best ayu songs in latest years

[Surreal17]

So, as the title itself implies, this thread is a tribute to Ayumi's best songs since 2011. Best songs in the sense of your favourite songs from her, songs that have left you speechless. I chose the time frame 2011- present because its probably the most underrated part of Ayu's carrer ever. With the release of A ONE, things seem to improve in her fandom and I hope that with the new album, she'll receive a lot of positive feedback.

RULE : To make the thread more exciting and to emphasise your love for certain tracks, choose between 5 and 10 defining songs. Not less, not more.
RULE 2 (optional) : write a short / long description for each song; why do you love that song?

My take ~

BRILLANTE (August 31, 2011)
*updating*

Sweet scar (December 08, 2012)
*updating*

Tell All (April 08, 2013)
I remember I've waited all day for this to be released as a digital single. She's at her best when she's doing hybrid songs and this is no exception - mashing synthpop with hard rock (in the vein of Mirrorcle World). One aspect that I like about this track is the crispiness and clarity of the instrumental, thing I've also noticed in Shape of Love. The lyrics are also a strong point, this being my favourite part - "I'm gonna become the reason you breathe". Quite thoughful, right?

Terminal (May 30, 2014)
*updating*

Walk (December 17, 2014)
*updating*

NO FUTURE (April 08, 2015)
Probably my favourite track to play in April and my most played last April. It just fits those days when all the trees are blooming and the overall scent is magnificent. I get to experience this feeling again since its that time of the year. The arrangement and mixing are very dynamic which really gives colour to the whole A ONE album. The climax of the song is spectacular and for one moment we get a glimpse of drum & bass before being coated by the heaviness of trance and eurobeat. Her vocals shine in the verses and bring memories of old vocal style in the chorus.

Shape of love (August 05, 2015)
*not 100 percent sure since still feels so new to me*
*updating*

+ the special category "Guilty pleasures" : You & Me + Feel the Love : )

START!

[Mirrorcle Monster]

progress
Wake me up
SAKURA
Last minute
Summer Diary
Merry-go-round

[DavidChaiLatte]

My favorites are all the songs from the Love EP. Classic Ayu sound that doesn't sound too dated.

[xLuna&1LOVE]

BRILLANTE (2011)
BRILLANTE is such a clever arranged song. I did not understand the videoclip at all. However, my mind was blown when somebody on AHS pointed out that in the end they say goodbye in multiple languages (all starting with an A). From all the songs she and Timmy made, BRILLANTE stands out the most for me.

Sweet Scar (2012/2013)
This song is probably my favourite song post-Love songs era. Don't know how to describe it, really, but I like that it sound so 'small' and fragile. I love some big compositions too, but Sweet Scar does in its own little way soothe me. Also the instrumentals are so beautiful that it takes me into another world when I listen to this song.

Last minute (2014)
Last minute reminds me (like everyone) so much of Memorial Address. Even the lyrics do sort of match. But I think Last minute is very pure and truthfull and it really suits Ayumi's character. This song tells me that Ayumi has not changed so much over the years. I enjoyed the overall 'back to basic' sound of the A ONE era, even though the mixing seemed to lack a bit. But I don't care so much about that.

WARNING (2015)
To me, WARNING is the ultimate anthem. I enjoyed it, because it was based on real events in her life. This song was a great creation. The attitude makes it cool.

Lelio (2013)
Not sure whether I could call this a guilty pleasure or 'one of her best songs in latest years.' Because, it certainly is not. But Lelio is such a great jam. I could listen to it over and over and it still gives me a lot of energy. I also loved Merry-go-round from this era, but I have nothing interesting to say about that song. And I don't think it is one of the best or memorable songs from her recent eras. Lelio stand out the most from Colours.

Sorrows (2015)
You love or you hate Sorrows. Some blame it on the mixing, but I did not pay so much attention for that. I really enjoyed Sorrows and thought the instrumental was very dramatic, which suits the overall desperation of this song. The remix on A7 ~ Winter Diary~ was nice too. It suits the style of the song.

[Brett.Mason92]

glasses

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

Originally Posted by Brett.Mason92

glasses

Seriously. And you wonder why things go the way they do for you around here. Gtf over yourself bruh.

[Brett.Mason92]

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

Seriously. And you wonder why things go the way they do for you around here. Gtf over yourself bruh.

You are right, I apologize but don't have to be rude. :/


My favorite is Ivy. I didn't go through it's english translation for years since I associated it with the end of a relationship and mine ended last year after 3 years.

With the name Ivy I think of vines, and like something growing and manifesting into what became my own personal thoughts of Walk which is the moving on process of my ended relationship. With the titles alone I have thought of these metaphors from what just came to mind listening to them.

Walk with how she ends the song singing, it always sounded devastating to me and I've listened to the song least once a day since December 2014 when I was forced out of my place due to my ex who just introduced his new partner.. I wanted to least appreciate the song and now, I've listened to it so much on a regular basis that it's no longer representing what it did and I enjoy it as much as The Show Must Go On, YOU, ect.

[thomas]

Although I love "classic" Ayu, I actually listen to her newer stuff way more often.

Merry-go-round
This song reignited my Ayu obsession. I just Love the atmosphere, the rapping and the music video.

Out Of Control (Winter Diary version)
Everything about this song is perfect: it's uplifting and the arrangement is soothing as well. It's one of those songs that fills your head with imagery without the song having a music video.

Wake Me Up
I love rock songs and I love the live performances of this song.

NaNaNa
I love this song, but whenever I listen to it on my iPod in public I always make sure nobody else can hear it. But the chorus is catchy and the ticktocktick part is fun to sing/talk along to.

why..
The music video, the vocals and duet parts = <3

[primavera♥]

BRILLANTE
reminds me
Merry-go-round
Walk
NO FUTURE

Honorable mentions lol:
progress
The ballad section of Party Queen
Sweet Scar
XOXO
NOW & 4EVA
snowy kiss
Missing
Shape of Love
Story

[stepYOU1234]

Sweet Scar
Ivy
NO FUTURE
Last Minute
Walk
BRILLANTE
Progress
reminds me
Return Road
Sorrows

Others I considered
NOW&4EVA
Melody
Anything for You

[Aokani]

I usually love the songs that makes me dream away.

progress
This song makes me think about friendship and hope.

BRILLANTE
I love the fresh and mysterious feeling of this song.

Return Road
I love this type of song. Rockish sad feeling~

Tell me why
I can listen to this song over and over again *_*

Sweet scar
Such a simple song with a lovely melody. It makes me think about a sunny spring day, in the middle of a beautiful garden.

What Is Forever Love
This song is special to me in its own way.

NOW&4EVA
This song makes me feel hopeful. It goes a bit into the same category as progress.

Sorrows
So cool and powerful <3

Shape of Love
I just think it's a warm and beautiful song. Kind of cozy.

A ONE is so far the only Ayu album that doesn't have a song on my absolute favourites list.

[Cahz-]

BRILLANTE
Shake it
Ivy
Merry-go-round
Out of control
WARNING
Many Classic Moments

[No_Doubt]

Progress
Reminds Me
Ivy
Terminal
No Future
Step by Step

And many more...

[Lilly]

Pray - This is one of my favorites songs from her ever. I think it is underrated. i can feel the kind of love expressed there, and it's beautiful
Reminds me - I can relate so much to this song
Last minute - pure Ayu gold
Step by Step - gives me hope everytime I listen to it

[Next_Level29]

besides the criticism towards her i really enjoy listening to her latest songs!

Sweet Scar
-unique slow song, love it!

shape of love
-its so not ayu somehow.

Summer Diary
- the most enjoyable song of all time. i reeeeally love it.

of course last minute
-nothing to say

Lelio
-it had a blast on me when it was released

[pepper]

I will go by "latest" album from FIVE till today~

FIVE
def BRILLANTE. I have chills every time i hear this song. Enigmatic, 100% Hamasaki in Hamasaki.

Party Queen
I love most of the album but I adore rock section of this album (call, Letter, Return Road, reminds me, Tell me why, such a perfect flow.) They are so diffrent and yet they fit together so well. But tbh, I love the album as a whole, maybe besides hbya (it's just okay) and I dislike her voice in the next LOVE.

LOVE again
Wake me up (so poppy, so simple, so fun) and Gloria (this song is so unique, omg.)

COLORS
I dont like this album in general, but What is forever love is simple, yet satisfying. this and maybe NOW&4EVER are the only 2 songs I can listen to. I "like" Terminal but it's not really type of music I could listen a lot, so it's just fine.

A ONE
NO FUTURE! One of her best since BRILLANTE.

sixxxxxx
Summer diary. I really love the melody, it's unusuall from her discography, it catched my ear right after first listen. I also love simplicity of Sayonara. It was a decent album.

GUILTY pleasure: Step by step, NaNaNa

[oaristos]

FIVE BRILLANTE

Party Queen reminds me, Tell me why

LOVE again Wake me up, Sweet scar

Colours XOXO, Terminal

A ONE WARNING, Last minute, Out of control, Movin' on without you

sixxxxxx Summer diary, Shape of love

[Aderianu]

I love to see emotions in the songs, but hate pink snots

BRILLANTE
One of the most unique songs. I don't listen to it a lot, but this song has it's own place in my heart. And I still don't understand what is going on in the PV...
The road leading onwards is too narrow, I am left alone
To walk on, there is no other option

Return Road
Good dramatic continuation of Virgin Road

Wake me up
Don't know why I like it =) I use it on my alarm clock

snowy kiss
I fell in love after first listen and still adore it. CDL performance was awesome!

Tell All
It reminds me of Mirrorcle World. Very strong song.
If I hesitate nothing begins
If nothing begins I won't know the pain of losing you

Last minute
Perfect, just perfect and everyone knows why.
You think we’re exchanging our last words, right?
I don’t wish to hear even a second of those

Walk
I wasn't fan of this song and CDL performance almost ruined it for me. But now I like it a lot. It's very touching song that almost makes me cry
That’s my life
But I’m proud to live this way

WARNING
I see it as song dedicated to annoying fans who always complaining about everything =) seems japanese fans see it as feminist song
You should’ve done this like that
You should’ve done that like this
I know I can count
on you never being satisfied

[SayukiChoco]

I also do like a lot of Ayu's recent songs and even though some of them sound really awkward I’m still glad that she is trying new things from time to time.

FIVE
BRILLANTE
progress

Party Queen
Shake It♥

LOVE again
Song 4 u
Wake me up

Colours
Lelio
NOW & 4EVA

A ONE
WARNING
Out of control
The Show Must Go On

sixxxxxx
Summer diary
Shape of love

[Corvina]

Just two for me, as those two are songs I'm somehow always going back to.
Terminal and Last minute.
I do like some more, but I don't listen to them that often compared.
Overall I like her music better again the last two years to the years before.