So she is gonna start recording soon!! YAY! hopefully ill be in japan when she releases her next album!

Given the positive vibes coming from her and her songs lately, I wouldn't expect a sad/dark ballad :P

I hope the video has a good production value *fingers crossed*

I have no expectations so I'm never disappointed, only surprised at whatever the outcome is.

I wasnt really impressed with the whole colours era. It wasn't bad... but I wasnt jumping up and down in my seat like with Party Queen-Love Again

I'm in total agreement with you. The melody to Sweet Scar sounds cold and a little... lonely. I would love it if they made a ballad like this for winter.

I like the idea of a winter ballad that has a very unique feeling to it, that doesn't fit in the same shoe as all the others. (this is in no way dissing her other winter ballads though, cause they're gorgeous... and yes, I used the word shoe to fit into this analogy thing because I literally could not come up with anything better... XD)

A new single would be wonderful! I'm excited!

I don't want anything off-kilter for this winter ballad. It's been SOOOOO LOOONG since the last grand winter ballad. Give me sleigh bells, HAL synths - make it the most cliche fucking winter ballad out there and I will die happily. I want to indulge in something No way to say/momentum/Days esque. She can release dark ballads any other time of year but when it aligns perfectly with the holiday season, I need it to sound specific to that season.

For example, together when.. Was disappointing to me cause it was released in winter and it feels more like a autumn evening song. I enjoy it now, but particularly in Autumn.

Oh my goooooooooood YASSSSSS! HAL where art thou!

I definitely want this :yes *Prays to the jpop gods for this to happen*

I have to say though I'm quite surprised that a new single is coming along fairly quickly. She just doesn't stop at all, does she? (not that I'm complaining lol)

I dunno why but I just have this feeling she WON'T revert back to the winter ballad cliche for this single. Colours was too... out there. idk. Or maybe she'll chase sales and go for it anyway since her sales have dropped so much...

I just want it to be well made. Colours was well made. If it's produced like You were... I'll cry.

Guys, she didn't say "winter" ballad in any point iirc. I know it's very likely, but still...

In the most recent TA update, she says "winter ballad" specifically. In English too, haha.

I wonder why they stopped working together? I mean they made some of her best music?!

So there's hope :D I don't want to get my hopes up, but I do feel it is likely for her to do something more "ayu-ish". In that one interview pre-Colours, the interviewer expressed how Pray was what he was waiting for and Ayu said for the album she was originally going in a different direction but after she saw/heard the reaction to Pray she felt the desire to make tracks that were more akin to the style people have come to expect from her.

I do remember when everyone was complaining about HAL though. I think many expressed that they were happy when she stopped working with HAL.

me neither. and my last excitement for a new release is back to the RnRC + Love songs era...

Love songs is soooo good for this time of year. It's like prime time to listen to Love songs right now with this weather.

Because HAL no longer exists in the form that it once did. And HAL never composed any of the actual songs, only introductions and interludes. They arranged a lot of stuff though.

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF BALLADS

I wonder if this one will get me over "You were..." - Still as beautiful now.

I hope this ballad will be epic. I don't want another Pray :no

Awww! But Pray was an incredible ballad. The melody may be a bit generic but still pleasing to hear.

I though it was just the tweet :P Ignore my previous post then hahahaha

Now that I think about it, I do recall ayu saying back when secret was released that momentum WAS NOT a ballad when describing the winter track. In my mind, momentum is a winter ballad. Midtempo, yes, but a winter ballad nonetheless. However, if it is not classified by Ayu as such, and this new track is, then I am beginning to think it won't be anything like the winter "ballads" I envision.

^ Yeah, there were quite a few times that Ayu's and the articles' descriptions of the songs didn't quite match the final result, I never really know what to expect from what they say lol

I take back what I said. I just remembered Jewel. That is my favorite winter song. appears is my second favorite. Jewel was a beautiful ballad without being "typical".

Jewel is a gem. Even though it is not the type of winter ballad I am craving, if she released something just as superb I'd be content. However, Jewel is one of those tracks that doesn't come about very often. In order to succeed in delivering simplicity, you really do need a stand out composition and track to begin with because you can't really "dress it up" without losing that simplicity. Jewel succeeded and ayu has done many laid back ballads but no other simplistic tracks are anywhere near as powerful, grand, or beautiful as Jewel. I don't want her to go this route because I just know the chances of her delivering something on that level again while remaining simplistic are slim to none.

^ I agree on Jewel. I believe sweet scar is somehow similar in the feeling of "simpleness", but still it's nowhere near the perfection that is Jewel. I love more grand ballads like You were... and Together When actually, so I wouldn't mind something like that. Perfection would be something like ever free / dolls. Not that these are winter ballads, but you get the point.

Really? I consider Sweet Scar a masterpiece. Jewel is beautiful indeed but I never considered it to be one of Ayu's best songs.
And I agree about dolls and ever free :D.

*Jewel playing after a lot of time*

I think I'm gonna be naive and ask what is considered to be a ballad. What is a ballad?????? I can tell that some of her songs are considered to be ballads, but I don't really know what it is that makes them so.

Is there a place where I can find her list of songs that are considered to be ballads so I can get it straight? XD


(Plus, the sooner I find out, the sooner I can make a list of my favorite ballads of hers)

Technically speaking, it's a song or poem that tells a story. So if we're going by that, not many songs are ballads. lol

Oh, so a love song does not necessarily = a ballad?

Would songs like Beloved and Meaning of Love be considered ballads?

Nowadays it more refers to a love song. With Ayu it also normally means a slower tempo or softer feel of a song.

Ballads generally are the gentle songs. I tend to view a winter ballad as something that incorporates gentleness with aggressiveness. The dichotomy between the word "winter", which can be a harsh season, and "ballad" which evokes soft feelings, is another reason why I am so explicit about winter ballads being more like No way to say, momentum and you were...

i would totally take sweet scar over Jewel anytime. I love Jewel but i love sweet scar more. lol

So a winter song is a song about cold, snow and warm feelings ?

I would consider the slower love songs as ballads. This does not have to be the tradition love as between humans but you could express love for anything. Imagine Jewel but about cheese... lol (that would be kinda great actually).

Of course this is counter by the Power Ballad which is nothing like a traditional ballad, but in a forum of entertainment that is meant to break and mold the terms are really meaningless.

Much like ayumi I do not classify momentum as a ballad... not in the slightest. More of something that you would play on the beach on the cusp of spring. Think of a week or two after the first flowers blossom, but you still have chilly nights.

Thats just me though.

I hope it will be like No way to say, oh my god I love that song so much.

Well since we are all getting our hopes up here... I wouldn't mind if it was like Pray. I didn't like the song at first but now I think it's a masterpiece. But as far as winter ballads go, You were... still stands as my favorite. Right next to JEWEL.

You know, I didn't like Pray much for a while. Now I agree, it's really pretty! ^_^


By the way, thanks everyone for answering my question about ballads. Not to keep repeating the same questions, but would Song 4 U be considered a ballad? Or Ivy? Would it be a bad idea to start a thread somewhere asking for a list of ballads???????

XD

Now I really want to listen to her older winter ballads. I looooooved "You Were..." like crazy when it first came out. I got chills every time I watched the video.

Agree with everyone who desires a 'proper' winter ballad (in relation to what is already present in Ayu's discography).

I'm hoping for outstanding hair, a memorable outfit, dramatic arm movements, a desolate/veering toward spooky setting (CAROLS, momentum, Together when...), basically, some serious melodramatics incorporated with mass symbolism (i.e. MOON with the black ink). Musically, cleverly timed strings, an aggressive instrumental, moments where Ayu's voice is barely above a whisper, etc.

Essentially, I hope she can successfully make me shiver like she has in the past with her winter singles.
Also, a cheery, Christmas-ie b-side like meaning of Love would be excellent too.

I have great faith in this single, I've really enjoyed her recent ballads like Pray and Ivy. ^_^

For me a ballad is a slow (love) song. Doesn't have to be about love necessarily, but mostly has a serious meaning.

I'm not that excited about a ballad single. Imo, Ayu hast too much ballads and midtempos and there are just a few I love. I don't care if it's wintery or anything, I just hope I'll like it, lol.
From the last, didn't like Pray much. Ivy, Sakura and Gloria were nice.
Maybe she's able to deliver another masterpiece like Heaven or Love song. But I don't expect it.

Did ayu just tweet that the winter ballad will be a trilogy concept? Seems like gets tetsuya kumuro And TAGO are two of composers and arrangement by soundtrucker

Yes i saw that want to know exactly what she wrote. Sounds really exciting thought ;]

YAyyyyyy!!!!!!

Yeah, sounds like a double a-side is coming in December?

Triple A-side would be better. More stuff to listen to. :D

Tetsuya Komuro and Kunio Tago are really good producers aren't they? Or am I completely mixing them up with other people haha?

hmmmm..... could end up both ways - good or totally bad lol but probably will be typical Ayu track.

so it's arranged by Yuta Nakano....

Okay, these names and the trilogy thing got me starting to feel excited about the single :P

can't wait!!!!!!!! a triple aside would be great :)

Yes it's what I think ! I'm happy for the composers because I like their works especially Tetsuya Komuro I truly love his music but I'm tired by her arranger ... Yuta Nakano is good for rock or more experimental stuff but for ballads except Heaven or Rainy day he tends to repeat himself in the choice of the instruments ! I would like she find a new arranger for a new breath but at the same time I won't to be negative maybe these songs will be amazing ^^

Yuta Nakano gonna give these ballads a classic ayu sound :D

IM SUPER EXCITED NOW!!! really hoping for a 3A ballad single..I totally don't mind

I don't know why, but I think ayumi visit ahsforum.com and read how we really want ayu to release winter ballad, and make it happen!!! Hahaha just my thought

true. that would be awesome. I wish ayumi would change a bit the instrumentals for this new ballads. I want something unique in the vein of BALLAD , criminal, rainy day, dolls. something like this

so tago is that kunio tago..
yay excited!! Together when... is a masterpiece!!
can't wait for these new ballads from ayu!
i like most of their composed songs.

Please have epic PVs... Simple with high replay value like Days!

Ewww... More TK. Does this mean we're going right back to the Love songs/LOVE again rehashes? I hope not. Please ditch TK already Ayu.

ALSO I REALLY HATE TO BE THAT PERSON GUYS but it's "JEWEL." All caps. I don't usually point this out or even care really but I just saw like 20 people in a row miscapitalize it and I started to doubt my sanity/memory lol.

Love songs and Love again have absolutely nothing in common musically the first is excellent in all aspect (imo) ! love again was just a compilation of old demos never released ! I'm really upset that people don't see the difference between both XD (just kidding).
We will see ...TK is not responsible of the boring arrangement of Love again so I don't think the problem is him lol

I agree :)
The problem with LOVE again is not the composer's fault. Too bad, because I really like the album.

Lol I thought about this as I wrote it, but it's so annoying to capitalize all when typing from mobile, so I decided to be lazy about it.

can't wait for the PV. probably directed by her dancers, featuring her sour crying face yayyyy

Not everything is to throw away in Love again the arrangements of Snowy kiss, Wake me up, song 4 u, scar and some other are really well done but regarding the ballads it's another things ... even if the feelings they give is very Ayuish they are too forgettable ;)

I cant believe the hate for love again! its a wonderful album!
??

i hope the PVs will be awesome one please ayu~~
your latest pvs look so boring.. can only watch once or twice only.. can't put on repeat..

TK was the genius behind Feel The Love, right? He seems to have a solid repertoire of good songs within Ayu's discography! Really really excited for this single.

With these great producers Ayu is definitely going to score!!
I love Together When...!!!!

Some of my (current) favorite songs of hers are from her LOVE again era. (Song 4 U, Ivy, and Wake me up) (Also, note I said "current" since my favorites kind of change frequently)

I'm really excited about these names since they're associated with some great songs of hers.

No, I actually agree with you 100%. It's just his sound is so distinct, it doesn't mix well with her other composers. At all. And it always sounds dated and just not... Ayu enough, imo. His songs are never that grand and have these weird forced, uninspired melodies. They just stick out like a sore thumb among other composers' works.

I dunno how you can stand typing out long posts on mobile, that would drive me crazy lol.

I do it from my ipad a lot... and im like halfway through a post and think.... this was a bad idea. LOL

I understand your opinion TK brings a typical 80's/90's sound in his compositions so yes I assume in 2010 it's a love or hate situation ^^
Unlike you I think Ayu did a great job with her arrangers for make his compo hers (I don't know if you know that but at the beginning all the compositions TK did for Love songs were dance songs) but yeah he is somewhat stuck in the past musically ... Personnally I really like it but I can understand why you don't like his works ^^

My body is ready for this single.

You guys. A triple A-side for WINTER.

this This THIS! I am so freaking excited I can't deal.

Dead.

It was mentioned that this was part of a trilogy package, as in something similar to the "trilogy" project of MOON/crossroad/L? Or does it specifically mean a Triple A side single? I wish they'd call it "THE Triple A" and use the A symbol on the cover, and all song begin with an a.

I hope it's just a triple a side. I want them all at once!

Well I guess it doesn't really say it's a "3A side" single... I just kinda assume it was because it's stated to be released at the end of the year, so I just assume that it's just one release.

Also, not sure if this has been posted but the kanji 三部作 I found to be translated as "triptych"--or "a work of art (usually painting) divided into three sections"--so I guess this -could- mean divided into three separate releases, or 3 parts of a whole in terms of one single.

edit: oh and it means trilogy lol. now I see where people are getting the trilogy reference. hahaha
My translation was being thrown off by the kanji for 3. For some reason, 3部作 is being translated to trilogy, while 三部作 is being translated to triptych. Silly technology.

though I'm sticking with my first instinct in that I think it'll be one release, as only one release period was stated. :P　(Unless she plans on stringing them out, say Dec Jan and Feb releases, first starting at the end of the year)

Ugh need. more. information.

I guess it'll have three songs, but probably it'll have just two PVs... Even L had two :/ I'd love it to really be triple a-sided tho, I just don't think that's likely to happen.

If she's making a trilogy of releases, then it'll be her third theology? :laugh I'm getting so curious on this single omg

Maybe a winter single/ a spring single/a summer single ? lol
Like tokyoxjapanxfan said I think we will have 3 songs connected together lol

I thought, cause they mentioned two of the composers diretly, that it`s maybe a 2 a-side. And the third as b-side then. But all we know for sure is that it`s starting in December. :laugh

What about her releases three songs all on different cds? 3 seperate singles, all a sides, but seperate a sides? During same time period/day.

I'm actually excited for a ballad or even a midtempo. I've been in that kind of mood lately.

wat

Oh, I think I get you... Three separate singles, all on the same day, with one song each.

Wouldn't put it past avex lol.

Glad about the composers/arranger duets, now I'm even more excited that I know I won't see american singers in my mind when I'll listen to Ayu's new songs. ^^

I hope we'll get more news soon.

If there's a trilogy I hope the pvs won't be a love story as wake me up/you&me/snowy kiss. It would be great to get poetic and metaphoric pvs with beautiful set.

Though I thought I was past these questions, would "Close to you" be considered a winter ballad? It sounds super wintery to me. If so, I would actually love a song like that...(though considering her current style, I highly doubt she'll do anything like it...>.>)

I would definitely consider that a ballad. :)

I would consider "Close to you" not only a winter ballad. Because of the arrangement it's a christmas song I think.

^ Agreed, def. a Christmas ballad.

Ayumi please bring CREA back and write another song like M, and bring back HAL to arrange it song :)

I consider close to you a winter ballad.

Ayu said Tetsuya Komuro will compose the new ballad (Twitter)

Christmas all the way. I actually listen to this one the morning of christmas every year. lol Love the song so much.

I really want a 3 side... but wouldnt mind 3 different singles... I wish they would do something to try and boost her sales..

For me Close to you works best the eve of Christmas! Take a walk outside and look at the glistening snow sparkle in the moonlight and this song is perfect.

I'm actually here for a stale 90s ballad tbh. Give us the next DEPARTURES.

I love Komuro's compositions... He pretty much wrote all of my recent favorites.

this sounds amazing. I want :luv2


hmm. this has the possibility to be really amazing. he has done some great work with ayu. excitement increased :D

Ayuma my body is ready !!!!

I would kill for HAL but it seems she will no longer work with them and I'm not sure if the 2 members remaining (of HAL) are still active ??

Lmao.

that might be amazing... sadly I live in Florida right now... what is snow? lol