would work nice on LOVE again. It's not a bad piece whatsoever. 3/5 Mr. Darling - I love the simplicity of the arrangement, but i'm a bit taken aback by her voice. I still do think it's an enjoyable track. Very uplifting. I don't think i'll be listening to this on repeat, but yeah it's not bad. There's still something quite fresh about it. Reminds me of Out of control which i love. So i think i'll be still enjoying this one too. 4/5 Summer Love - I'm not impressed but it does feel like listening to j-pop. Para para anyone?  I might be skipping this one though, but only because i am not really an EDM person. It isn't bad, but not my kind of song. 3/5Overall i think she did deliver, The album has variety yet, it still sounds very Ayu. Definitelly beats the last two for me. It's quite a solid bunch. I am actually surprised that i could say my favourite on this is the "You are the only one". Ballads never make it for me to the top. But this one makes me tear up. Mostly her vocals in the chorus, it's just...ugh.... The second runner up would definitely be FLOWER. I'm so happy she brought back the actual guitars for this. I really missed that too. The album is a solid 4/5. I'm a little disappointed she dragged in yet another cover piece AGAIN into an album of her own, but i can forgive that. Now the only thing they need to nail is the PVs and the covers, cuz musicaly this has quality.. PLEASE, AYU, DO SOMETHING INTERESTING THIS TIME, DON'T GO EASY ON THE VISUALS. PLEASE!
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Last edited by BlackSilence; 11th May 2016 at 05:02 PM.
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#6
11th May 2016, 05:41 PM
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tasky - Nice interlude. Can't go much wrong with traditional Japanese music for me. 5/5
FLOWER - Great song, seriously, powerful mix of rock and traditional Japanese, but she is screaming in the chorus. Don't like her vocals in the chorus much. Still 4/5 Mad World - Especially compared to FLOWER before, her vocals sound much stronger here. Though at the end there are also some parts that sound strained. Apart from that, it's another very powerful and emotional song. 4/5 Breakdown - Really like the melody in the chorus, which is mostly done with her voice. Nice vocals in this song. Don't like the guitar part here, kind of distorted. Not as good as its predecessors. 3/5 Survivor - Love the beginning - and then I actually had to laugh a little as well. The songs reminds me of stuff TRF would do actually. The chorus sounds quite trashy. But catchy. Screaming at the end again. 2,5/5 You are the only one - Something different for her ballas, like the ethereal feel and the bagpipes surprised me. Nice vocals overall. 4/5 TODAY - A pretty forgettable song. Can't even say much about it. 1/5 Mr. Darling - Such a strange title for a song. And quite repetetive, but I like its catchyness and the guitar. 2,5/5 Summer Love - A song similar to You & Me and Feel the love and therefor, I don't like it, lol. She once was so good with electronic music, but somehow she manages to sound dated (which doesn't have to be bad), although she uses modern EDM elements and Idk, I do find it strange and kind of flat. It's especially obvious as Many Classic Moments is coming right after and it is so much better than Summer Love. Also quite out of place on the album. 1/5 Overall 3/5 Pretty accurate how I feel about the album. Surprising to find tribal and scottish influences on the album. Guess that's her way to show her ability to incorporate foreign traditional elements and to "make them Japanese", hence made in Japan.
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Last edited by Corvina; 11th May 2016 at 05:43 PM.
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#7
11th May 2016, 04:41 PM
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tasky - 3.5/5
FLOWER - 2.5/5 Mad World - 2.5/5 Breakdown - 3/5 Survivor - 2/5 You are the only one - 4/5 TODAY - 2.5/5 Mr.Darling - 2.5/5 Summer Love - 3/5 Based on my first listen. It seems better than Colours, but on par with A ONE and Sixxxxxx. Ayu needs to experiment more with arrangement for me to be blown away. Everything is original, but nothing sounds *classic* to me.
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#9
11th May 2016, 10:29 PM
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*Famous last words... Last edited by SunshineSlayer; 11th May 2016 at 10:36 PM.
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#10
12th May 2016, 05:11 AM
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tasky - 3.5/5 This opening is above average FLOWER - 3.0/5.0 I enjoy rock music and Ayu's interpretation of it prior to 2010, and I am enthralled by the traditional elements that have been interwoven, but the guitar isn't 'raw' enough for me, and Ayu's vocals here are awful in the chorus. You can hear her trying to hit those notes, and you anticipate and cheer her on...but she just doesn't soar through them. She croaks. Mad World - 4.0/5.0 This melody has finally found its way into my soul. When I initially listened to it, I found it to be far too similar to tracks such as Last Links. I enjoy how the guitar carries this song, Ayu's vocals are on point, and the overall atmosphere is touching, I would flick a lighter and sway my arm if I was in her audience. Breakdown - 4.0/5.0 Similar to Shape of Love, but it has this melancholic vibe and an intriguing ending. I feel when I listen to this track, I am walking tediously along a dark corridor, unaware of what is around the corner. Survivor - 2.5/5.0 INSPIRE part II. Average, but I can imagine the audience getting down to this at her concert. You are the only one - 4.0/5.0 A unique ballad contribution to her discography, and perhaps the standout track of the album. This is so...I think what I enjoy is that I do not delegate this track to any other Ayu era. This is the creative bounty of the Ayu from 'now'. TODAY - 2.5/5 Average, typical Ayu concert ender. It isn't noteworthy, the melody is weakish. Mr.Darling - 3.0/5.0 Not overtly impressed with the vocal style here, but the track is quite pleasant, the choruses are warm and ear worm worthy, but I think it is outshone by the first six tracks. Summer Love - 3.0/5.0 A homage to 80s/early 90s jpop, but with modern EDM influences. I enjoy how light and poppy this is, I would love to see it paired with Feel the love, Movin' on without you, Merry go round and STEP you. Props to Ayu if she dresses up like a jpop star from the 80s/early 90s. I will fangirl like crazy. 3.3/5.0 A very deserving score, with some tracks being creative and promising, but others being 'business as usual'. For Ayu to improve, she needs to seriously consider expanding her production team. This is an Ayumi Hamasaki album, but it is not a masterpiece by any means. This is not Duty, this is not I am..., and this certainly isn't (miss)understood. Conceptually, she hit the mark in the vein of these albums, but the overall quality of each singular track just doesn't cut it. If she had 5/6 more tracks and had continued to display this degree of diversity, perhaps. For now however, some tracks continue to be more 'quality' than others, and until she pours those creative juices into every single track, she will continue to produce average, to slightly above albums.
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#11
11th May 2016, 05:28 PM
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tasky - 5/5 - Amazing intro for the album, love the Pagan Poetry sample, the oriental sound and the progression that turns into an EDM piece.
FLOWER - 5/5 - Loved this song so much, the japanese style that she sings during the chorus. The song gets dark and rock-ish, just perfect! Mad World - 5/5 - Damn, this song works so well right after FLOWER, love the instrumentals, her vocals, guitars, everething on point. Breakdown - 5/5 - Song gave me sixxxxxx vibes, and that's great, it's so powerful, the guitars at the end, and how the song ends with a feeling that makes you want more of it is priceless. Survivor - 5/5 - PURE LOVE. So amazed by this track, it's bold, cirque du solei-esque, it deserves a PV. I can't wait for the performance at the new tour. You are the only one - 5/5 - What a beautiful song, starts so relaxing and fresh, towards the end it gets so grand and epic, and those are some stunning vocals from ayu. TODAY - 3.5/5 - Good song, generic jpop, but it works fine, and it's growing on me. Mr.Darling - 4/5 - Also a grower, just a little repetitive, but I really like the melody and the instrumental, need to listen more! Summer Love - 2.5/5 - I have to say that I disliked the song on the first listen -and I LOVE all of ayu's EDM songs - but it gets better after a few more plays, I hope it grows ever more on me too. Overall it's a great album, very solid. It's her most expressive album since Party Queen IMO. It's really good to see ayumi trying new things, exploring new sounds. I wish it had more songs, but I'm happy with Many classic moments as bonus track, it works well with Summer Love.
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Last edited by Ruan Borges; 11th May 2016 at 06:15 PM.
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#12
11th May 2016, 06:26 PM
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Okay, this album is somehow like Party Queen to me. And I'm not sure if I like it.
FLOWER - Return Road That one distinctive track that outshines everything else on the album. Summer Love - Party Queen That EDM song that is missing something but is still listenable and catchy. A guilty pleasure. You like it, but don't want anyone else to know. You are the only one - How beautiful you are It's pretty much the same song that follows the same pattern. Survivor - NaNaNa It has parts you actually like and then there are those really cringy parts... Breakdown - Tell me why The melancholic song. A really good track you forget about. Mad World - Reminds Me The song you don't care about at first, but will become your favorite in 2 years. TODAY, Mr.Darling - call, Letter The devilish duo. Those Last Links, Out of control kind of songs AHS hates, because they're "generic", but they are actually good. It's a good album and I enjoy it. It's probably better than Party Queen because it is missing the tragic "The next LOVE/ Eyes, Smoke, Magic" section. Last edited by SEOHYUN; 11th May 2016 at 06:29 PM.
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#13
11th May 2016, 06:53 PM
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tasky - 5/5 Best interlude EVER
FLOWER - 6/5 o_O *dies* Mad World - 6/5 o_O *dies again* Breakdown - 4/5 Nice song, love it!! Survivor - 4/5 Fuck yeah e_e You are the only one - 5/5 OMG... T-T TODAY - 4/5 So sweet <3 Mr.Darling - 3.5/5 Not bad but... Yeah, not bad~ Summer Love - 3.5/5 Not bad~ It makes me wanna dance xD Overall.. 4.5/5. GOOOOOD JOOOB GIIIIIRL
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#14
12th May 2016, 05:22 PM
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#15
11th May 2016, 07:20 PM
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tasky - 5/5
love the japanese sound and instruments FLOWER - 4/5 Not much of a fan on how she sings the chorus, but I still enjoy the song and the traditional instruments used like in the intro. Mad World - 5/5 Her vocals are so great in this one. I can hear her emotions through her voice here. Breakdown - 5/5 my favorite song on this album for sure. I just adore how she sings the chorus I somehow tear up listening to it. Survivor - 5/5 So fierce. And like most people I as well get Inspire vibes from it. You are the only one - 4/5 Beautiful song. Love it's peaceful feel. TODAY - 2/5 My least favorite song on the album. There is not much about it that really gets me. Mr.Darling - 5/5 I love the guitar in the song. Also the chorus is quite catchy. Summer Love - 4/5 It's a nice and catchy song that does make you want to dance (but I still prefer songs like Feel the love or You & Me more) Overall a very nice album 
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#18
11th May 2016, 07:42 PM
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After listening on the full volume in my house I could tell Breakdown give me "I am..." album vibes. The arragment is so "hippie" Ayu, such as her voice in "FLOWER". Her voice is a little weaker in "Breakdown" but definitely my favorite after FLOWER and Survivor. Mad World is good, but forgetable, Breakdown have such a feminine, soft chorus. I like this combo with the vibratto and strong ending.
Starting to love "You are the only one" more. Such a unique song, isnt it?
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#19
11th May 2016, 08:05 PM
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tasky - It stands out as an intro. Therefore, I am frankly positive about this song. However, it does not do as much as to me as it does to the majority of AHS. 3.5/5
FLOWER - Is everything I ever wanted from Ayu. It is such a gem! There is nothing in here entire discography I could compare with this. It is the best song of this album. 5/5 Mad World - I feel bad for not remembering how the song sounds like, but I enjoy it when I am actually listening to the song. 4/5 Breakdown - This song sounds like she did not figure out the Shape of Love and broke down into despair. The last seconds of the song are really good, musically wise. Therefore it deserves 4/5 Survivor - I did not know if Ayu could have been more diverse, but I really enjoyed the tribal theme in the arrangement. It reminded me of a song from the internship I worked in, which was an South-African musical about Nelson Mandela, which was also about survival. It has so much resemblances. Anyway, I hope it gets a PV and I don't even mind if she is stranded on a faraway beach like Destiny's Child. 4.5/5 You are the only one - It's boring, but it has an arrangement that is so gorgeous I can't stay mad about it. 3.5/5 TODAY - The least innovative song on the album, but still enjoyable in my opinion. Not a hit, but it is nice. 3/5 Mr.Darling - So this song is supposed to be cutesy, and I hear the high-pitch in her voice too. I am not deaf. But it is certainly not bad, I kinda like. 3/5 Summer Love - It took a long time for You & Me and Feel the Love to grow on me (and so will Summer Love) It might be the good weather, but I enjoyed listening to it. The energy is really nice. 3/5 Overall opinion: I really enjoyed the album, I think she made bold decisions in arrangements and I really root for that. The album sounds so diverse and ambitious, I love it. This is a great quality album.
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Last edited by xLuna&1LOVE; 11th May 2016 at 08:08 PM.
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#20
11th May 2016, 08:19 PM
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tasky - 5/5 Amazing! I don't mind if it was longer.
FLOWER - 5/5 Great song. Start with slow Japanese style then change to powerful Ayu rockish style. Mad World - 4/5 I quite like it but I don't love it. I quite like the melody but I think it just like Ayu other ballad rock songs. Breakdown - 3.5/5 Really give me old Ayu vibe. Hope it will grow on me. Survivor - 5/5 What a unique song. This song is everything in this album. Ayu has to make PV for this song. I LOVE this song so much. You are the only one - 3.5/5 Very interesting at the beginning then change to pretty okay song. TODAY - 3.5/5 Another okay song. I can imagine seeing Ayu sing this song as last song of the tour. Mr.Darling - 3/5 Guitar? I love guitar a lot but I think it's quite off with the MADE IN JAPAN concept. She better use shamisen instead. Summer Love - 3/5 NOOOOO Another out of concept track. I hope Ayu realize that EDM is not for her. However it's not a bad song. Just not suit for this album. Overall: tasky, FLOWER and Survivor are everything. Maybe I just expect too much from "MADE IN JAPAN" theme. Kuu "JAPONESQUE" is way better.
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MADE IN JAPAN song opinions!
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