^Leilo is better than Lulu? nope

I hope the rest of the songs* and PVs are good.

--
* Since I already lost hope with the abomination that is Step by step

I forgot about Step by step after first listening.
I'm also not interested in collaboration song. I'm glad she made it, but I'm not a fan of Daishi Dance and since all his songs are alike, I'm sure I will not like it.
it's sad to lose excitement, but maybe it's better =) will not be disappointed

before A ONE I felt it will be awesome album, and I was right in my hopes =)

I couldn't agree more! :yes

Honestly I couldn't care less about the title. It looks different and I like edgy/different Ayu. People just are afraid of change.

Besides I like how SiXXXX(how may X's are there?)XXX's been written.

Really? I love Step by step. It's really easy on the ears and the tune is so bright~

The only thing I remember from Step by Step is "blablabla IPPO blablabla IPPO blablabla IPPO blablabla IPPO ....."

There are 6 X's lol SiXXXXXX

the title IS weird.... not very fond of the XXXXXXXXXXXXXX lol odd how i would much rather prefer Summer Diary as a mini album title than this, because i usually like weird crap.

she probably typed the word six to describe the title of her new minialbum while msging her hubby and the X got stuck. Then she went like "OH SIXXXXXX IS SO COOL I MEAN"

This makes sense for me, since there are no summery/poppy tracks on A ONE, so I feel like the mini album will fill that gap.

Avex just uploaded FULL AYU PVs

https://www.youtube.com/user/avexnet...82%86%E3%81%BF

^lol someone must have been high on something.

HANABI's is not a PV :D

YAY now I can finally watch some of her PVs that I've so desperately wanted to see since my DVDs don't work on my DVD player. Weeeeee!

Wait is seasons only 2:30 long? I never knew. Never really watched it.

Also how's the mixing on Step By Step? Good? Bad? Has Naoki improved?

It's the final part of the "vogue/Far away/SEASONS" trilogy PV (7:51 ) :D

Zomg, I hope they won't delete the videos. The Like/Dislike buttons are on! It's time to like all of Ayu's videos XD

Really not sure what to expect from this now... Step by Step and Sayonara both sound like pretty "safe" songs to me but a title like "sixxxxxx" is certainly out there. The lyrics she's been posting sporadically seem interesting enough, so I'm hoping she'll do something more interesting with the other songs

just downloaded Sbs from iTune
it's really nice song ^^

SbS reminds me of Next Level, which I love.

I'm pretty sure I've enjoyed Step by Step decently every time I play the preview but seriously. I can NEVER remember what it sounds like afterwards. :S

single appeared at russian itunes, so european fans can download it too

thanks you, Heavenly, now I can hear only IPPO in this song xD

Waiting for it to show up on Canadian iTunes.

I know. It's a great song for summer but it's forgettable. Still love it tho.

Edit: i though I was posting in ayu-anything goes thread sorry. I got off topic...

I like Step by step a lot, though I'm never sure if I'm getting it stuck in my head or another song that sounds like it lol. Looking forward to the mini-album!

After listening to Step by step a few times now I have to say I'm not impressed at all. It's a basic j-pop song everyone could have released. I won't bother to listen to it the 7th time.
Since I was really disappointed by most songs of A ONE, I'm a little sad now, because I was hoping the mini would make up for it.
But well, we just have one song by now. And then again I only ever really liked Greatful days, July 1st, INSPIRE and fairyland out of her summer songs. Never cared for BLUE BIRD or glitter for example.

Step by step is not ground-breaking but it's good and already my summer anthem.

To be honest I am not sure what you're expecting. This song beats Greatful days easily, glitter as well. I think for me it's on pair with Sunrise, though time will really tell.

I think A ONE was superb and don't mind mini going down the similar path.

^I would like to have something like July 1st, INSPIRE or fairyland again. Or to be more precisley: something that is not your typical jpop summer tune. I don't want something that sounds like any of those three, I just want something more creative. The last summer song I really liked was fairyland and that one is almost 10 years old. I never was a big fan of Ayu's seasonal releases because a lot of them are just mediocre typical jpop songs every other jpop star also releases.
Walk, Zutto, the GIFT and Story are all so basic jpop ballads that I'm really tierd of this sound by now. Even if Step by step isn't a ballad, it's still basic.

if you don't like them why are you still bothered listening to her songs ?

I just listened to full single version of Step by step. I still think it sounds like an album filler (hell, many of ayu's actual fillers are actually much better than this and certainly worthy of being a single on their own). I hope the other songs are actually decent.

THIS. I can't stop playing it everyday now. It is much better than I have imagined and I like it more than 1 month ago when I first listened to it.

same here !

I can't get into Step by step because Ayu's voice is, for lack of better words, crap. She sounded fine on A ONE (minus WARNING and NO FUTURE) so idk the heck happened with Step by step.

Step by step is lovely!!
Lyrics is cheerful, music conveys what the lyrics said so well
It's nothing to "WOW", but also nothing to complain
as much as i listen to it, i loved this song even more
Summer is already hot, do not put Mirrorcle world, Rule, WARNING, INSPIRE, Wake up's tune to make hotter degree.

I just noticed how Step by step's arrangement and chord is sort of identical to July 1st. I can definitely sing along July 1st's lyrics to the verse, bridge and Chorus thought Step by step's chorus is definitely longer. LOL I think its just me but oh well

Whilst I like SbS I did have a moment when I thought this sounded very similar to your standard anime insert theme by an unpopular artist. It was a first for me listening to ayu's music.

I wish the arrangement was more edgier. The orchestral parts are pretty but too much too often makes it feel reserved and bland.

LOL I'm not sure who he is tbh I just thought he was incredibly cute lmao

My favorite summer songs of hers are some of her much older ones so I have no expectations for this mini album to be my favorite. :D Which is fine. I mean, my absolute favorite "summer" songs of hers are definitely Monochrome, Far Away, Seasons, and Audience. When I look at the tracklist for A Summer Best, though, I find it all to be pretty solid and that I'm pretty fond of all of those songs, especially You & Me.

I just hope to hear some of the other previews soon since I am just not completely impressed by Step by Step. It's ok, but it is pretty forgettable for me even if I try my hardest to remember it. My biggest problem with it though is just the background music. It sounds so computerized and fake to me. Like...what am I really listening to?XD

I don't really care for the song either, but it reminds me of The show must go on for some reason. But I have to say, Glitter is awesome!

Composer: Tetsuya Yukumi & Ayumi Hamasaki?

did iTunes has the tag wrong? .__.a

I imagine they are also including lyrics as part of "composition"?

I don't know why (maybe because of the release of Step by step) I was expecting that by now we would have like tons and tons of info on the mini album. I keep refreshing the AHS page in hopes we get the official tracklist or a preview from the pvs or something,anything! I need more info! I am desperate!

So far only 2 tracks revealed on her official website. And, I'm thinking the remastered July 1st will they included into this mini album as hidden track or bonus track.

Oh god, please stop that. If I don't like something I can point that out. And I never said I don't like her songs, I'm just not to fond of most of her seasonal releases because they are just basic jpop standard everyone releases.

I think it's a good summer track. Not in my top tier, but still good. But this isn't really a "summer" song for me. Usually her summer songs mention summer in them. This is really just a "ganbatte" song.

Hearing Step by step in an actual summer feels so good. I am so enjoying it. It sounds like a love baby from BLUE BIRD and NEXT LEVEL and yes that is very good.

I think it should stay on the Step by step single:yes

Btw: Where can we find the remastered version of July 1st?

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/VukwMvf_eyU/
Tv cm with mv preview

Having a though period right now. Step by step has been my salvation for days now... It is so cheerful I can't help but stay positive and be encouraged.

You forgot to mention an itty bitty snippit of the DAISHI DANCE song!:P

Hardly worth noting though haha

video is out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNo6nOdljX4

Can anyone rip the CM for me? My Download helper doesn´t work ><

This PV looks AMAZING in concept!!!!!!! Omg im sure people are able to relate to this. Its genuine and real and ayu looks amazingg. That acting is so on point!

Step by step 【SPOT】

Step by step is ranked at 3rd position in iTune Japan now
62 out of 63 ppl gave 5 stars on it, All comments are in the good way ^^
Go! Ayu

OMG, I love this song and Pv has the good concept for its meaning.
Stepping means getting freedom

Wait! ! !
That piano from Sayonara

While I agree with the people relating to the PV and ayu looking amazing, I thought the acting was a bit too dramatic, in some parts to the point to making the video seems a bit off from the song. Yeah, I know it fits the lyrics, but still I don't think the girls needed to be having SO MUCH pain on their faces. But then I'm no director, it simply bored me a bit but not to the point of hating it.

Sorry but I don't think so. According to the short version PV, we found that the rope is very long meant the pressures of the girls are very big. Hope for the freedom makes them stronger, determined more and more to cut the rope. That is the reason for the emotion from their faces.

^^lol and me for the first time thought the acting on Ayu's part was decent, not overly over the top like usually lol it's interesting how different people can see things. Getting free is a huge struggle and can have painful thought and desperation, to me it makes sense.

sixxxxxx（CD+GOODS） ¥35,856
album + V-MODE Limited Headphone + Original mirror
http://i.imgur.com/BHacvgC.jpg http://i.imgur.com/Q2n0w7b.jpg http://i.imgur.com/OKsZWhH.jpg

Limited to 300

30000Yen for headphones?
NO WAY! xD I am satisfied with my beats headphones^^

Help!!! I've been trying to watch the short version PV, but youtube blocks it (YTUnblocker won't work!)

Any suggetions or could someone upload it to Mega or so???? Please, I'm really curious about the PV...

Try ProxTube Unblocker, it worked for me (while my other unblocker didn´t work)

the teaser of new album on the spot is soooooooo exciting!!!

How I wish that she will perform Step By Step on lot of TV Variety...I miss her...

The cm is good and the piano preview of Sayonara is appealing.

Step by Step is really good. The arrangement is well done. The drum and the bass guitar play a rhythmic background on which the violons and Ayu's voice can fly, jump and dance freely. The violins give a hot and hopping atmosphere. It's shining. I like how they didn't work the first and the second verse the same way. The solo of the guitar warm.
It's what I wanted for summer.

Is it the Cd only version that comes with that headphone?
It's expensive. If there is such expensive limited edition I wonder what they'll do with the TA version O.o

Try Hola. It's what I'm using when the video are restricted.

The earphones look godly but too expensive lol.

So I will go with CDJapan this time as the Team ayu/mu-mo goods aren't so attractive and CDJapan's cheaper for me.

I like the PV preview, good, more Ayu like this, please

There is no TA Version of the album, at least not yet.
But I doubt there will be, I guess they made the exclusive version available for everyone because they fear it won´t completly sold if it's TA exclusive. And who wants to sit on a pile of 350$ headphones xD

TeamAyu:
Metallic stickers OR Original mirror

mu-mo:
Original mirror
http://i.imgur.com/OKsZWhH.jpg

also...u do realize that part that was cut out was the ending of the song. We have no idea wat's the story behind the characters that has built up to that point of desperation and pain.

My guess would be societal pressures.

this is one of those rare moments where you have JAPANESE women in an ayu PV seriously

This was my first thought too. The pv is very japanesey, like most jpop singers tend to do. It.s interesting that ayu went on this route. In fact, Step by step is probably the most common jpop song ayu has ever done. Probably since her first album. Hello new me comes close too but i really enjoyed that one.

Woah, all this stuff coming out. Sayonara is definitely going to be dramatic it seems! Love that melody so far.

Step by step has an surprisingly interesting PV! The scenes get a bit repetitive with trying to break free but OH M YGOD SHE LOOKS GORGEOUS IN THE OUTDOORS SCENES~ The video has some very Chinese PV-esque colors as well. I wonder who directed.

PV looks interesting!

Can't wait. ;)

Looks like the single is doing well on iTunes! It's 2nd right now only behind the Love Live anime girl group 'μ's'. Hope she can get to no.1!

http://www.uta-net.com/song/189314/

The song really doesn't seem like Yukumi at first but with repeated listens, it definitely has that feel.

Will we know the iTunes download sales?

And guess what its sold out already...

^ it is!

That was fast.

Guys, I am not invalidating the pain portraited by the girls, I said I thought the snippet had some scenes focused too much on dramatic faces while the song has a happier atmosphere to it.

I totally understand why they put the girls in desperation while struggling to be free, it matches the message in the lyrics and people DO FEEL like that, also speaking from experience. What I stated was that image and sound did not went well for me, that's all. Sorry if I did not made myself clear before, but I did enjoy the PV, the symbolism and also the fact she's working with Asian actresses, what "bothered" me was having a painful scene going against an uplifting part of the song. Could this have been on purpose? Of course, but still __I__ did not feel that combining these parts of video and song went smoothly and well.

At the end of the week on tnsori maybe

btw I went on the website of the headphones and the models that are on-ear cost 200 - 300$ so the price aren't that surprising tbh

The SBS music video it seems for everyone, like step by step for freedom, fight the fears

Very sumerish and with a lot of message

VERY GOOD ayu

Omg she did a conceptual, storylined (AND NOT ABOUT LOVE) PV!
I love it. Too bad she is standing on the roof AGAIN. Ive mistaken this part with merrygoround, it looks almost identical.

HOVEWAH
The Pv made this song sound a little less "cute/summerish" and put drama in it. I love it. It may not be my fav song but it made it a lot better.
Lol at avex that they put last 1,40 of the PV.. who does that? XD

Sayonara will be just another boring ballad I guess XD But let me be wrong <3

Aw, the preview looked great. Her acting looks good too haha.

am I blind, but I can't find this scene in the video
http://i.imgur.com/BRrhFQW.jpg

I guess they just put promo offshot into thumbnail in YT

I'm surprised that they even made a SPOT for Step by step. Looks like they are getting serious this time? Hopefully xD

The song better not avoid Canadian iTunes like how the mini album is gonna avoid the oricon charts. My finger is ready to press buy but I don't see anything.

LOL! That Sayonara preview was amazing and it was literally only 2 seconds. SO PUMPED.

^it sounded better than WIFL indeed, but another RnB-ish ballad would bore me to death, I'm hoping for some action. It's summer time!

SbS is alright, I probably won't be listening to it on repeat nor for a long time, but the clip definitely looks interesting!

Here:

http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121840

Me too satisfied with my Beats headphones XP

^sorry for my lack of vocabulary, but does it mean it's better quality or did they change the instrumentation in any way?

just better quality
I think we'll never get any change in the song from ayu again

^Ok thanks, I got a bit hopeful for a second ahaha!

O.O already? so fast!!

where are yall hearing a sayonara preview?

Beats are actually like one of the worst headphones when it comes to quality vs. inflation of price.

I have a pair of V-MODA I won in a contest and have always thought how cool it would be to switch out the faceplates for ones that had the A symbol on them. I would love these headphones but I also own a pair of Sennheisers so another pair of headphones are the last thing I need to be blowing money on.

http://avex.jp/ayu/news/detail.php?id=1023626

Omg the cd+goods has sold out? Was still trying to see what goods is it..

Does anyone know how does the metallic sticker look like? Still can't decide which store to buy from... Mirror seems to be more worth the price

Step by step PV preview hit me hard in the gut. I can relate to it already. This song became even more awesome to me now :heart