I generally like this album! The only song I can't STAND is Eyes, Smoke, Magic. It does nothing for Ayu's voice.

From what I've seen, a lot of people like the album -however- there are certain parts of it that some people cannot stomach, the majority not liking that jazz section or skipping over the start of the album and thinking of it as 'complete' from taskebab to Tell me why.

This reminds me of MY STORY in a way when it was released (which is second to Party Queen when it comes to new tracks) where people loved some part of the album but then after a certain point the album 'ended' for them.

I would say reaction to this album is surprisingly positive compared to what could have been.

Yeah, I liked the album on my first listen, but now that I've been listening to it for a few days the tracks aren't having much of a lasting impact on me.

My Story I could see where some parts might be considered generic sounding. But definitely not I Am... even today that album sounds anything but generic.

My feelings as I listen to the album.

Party Queen - I like it, not love it, but like it. Way better than the live I saw. o.O
NaNaNa- interesting, the video is... okay, I love the camera effects more than anything. At first I was all "why does Ayu have that really tall punk chick next to her? It makes her look tiny and brings too much focus away from her. Then I realized that was Timmy... oops?
Shake it - I was surprised I actually liked this one really, I like it far better than Party Queen for sure,.
Taskebab - I never listen to these more than half way, I prefer interludes just during concerts, when they sound far better.
Call - Ehhhhh maybe it'll grow on me? I couldn't finish, I got bored and ended up pretty much pushing out of my attention.
Letter - Darn, same here too. I'll have to give it another shot. Later, when I'm less grouchy.
Reminds Me - Ohhh this one I actually do like, enough to listen to it over and over again!
Return Road - Oh gods this is sad, raw, I love it. One of my favorites this album. The music video just really did it for me, particularly the picture with her and Mannie at the end with him all scratched out. I can FEEL the emotion in this song.
Tell me why - Sounds very sound, her voice is beautiful, I love how she has progressed from how she used to sing in a bit of ways. Lovely. It's slow, and one I wish to have an instrumental for so I can learn to sing as well. Love the emotion.
a cup of tea - it will be interesting to see what they do on tour for this interlude, that's about all I like these for. *shrug* It's interesting, not too terrible, not something I want to just listen to because.
the next LOVE - Okay, Wow. I think Ayu's voice is PERFECT for this! My voice is not sultry enough to go here I don't think, unless I really push. But Ayu?? Woooow! Then again, I don't mind this type of music at all. Probably now one of my favorite songs of hers, ever.
Eyes, Smoke, Magic - I want to do a dance routine to this! I again like how Ayu sounds here, and the overall feeling! I love where it goes all upbeat too, absolutely cute and another favorite here.
Serenade in A minor - Sad sounding interlude, one I actually could manage listening to the entire way. I see sad dancing around the stage during Ayu's costume change here.
how beautiful you are - I already know I love this song, even if at times in it I don't really like her vocals too much. Ever since the single came out, I've been practicing the song with the instrumental so I can sing it.

Overall, I like it. Far better than FIVE. Where I only loved BRILLANTE on the entire thing (thankful it was a mini-album)

If it has come to the point where great songs are bad simply because of similar songs before it and fresh new songs are bad because they are too risky, you might as well give up on music in general because there will be nothing NO ONE can do for you :shrug

It is often that fans say "I wish she'd do this," "I wish she would do another song like this" "I wish she would do something new." And what happens when she does? People complain. It's damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course and no one has to like this album. But it seems like a lot of the same complaints no matter what she does. The girl can't win obviously. I guess it is apart of the job.

my name's WOMEN is anything but URBAN/R&B, lol. I don't think that's what they were going for. It's a style all it's own and that's why I love it. I loathe urban/r&b music. I find it atrocious in fact and I could never stomach it. But my name's WOMEN just has this bad-ass feeling to it. It's fierce, it flows together perfectly, it has POWER it has SASS. It's sexy and there will never be anything like it. (don't) Leave me alone came close in the SASS department though. But really, my name's WOMEN cannot be categorized as any type of genre let alone a failed attempt at urban/r&b.
I understand what you are saying here. But, there were many years where she did a lot of similar stuff and they all were powerful in their own right. Take the following examples:
Because of you
GAME
About you
STEP you
is this LOVE?
1LOVE
talkin' 2 myself
Mirrorcle World
Microphone
They are all rock songs (STEP you being more out-of-the-box electronic pop rock), but they each have their own distinct personality. That's what I loved. That she could just continue to elaborate on genres, this genre in specific. It's very much possible and I would even go ahead and add reminds me to that list as well.

Here are my thoughts song by song:

Party queen: I really love this song and the electronic feel. I love that she finally did something that was more dance/electronic!!! This was awesome live, and I love the studio version even better. One of my favourites on the album.
NaNaNa: Hmmm...I really like this song because of the beat and the instrumental, but Timmy's rap is pretty lame. It sounds like something from a gay bar 20 years ago. I don't know how to explain it...very dated... sounds old. It's so simple... I really like it, and I love Ayu's part...but Timmy's part...I don't know. It's really old and lame really.
Shake It♥: I quite like this song. It's fun, upbeat, and has some very interesting moments in it.
taskebab: Nice interlude! Sounds very much like Daft Punk though...almost identical to Aerodynamic...
call: Least favourite probably. It's too mainstream and westernized to me. Eh.
Letter: This is 'okay' for me. Not my favourite Ayu rock ballad...but it's okay...
reminds me: Really like this. Makes me think of MOON.
Return Road: Love this! At first I wasn't sure, but I really fell in love with it. I also love the part with the piano in the middle. EPIC!
Tell me why: This is alright. Again, this is not one of my favourites, but I dig it. This is the kind of song I can see myself liking more once I've heard the live version.
a cup of tea: This is an okay interlude, I like the electronic breakdown...very different for Ayu. It isn't what I expected though.
the next LOVE: LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS! I am so glad Ayu finally did something like this. These are the Timmy songs I really like because they are sooooooo different for Ayu!!! Never thought she'd do something jazzy that sounded like it was from the 40s. It sounds like Humphrey Bogart is going to come around the corner and meet Ayu at a train station!!! <3
Eyes, Smoke, Magic: I like this, especially when it gets faster. So different for Ayu. It reminds me of Chicago! Also love the part when the harp comes in, I just see an awesome PV every time I hear it.
Serenade in A minor: Really pretty interlude. Not something I am going to listen to often though.
how beautiful you are: Really beautiful ballad for Ayu. Nice work Timmy!

I love the tracks Timmy wrote for Ayu...but not so much when Timmy sings on them...ehhhhhh...he should stick to composition only.

Overall, awesome album!!! I wanted more 'talkin' 2 myself' and 'Rule' type songs, but I guess I kinda got that with Return Road. I guess I wanted more of those songs, but it is a really good album and I'm glad she experimented with different sounds and feels like the next LOVE and Eyes, Smoke, Magic. :)

Agree with the general sentiment here.

I think she's exhausted the 'rock' genre. There's not much else she can incorporate into her rock songs. That's why some people (including myself) aren't particularly impressed with 'Return Road'... she's used organs before, she's used strings before... been there, done that. I mean sure, she could definitely elaborate on the rock genre but she'd have to leave the 'pop' genre in order to so, imo. Every single one of her songs, in essence, is pop. Pop follows a formula... but Ayu, at the same time, embraces diversity. Obviously not all of her fans are going to like all her different types of songs. I don't really know where I'm going here, lol.

I think fans really need to just calm down and not act like it's the end of the world when an artist release something that they don't like at first listen. I've liked Ayu since 2003, and it literally took YEARS for some of Ayu's songs to grow on me when they're first released. For instance, I find something new I like about the ASFXX album almost every time I listen to it. I'm fairly biased though, any song Ayu puts her voice on I try to look for as many things as I like about the songs as I possibly can, just because... I don't know. I just appreciate her that much. I try not to completely give up on her songs.

People glorify some of her songs and certain albums WAY too much. If you asked me to choose my favorite Ayu song (or top 10, even), it would be absolutely impossible for me. Some people, though, could answer that question without even thinking about it... I find that scary. So many good songs for so many different moods.

I don't understand how different her rock can get. I mean, she has used heavy metal influences with talkin' 2 myself. But what makes pop music "pop" - ? I don't know if she has exhausted it because she always puts out something great that makes me think "wow, she can still do this!" (Mirrorcle World, Microphone, reminds me). I think she just needs to take more time. It's like, she has the boundaries of whatever demos she is given at the time to pair up her lyrics with. Or maybe she gives the lyrics to the composer and then they build around it? I am not sure. But either way, taking it slow would do wonders. But, on the other hand, I do not agree with people when they say she needs a break. If she takes a break, her return won't make as much as a firefly in the night.
I agree with the different songs for moods. I listen to songs based on weather because it helps to create the mood. But, there are those songs that I know are my favorite. STEP you #1 and Moments #2. Those I know for sure. It gets tough after that.

So true. I have one main song that is probably my most favorite (not even an original mix lol) but to list a top ten is difficult! But it seems, at least for me, that ayu releases at least one songs per album that I would add to that top ten. Ayu just keeps getting better and better to me. It makes it so hard for me to understand the criticisms sometimes.

I do agree about taking it slow. Honestly, the reason she might be pulling out old DAI compositions from the vault is because there's not enough new compositions that are catching her attention. I think in the recent era, Yuta Nakano seems to be the best match for her. He can't be expected to keep churning out brilliant songs, one after another.

Agreed, the melody of reminds me sounds just very Ayu like if that melody were to be done by another musician I would be like, "this sounds like an Ayu song". It kind of has the feelings of Pride, Duty, End of the World, and Because of you that sad/angry rock

I sort of agree with your Return Road opinion if you really listen to the melody it's not super original or creative and they rely on the mixing too much to make it interesting, however this is nothing new with Ayu at all.

Some examples:
1 LOVE: when the main verse picks up it's the same note and tempo the whole time what makes the main verse interesting when it happens is the layers of intense rock instruments 1 LOVE relied on mixing way too much but it was still a great song
Real me: If you just focus on the vocal melody the song is really boring it's basically the same pitches and notes the whole time this is another great song but if you listen to this song as a composing critique it's relies a lot on the mixing
Voyage: If you listen to just Ayu's voice without the background music or background vocals it's (in my opinion) a very boring song. This song relied on background vocals and a lot of super gorgeous orchestra to make it interesting
Sparkle: If this song had some basic instrumentals this song would be boring as heck this song HIGHLY depends on the mixing and background vocals to make it interesting


I am... album
UNITE, evolution, I am..., NEVER EVER, Daybreak, the formula: claps, drums, guitar, there is hardly any other things added to these songs they are very pop/rock Baroque. July 1st and independent are the same too, claps, drums, guitar. July 1st and independent are an extension of the I am... album.

But it's not generic for Ayu she's done songs with very mild hints of jazz but this for the most part is the first time she's ever done jazz. Same with the gothic themes in Return Road she has had very mild hints of goth before but this is much more gothic than anything she's ever done. The vocal melody of Return Road is very generic for Ayu and she relied on mixing to make it interesting but this is nothing new as I've said about 1 LOVE, Voyage, Real me.

The way I see it, there are three Ayu music formulas

Formula 1: Baroque vocal melodies with interesting/complex mixing and background vocals/instrumentals (NEXT LEVEL, RAINBOW)
Formula 2: Interesting/complex vocal melodies with Baroque mixing and background vocals/instrumentals (LOVEppears, Duty)
Formula 3: Baroque vocal melodies with Baroque mixing and background vocals/instrumentals but with special lyrics and something strangely special about them (I am..., Love Songs, A Song for XX)

And the way I see it there are two different risk directions Ayu can take and she must take one with every new album

Risk 1: Try something totally different in genre and / or make it a multi-genre album full of many very different genres she hasn't tried or one genre she's never tried and risk people not liking that style (NEXT LEVEL (first time she's every done any true electronica besides connected), I am... (first time she did any real rock), (miss)understood (many different multi-genre)
Risk 2: Do the same things she's done before and risk people saying "she's done this before it sucks" (A Song for XX< Love Songs // Duty< GUILTY // I am...< MY STORY)

No matter what she tries she's not going to win everyone's heart every time

It all boils down to what you are a "sucker" for?. Do you get "brainwashed" into thinking good music is all about good mixing or good melodies? It is pretty rare for a song for any artist to have amazing mixing and an amazing melody and an amazing vocal recording all in one. GIVE AYU A BREAK she's not a musical genius she's just a very good pop singer we all adore.


EXACTLY!! Think of it guys, this is Ayu's (including minis) 15th album, it's just going to get harder and harder for her to produce something new and different we are going to love each time.

It is very hard to come up with a album formula or to compose music. Could you compose what her composers do for her? A BIG "probably not". I understand these people are getting paid top dollar to top deliver but as music in general gets older and older the more we are going to see the same music get recycled there are only so many sounds and melodies we can create before they sound like something else that's already been done before

Some Ayu "recycles"
Duty< Because of you< is this LOVE?
UNITE!< independent< Greatful days
fairyland< BLUE BIRD< glitter< NEXT LEVEL

Except for the embarrassed part I agree, I love this song but it isn't that original and not before it's time, it's before Ayu's time though.

Considering how many Ayu fans just continue to throw the hate over the years. But I won't be a hypocrite I hated this album at first too. But I've come to find that I hate new music done by any artist I like and then I grow to love it. For those who don't like this album, give it some time to grow on you I did that and now I love it!

I would rather Ayu continued making rock songs that don't tread new ground instead of not making them at all and getting albums full of songs like the next LOVE or Eyes, Smoke, Magic. Rock IS ayu's genre. It will always be. She's had guitars in her music pretty much from the get-go, and that's not going to ever change. Every Ayu fan should be a rock fan, and if they're not, I question what the hell they are doing listening to her in the first place.

It shows in Party Queen: from taskebab to a cup of tea is the strongest and most consistent section of the album. Why? Because she is in her element.

Same with her ballads. Her ballads hardly ever come with new sounds we haven't heard from Ayu - but along with rock this is her strong point. She makes ballads unlike any other artist I have ever heard. how beautiful you are sounds like many of her piano ballads, but I still love it, because it's a touching/heartfelt song. The emotional connection makes the song.

"Return Road" is fantastic, and one of the album's highlights, but not THE album highlight. The two songs around it - reminds me and tell me why - are just as good, if not slightly better. I'm a bit surprised everyone is obsessing over that song and not the other two as equally.

I like the majority of the songs, i only have to adapt with the next LOVE and eyes, smoke magic, coz i'm not a fan of jazz song, but the next LOVE is better though..
actually i'm pretty much disappointed with the genre of song she uses for eyes, smoke, magic.. i was expecting it to be the best song of the full album~ haha~

Um, there's really nothing at all wrong with that. O_o It's only natural for people to favor some albums and songs over others, and when you love something a lot, you tend to exaggerate your love for it at least a little bit. I can't even fathom how it could or why it would be "scary" that some people can easily choose a favorite. And I'm not trying to defend myself here because I'm definitely not one of those people who could easily choose a favorite; my favorites list is probably 1/4-1/3 of her discography.

:luv2:luv2:luv2

Same here!

i really like this album… i still rmb when love songs came out, i listened to it once and didn't want to listen to it anymore but i'm repeating PQ except the last few ones.

I give-up waiting my order arrived, too many temptation here and there, so I download the album yesterday. Been listen to it many times and I think I can give my opinion about the album now. Then again, sorry for my bad English and my 'low' criticism in each of the song.

Party Queen: It's a really fun song and it was the first time for me to listen it since I doesn't watch her performance in CDL. The way she sing it was fun, childish and cute, the music and beat was fun either. The gimmick "Kampai!" is soo fun!

NaNaNa: I like this song wholly (the beat that sound a bit rockish) and I doesn't mind with Timmy rap (if that could be categorised as a rap). I actually love when he say "All the gorgeous boys come on make some noise, listen to my voice, you don't have a choice." Ahahaha you are so naughty Timmy! And of course this part "You're a party queen, you're a dancin queen. I'm a lonely queen, life is just a dream." So sexy song.

Shake It<3: And this make the last one of fun trilogy that I like. It make me feels like "You're faboulus and everyone look at you envily." just like what I felt when I listen to Sparkle or Lady Dynamite. The low tension in the middle kinda disturbing, but no problem since the whole song was given me that 'Cool' vibe.

taskebab: I like it, the electric guitar in the openning was kinda 80's but I doesn't mind with that. It still good.

call: Ooh I just love this simple pop-rock song, I always love when Ayu make a song like this. Simple pop-rock song. The melody reminds me of the usual DAI music. Does he arrange this? I kinda not 'enjoy' in Ayu sing at the end of every phrase with long -e vocal, kinda off. Then again, I LOVE this song!

Letter: Another song that I love and again the arrangement was reminds me of DAI. Simple pop-rock song. Ooh can you feel that beautiful beat and electric guitar, then the violin? I'm dead.

reminds me: Gloomy song I must say, the acoustic guitar part was great. The 'hit' part at my heart is when the reff start, ooh it just beautiful. Then again the 'lalala' part kinda off, maybe she should shortened it and add 'wowowoo' or so. There's only one verse for this song right? Hmm interesting. Nice song.

Return Road: Hmm Microphone+Kiss o Kill...interesting, I don't mind the long interlude in the middle of the song and the chours. Then again, it was a nice song. Just that, its not yet grew in me.

Tell me why: Aah this one sound kinda R'nB if I say. The beat was nice. Simple and nice.

a cup of tea: I like this interlude, it risen up the mood again after series of gloomy song.

the next LOVE: I actualy love this song, since I love jazz and soul music. It was a song that usualy Shina Ringo+Tokyo Jihen or Mika Nakashima sing, and I guess Ayu succes bring the jazzy sway moves in this song. Kinda sexy. Ooh the melody was soo beautiful.

Eyes, Smoke, Magic: Does this reminds you with that "All That Jazz" song from Chicago? Ooh such a fun yet sexy song. I must say, since Ayu bring out that cabaret theme and song in her RnRC concert, I suddenly fell in love with this type of music. Ok, I might sound like a gay guy who like a cabaret music (well, I am). But then again, it was soo sexy. The male voice, is that Timmy too? Great duo. I'm tottaly expecting those two song in her concert this year, that include Timmy too. Looks like I'm a Timmy fan right now ROFL

Serenade In A Minor: beautiful interlude. Ayu surely doesn't forget to add a beautiful orchestra music in her album, either as a interlude or full song. God bless her!

How beautiful you are: another beautiful orchestra music, it really perfect for ending. Such a great song.

Then the result for Party Queen (my opinion) is 9. Ayu and Timmy, they both surely can make a new feeling in this album not like any other album of her that I have listened. Although pop-rock music is dominating (just like her previous albums, then again its her comfy region) then surprisingly just one ballad song and sound kinda 'so-so album' for some people, but I guess for old Ayu fan like me really need this new 'injection' in this case is that fun beat music in the Fun Trilogy and Double Jazz. The jazz or cabaret part, ooh I absolutely say "Thank GOD" if she make another song like that in the future.
I think both Ayu and Timmy gonna be a great duo. Best luck for the album!

Granted she isn't Julie London, but I think jazz is perfect for her Voyage-kind of vibrato. And I think tnL really brought out a different kind of strength in her voice. She had much nicer vocals in that song, than in the more upbeat tracks at the beginning of the album.

Microphone had some kick-ass use of an organ. But it didn't give me goosebumps like RR did, it was just that - kick-ass. There's nothing wrong with that organ in RR, it's the perfect start to the song. Only complaint I have about that song, is the verses, they could've been slightly higher in BPM to match that fierce chorus.