New single 'Dreamed a Dream' by Tetsuya Komuro out July 31st, 2020

[RealLight]

Well, I like it.

I think it's gonna be one of those tracks I learn to love with time, probably. The instrumental is what I was expecting from her so I can't say I'm disappointed, but it really does nothing for me (or the fan remixes).

Originally Posted by Surreal17

For me it sounds as if they took bits from NO FUTURE, Many Classic Moments and We are the QUEENS but still managing to create a different song in her discography.

I kinda felt some bits of WatQ here too, I can see these two being concert openers together tbh.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by rainbow_smile

Doesn't she usually use the "dream the same dream" phrase in relation to her fans and career? I think the song might be about that. But maybe it's just a theory lol

I thought the same. It could pertain to Max or fans. The Max connection is good as it’s like a “20 (or so) years later” following the conclusion of the drama. I could see the song playing at the close of the story.

But also I connected with the fan element and how she has made several songs about her “haters” or fans being nit picky and needy. I think she tires of that (of those “quarrels”) but in the end she realizes she’s still in it for the fans who are ultimately in it for her.

[jbrat2219]

TK and Yuta Nakano are my personal dream team for ayu's music so it's no wonder this song is such a banger for me.

[truehappiness]

I think her voice is better than the 2008~ ish era, tbh. The recent fluctuation is due to an excess of touring. More touring than ever before and no rest.

[Toniayu123]

^ same It might not sound the same as the one I felt in love with, but as an artist she still is and will ever be.

[koumori]

Ayu definitely has vocal cord damage. I'm always impressed that she's still singing and the quality of her vocals is astounding given circumstances. I thought they sounded really strong in Dreamed a Dream

[jbrat2219]

Originally Posted by Koumori

Ayu definitely has vocal cord damage. I'm always impressed that she's still singing and the quality of her vocals is astounding given circumstances. I thought they sounded really strong in Dreamed a Dream

I totally agree. Given all of the factors going against her, I'm very impressed that she keeps going... and that she keeps going not only because she loves music but for her fans. I'm sure quite a bit of her vocal deterioration is because of how much she tours. It's easy to see her as just a product but as a human being, I'm thankful for her sacrifice.

Also, this song is making me thirsty for an album lol.

[love in music]

dude.... DUDE this gives me old school ayu vibes and I've been LIVING for her older music. this is absolutely perfect kdljfdklgjfd it's one of those rare songs that's fresh but still so ayu. I couldn't be happier with the finished song!

[BlackSilence]

Originally Posted by love in music

dude.... DUDE this gives me old school ayu vibes and I've been LIVING for her older music. this is absolutely perfect kdljfdklgjfd it's one of those rare songs that's fresh but still so ayu. I couldn't be happier with the finished song!

This is totally the old Ayu vibe, I agree. Like it reminds me of so many things but i can't pick it out. BUt maybe as some other people said here, it reminds you of so many 90s pop tracks and that's why it feels so familliar.
I don't hate the song actually. It's pretty good, but i'm not super impressed.

This is literally giving me TM Revolution's "HOT LIMIT" vibes

[*Petit*]

This is so clearly a TK composition, and so it doesn't really remind me of her early music, but it does take me back to late 90s J -pop That's just TK's composition style though.

I really like it though and it's probably my favorite since we are the queens, which ended up being one of the my favorite ayu songs.

The one thing about TK's composition style and many of his tracks for ayu is that it sometimes feels like the verse, bridge and chorus are a bit disjointed, and in this case especially the bridge is drawn out a lot to the extent where it's a bit difficult to keep tension throughout, especially for people who are used today's pop music I guess. (The first chorus starts at 1:24, which is very, very late for any pop track and it's the same for many (but not all) of his tracks for ayu). Some of itmay be ayu's decision too though to fit the lyrics and musical story telling the way she likes it. In any event, TK's compositions are more melody-driven than most popular music today (both Western and K-pop) and he relies a lot on key changes to create tension. So this song is basically what I've come to expect from TK for ayu. Sometimes it works really well, but sometimes it makes the song feel flat and dragged out. And it makes the arranger's job more difficult I think because instead of coming up with one catchy hook that can be repeated again and again, he or she has to figure out a way to make it interesting in different ways throughout the song. I think they did a great job with Dreamed a Dream, but I also think this song could've benefited from cutting half of the first bridge and maybe the first verse too, but that might've messed up the lyrics!

[RealLight]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

This is so clearly a TK composition, and so it doesn't really remind me of her early music, but it does take me back to late 90s J -pop

That explains why I scratch my head everytime when people say his songs sound like some of her early works, when they really don't sound anything like from her at that time.

[jbrat2219]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

I really like it though and it's probably my favorite since we are the queens, which ended up being one of the my favorite ayu songs.

We are the Queens is fire. This song reminds me more of sending mail or snowy kiss but much better.

[KPL]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

The one thing about TK's composition style and many of his tracks for ayu is that it sometimes feels like the verse, bridge and chorus are a bit disjointed, and in this case especially the bridge is drawn out a lot to the extent where it's a bit difficult to keep tension throughout, especially for people who are used today's pop music I guess. (The first chorus starts at 1:24, which is very, very late for any pop track and it's the same for many (but not all) of his tracks for ayu). Some of itmay be ayu's decision too though to fit the lyrics and musical story telling the way she likes it. In any event, TK's compositions are more melody-driven than most popular music today (both Western and K-pop) and he relies a lot on key changes to create tension. So this song is basically what I've come to expect from TK for ayu. Sometimes it works really well, but sometimes it makes the song feel flat and dragged out. And it makes the arranger's job more difficult I think because instead of coming up with one catchy hook that can be repeated again and again, he or she has to figure out a way to make it interesting in different ways throughout the song. I think they did a great job with Dreamed a Dream, but I also think this song could've benefited from cutting half of the first bridge and maybe the first verse too, but that might've messed up the lyrics!

You characterized TK’s composition so well!

I remembered when Tetsuya Yukumi first composed for ayu, its characteristics were the repetitive melodies (ANGEL’S SONG, Moments). When it comes to TK, it’s repetition got even more pronounced, plus the lengths of certain verses and double verses/bridges (like NO FUTURE), which makes the song really unorthodox and insane in today’s pop world. And I love them for exactly that reason! I think DaD has so much tension because of the long verse, not despite of it

[Cahz-]

This song is a complete experience. I'm living for it!!

[mizuki-7]

^
Definitely she was not part of the TK boom so I don’t understand either the comparisons with her early work.

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by mizuki-7

^
Definitely she was not part of the TK boom so I don’t understand either the comparisons with her early work.

Might be the impact and arrangement rather than the "TK-ness"?

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

Here’s hoping Nakano isn’t the only arranger she plans on using for the foreseeable future...

[truehappiness]

The future seems to mostly be Yuta, tasuku, ats-/Takehito Shimizu, basically mostly old H/\L then tasuku. I think CMJK rounded things out a lot, and it seems like he assisted in the last few lives as well so he could always come back!

Going over the last 5 years of releases, it's basically 80% Yuta, then the last 20% is tasuku/ats- with Shimizu/Shingo Kobayashi/RedOne.

[mizuki-7]

It’s a bit sad she doesn’t hire a new arranger ! Her music would really benefit of even a small change in her team of arrangers. Her compositors & arrangers are aging as well some young talents would definitely bring something

[truehappiness]

Yuta was the 'new blood' in 2007 I think with talkin' 2 myself but at this point I think she really likes having him around so that's why he's become her mainstay.

The concern is probably... "if I go for someone new, will they make arrangements that I like?" so she stays with who she knows can create the sound she wants.