A ONE thoughts and reviews

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I can understand liking the individual songs--like, I don't think NO FUTURE is altogether* bad. But is it really appropriate for 2015? No, music has moved past this sound. It's dated and cheesy. It could have been a kick-ass track on LOVEppears or I am... but this is pop and you can't just keep churning out music that doesn't fit with the current times. It just doesn't work like that.

That's why I don't understand the A ONE love. A lot of it would have been fine in 1999, but pop music has moved so far past this. Ayu once moved past this. But now she's regressed and it's stale.

Does it matter? Every few albums Ayu shows that she can do whatever everyone else is doing and occasionally goes back to what she likes. Do you only listen to the music which sounds as if it was recorded in 2015? Just because it's "pop" it doesn't mean it has to follow what's popular. I am not sure if you can really stick the pop label on Ayu anymore.

Why does she have to do what's currently in? Also the world has moved past the classical music, it's not in, it doesn't attract masses the way Beyonce and Daft punk do, but people are still making classical music and it has audience.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I agree, and it scares me a little that AHS loves this so much because it's just... such a bland direction to encourage Ayu in? I guess I just don't get why everyone is praising it SO much, I mean do we REALLY want her to continue in this direction of albums bloated to the brim with schmaltzy soundalike ballads and rehashes of that one non-ballad track from Love songs for the umpteenth time? IDK, I just really don't get the hype. Not because I don't like the album (though I don't), but because musically it sounds like a retread of Love songs, LOVE again, and even LOVEppears at parts. Maybe I just didn't realize that so many people preferred this late 90s anime music sound for Ayu. I've always seen Ayu's distinct sound as the big pop stuff she did from RAINBOW through Rock'n'Roll Circus (and Party Queen). To me, this is not at all Ayu's sound or style. But I guess it is to AHS and that's why we disagree?

I agree with you for the most part except with Love Songs. Love Songs I thought was a great mix between experimental and classical (or safe) Ayu. It had a pretty good mixture of songs and styles. This album for the most part is the same style from start to finish; most of the songs sound like they could easily be mashed into one track. I don't mind that the sound it dated, because that's not always a bad thing - but these songs are just really bland. Listened individualyl some of them are good, but all together it just becomes one long run on sentence. And then the upbeat tracks on the album just come off as out of place and lets be honest, not one of the upbeat tracks really holds a candle to other similar tracks from previous albums.

One of her weaker album releases, but usually that means the next one will be really good.

[Delicious n Bold]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I agree, and it scares me a little that AHS loves this so much because it's just... such a bland direction to encourage Ayu in? I guess I just don't get why everyone is praising it SO much, I mean do we REALLY want her to continue in this direction of albums bloated to the brim with schmaltzy soundalike ballads and rehashes of that one non-ballad track from Love songs for the umpteenth time?

I just saw this now. While I like A ONE, if Ayu were to ask me directly about how I felt, I would call it trash. The album is like Mac n cheese. I like it but I'll tell the chef never to make it again and if they never make it again and then move onto brighter and bigger things I'll be ok. I don't want to encourage her to keep making mac n cheese. It's boring. Where's the deep fried and breaded chicken.

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by Delicious n Bold

I just saw this now. While I like A ONE, if Ayu were to ask me directly about how I felt, I would call it trash. The album is like Mac n cheese. I like it but I'll tell the chef never to make it again and if they never make it again and then move onto brighter and bigger things I'll be ok. I don't want to encourage her to keep making mac n cheese. It's boring. Where's the deep fried and breaded chicken.

Colours was seafood gumbo and people didn't want that so she had to go back to mac and cheese.

"Trash" is a little rough... maybe bland is a better term since you like it but uh... yeah? I think as far as Colours -> A ONE goes, one was totally out of the box for her while the other is very 'safe' in a good way. She may end up going in a completely different direction yet again with the mini album since it sounds like it's all upbeat stuff.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

Ok, I totally stayed away from previews and the music videos and I think this album is.....bland, bland, bland. It makes Love Again appear lively by comparison. >_< A lot of the tracks sound just way too much a like.

It's not a good sign when one of the best tracks on the album is a cover of someone else's song.

I thought Colours was a step in the right direction, but now it feels like 1 step forwards and two (or 3 or 4..) steps backwards.

Maybe it will grow on me...

For me Colours was a one time thing. It was a nice addition to her discography, but I think it was clear that, like NEXT LEVEL, it was meant to be a one time thing.

A ONE is alright. Not her best, album, but far from her worst. What the album is lacking is a few more upbeat tracks and a few less ballads.

What I like is, well almost everything, besides Anything for you - the main issue with this one that I have is that it's too long and too similar to Walk. The GIFT which has grown on me, but it's still a cheesy cpop track. The Show Must Go On - I wish it was as good as snowy kiss, but it's not. It might grow on me, but for now I don't feel like listening to it.

The stuff that stands out: WARNING, Last minute, Zutto..., Out of control and NO FUTURE. NO FUTURE was the most pleasant surprise. Even the preview was promising, but the full track is just outstanding in every way. Out of control sounds like it comes from Party Queen's rock section and it's just the type of rock ballad I love. Story has a really nice composition and I generally love it, even though it's not something truly memorable.

I don't think that the cover song is the best track on the album. There are so many tracks on it which are miles better. It's a strong release.

[Delicious n Bold]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

It's not a good sign when one of the best tracks on the album is a cover of someone else's song.

Giving me Ayaka rainbow road album vibes tbh


Anyway I read what Tom Punks said and personally from the previews I've heard I'm not too impressed at all. The only reason I like the album is because of the theory I have of the album in my head and that she's trying to tell a personal story of her two halves. It's the only time the lyrics override the music for me so far...

[truehappiness]

I think it will grow.

Took a bit for previews to warm up for me, at least.

[Larisa-chan]

Already posted a similar comment in another thread, but this album reminds me of Love Again and it bores me. I like about 3 songs: No Future, The Show Must Go On, Anything for You. Last Minute is ok, but I've heard it so much since it was released. Also, Warning is ok only because it's not a ballad. The lyrics in this album are really strong, but it's a pity that there are about 90823409284 ballads in this album. Drags so much.

[truehappiness]

A ONE is intended to be a 'back to her roots' album.

I don't think she's going to keep doing this but it's nice to hear her go back to this sound she hasn't done for a while but had done at one point in her career.

I LOVE the little touches here and there in the tracks' full versions. Wow wow yeah yeah~

[Ashen Twilight]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

A ONE is intended to be a 'back to her roots' album.

I don't think she's going to keep doing this but it's nice to hear her go back to this sound she hasn't done for a while but had done at one point in her career.

I LOVE the little touches here and there in the tracks' full versions. Wow wow yeah yeah~

I think this album is a good summary of different styles of songs she's done throughout her career. That is probably what she wanted to do. It explains the title (without it's hidden meaning), at least.

[ayu-fan]

Here's my review:

1. a Bell
It's a lovely opening! I always fond of orchestra sounds. 8/10

2. WARNING
What a surprising song coming from a serene a Bell. Intense catchy rock song and instant favorite from the album. 9/10

3. NO FUTURE
Easy listening song, kinda anime-ish, maybe that's why it reminds me of Song 4 U. 8/10

4. Anything for You
I always mistaken this song to Walk, especially the chorus. A pretty but rather boring song (and dragging too long) 7/10

5. Last minute
I like this song, sounds really sad and powerful. The surprising beat in the middle works everytime! 8/10

6. Zutto...
Despite almost everyone said this is a generic/boring ballad, I personally REALLY like it! I like her vocal and the arrangement is really pretty. It's been a long time since she has a beautiful ballad like this 10/10

7. Out of control
A generic rock ballad, but it's growing on me. The chorus is pretty catchy. 7/10

8. Story
Oh God another ballad another pretty but generic-over-5-minutes ayu ballad. 7/10

9. the GIFT
I don't like her overdramatic vocal on this song. Still, a pretty song. It doesn't sound like a Japanese song, oddly. 7/10

10. The Show Must Go On
Yess finally an uptempo song! I really like it! I can feel the energy and her vocal really amazing! 9/10

11. Walk
Weird placement because it's a ballad again Powerful ballad, but I'm not digging the chorus in the end. 8/10

12. Movin' on without you
Amazing cover from ayu! I still prefer the original though, but ayu's version is not bad at all! 8/10


A decent album from ayu, I'd say it's on par with Colours in quality. It sounds consistent from the beginning to the end. (Yes, I saw you Party Queen). Would be more ayu-ish if the titles are one word only.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

Pleasantly surprised is what I would say also. Despite my least favorite track being out of control (because it sounds too much like call and letter to me), I think the rest of the album really shines. WARNING, NO FUTURE, Anything for You, and TSMGO are definitely gems! LOVE!

[truehappiness]

Out of control IMO is what call and Letter wanted to be.

[Ashen Twilight]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Out of control IMO is what call and Letter wanted to be.

QFT

[terra]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Out of control IMO is what call and Letter wanted to be.

Originally Posted by Delirium-Zer0

Yeah, I don't disagree there... I think they're both melodically a bit stronger, but Out of control's mix is much more finished sounding. It balances out for me probably.

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

FA ONE is alright. Not her best, album, but far from her worst. What the album is lacking is a few more upbeat tracks and a few less ballads.

The stuff that stands out: WARNING, Last minute, Zutto..., Out of control and NO FUTURE. NO FUTURE was the most pleasant surprise. Even the preview was promising, but the full track is just outstanding in every way. Out of control sounds like it comes from Party Queen's rock section and it's just the type of rock ballad I love. Story has a really nice composition and I generally love it, even though it's not something truly memorable.

These are exactly what I had in mind when listening to A ONE
It's a good album not a snoozefest like LOVE again did for me. And she needs more upbeat track, for me ballad is weighted at 5 while upbeat is weighted at 3 so she needs more Upbeat.

Here's my short review
a Bell - I love this intro but it's kinda too short (4/5)
WARNING - What else other than kickass? Maybe the proper rip has better mixing, I hope (4.5/5)
NO FUTURE - Also a nice track, kinda reminds me of Last angel but more energetic and without the low key singing (4/5)
Anything for You - The arrangement are pretty but it's too long I guess and reminds me of Walk (3/5)
Last minute - Her annual dose of Emotional Rock for me, right in the feels. Hoped for a better mixing tho oh well~ (5/5)
Zutto - I initially kinda had mixed feeling for Zutto especially the chorus end when the direction changed was kinda weird, but it's OK now (3.75/5)
Out of Control - As I quoted, this is call / Letter done in better way. Liking what I heard tho maybe not something I'll repeat listen (3.5/5)
Story - For me this one is beautiful, especially the chorus and the arrangement. Idk it's just works for me (4/5)
THE GIFT - Too CPop I guess, I mean I don't really feel anything Ayu about this. It's nice but that's it (3/5)
The Show Must Go On - I LOVE THIS, like a happier version of snowy kiss, just loving this (5/5)
Movin' on without you - Except for her 'weird' singing, I just dance away with this (5/5)

Looking forward to the new Tell All mix, hope it'll change my opinion about it.

[Delirium-Zer0]

I actually enjoy all three of those songs immensely, haha...

I think this album overall is very solid, a very satisfying listen in a way a ton of Ayu's recent material hasn't been. It fixes a TON of the mistakes made in past albums. I'm a big TK fan, so when Love songs was announced as having so many songs composed by him, I was really disappointed with how it turned out... His songs on THIS album, however, are what I was hoping for there and did not get. I think his contributions here are really solid, and "NO FUTURE" is probably one of my favorite compositions of his... ever, actually. I was gonna say "since globe's LEVEL 4 album," but yeah it's probably in the top 5 or 10 ever, and I'm a big fan of his.

I listened to this album with headphones and I'm really glad I did because the good mix on most of these tracks - HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS THE MIX WAS GOOD FOR THE MOST PART - hit very hard.

Is the album perfect? No. The ballads get a bit exhausting, "The GIFT" and "Zutto..." have moments that sound really old-fashioned in kind of a dorky way, and there is a lot of recycling obviously.

Objectively I'd put it up with Rock'n'Roll Circus (truthfully one of my all-time favorite ayu albums, though others don't rate it so highly) as far as my overall satisfaction with it though - I will probably listen to this album a LOT.

[truehappiness]

I like them all too, but I think call and Letter could have benefited from the 'fuller' production that Out of control has.

[Delirium-Zer0]

Yeah, I don't disagree there... I think they're both melodically a bit stronger, but Out of control's mix is much more finished sounding. It balances out for me probably.

[jiarongisme]

a Bell - Somehow reminds me of the background music in the intro of HOTEL Love songs when Timmy was talking about the amenities in the hotel. Not the best interlude, but it's pretty alright. Calming. 3.5/5
WARNING - And then this just jumps right into your face. Like a huge punch to your stomach. Great track. I wish Ayu did more rock. 4/5
NO FUTURE - F L A W L E S S. I love how the ending flows beautifully to the next song too. Though for some reason You & Me came my mind when it abruptly became slow 5/5
Anything for You - Omg the progression for this is so brilliant!! It starts of as a little bleak, and she sounded so lonely and in pain. And it slowly transitions to her being hopeful and loving. I love this so so so much. 5/5
Last minute - Still amazing. Still fresh from when I first heard the single leaked. It's interesting how it's put right after Anything for You though. PLEASE FIX THE MIXING. 5/5
Zutto... - I'm so used to listening to it from the single, so it's kinda odd that it's placed after Last minute to me Still really love the lyrics because I really relate to it. 4/5
Out of control - For me, this song is really J-Pop sounding. It's really moving. I really like it!! 4.5/5
Story - The ending of Out of control and Story fits so perfectly. I thought Out of control didn't end lol. The song is alright, one of the weaker of the songs in this album. But still pretty. 3/5
The GIFT - I'll be honest and say that I put this song on repeat when the PV came out on YouTube I really like the mood of this song, and how she sung it. It's so ernest and heartfelt. The lyrics are nothing spectacular but I think it's pretty sweet. 3.5/5
The Show Must Go On - Hellooooooo snowy kiss. The 'The Show Must Go On yeah yeah yeah yeah' parts are pretty annoying. But everything else is pretty on point. I do foresee her having trouble singing this live though. That and her using her strained 'cute' voice. 4/5
Walk - Kinda find the transition from TSMGO a bit odd. Didn't really feel this song when it first came out but I've come to love it after a while. The lyrics are so honest and uplifting. 4/5
Movin' on without you - I honestly feel like it's not really necessary to add this into the album. The album would've closed beautifully with Walk. It's not even listed as a bonus track. It's just... There. I love the cover, but it feels weird that it's there. 4/5

Honestly, a really great album. I really enjoyed Colours but this has always been the Ayu I've come to know and love. I really really love how this album sounds. Left a really strong impression on the first listen. Can't wait to get my copy!! I foresee myself playing this album over and over again.

[melissalove]

I personally think A One is a snore, it's very outdated. But, ayu's trying to return to her roots and doesn't care about what her fans have to say about it. (warning lyrics ).