"progress" Preview

[kagami]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

Well, now I have to disagree a little...

I do find a lot of her earlier singles interchangeable between her albums... audience could easily fit loveppears, duty or i am... for example... and while I agree she tends to have 2 "generic" singles on every era, the summer single and the winter single, plus the concert ending song, that sounds very similar too, I would say most of her albums are really different from each other...

Ayu's music is mostly made of a mix of three influences: Dance, rock and classical music... And even when she tries other styles, she mix this style to her own sound instead of totally changing it, having songs that mix her 3 main genres with the theme of the album.

I completely agree, especially with the bold part. But I also think a number of her album tracks from her earlier era could be interchangeable as well.

I do think she started to find her sound, the best way for her to musically express herself. But I always maintain that some of her experimentation in these later years has been much, much more out there than anything she did earlier on. B&D, Slt, Mirrorcle World etc.

And, finally, I'm glad she has a solid base for her sound. It's makes her so totally Ayu and it's what I look forward to when I listen to her

[ownsarai]

I really like how this sounds. It kind of reminds me of blossom in the beginning.
I cannot wait to hear this song~ I'm really excited for it!

[Zeke.]

About the "generic" summer/winter songs... That's something we have come to know (and love) Ayu by... isn't it? It's somewhat predictable, but Summer just feels a little less exciting, a little less "fun" and a little more offbeat without those releases. Same goes for Winter (although I prefer the J-Pop Winter singles since I love Christmas time - every year I get excited to listen to my "JPOP for the HOLIDAYS" playlist). She didn't release a Winter single this year and I was a little sad of course. People say they hate it when Ayu doesn't try anything new... but why fix something that isn't broken? I'm happy with Spring electronic/pop singles, Summer pop/rock singles, Autumn rock/ballad singles, and Winter ballad/emotional singles as long as the material is good. Although I would like a Summer ballad in the style of RAINBOW or SEASONS (although RAINBOW is more "Spring" time to me).

I think she tried too many "new" things on R'n'R and I hated it (although she did say that album was more "back to basics" - still don't know what she meant by that because it was anything but). Well it grew on me but looking back only album track I totally loved was Microphone which was classic rock-goddess Ayu and countdown grew on me over time (but still less impacting). Love songs I feel was very different for her and at first I will admit it was kind of different since the whole album felt like each song was leading up to a disappointing climax (or you had a hard time pin-pointing the climax), but very quickly I fell in love with the album and adore it more than NEXT LEVEL and R'n'R combined.

So wherever Ayu goes, I will follow. I just hope she doesn't try "too hard" as for me that's what happened with R'n'R (sorry R'n'R fans).

[jbrat2219]

I personally don't think Ayu every really tries too hard. I think that's why her experiments work in her favor or are more accepted by fans. RnRC was a mixed bag of a lot of genres that didn't really fit well together but I guess that was the concept of the album. But I think to put out a disorderly album and a cohesive album all in one year just shows how amazing Ayu is lol.

[truehappiness]

Love songs I feel was very different for her and at first I will admit it was kind of different since the whole album felt like each song was leading up to a disappointing climax (or you had a hard time pin-pointing the climax),

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.

[clover_bali]

orchestra + band = really ayu's type song ^^
i'm lovin' it!

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

About the "generic" summer/winter songs... That's something we have come to know (and love) Ayu by... isn't it? It's somewhat predictable, but Summer just feels a little less exciting, a little less "fun" and a little more offbeat without those releases. Same goes for Winter (although I prefer the J-Pop Winter singles since I love Christmas time - every year I get excited to listen to my "JPOP for the HOLIDAYS" playlist). She didn't release a Winter single this year and I was a little sad of course. People say they hate it when Ayu doesn't try anything new... but why fix something that isn't broken? I'm happy with Spring electronic/pop singles, Summer pop/rock singles, Autumn rock/ballad singles, and Winter ballad/emotional singles as long as the material is good. Although I would like a Summer ballad in the style of RAINBOW or SEASONS (although RAINBOW is more "Spring" time to me).

I think she tried too many "new" things on R'n'R and I hated it (although she did say that album was more "back to basics" - still don't know what she meant by that because it was anything but). Well it grew on me but looking back only album track I totally loved was Microphone which was classic rock-goddess Ayu and countdown grew on me over time (but still less impacting). Love songs I feel was very different for her and at first I will admit it was kind of different since the whole album felt like each song was leading up to a disappointing climax (or you had a hard time pin-pointing the climax), but very quickly I fell in love with the album and adore it more than NEXT LEVEL and R'n'R combined.

So wherever Ayu goes, I will follow. I just hope she doesn't try "too hard" as for me that's what happened with R'n'R (sorry R'n'R fans).

To me RnRC is among her most generic releases ever, and I hate summer and winter singles... soemtimes the music is nice, but it's a step back from her current material, year after year... The world doesn't need another version of fairyland, we already have 3 or 4...

[TeamAyu2004]

^ I love those types of songs! lol

But I wouldnt mind a little flare here and there however.. I would love to hear this song in full preview though!

[PoetGirl]

I dont consider myself a stan, or blinded or anything but I like every song of hers. Not 'cause it hers, I simply do! Maybe I had 2 songs in complete discography I was annoyed by but thats nothing considering how many songs she has.

Just wanted to say Im not blinded nor deaf if I like ayu's new relases. It gets on my nerves. I have a feeling we get this kind of discussion everytime she relases something. Its like... very simple! Some people will like it and some won't. Calling people who like it delusional or stans is like saying haters to people who dont like it!

[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.

[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.

[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.