I'd love for the album to be titled new grounds!

If you look at the japanese wordings, the album is unlikely to be called new grounds. IMO it's just a translation error...

Haha no I totally get what you're saying.... but say the sound of this album does turns out to be really current and hip; would it still not be dated three years later? In that sense, what difference does it really make in the grand scheme of things? Call me old/out-of-touch, but this is what I don't get about the production arms race going on right now in hip-hop/EDM... the producers are fixated on constantly evolving the sound of the genre instead of actually making good music.

I'd agree that Ayu probably doesn't *get* it. Rather, I think she wants to work with these producers because she likes their past work and enjoys the genre. Not to mention the fact that the more 'current' and the hottest EDM producers are probably unavailable/busy making their own songs or producing for top-notch Western acts right now. I was looking at Fedde Le Grand's discography and his peak appears to be 2006-2008... and we all know Darkchild's peak is much earlier than that. So yes, I'd bet on a dated-sounding Western-influenced album. :dead2

I need Sparkle and until the day... version 2.0s please! ><
Hope we get such songs in the album

and pretty set that these 2 may be performed hahaha (with those songs done in the fashion show maybe)

I think she's just in a rut. She has such a huge discography and has covered Jpop from all angles - rock influenced, ballads, pure Jpop and so on. What new ground is left for her to cover without bringing in Western producers or trying something much more niche? The problem you get then is the dated one people are worried about here, or if she goes a bit more experimental she never truly leaves the Jpop behind and it just sounds like a poor imitator of whoever is dominating that style.

Anyway, either way, this should be good for her musically, even if it comes out dated/bad/un-Ayuish or whatever. She's been working with the same team for years and hopefully this radical change isn't just for one album.

Im wondering...just because she has western producers, her composers can still be from Japan right?

honestly i feel "New Grounds" is pretty cool and it fits the "new her".

2nd July...

It's going to be a loooong wait, but I'm sure it'll worth it. I wonder how many new tracks are we geting from this new album.

New Grounds?

Sounds like she's landed a new ground.

Hurray! I know Ayu needs a rest now and again but I really can't stand the lull between her releases; I'm really excited about this!

Even if it IS fake, I'd die of happiness to have live versions of Sweet Scar, Ivy (I saw it at CDL12-13 but I want it on DVD!), Like a doll and Melody. But in all honestly, Like a doll isn't a song I see Ayu singing live, ever...

I completely agree with your point. Frankly I find that the EDM production these days really aims for the songs to be remembered for 2-3 years max. (being "new" and fresh for much less than that), for max profit and airplay basically until the next release/album from the same artist. Of course there are longer-lasting gems in the mix but the seeking of short-lived success is just the result of the music market being as overflowing as it is and edm being more mainstream for the last few years than it has ever been before. That's why a lot of people are "obsessed with the shiny and trendy" sound like someone cleverly put it, the genre is somewhat disposable right now I find, and therefore I really wouldn't want Ayu to do that kind of an album (shiny and trendy with the "best" producers) just for the sake of it, just to appeal to a wider public and please a part of her fanbase for it to go old in a year or two.

Then again, I don't want the scenario that whatever she puts out is -already- dated to happen either, now what's the point in that? You don't even get the year or two to enjoy the stuff then right :laugh I'm kidding (kind of), even if the production is dated it doesn't mean the songs can't be amazing or enjoyable. Still, if she wants to go EDM, I would prefer for her to go for the polished and produced sound because it is that important in this genre. It wouldn't matter as much with something like LOVE again or rock or something and could be even a stylistic choice. I am torn however because I think that not only do EDM tracks go old fast but they also don't do it too gracefully lol, some tracks that are only some years old can make you cringe with how dated they truly manage to sound by this point. I don't like to associate Ayu with that "disposability" even if I am into EDM atm.

Yeah, so, I do agree with your points here as well. What she should to do is not the traditional or current wave of EDM but find her own thing within the EDM frame, do something innovative with it and maybe find a way to mix her japanese composers and western producers in an unique way. (Personally I would also prefer a darker sound instead of a cutesy one, since the latter can also go cheesy very fast. I think she'll go for more cutesy though.) How she could do that, I don't know, and maybe she doesn't either. We'll get to judge that when the time comes, but I'm not -too- excited because I agree with errikku as well lol :tipsy :

But of course I'm always eager to hear new stuff from Ayu. :D

that would be nice if it were the reel set list...
I was sad at the 'fake' set list we got for countdown and then the real one came out and it was just bad... lol.

People complaining about the album not being called New Grounds will be bitchslapped :P

I don't think so. Generally these "producers" do it all. Composition and arrangement.

Why on earth would we get a setlist when the tour doesn't start til the end of next month? Use your brains, people.

Completely agree with all of this, especially the bolded parts.

Honestly, I'm shivering just thinking about Feel the love as a title. No. Please, Ayu, no.

As long as the title doesn't have "love" in it, I am happy. LOL

Omg I love Rodney Jerkins! I love the songs he did for Mariah Carey, and the song he did for Utada back then!

guys >.> does anyone know when tickets for the concert go on sale??

The lottery already started for TeamAyu members and I think general sales are later this month. If not though, we'll hear about when they start after TeamAyu gets their pick.

thank you!!!!

Already signed the lottery, I hope I can get the tickets for at least one of the Yoyogi dates...

lol, guys... the album is not called New Grounds. that's a terrible album name but it would be funny if it really was called that because that's the name of a site that has porn games :p

the word grounds is nowhere in the original Japanese text (in katakana or romaji) so I guess the translator just fucked up big time, which Ayu's team shouldn't even be using

I wish ayu would have a staff/intern that updates her facebook page not only in japanese but in english like namie, is it that hard to find someone fluent in english in tokyo?

yay for mentioning the rock songs (y)

I want PV for rock song ;_; gawd I miss this.

i'm curious about the EDM debate, can someone give an example of an old EDM vs new EDM? is this valid?

Physical (Glee Cast ver.) in 2011 I think vs #SELFIE by the Chainsmokers in 2014

I think "old-EDM" means not so influenced by the mainstream and "new-EDM" is everything that has been seeping into the spotlight.

"old-EDM" would be tracks DJs spun before "DJs" were the big thing in mainstream.

Yeah, I'm surprised it doesn't update it English considering L'Arc~en~Ciel's page is also updated in English, like Namie's.

Really ? Searching in 3...2....1

XD. I'm joking. I like the idea to call this album "ayu" or something like that

Agh, am I too late? I joined TeamAyu by their pay deadline, but am I too late to enter the lottery for tickets? Help please! I can't seem to figure out how to enter.

On the ticket page, there is a form with 3 columns. The first column is your preference for tickets, so 第１希望 = 1st choice, 第 2 希望 =2nd choice, ect.
The second column says "公演番号." This is the show you want to attend. (Use the chart at the top telling you the show information) So, for example if your 1st choice is the Osaka show on Saturday (6/14) you would enter "6" on the drop down menu. (next to 第１希望)

The last column "希望枚数" is how many tickets you want for that show.

After that, you chose how you want to pay for/get the tickets. First option is 7eleven and the second option I believe is a delivery service, although I'm not sure because I always use 7eleven.

Last box you enter your email address to be notified if you won tickets.

I hope that was a helpful explanation :)

It actually depends I guess (?). I was just able to join TA on the 10th of April and as of what I can read, those who joined TA until the 6th are the only ones who can join the lottery. i think we can reserve tickets on the 16th. anyone correct me if im wrong

that would be many years ago no

Thank you, that's great! The language is actually not the problem, though...I can't seem to find the ticket page. ^^;

EDIT: Never mind, found it! But you're right--it looks like we late-joiners have to wait until the 16th.

Why do I have a feeling that the PREMIUM SHOWCASE is just going to be a prelude to a bigger TOUR after the new album's release? :))

I find it unlikely. Especially since they promote it like that - "with 11 shows in 3 cities, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, this concept of premium space will allow for the incorporation of many performances and mechanisms only achievable in these locations." (translation by Misa-chan)
I think the main reason for this Premium showcase with just 11 shows is that she wants to spend as much time as possible with her husband in USA this year.

I'm glad that her new album will be released in summer :heart sales are usually great in that season

The only problem with Tokyo being the only venue in Kanto means that there'll (assumingly) be a lot of people trying to get the same tickets. As opposed to having Saitama, Yokohama and Tokyo.

So that'll be interesting...

I was wondering how she was going to fit everything in?
I mean she said in an interview that she moved to LA... sooooo.
Shes just going to travel to japan and tour and stuff now? that seems rather... a lot.

I want the title "July 2nd"

A pity that Wednesday is on the 2nd

Are the fans in Japan will even feel disconnected? lol I have no problems with her moving to LA but it's better to keep connections and stuff not just come back to tour and promote for her albums

I'm still depressed that Ayu is having a concert a week AFTER I left Japan... It's been 2 years since I last saw her concert, I can't believe I will end up just missing it by a damm week.


This year's concert dates are starting so late, it normally start in early April

I suppose she will. It was too elaborate and expensive to be just for countdown.

What if the new album title "Premium Showcase"

#MindBlow

Just finished my entry to TA ticket lottery. Cross fingers!

The name of the album will be.............. "Feel the love"

It could be, but it's not official yet :P

just no!!! :tipsy lol

Feel the LOVE again? kekeke

Haha,

If she was smart she'd call it "Not again" lol

(don't) Feel the LOVE again HAHAHHA

worst comes to worst, every song on the new album will have "love" somewhere in the titles.

How about "LOVEddiction" as the album title? ;3

Wishing all the ppl who joined TA Lottery good luck ^_^

What if the title DOESN'T have love in it? I will eat my hat (... I don't own a hat...)...

Just name the name XV

15th Album. Simply Done

Summer Queen. Dancing Queen. Feel the dance. Dance songs. DANCE again. Rock&Dance. Love&Dance. Summer Dance. Beach of Dance. Beach for her. Ayu Beach. ayumi hamasaki. My Name. LA Life.
Merry-go-rave xD

dance, dance, dance... do it again... :yes

I hope we get a name soon. Our names are more and more horrible XD.

It's going to be cool if the name has the word "new"

:D haha loving do it again

Haaah!!!! :D

She should break habits and finally have an album with a Japanese title.

The 3 upcoming limited CD Singles:

marsh(MARO)
Manny LOVE
TOKIO love Story

Since she keeps talking about a fresh start, it'd seem likely that we'll get XV/FIFTEEN or AYU/AYUMI/HAMASAKI/'A' or something.

Or maybe the album will be named XVI or 16 and has 16 songs. Though currently i also opt for sth with "new". Knowing life, apart from the fact that Ayu has been repetitive lately, she can be suprising as well and im expecting sth we don't expect. If you look that she started changing her routines, different way of producing album, new people, new concept of tour, emphasising that now it's her 16th anniversary (who does that?), her new approach to private life. All of that gives me hope that we can expect something new in music as well. Also considering names involved in new album production this will need promotion so people hear new material. When it comes to Ayu and her work on musical material i have high hopes and expectations, but i am afraid Avex will ruin it with lack of PROPER promotion and even if we get great music, it will be simply lost. I want a boom, sudden boom of the name "ayumi hamasaki" so she is heard of on large scale, even for a short moment.

or something technologic like...

Ayumi Hamasaki F5 RELOAD

How nice it'd be if she'd have a self titled album "Ayumi Hamasaki"

+1

... Or simply "NEW ALBUM".

--> Hamasaki Ayumi new album.... NEW ALBUM... in stores now....

What if she titled it <3

^
LFMAO.
I would love a japanese title. Now, that would be perfect for a fresh, new start in her life. Something meaningful that she's never done.

COMMAND + Z 2 THE LAST 5 YRS would be a good title.

I like it! :)

LMFAO! Please not!!! :D

If there's anything which i DON'T want it's:

- LOVE
- ♥
- <3
- </3
- again

or something which could explain any of these things above... :O

-----------------

Absolutly me too! ^_^

''Hamasaki Ayumi, new album ''<letsloveonceagain3'', now on sale!''

I prefer :3 It looks like their lips.

A japanese album with japanese words is a really good idea.
And if you want a cool modern title, maybe "Smartphone" is a good option or maybe "Ctrl + Alt + Supr"

What about LOVE me as the title?

Well, after all the "LOVE"s, it's time for "HOPE"s!

^HOPE for LOVE

Married again

I think, i prefer "LET ME LOVE AGAIN!" :D

Okay, I might as well put this out there now; I really want to see Ayu on this concert tour. Not to pout, but this may be my last chance to see her live as I am leaving Japan in July. If any of you Team Ayu members could spare me a ticket or ticket code I would be so grateful. Obviously I would fully reimburse you and if you come to meet me to give me the ticket I can pay for your transportation too. Just PM me or something if you can. Thanks... (><)

The tickets for the Yoyogi shows go on general sale June 14th. Don't rule that out as an option...I got A-block seats for the first show of AT2010 just by getting them at a Lawson machine the morning they went on sale.

I think the tickets for the yoyogi shows are already out for presale via a-ticket. :D

better º3º
xDDD


About the title in Japanese... in the video of My Way I nottice that daremo in katakana (ダレモ) looks like the word "FIVE", beeing the first ダ like "FI" reversed (?) (the font in the video is different, for me it looks a lot more like FIVE there... xD)
She could ask the cover artist for a game like the HOPE = FIVE cover but with japanese characters = english.

I like these kind of details xD

Smartphone ..nice one! :P
I would love the title "Sun" with some trancy EDM/house/ambiental/ethereal wave kind of songs.

You're right, it's better, the eyes are the same, XD

O3O is more accurate! :P

July is so. Far. Away.

I'm excited about the whole free cd at tour venue thing.

Wish I could go to Osaka too.

Really?! Thank you for telling me this; that would be ideal, really. :D

LOVE LOVe LOve Love love & PEACE

I'm getting really impatient for them to announce the pre-order. I'm curious to know what kind of editions we'll get this time. It seems like another box is out of the question due to CDL being released on its own.

The fonts kindddddaaa remind me of the Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. font. Even the style reminds me of that album

How about title MAKE LOVE

Goodness gracious :laugh