[News] 『A BALLADS 2』on sale 2021.04.08 [II]

[Toniayu123]

Holly f*ck. I’m in love. Hope she makes ~a party queen~ and changes the covers last minute because THIS NEEDS TO BE THE COVER OMFG.

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by Toniayu123

Holly f*ck. I’m in love. Hope she makes ~a party queen~ and changes the covers last minute because THIS NEEDS TO BE THE COVER OMFG.

Definitely! This would have been something fresh and a cover we didn't have ever before. It's sad, really ;_;

[Aderianu]

Any chance this kind of photos to be at the book?

I actually made cover

Spoiler:

[Corvina]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

Any chance this kind of photos to be at the book?

I actually made cover

Spoiler:

That was my thought as well.
The kimono shoot might be for the photobook, not a PV.

[Mikytaryan]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

Any chance this kind of photos to be at the book?

I actually made cover

Spoiler:

I resonate with your vision here.
I'm looking forward to more pictures

I am also hopeful these will be in the photobook.

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

Any chance this kind of photos to be at the book?

I actually made cover

Spoiler:

I actually really like this! I would have loved it if she would have gone in this direction!

Originally Posted by artcika

I agree with everything you said, and no, you don't always need a concept, but for something like compilations it definitely brings in freshness to the release, cuz everything else is recycled. And i know artists get burned out over the years of doing stuff, but i still stand my ground that just because she's not the Ayu from 2004 she doesn't have the creativity in her anymore. I think there's a lot more to it than just her being different - record label, people she works with (same ones over and over, without fresh blood), money, general state of the darn world.. And probably some marketing strategies, too..
On the lighter note though, despite of all of that i think as fans we will always have that bit of helpless hope simmering inside, that's probably what makes quite a few of us come back to check on her. I know that's what drives me lol I AM NOT GIVING UP ON HER

I think this is a good point. People here are always jumping on those of us who are "complaining" and tell us not to come back. But I know that lots of fans are ONLY coming back, especially Japanese fans, because we still believe she can do this. If all of us would be like "fuck this, there isn't anything to expect from her anymore", she wouldn't even sell out halls anymore. Because we believe she is able to amaze us, because we are coming back every damn time, because lots of us are buying her releases even thoug we don't really like them and just for the nostalgia and because we are hanging on to this little hope, she is able to still be Hamasaki Ayumi.
Also, and this I find really sad, people are often like "why did you even expect anything more than this? You should know by now, be grateful she releases anything at all" - which basically says: "She once was a great artist, now she is just a mediocre performer and a has-been and is only able to release a song here and there because no one cares, therefore be glad anyone even cares to release stuff from a mediocre has-been". But I'm really not willing to see her like that. I always loved her because I KNOW she is a great artist and I don't need 5 singles a year to be satisfied. I just need the few releases she has to be Hamasaki Ayumi quality, because I know she has it in her and because I know she is able to amaze me.

[voguehoney]

https://tieba.baidu.com/p/7237898314

In baidu most Chinese fans think that new pic for make up SAKURA PV？

[Lyssayu]

OMG those shots are gorgeous

A PV for Ivy with this look would be amazing! But agreed that it's most likely for a new song.

Can't she just change the cover to this please...

[Mikytaryan]

I hope these pictures are in the photobook.

The aesthetic is amazing and she looks gorgeous!

[Deep snow]

the new photos are GORGEOUS. they make me think they're for a part of Me sequel—like, the kimono and her standing next to a tree lol.

[Evan Odinson]

Stunning, I have no words

[Toniayu123]

^they’re clearly stating it is for some kind of video. The photographer is a different person than the director, who is shimoko, as well. But surely the pics will end up in the book too.

[revolution9292]

A Ballads has two new songs. Rainbow and a cover song.

A Ballads 2 might have two new songs too.
Pray for you and this kimono themed song.

[!Lawi!]

^ I forgot about Sotsugyou Shashin!

I really wouldn't be against a cover along with pray for you!

[Katsuyuki012]

These photos are so stunning.

[pedronekoi]

Dreaming that this will be "Haru yo, Koi" PV!!!!

[KPL]

Pregnant ayu is the best! Art direction for this series is perfection

[Surreal17]

Wow!! Spring Queen!! Imagine if this is the mv for Will~~(one can always dream lol)

[RealLight]

eggroll

[!Lawi!]

Originally Posted by RealLight

eggroll

This comment was already golden in context but I love it even more now that it's on its own x)

I've been exciting about this video all day, I really hope it's not just a TV spot or something like that!