Ayu is alone in the covers, we are these peoply partying and having fun around her...


(?)

Thank you very much! You don't know how much it means to me to find another old agressive unsatisfied virgin! We should totally hang out sometime! It will be awesome! We will be BFFs forever! :love:grouphug:spazzed

^I thought WE were BFFs :cry


Anyway, I think it's sad that any sort of sexuality done in this way is considered trashy or cheap.

I know there are different ways to do sexy. Im fairly certain I have a good understanding of what most people would consider trashy or classy.

But I think sometimes it's important to remember that those parameters are still subjective, and that some people like to push, or be more brash, because that's who they are.

These covers remind me so much of MAA. MAA is always doing things that are really in your face and "trashy"...

but I don't consider her trashy, or ****ty, or anything like that. And even if she was, the music owns so, idgaf.

In any case, as much as I think the covers are poorly executed (which looks like it was a conversation in itself back there...damn) I still like them, and I definitely admire them and Ayu for pushing the sexy boundary, and blurring lines, bridging themes, and showing off her sexuality in general.

I love them...even BEFORE knowing the concept behind them. The concept just made me love them more.

Haters gonna hate. :heart

@emi♡
We were BFFs before u friendzoned me ;----;

pff oh please.

I like the covers, I don't know what the fuss is about.

Yes, celebrities can hide their true feelings from the media because of their status, but these are album covers we are talking about. Something that fans, casual listeners and non-fans alike will see. The covers are all about grabbing attention at first glance. Therefore, if this was Ayu's concept, then it should be a tad more obvious.

^ at this point I dont think she cares about the casual listeners...
I rather think she is making music for her fans.
I understand the covers are not everyone cup of tea.. (hehe.. maybe that song has more meaning now!)
But I think they fit well with what she wants to do and what has been going on in her life.

Really this could just be all about pissing people off... I mean... after all the crap she has gone through the past year... I mean what better way to say "I can do whatever the hell i want."

I'm not sure why she would want to piss people off. Someone needs to pay for her Louboutins. And that's her fans. And just because I don't like the covers aesthetically doesn't mean I'm offended by the images. I would love these covers and the concept if I thought her hair looked better and the tabloid didn't look like it was done in Paint.

I don't think it's trying to piss people off, but it's certainly causing quite the reaction wouldn't you say? I doubt she chose these as the covers without expecting some kind of mini backlash of sorts.

I do think that the styling and layout is a bit less-than-standard for Ayu but I want to see the finished product first.

From what I've read by Japanese fans, they're okay with these covers, some even realllly love them. It's possible I just haven't seen any negative comments yet though. mixi is probably more honest, I guess. Can anyone with access to mixi tell us how fans there are reacting?

I hate these covers (all of them) of Party Queen. Looks cheesy, cheap and dirty. The designs, the fonts, the layout, everything!

Ayu, you're 33 already and please... this kind of pose doesn't suit u anymore. U are a diva, so act like one. Do something great (great covers, music and concerts). Do something that suits your age, and your maturity.

if she tried to look sexy like Kuu, than I have to say it is the biggest failure.

Try keeping up, before saying such things. This is just some kind of parody on tabloids or something. It has a meaning :yes (and lol! kuu sexy? o k)

tbh I'd rather everyone just hate it and say it's stupid and trashy, than have all these people who are okay with it, not because it's her decision, not because it's what she wanted to do, but because it has some pretentious artsy concept.


Well in any case, I hope her next PV will be a parody of the porn industry.

maybe the back cover would have something different ?? hmmmm

:roflmao

Matter of opinion ;)

OMG her hair is horrible!
But im just talking about the general public and maybe even the fans... She gets more grief from the people that clam to like her and enjoy what she does.
this is something like: here is the trashy thing I can thing of... shove it.

We do have Party Queen to look forward to!

No no noooooo.... No no noooooo.... No no no..... :P

dont even :laugh

This is how Madonna's Erotica was born... And it's her best album to date IMO

Or maybe she wanted to make it like Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor?
She wants to make people get on their feet and enjoy the party / fun while at the same time she's telling all her dark thoughts, sadness, loneliness.. Her most Vulnerable feelings???

Yes, this. :) I get people saying that they don't want the meaning to be too obvious. I'm the same way, I hate being hit over the head with a mallet with supposed metaphors. BUT, not being able to see the concept at all is an even bigger problem. There is a middle ground between being too obvious and being far too obtuse and unfortunately these covers don't find it at all.

brb, laughing for days at ayu_ready?'s post.

I only can see DAT ASS!!♥
xDD

That's pretty much what makes the CD+2DVD the best cover of her career for me. :innocent

I heard the hookers in our city are just parodying the life of prostitutes and secretly work as cashiers at Walmart :mgagged

^
lmao :laugh

btw if the real meaning of that cover is just to show us Ayu ass.. well I don't mind it :innocent at least it's something different than what she done before lol.

arghhhh!!!

WTF! for me this is too much!!! what is shes thinking!!?????

All of this!

Ayu always had a subtle way of telling us things through her music, her lyrics and her photos, but "Party Queen" is different, because I simply can't see the sadness and the loneliness Ayu talks about in her tweets.

I just saw the covers in a bigger resolution and for me she looks perfectly happy and sexy (trashy and cheap for some people!) on these pictures. I compared her smile to other smiles in other photoshootings and there is no difference.

I'm sorry, I just don't understand this perspective. She's taken pictures just as sexually suggestive in the past. Even before her singing career, she was modeling almost naked and there's even a picture of her eating creamy white yogurt and it's literally like slathered all over her mouth. She never directly sings about sexuality in her songs, ever. So... what exactly is the issue?

She's never pushed any kind of message in her songs saying "Don't be a trashy smut, you gotta be classy." In fact, quite the opposite I'd say... 1 LOVE, Bold & Delicious, identity, my name's WOMEN, Real me, Sparkle, Lady Dynamite... these are all empowerment songs. One of her values is not anti-sex. I'm sorry if people were mislead...

Sugarbasil didn't say Ayu was anti-sex or that sexuality was NEVER a part of her image at all. She said it was never a prominent feature, as in, she's not like Kuu where a large part of her career is based on sex.

I don't recall any past pictures of her that were "just as sexually suggestive" as this cover, not even those ViVi (or whatever magazine) pics where she was topless which were, at the very least, much classier. I don't claim to remember/have seen every picture of Ayu that was ever taken though, so if you'd like to link AHS to some super sexually suggestive pictures of Ayu, please do. :)

SHe is that party girl who wants all the attention because she is so alone in life.
In public those people are always happy and always smiling. They always look their best. (Ayu)
But inside they are alone and scared and just two steps from ending it all. The covers are sad and haunting really. I think this is most likely the closest we have ever gotten to how she truly feels about herself. (with the pictures and the twitters!)

Fetish Academy 4, look it up everybody. Practically the same outfits and sets Sparkle had.

If this is really worse than an actual porn parody to people...I can't xD

Shimoko must have loved that film.

I don't think the key is in her smile. I feel that she was probably trying to say that we aren't supposed to believe that she's happy on the Party Queen covers.

I was always under the impression Shimoko was gay, why would he take from straight porn? Sounds more like Ayu's decision to me...xD

True, sugarbasil didn't say that. As people have said before though, and I agree - Ayu's image was always indeed quite sexual, not always in the in-your-face, blatant, "trashy" kind of way. The cutesy, innocent stuff she does once in a while, whether it's intentional or not, is certainly helping people to indulge in their particular fetishes and fantasies.

How exactly is this STEP you / is this LOVE? booklet shoot any less "trashy" than the Party Queen cover? IMO, the only difference is that she has more clothes on in these. The amount of skin revealed has nothing to do with how "sexy" something is. That line of thought is for people who have an unsophisticated sexual imagination (with all due respect).

http://i42.tinypic.com/j8nqbm.jpg

I'm sure you guys have seen the Sparkle PV too! I mean, I'm done talking about it. I realize most of the criticism regarding the covers is just the fact that they were poorly executed and tacky anyway. I'm just referring to those who act like it's the end of the world because Ayu chooses to be sexy.

*I must note that the STEP you photoshoot was Shimoko's first work with Ayu.

oh thank you :)
I've been asked to put it down, though, had to delete :(
too sad :laugh

I don't like STEP you as much as I don't like PQ covers

@Coelacanth: Yeah, Sparkle was a nightmare for me. :tired

I don't think STEP you's covers are really trashy in the way that Party Queen's CD+2039502DVD cover is. They're not exactly the least tacky covers ever, and she does look sexy, but that's about it. None of it screams porn like the PQ cover does.

I guess the difference to me is, Party Queen's cover looks like an album someone like Tila Tequila would put out--someone who has absolutely no talent and has to rely on being sexy and provocative to sell. While STEP you's covers look like something BoA or Namie or Kuu could do, and no one would bat an eyelash.

@th: You can kind of tell from the picture where she's like standing on the bike, making that face that she later came to make in every picture with Shimoko. :'(

Yeah, the covers are pretty tacky and ridiculous but whatever, covers don't make an album good or bad. At least we can count on the music being as bland and boring as ever.

I love them. She looks like an expensive hooker.

Yepp, "STEP you / is this LOVE?" booklet pictures are aesthetic-wise absolutely not comparable to the "Party Queen" eye-massacre. :)

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5...5768634765.jpg

LOL @ expensive hooker! Best thing I've read in a while lol.

STEP you is one of my least favorite photoshots from her ever, mainly cuz her expressions sux at there... She looks lost and a bit stupid... Still loves the colors and outfits

I've just seen a new Anna Tsuchiya photobook and there she has 4 different images, some of them can be attributed to partying. the images are super simple-looking but the photography is good. there are some pictures of the theme of partying, also her looking like glam-party-queen and also a section named 'Lover' where there are shots of her in a flat in lingerie. the photobook is so simple but so good. when I saw it I immediatly thought that the photos like that in that photobook could be very good and appealing to the 'paty queen' Ayu theme...
http://annanolotus.blogspot.com/2012...-rooms-by.html

but I don't think they convey the feel ayu is trying to get across, which is more than just "party queen"...

besides ayu has been there and done those kinds of photos anyway.

neither of photoshoots convey any feelings to me in terms of 'conceptual essense', honestly :laugh
I just find Anna's photos a bit more appealing visually, that's what I meant :)

maybe...I mean, I like both styles. But I admire things that are a little rougher around the edges, because they're usually more exciting.

I wanted something new from her, and she delivered. If she had done something like Annas...I'd have been like "oh that's nice...so koda has some awesome pvs lately...." lol

but that's just me.

gotta agree she shocked me, and I'm still in a shock :)

Disclaimer: Ok gaiz, i no ayu can do wut she wants. Now proceed:

Have already posted my negative thoughts on another thread but... XD

Honestly I hate that CD+2DVD w/e one so much. I feel embarrassed for her, and I find it laughable that there's a deep meaning in that picture. She's just making an excuse for wanting to have an album cover that ... ****ty/risque.

Agreed with the comment by Midori-chan where she lost Ayu somewhere between Next Level and Rock'n'Roll Circus. I feel the same :(

Shoot, the perfect cover for Party Queen would be the Kanariya cover added with like a disco ball dropped down in the center hahahaha She looks sexy in the Kanariya cover, but it doesn't look like the cover of some porno movie ;/

Yeah, I don't think any of her covers come close to this one in terms of sexuality. She has been naked on covers before, but I thought those covers were great because she looked beautiful while at the same time not screaming in your face sex.

And yes, she has a lot of female empowerment songs, but I don't see any connection between that and these covers. Female empowerment does not necessarily = sex.

Yes, I get that is what the concept is supposed to be. What people are saying here is that it doesn't come across and I doubt anyone would have picked up on it if not for Ayu herself having to explain it on twitter. If the concept actually came across better, I would probably like the covers actually.

I think in the end it just goes down to one question: If a cover by itself has to have meaning or if it has to have meaning in context of the album. I personally find the latter to be true, people that agree with the former will not like the cover as much obviously then.

^ I think the former is true simply because of the fact that not only fans will be seeing this album cover. Anyone in a record store will see it and if the theme isn't clear at least somewhat from the cover, the vast majority of the people who see it will be left with an impression like "wow, Ayu's a ***** now. How sad."

I like concept albums though, so I hope ultimately it does all make sense; but to be fair, no one will know if there really is a concept to this or not until they have it in their hands and have listened to it.

I LOVE THEM!!!!! specially the one ayu is crawling, though her leg does look like a huge stick.

That's kinda what I was expecting from the covers. The title Party Queen doesn't sound like some well behaved cover was going to pop up. They really went along with the title concept, so big cheers for these covers.

I think this is one of my favorite covers she's done. I loved her 'Beatles"esque"' style of covers from the start of her carrer (AUDIENCE, etc), which was part of what made me amazed by her in the beggining of my fandom, but her most recent covers had lost that artistic feeling. I personally don't see ayu straining herself to look cute and dumb here, which have been a great part of her latest covers, in which she seemed to be forcing poses and facial expressions too much for some teenage losing weight and fashion photoshopped magazine photoshoot. I feel ayu seems really "relaxed" in these covers, I mean, looking more natural, enjoying it, even though they aren't what we'd usually expect ayu doing. I'm tired of ayu taking pictures while being punched by a glass window.

I prefer covers like this than just acting cute and innocent with dumb fishlips. I mean, at least they're not like the horrendous SUNRISE/SUNSET covers :eek

It sounds like you are implying some fans are ashamed of ayu for doing this. Otherwise why would other people's opinions matter. Do you think that is the problem beneath the surface?

Doesn't she has like... two non sexual covers? If the person is ashamed to buy the sexual one (or just poor, considering it's the most expensive of the bunch), buy the other two...

Yeah. Just buy the one where she's holding onto her shoe like a psycho.

It's a commentary on economic materialism.

^ Yeah but which version a fan buys is their personal choice. They don't have to buy the sexy cover but still other people will see it and judge without knowing the context. So for those who care about that it sounds like they are ashamed.

Nah, I think she is just acting drunk as stupid people who puts stupid party photos on Facebook...

Did you just get here?

Everything Ayu does has a much deeper meaning. She would never be stupid and take stupid drunk people pictures just because.

Getting embarrased over an album cover and people you know potentially seeing it? That has socially awkward (penguin) written all over it.

I can understand if people don't want other people to know they own something that looks like pornography.

^Those people still has two different and non-sexual covers to choose...

The CD only cover is non-sexual? With the boobs being directly in your eyes?
Ok...

I don't like those covers much.
Not because they're sexy or trashy, cause I like some of both in my life, but because they're poorly done. The layout, the random leo print, the font... and so on.
Also I 'd never see the meaning behind it without Ayu's explanation. Except that she's alone in those pics, but that also could be cause she's in the spot light as "Party Queen".
Besides I despise that wet hair. Seriously.

If it did look like pornography, then I'd agree.

Felt like editing and elaborating a bit. What I mean is that any person with sense, would put away their porn. And not have it in a CD-case. The only thing that slightly resembles porn is her outfit (or lack of it) and pose.

I always luv your posts :)

:roflmao

ahaha. to me, the more I look at the covers the more it seems like they were made not in Photoshop, but most likely in Paint lol

Well said. Not only those covers were poorly done, but even her idea didn't show at all. Even when I read the interpretation of the whole concept, I couldn't see any connection. I can't imagine myself buying any of those CDs even the album was worth it *sighs*.

Even worse, is people getting embarrased thinking about what strangers who aren't ayu fans will think when they see these covers on a store. I mean, does it even matter wth strangers think or don't about some artist cover?for real lol Also, guys, getting worried about your friends seeing you having an album with such a cover...don't worry, they already think you are a bizarre freak for liking a japanese artist called ayumi hamasaki, so seeing the cover won't probably change much of their opinions anyways.

^ it is not about strangers, but don't you need to renew/expand the fanbase too? :)

She said that the queen in the cover was lonely. But I don't think sooo~
I love all covers except CD+DVD *Because can only see her face and hands -_-*

Oh people please stop complaining about the cover...

Maybe it's the whole: "The happy clown that smiles on the outside, but is crying on the inside" thing she's referencing?

People are complaining, but people are also complaining over people complaining, which isn't a whole lot better. And some are just saying what they think about it, and there's nothing wrong with that, unless you're being an asshat :3

First I really hated the covers, but even my boyfriend saw the tabloid parody in them and I thought maybe Ayu really nailed it. I don't dislike CD+2DVD because of it's sexuality, I'm not just happy how these are made..The fonts etc. And I think CD+DVD is just not a good picture of her. But now I really see the point in these and I'm happy that I was able to change my mind from the first reaction. I like CD only picture very much, so I'm definetely going to buy that.

I remember a theory the Ayu-mi-x 4 covers were originally intended for I Am... because they are undoubtedly too detailed compared to all the rest of her remix covers and they came out within a short time of each other.

idk back in the day I remember feeling embarrassed over some of Ayu's covers, think it was NEXT LEVEL that did it. Cause...it's like, other people are going to see it, and judge it, and ew lol So I can kinda understand what they're getting at....

But, tbh it's not really that important. She's going to have her same fans always. And well, maybe the kind of people who would instantly label her a **** just because of some covers aren't really the people she needs around her anyway :shrug

In any case...I think people will be more attracted to it than not :laugh

I love this post.

Nothing more to add since I put my entire opinion on my blog and will not quote the whole thing here xD

Exactly, especially the bold part! Love it! It really made me laugh because it is so true! xD

Next to my japanese CD's is my Pokemon soundtrack CD, which I keep because of nostalgia and my only western CD's are my Britney CD's, which doesn't make me any less strange. Not to forget all the manga in my bookshelf and the four posters on my wall (Dir en grey, Ayu, MUCC and An Cafe). I'm convinced that it looks similiar in rooms of other ahs members. :P
Besides I don't really think any of my friends paid ever attention what the covers of my CD's look like. Even though they might see my Party Queen CD I don't think they would recognize it as porn - not after watching MTV back then when we all were 13.

NO! Cant you see? She's just sad, lonely and parodying hookerism! :msad

I think they're gorgeous!They're different,they have meaning,ayu looks gorgeous...
They don't look cheap or trashy!!I think i'm the only one who love the covers,am I?

It's not like it's only black and white guys. And this I point towards "both sides". Pretty much all comments I see here is gray zones.

If people between the lines say thay they would be ashamed of the covers or you know, feel that people will judge Ayu right away wihtout giving the album a chanse and listen to it - they don't mean that they are worried about what their friends will say and doubt themselves of why they have that album/listen to it. I don't actually think noone thinks this. What people who's "worried" mean is more like "Ah, shoot, since we do live in a world where sex and porn is still quite tabu to put out in regular stores in the bright day, this album might get more bashing then it deserves". Are you getting what I mean here? It's not like these "worriers" feel like they will doubt their own liking and preferences, but more like that the album will get a more unfair chanse towards the casual listners. Because we all know that the world isn't as rebellic and forward thinking as Ayu is. That's pretty much the thing about the whole "worry" aspect.

Also, if people here say they don't like these covers/like them, please don't come with words that have somewhat negative tones in them to make your own point said. This also I would like to point to "both sides". There is no need to tell people that don't like them that they are stans and such because that is completely unnecessary and will only trigger the bashing.

People who don't like the cover isn't saying that they feel like the concept is bad, or that the whole ironi is bad. I do belive that pretty much everyone who don't like the covers still love the idea Ayu have with the covers and fully support that. BUT, the ones who don't like them are most concerned in how the covers actually look like. You might actually more think of this whole like/not like discussion as a regular design issue. Some people think it's nice that she's not obvious - other thinks that she could portray some small part that makes you feel like she's sad. There is no need to say "Can't you see it? It's obvious that she's sad!" when others simply don't think so or see it. There is no need to call them stans or something else negative just because they don't see it.

This also connects with the discussion "She's done this before!"-discussion. Pretty much everyone knows she have indeed made daring PVs/shoots before like Sparkle, STEP you single shoot, LOVEppears cover, Naked Talk shoot in ViVi etc. Some people thinks that those examples and Party Queens cover are right in the same line in posing etc. - only that she's been more dressed or somewhat covered. Others think that those examples are indeed daring but way more classy since they smell high production and they follow the same design pattern as similar shoots. If Vouge did a naked shoot we all know what kind of design pattern they would go for and what they would not go for. The design pattern Ayu went for in Party Queen is more raw, low budget that reminds alot of people of cheep production like sitting in on a saturday with a bucket of chicken wings. Now Ayu wanted to do this more raw and shocking design for her covers shoots and that is all fine. But everyone is not gonna like it. You know, it's all about personal references and liking.

Also alot of people think that the overall design is bad too, not only the photos. But design like placing of the text, leopard stripes e.t.c. This is just like the above only because of personal liking.

There is simply no need to claim that someone thinks "this" or "that" just because you is upset that people don't see what you see. It is really not black and white. Overall people do agree with each other. Yes, the concept and idea is good. Some people just don't like how it's been portrayed and some don't. No need to go kindergarden and call each other negative stuff.

I don't know. I feel like if the judgements of other people is so much of a concern then why are some people also fans of artists who do racier stuff. I don't need to tell you there are artists who do things way more over the top than even the worst of the Party Queen covers. And fans wave the freedom flag of defence for others claiming they can do what they want and sex is natural and they are free to express themsevles. So why not ayu? It is not like she has NEVER done it before and it is not like she campaigned her whole career against sexuality. Why isn't she free to express herself without shame, judgments be damned? Why does "what will people think?" Matter now?

In my opinion, I would be ashamed if ayu did something wrong but expressing your sexuality or creativity is never wrong. It may make some uncomfortable, sure. But that doesn't make it wrong. She is still the same woman we all know and love. She hasn't changed, she hasn't stopped surprising us (obviously lol), she hasn't stopped pushing the limits.

About the execution, yeah I agree her point could have came across a little better but to be honest if you are familiar with ayu's work you know that she does total package, not obvious displays in each segment of her work. Her work as a whole will reflect her purpose. Not just one piece of it. Doesn't that mean you can't hate the covers? No, hate on haters. But I think we should leave the discussion of concept to a later date when we have more pieces of the puzzle because right now the covers are only a clue.

To me, I find the pose and the fact that she's almost naked what disturbs me about the covers. I really hope no one will bash me and say some things I might not want to hear/read but I'm merely stating my opinion. And I think some might agree with me.

Hamasaki Ayumi is better than posing like that and agree to go on with that production. She doesn't need to do that to attract people. I was a fan of her years ago because of her unique style and songs. But right now I feel that she's taking a whole new approach which imitating Lady Gaga and other singers too. I think that she's better off with her unique style.

I really hope she returns back to her style before she gets too indulged with her current one.


jbrat2219:
I completely agree with you. But perhaps some find Ayu different than others for her style in the past years was more unique than others and didn't do much of what other artists did. That's why maybe they find it hard to accept those covers.

^^Pretty much what I already said no? I didn't say she wasn't allowed to do this and that. I also think that pretty much noone here thinks that either. I simply said that there is much more than just "hate" or "love". It's everything in between and it's really not about if she have done it before and how e.t.c. It's about how people in here reacts to it. It's more of a design problem than the whole Ayu is posing sexy and almost nude, because she have done it before. It's how it all comes across and for some people it's good and for some it's not. Personal preferences. That's all. Noone said that the idea was bad so. Now I'm just repeating myself.

MissElin_:

I got your point but my post was just stating my mere opinion. I wasn't replying or arguing against your idea :D.

kiseki: No no I wasn't pointing at you. Only one ^ would have been you, doubble ^^ means the one above you. That means jbrat2219. :)
I actually agree to your point of view, it's just not my cup of tea for covers that's all. :)

MissElin_:
Sorry, I didn't know that :D. I was away from AHS too long it seems ;)

Most people seem to think that some of us dislike the covers because we're prudes, or uncomfortable with our sexuality...

So I'll say it for probably the 7th time since they came out - I like the concept of a sad "party queen" who feels her life is empty but this cover shoot was done poorly. The cover looks like a 6th grader's media research project with its bad photoshopping and photo angles. You can't slap a mock barcode and a star label onto a picture and call it a "tabloid parody" then get upset when half the people don't instantly see it.

Ayu has done numerous risqué shoots in the past and none of them have looked as bad as this, bar probably S/S. Sticking your butt towards a camera is also not my idea of a feminist statement, as I wrote in the fifth thread on the album...this pic would be fine if included with others in the photobook, but as the standout image on the "ultimate" version of this album? I just think she's better than this...

I'm not saying by any means that this will stop me from supporting Ayu through this release and onto the future, but I'm sad that she's putting herself out in public with such a badly done cover to represent what is a powerful and relateable theme. Like others said before, what drew me to her and J-Pop in the first place was the lack of trashy unrelateable people in Western media. With all its flaws, Japan's music industry does exude a sense of cleanliness and dignity that I don't see in music played here on the radio...

Bad photo angles are an essential part of the tabloid parody aspect...

^Yes I'm quite sure we all get that. But some of us still don't like it still. :) It's as simple as that. And it doesn't make us less of fans, or prudes or anything. It's just not our cup of tea for a CD cover. Just like some don't like fish lips and thinks she can do better than that you know.

I know, I wrote a million times that I accept people disliking it. But kendelle said the bad photo angle was a sign of the cover being executed badly when in fact it's the opposite, it HAS to look like amateur photography, that's the whole point. If it was a glamour shot with perfect lighting and composition the whole concept would be lost.

Please explain me what getting naked may have to do with expressing your sexuality? Is this the way some people on here express their maturity? XD

Ayu is not showing her private life, no-one knows who "Hamasaki Ayumi" is, you can only believe in what she pretends to be. However, in fact she's working as a professionel in entertainment section of japanese media.

Everything people do in this business is calculated and happens for a reason. You guys can believe in whatever you want, but in my opinion she's not losing her clothes because she's no longer an ever-virginal artificial product or trying to show new aspects of "her life".

After all, I am not really sure who decides what these album covers look like. I for one don't believe in Avex, letting an artist do anything he/she wants. It's a company and they will make sure, what they produce, what they investigate in, is gonna sell as well as possible.

For me these covers are a mirror of the most recent trends in japanese popular music, which you can see on many many, mostly female singers. Things have not always been this way. Just look at singers in the past, like Akina Nakamori, Momoe Yamaguchi, Seiko Matsuda etc.

They always portrayed a classy image and you may assume basically no-one would of ever accepted covers like "Party Queen".

That's why I don't connect these "Party Queen" covers with a possible process in maturity of Ayu as a human. For me, this is just the cheesy product of japanese businessmen and Ayu has to deal with it/them.

Yepp.

I didn't read your post so I wasn't really addressing it. I'm sorry if I was repeating what you said lol. But I guess we agree?

This... and so are the font choice and the colors... Still, talking as a graphic designer, the composition is not wrong. It may be a little disturbing, but is not wrong at all.

And in the end of the day, a good design is not the beautiful one... Is the one able to solve the needs of that job. Some stuff are made to be ugly...

crappy fonts and bla bla is not the choice they did specifically, it's just what they do the best with Ayu's covers, it's like a natural thing xD even if they intended to, it actually fits the actual photo than any of the other covers I've seen of hers xD

um, been thinking, okay i get the idea....i get the stuff bechind i think it's a great idea, still not impressed much....on the other hand it gave the right impression to me, the oimpression they were going for, so i guess they suceeded....
tho to be honest....i hate myself for being so shallow.....:grumpy on the other hand it's difficult to see beyond when you don't know the person....i still hate myself...makes me feel like a dumb, crappy fan :grumpy

Well, this is Ayu we're talking about. She usually tends to do things with a purpose in mind ESPECIALLY when they're more than just 'pretty'.

well, being naked is a part of sex. Being naked shows off the body.

Ayu's not naked in these covers...but in any case...Some people often express their sexuality by being naked. I don't see why it's something so weird to you, or cheap.


I think your next statement is really important. Because I think it has everything to do with these covers.


The next statement that I bolded is also important. As far as my knowledge goes, at least one of those artist constantly uses sexuality to sell their products. They're just stuck in the Japanese lolita complex of what is sexy.

Which has always been much more disturbing and detrimental to a woman's overall well-being in my opinion, however subtle and not in your face it may be.


And the last bold statement. It's exactly what these covers are.


Now, I'm not going to say that Ayu hasnt done trendy things, cause...you only have to look at the recent SCawaii to see that she does. And I'm not going to deny that it's AWFULLY convenient that her concept allows her to be in a bra and panties showing off her ass.

But as I said before, whether this falls into something "classy" versus "trashy" is such a subjective thing. I personally, find it both, which is a reason why I really admire them.

I've seen sooo much rougher and more in your face and brash than this :laugh

Anyway, I think they say a lot about who she is. Both in the media, and out of it. So, even completely disregarding the dumb tabloid thing, I find the covers quite successful.

As much as I'm over the CD+235DVD cover being what it is, you have a point. :laugh And you definitely don't have to strip down to your undies to portray a party queen.

That's not really what I meant but, yeah I think some fans do seem somewhat ashamed.

What I meant though was more along the lines of her general standing in Japan. It seems Ayu wanted to present some kind of deeper meaning to the people that see the album but if that doesn't come across, then I think most people are going to be left with a negative impression. The general public here already holds a somewhat precarious opinion of her and this might be the final nail in the coffin.....or it will go over huge and sell a ton, haha. Its one of those things that is not going to have a middle ground when it comes to public opinion you know? I don't think that Ayu is a shallow **** at all, but I would hate people to get that false impression of her, you know? It's easy to say you shouldn't care what other people think, but the reality is different when you are a public figure because what people think of you will in many ways directly effect you for good or bad.

Yes, this. I should really read all the posts first before I reply. :)

Well... good thing she is doing that on a time most people is not even aware she still is singing... If there is a good time for her to take bigger risks is now that the majority of the public doesn't really care about her and her core fanbase is pretty much used to her...

yeah, but there's an infinite space for creativity. Ayu has all the rights to express her inspirations on her works. I used to hate them so much but now It's kinda okay.

so just take it or leave it. :laugh

They would look x10 better sans the neon text and leopard print.

The original photos they have used don't seem to fit Ayu's usual style but she still looks sexy - especially in the CD only ver. cover.

what I hate the most is that it's kinda obvious about the first impressions these covers give & Ayu giving a last minute "I'M THE SAD PARTY QUEEN, NO WANT TO BE ALONE~~~~~~" "explanation" along with Timmy's outrage tweets are just making me believe even more that YEP, these covers don't mean anything and the last minute "saves" annoy me.

however, she might pull a last minute thing. maybe the back cover will have her in similar clothes and setting but with a crying face; messed up mascara and stuff like that. who knows?

this isn't even about being thrashy or anything... it's just bleh. and i hate that she's using old photos too.