I think m-flo's part was a bit dull, but well Ayu's is stunning. I don't know if it's just me because Ayu's rapping voice reminds me of the early 2000's Ayu :) It's like hearing her younger self. I'm growing to love her part!

^ I agree! I actually liked this a lot. I cringed a bit at the "I will always be the queen", as someone said before (I think it was zeke?) I don't really like self proclamation that way. But I grew to not minding it somehow XD I love her rap part and for what I could grasp the lyrics are a shoutout to her haters. "I've being doing it my way up until now, and will do it my way from now on" "I'll always be the queen" etc. GO AYU TAKE DAT CROWN

I'm the only one who thinks her vocals sound strange in her singing part?
So... don't know, unnatural sounding?
I feel uncomfortable listening.

On the other hand I really, really like her rapping.
Overall the songs sounds just ok.

I thought the same thing, honestly. They're strange. Like a "made up ethereal sound"?

+1

love her part. wasn't expecting the little rap part either but she sounds great.

ima made my way, iya nara highway~ :laugh

Yaaay, rapping ayu!!

I was really surprised with Ayu's vocals here in the singing parts... it's light, airy.
It almost reminded me of "RAINBOW", especially the high-pitched part - it didn't sound forced like how it is now. It's unbelievable.

I had this dream where Ayu suddenly produced a secret album out of nowhere, and the surprise is that all the songs in it are sung using her old tone, completely intact.

And then she started singing live, with her voice sounding like back then.
At the end, Ayu smiles, saying this is her plan all along - to appear vocally deteriorating as time goes by, but at one point (a strategic comeback plan) she wants to surprise everyone by singing beautifully like she used to.

Hahaha... don't mind my silliness.
But, this might be closer to the truth. The vocal improvement part, not the surprise secret album and the delicate comeback plan.

Meanwhile, I'm not diggin' much her rap parts. It's not bad, it's just not my genre I listen to. I hope it's not going to become a thing for her.

Love it. I NEED TO HEAR MORE NAO. :yes

Do you guys really think those "airy" vocals are her true voice?
I`m pretty sure it`s manipulated, some kind of autotune or filter.
Fits the music genre.

it may be or may not be, tbh i don't care - just enjoying her music :love

It`s nothing bad, it`s pretty common for urban.
But I do think it`s weird people don`t notice, especially her fans. xD

Lol I actually like this.. I can't believe it. I really like her singing parts. I agree her voice has been altered, but she really doesn't sound like she's dying as she tries to hit some of those notes. The rap part is ok..... she sounds a little too cutesy, though.

I don't know if the vocals are heavy altered or else but I'm LOVING it so much! This sounds so fresh and she is very good at it!
I don't really like the male part. She is the one who is really shining here!
I'm not really into rap/urban but I won't complain for something good with those fresh vocals. Please ayu, do something different for your new album. Something creative and new à la (m)u...

That is really my main concern with her "recent" songs. Everything is there but the arrangements are really lacking. The same old formulas are applied on almost every songs and give me a feeling of déjà vu. The result is that I'm already tired and bored by the new stuff and I move on after a couple of plays without a second thought.

it would be so awesome if ayumi does an album like akina nakamori's fushigi album, that would be so cool

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushigi

That's a pretty pessimistic look at this. I could see her singing this flawlessly in the studio, but she'd probably be struggling for the first few performances if she had to do this live.

I`m speaking about the sound of her voice.
I do think it`s pretty clear it`s not natural sounding, but done on purpose.
I wouldn`t want to tell which notes are altered and which aren`t or if her voice got better or anything. :shrug
Maybe I worded it bad, it`s just that they`ve done something to her voice to let it sound, well, airy like that.
Maybe even made it a bit higher, idk.

Just like Kumi's voice on "Simple & Lovely" - reaction was "is that really her??" I believe Namies voice was also a bit different in her track from the same album.

It isn't an awesome song, but Ayu's singing is cute. I like her part only