A ONE thoughts and reviews

[Max_ZZZ]

I really do always want ayus albums to be amazing and I dont even mind when they all sound the same as long as theyre good. But with a one the thing that sucks is that its not bad at all- its just not amazing.

If anyone was waiting for that ayu sound shes done before then you got it. But I hear that and feel like theres better versions of everything. Im glad a lot of people here like it but I couldnt fall into it the same way.

but there are songs I do really like. Warning, last minute, and to a lesser extent story are the ones that will probably stick with me. But theres no evolution, no new direction where what shes done feels unique. Or at least if it sounds the same have it super catchy.

Melody is by no means original but I think its an amazing song. Brillante was so fresh and even if you dont like it, its still an example of her doing something different.

I just hope again we can get something after this was shows she will move forward

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by Max_ZZZ

I really do always want ayus albums to be amazing and I dont even mind when they all sound the same as long as theyre good. But with a one the thing that sucks is that its not bad at all- its just not amazing.

If anyone was waiting for that ayu sound shes done before then you got it. But I hear that and feel like theres better versions of everything. Im glad a lot of people here like it but I couldnt fall into it the same way.

but there are songs I do really like. Warning, last minute, and to a lesser extent story are the ones that will probably stick with me. But theres no evolution, no new direction where what shes done feels unique. Or at least if it sounds the same have it super catchy.

Melody is by no means original but I think its an amazing song. Brillante was so fresh and even if you dont like it, its still an example of her doing something different.

I just hope again we can get something after this was shows she will move forward

It's interesting that you mention how there are better versions of everything, yet cite WARNING, Last minute, and Story, when WARNING is a less impactful and lessn ingenius version of Microphone+1 LOVE, and Last Minute is a knock-off and forced version of Memorial address. Story is one step up from Meaning of love, but that's not saying a whole lot.

I guess, I'm just happy this is at least reminiscent of the quality of work she should be releasing. It's not 100%, but at least I feel it as "HAMASAKI AYUMI" and that's enough to give me hope and make me happy. It's the start of her getting back her groove, and that's the most thrilling aspect of the whole album. It gives hope and shows promise for the future.

[Delicious n Bold]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

It's interesting that you mention how there are better versions of everything, yet cite WARNING, Last minute, and Story, when WARNING is a less impactful and lessn ingenius version of Microphone+1 LOVE, and Last Minute is a knock-off and forced version of Memorial address. Story is one step up from Meaning of love, but that's not saying a whole lot.

I guess, I'm just happy this is at least reminiscent of the quality of work she should be releasing. It's not 100%, but at least I feel it as "HAMASAKI AYUMI" and that's enough to give me hope and make me happy. It's the start of her getting back her groove, and that's the most thrilling aspect of the whole album. It gives hope and shows promise for the future.

Funny you should say that. It reinforces my theory that the album is an ironic desire for HAMASAKI AYUMI to want to get back together with AYUMI HAMASAKI, but AYUMI HAMASAKI does not want that.

[Max_ZZZ]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

It's interesting that you mention how there are better versions of everything, yet cite WARNING, Last minute, and Story, when WARNING is a less impactful and lessn ingenius version of Microphone+1 LOVE, and Last Minute is a knock-off and forced version of Memorial address. Story is one step up from Meaning of love, but that's not saying a whole lot.

I guess, I'm just happy this is at least reminiscent of the quality of work she should be releasing. It's not 100%, but at least I feel it as "HAMASAKI AYUMI" and that's enough to give me hope and make me happy. It's the start of her getting back her groove, and that's the most thrilling aspect of the whole album. It gives hope and shows promise for the future.

Oh ya I completely agree- I made those same comparisons too. Its just that although they are in the same vain as those songs I think they still sound good and are catchy. My point was more that the songs I think are good are still just songs that have a similar sound as others in her discography.

It is good that none of it is bad. But one thing about her is that I got into her fandom because each album had some new offerings and got me into her. so creative and it really drew you in. We can all have subjective opinions, but not for a second would this album make any kind of wave to attract the attention of anyone whos not already a fan. Which as a fan I do want because ayu as an artist is about that original take on things. Or at least be catchier than anyone else.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by Max_ZZZ

Oh ya I completely agree- I made those same comparisons too. Its just that although they are in the same vain as those songs I think they still sound good and are catchy. My point was more that the songs I think are good are still just songs that have a similar sound as others in her discography.

It is good that none of it is bad. But one thing about her is that I got into her fandom because each album had some new offerings and got me into her. so creative and it really drew you in. We can all have subjective opinions, but not for a second would this album make any kind of wave to attract the attention of anyone whos not already a fan. Which as a fan I do want because ayu as an artist is about that original take on things. Or at least be catchier than anyone else.

This is so true! It's how I have felt for years and exactly what I try to express when asking the question "Do you listen to her current releases for the artist or for the music?" - meaning, if you had no bias or preconceived notion about Ayu and/or any prior connection to her, would you still listen to the product? Would you still enjoy it? Would it consume you? People shit a fucking house when I brought that question into play. But it's so true.

[Max_ZZZ]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

This is so true! It's how I have felt for years and exactly what I try to express when asking the question "Do you listen to her current releases for the artist or for the music?" - meaning, if you had no bias or preconceived notion about Ayu and/or any prior connection to her, would you still listen to the product? Would you still enjoy it? Would it consume you? People shit a fucking house when I brought that question into play. But it's so true.

Ya I mean its really good her fanbase like us are still so into the idea of her music good or bad to this point in her career. I mean I say a lot of the -where 20xx ayu?- but im still here and listening to everything. It must be the same for japanese fans.

But she needs to be the kind of artist that has an intuition for whats a classic and whats not or whats the next step. Then she can please old fans and get new fans and have the same resurgence namie amuro did. Namie amuro got into the j-hiphop thing and did stuff with even popular korean groups. Thats how you stay relevant. And the songs were good.

People keep saying thats asking too much of someone who is your favourite artist... I dont think so. If shes the same artist she was not too long ago she can get her shit together and deliver some new stuff and steer it in a different direction. Or stay the same- but have the ear for whats catchy enough to have a hit record. Days was so staple- but an amazing song that was a hit. like days or not it doesnt matter it was a hit and its obnoxiously catchy. And we still got green with it which was so fresh sounding and is still an amazing record

Theres so much you could say... I just want to hear a song like how I heard M or brillante or microphone and be like "wow. That was really good. I can show this to a friend and theyll have to agree" the last record I think I could do that for is JEWEL any friend I know who is down for jpop will like it for sure cause its just an amazing song.

Sorry for the essay... listening to the new album gave me a lot of opinions lol I wont be this lengthy here on out

[Chibi-Chan]

Music wise it's her worst album to date for me. I love WARNING, NO FUTURE and Last minute and I like The Show Must Go On and Anything for You but the rest is damn fucking boring.
I don't see why this should be a better LOVE again. LOVE again was also boring because of the amount of ballads but the compositions and arrangements were way more creative.
Well, I think she's just doing whatever feels comfortable to her atm music wise and she doesn't care if the outcome is great from an artistic point if view. Personally I think that's sad but if it's what makes her happy...

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by Chibi-Chan

Music wise it's her worst album to date for me. I love WARNING, NO FUTURE and Last minute and I like The Show Must Go On and Anything for You but the rest is damn fucking boring.
I don't see why this should be a better LOVE again. LOVE again was also boring because of the amount of ballads but the compositions and arrangements were way more creative.
Well, I think she's just doing whatever feels comfortable to her atm music wise and she doesn't care if the outcome is great from an artistic point if view. Personally I think that's sad but if it's what makes her happy...

TBH as much as I agree with you about the album being boring, I feel like she does think this album is artistically great... which scares me a bit lol. This is a sound she has kept crawling back to since Love songs. It hasn't worked at all since IMO, and even Love songs didn't really age well looking back on tracks like Like a doll. >_> From an artistic standpoint, I still feel like this album really lacks an identity.

As weird as it feels saying it, I actually think this album might be worse than LOVE again for me. I'm gonna give it more time to settle, but honestly, it's pretty much a case of hate vs. apathy lmao. I despise LOVE again, but at least it's not so bland that I can't feel SOMETHING at all toward it. As bad as it was, it had at least SOME tracks that I think are objectively pretty decent Ayu songs and feel true to her sound and artistry. A ONE has nothing that stands out above mediocrity for me... It's all just washed-out and forgettable stuff she's done time and time before. :\

[thinkingoutloud89]

I don't know why everyone keeps saying LOVE again is her worst albums...it is way better than ASFXX and for me even better than LOVEppears and on par with some other albums... there is no difference for me compared to RAINBOW, Secret or NL - those have just some sort of nostalgia bonus.

[Kouyou]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

I don't know why everyone keeps saying LOVE again is her worst albums...it is way better than ASFXX and for me even better than LOVEppears and on par with some other albums... there is no difference for me compared to RAINBOW, Secret or NL - those have just some sort of nostalgia bonus.

Yeah, people seem to forget about A Song for XX. I think that's easily one of, if not her worst album(s) and it was the one that began her career. A Song for XX is definitely worse than LOVE again, although I will admit that I don't like LOVE again very much.

I haven't heard A ONE yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I appreciated the aesthetic of all the PVs--Ayu looks so good with brown hair. I want people to start receiving their physical copies so we can see if there's something hidden in the A ONE title after all.

[Tom Punks]

I didn't forget ASFXX. It is what it is, and obviously near the bottom of the totem pole, but LOVE again is worse. Sorry, not sorry lol

[BlackSilence]

So after a few listens to the album, i finally have the full impression sunken in.

First of all um... The album has a weird pattern of ballad/softness>up tempo/strength, which i would have never thought that could work. But here it does. WARNING kicks in with a surprise after a Bell. And while i am more of a person for the variety of different sounds, and as less cohesiveness as possible, this one doesn't bother me at all, it flows very nicely, which i think makes a perfect "story telling" feeling. I also noticed how quite a few songs start with a very similar tonal/chord like the one that ended before them.

For me personally i found WARNING to be least interesting, it's weird because i actually liked the preview. And i feel more and more like skipping it. However, this is the only album of hers that i can say i played throughout. I don't think there is a song I actually have a dislike for . I have my least favourites but i can still listen to them and enjoy regardless of that.
Also i absolutely love her vocals in every song. They are bright, clear and controlled, emotional where needed and with the vibrato that's absolutely perfect to my ears.

This album for me seems to have every bit of Ayu throughout her career. It somehow feels like there are bits and pieces from her other albums incorporated into the songs. Maybe that's why it feels so whole to me. I kind of see this album as the definition of who she was, is and will be.

I am not going to break down all the songs, because as i said for the first time it feels like it's ONE piece.

This album is the rainbow after the rain that Colours was.

I knew that it's worth having faith in her. Because once again this feels like home.

[TeddyGrahams]

Originally Posted by artcika

This album is the rainbow after the rain that Colours was.

I love this quote and I agree with basically everything you said.

[js_surrealism]

when one wonders why ayu doesn't push her musical boundaries more than she could, one has to look no farther than her fan base to see the reasons. -.-

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by js_surrealism

when one wonders why ayu doesn't push her musical boundaries more than she could, one has to look no farther than her fan base to see the reasons. -.-

Ayu has already pushed so much throughout her entire career. You can only push so much before you begin becoming an entirely different artist.

[js_surrealism]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

Ayu has already pushed so much throughout her entire career. You can only push so much before you begin becoming an entirely different artist.

Umm, what?

[NintendoHTF1242]

My review for now will exclude Anything For You since I'm listening to this album through Mediafire.

1.) a Bell - This is one of Ayu's best introductions ever. It's on the same level of Prologue. The music is reminiscent of the music in Kingdom Hearts.

2.) WARNING - I absolutely hate the transition from a Bell into WARNING. This is one of her weaker rock tracks, but I won't deny her strong attitude.

3.) NO FUTURE - Honestly, I don't find this song memorable at all. It goes on two minutes too long.

5.) Last minute - As much as I hate the mixing on this track, I still jam out HARD to this song.

6.) Zutto... - Not that bad of a ballad actually. The music makes it really powerful. Reminiscent of BALLAD.

7.) Out of control - Probably the most basic song on the album. Boring.

8.) Story - OMG YES! This was a pleasant surprise! My favorite from the album.

9.) The GIFT - Basic. Boring.

10.) The Show Must Go On - snowy kiss pt. 2; not a bad song but incredibly boring to me.

11.) Walk - This was the weakest song on the single for me. But on the album it's really cute and a fitting end if we exclude the bonus track.

12.) Movin' on without you - Why doesn't Ayu just keep making music with RedOne lol they obviously know how to work together. Keep 'em coming!

Meh. I thought I was gonna be disappointed by this album judging from the previews but I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I wish Ayu would have done more experimental stuff in regards to Colours but this is good. Not an album that's gonna shake up the Japanese music industry, but just good shit to listen to. Story is the best song, with NO FUTURE being the most meh. Can't wait to listen to Anything For You whenever I get the CD in physical form.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by js_surrealism

Umm, what?

She has already dabbled in so many different things, while somehow being able to make it all her own. The only thing she could possibly do is to just jump completely in and abandon whatever it is that she does when she takes a genre and makes it all her own.

[js_surrealism]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

She has already dabbled in so many different things, while somehow being able to make it all her own. The only thing she could possibly do is to just jump completely in and abandon whatever it is that she does when she takes a genre and makes it all her own.

Yea she makes like, maybe two songs on one album that veers from her usual 'sound' and everyone goes into a titzy about how shes being experimental.

Which is why album after album we are still getting songs like song 4 u, Pray, Progress, or things like Story, The Gift, meaning of love, Hello new me.

I'm not saying those are bad songs per se, a lot of them are of course very enjoyable and I like them. But when she has shown that she can do such great stuff like NaNaNa, Shake It, Lelio, I think it's such a pity that she doesn't make a full fledged album exploring those songs.

Doing a whole album of EDM or whatever it is (rock opera, celtic chants, I don't know) does not mean she is no longer who she is. It does not 'erase' albums like Duty or I am... or A ONE. Madonna has done such vastly different sounding albums from Ray of Light to American Life but no one has ever said "that's not Madonna".

[TeddyGrahams]

After 2 b/filler song types albums, Ayu is back to her roots making great music. I love basically all tracks and as a whole the album feels very cohesive with a clear direction from start to end. I can't believe I waited for 3 years since FIVE to truly enjoy her works again. Even if you don't like this album, there is no denying that ayu is putting much more work and effort here than love again and colours combined. 4/5 but feels like a 10/5 after recent years.