^ Ouch harsh. But in a way so completly true. I guess some of us expected ayu to deliver more experimental music. At least that's the vibe i got from her lastest single and cdl. Everything just looked so fresh and new and then she drops a huge recycle boom from back in the day. :no A One could be one of ayu's worst albums to date. But who knows, her Japanese fans might like it.

I was referring more to the high notes and shrill vocals lol, but yeah it's still a snowy kiss clone for me. idg the hype.

a Bell - Very beautiful, has potential on becoming a full song (i hope she make one), love it...too bad its really short (9.5/10)

WARNING - Very powerful, rockish song...love it (9/10)

NO FUTURE - Very TK'ish song, i rarely like TK upbeat number, because it feels really dated, included this song...especially the end of the song...it's really globe-ish or trf-ish. I like the interlude part after first chorus to second verse...but still ughhh.. (6/10)

Anything for you - I'm ballad sucker, but this song is keep draging on and on...i believe she will use this song to end her concert. Not a big fans of this song (7/10)

Last Minute - this song growing on me, especially after watching the PV...make me like it even more. (8/10)

Zutto... - Like i said before, i'm ballad sucker...this song is beautiful, i like it (9/10)

Out of control - i love the interlude part, the guitar part is sooooo nice...like this... (8/10)

The GIFT - i think this song is the weakest ballad in this album...it's too soft for my taste... (8/10)

Story - The best ballad in this album even i can say the best song in this album. I can picture myself listen to this song 4 years from now and longer than that...love it (10/10)

The Show Must Go On - another TK upbeat song, this one is better than NO FUTURE. I would like listen to this but depend on my mood, because it's really tiring listen to this song and so many angry emotion coming from this song(7/10)

Walk - never like this song since it's in the single...it's just ok song (6/10)

Movin' on without you - i feel that this song is just a bonus, i can't include it on my review.

Total : 7.95/10

There are definitely some highlight that i love from this album. But the number of TK song is killing me, it's like LOVE SONG all over the place again...
Ayu...please stop working with TK. Give yourself the opportunity working with somebody new and fresh.

I absolutely love the chorus of the show must go on. I don't care for the part after the chorus when she repeats "the show must go on, Ya ya yeah yeah"; however, I adore when during the chorus in the background she's chanting "the show must go on" so much. The way she sings it with such determination.

The Show Must Go On gets my loins all ready and stuff.

I for one love when Ayu goes experimental on us, but I never EVER expect her to do that for a majority of an album. (like Colours basically which may never happen again) Like one or two songs here and there but that's it.

Doing my review as I listen to the tracks (Going to give notes from 0 to 5, I can't really do it from 0 to 10, like what makes a song an 8 instead of a 7??? Or an 7.5??)

a Bell - Thought it was akward at first cause it doesnt fit WARNING, but then I realised it was on purpose... The song itself is pretty, yet not outstanding. 3/5
WARNING - YEEEEEEAH, I was missing this rockish style from ayu. Love the lyrics and the song itsef (not the PV tho). A great opening for an album with a personal take. 5/5
NO FUTURE - I kinda like it, but there's a feeling of "Haven't I heard this in Love songs?" that bothers me. Again, pretty much like a Bell it's a good track but I feel like I'll be over it soon. 3/5
Anything for You - Damn, that's the romantic ayu I fell in love with. I totally feel this lyrics, these selfless lover wishes, so how I could I not fall for this song? The instrumental is so pretty also. It's sad but also happy, like love itself is. Love love love. (PS: I don't feel like it is a 7 minute long song lol) 5/5
Last minute - Favorite song in years. If not for the mixing (I got used to it but could have been better) I could say everything is flawless, from lyrics to PV. The lyrics. THE LYRICS. U go girl, get my five. 5/5
Zutto... - I feel this song had a bigger potential but didn't find it. Don't know if this was from ayu's side or her staff, but still... The chorus is the problem, it doesn't sound as dramatic as I think it should, her voice is not that emotional there. This aside, nice song. 4/5
Out of control - The lyrics feel like something ayu would sing 10 years ago, they're not only beautiful and sad but they have this externalisation (does this word exist?) of loneliness and heartbreaks. She doesn't ask why she is suffering, but understand everyone may go through this, and I love when she speaks this way. The instrumental is what gets me, tho. It is not as powerful as it could have been, I didn't even expect such lyrics from it when first hearing it :/ Unfortunately this makes me feel like I'll forget what this song sounds like in a month. 3/5
Story - I can't. I can't. Gimme the live performance already. 5/5
The GIFT - There was such a hype for this song, but I am not feeling it. The lyrics feel kinda forced to me, and the instrumental is cliché imo :/ Still not a disaster, just a skippable track. 2/5
The Show Must Go On - People compared this to snowy kiss, and I get why - their structures are very similar, also the chorus. BUT. HER VOICE. It's too screechy, the IE IE IE parts are terrible. Sorry ayu, I wish I could like it - nice lyrics - but I can't. I hope you'll lower the key if you sing it live, please. When the chorus break it does sound good, but half of it is terrible for me. 1/5
Walk - Flawless. The way the instrumental grows, the lyrics, her voice. Everything. This song is everything. Thanks for recording this, ayu. Gosh, there are no words for this song, seriously. 5/5

Overall, an album full of gems but the others are plainly forgettable. Could have been better as mini-album tbh. Still, it doesn't feel rushed like LOVE again, it's just that the production didn't meet what I wanted. 4/5

The hype for this album makes me want to do this.

a Bell - Beautiful. Sadly it's short. I always like this kind of prelude / instrumental, soothing, calm, but it's also extraordinary and glorious, just like Aria & overture in Love songs, but a Bell is better, it's just short. I think its transition to WARNING is quite okay. 4/5

WARNING - Rockish style ayu is always great, this one is no exception. But somehow, it's a little bit repetitive because either the progression is too fast or it lacks something. The lyrics fits the music perfectly, with that blaring guitars. Also, whoever saying this one is better than Microphone: NO. 4/5

NO FUTURE - The song is like a modern version of her old works. Despite all the good arrangement and progression and the music and so on... I didn't get the feelings that she wants to convey here, because it feels like it doesn't match with the music. Great song, but not very memorable. 4/5

Anything for You - Carbon copy of Walk but with slow progression and super warming lyrics, this is the ayu I fell in love with, I really can feel the feelings, tears are flowing down. Like everybody said, it doesn't feel like 7 minutes long, maybe I just enjoyed it too much, like drowned in the song :laugh 5/5

Last minute - Still amazing. Everything about this song is so amazing, especially the lyrics, MY GOD, it's exactly my life atm. The PV makes it better as well, it gets better from time to time. I would pay for another song like this. (Despite that mixing tho, I finally understand) 5/5

Zutto... - Winter ballad from ayu is also always great, this one is also no exception. It's kind of sweet yet sad, I mean the lyrics, at least there's hope there. But it's a nice heartwarming song. 4/5

Out of control - Judging from the title and the lyrics, I thought it's going to be another Last minute or something from ASFXX, or maybe Memorial address, but it turns out into something that I didn't really enjoy at all... The song is just okay, like nothing special, kind of not memorable too. It has a nice progression, but I can't feel something that she wants to convey, it just fell flat to me. 2/5

Story - Another sweet song filled with warmth. Kind of sad but I don't know how to explain this one... The feelings are there, you can feel it when listening to this song. It's a nice song, kind of ballad that ayu would perform very well. Also, walking proud and part of Me are far better than this one. 4/5

The GIFT - Meh. The good thing from this is just the way ayu sing it and her vocals. The piano intro is unique, but ending the song with the same tune like the intro is weird. Probably ended up becoming an encore song. 1/5

The Show Must Go On - THIS SONG GIVES ME LIFE. I think ayu like this kind of music, but singing snowy kiss is too sad so she decided to "fix" it and voila! This legal drug exists with more positive lyrics and not depressing. (I like snowy kiss tho) Again, I WOULD PAY FOR (A PV FOR THIS SONG, sadly it doesn't have... AND) ANOTHER SONG LIKE THIS. 5/5

Walk - Perfect. The strings are beautiful and lovely, something that I always like from ayu. The build-up is amazing, the vocals... everything. At first I don't like it, because it's like no climax at all, but after reading the lyrics (I LOVE THAT LYRICS), maybe she did that on purpose, so... I'm SOLD. 5/5

Overall: Yeah, it's a great album, but I don't know how to say... There are a lot of mixed feelings when listening to this album, at some point it's kind of warm, but it's also sad at the same time, maybe it's because of the ALONE theory but... I feel like most of the song could have been better. 3.9/5

I think only some of the songs from this album will be performed in her tour, let's see... WARNING, Anything for You, Story, and TSMGO, I think those new songs will be performed, the rest... not sure, probably CDL.

Movin' on without you is a bonus track so I don't really bother, it's a great cover tho, because I usually jamming that song in the past, now got the ayu electronic version, so it's a great revamped song.

Just listened to the album and I am thrilled! For some reason, the word that I feel really describes this album is enchanting! Enchanting from beginning to end! Really enjoyed it. The one thing that is a little disappointing for me right now is the similarity between snowy kiss and the show must go on, but I think I'll be able to get over that since TSMGO has a different atmosphere surrounding it. Also, I don't know why but I get boku wa shinou to omotta no wa vibes from story and I really like that! Overall, great album! Looking forward to the live show!

still waiting for a 320kps rip lol

Guys, I'm so pleased with A ONE. I still can't even adequately express it.

First and foremost, I feel this is the first album in a while where I actually understand what Ayu is trying to convey conceptually. Everything just totally clicks with me. It's not trying to be this kind of "in-your-face" concept album with hints of irony (Party Queen), nor is the concept too subtle (LOVE again), nor does it lack a clear concept altogether (Colours).

Another thing for me that stood out was her vocals. They're particularly impressive here, both in terms of quality and emotiveness. Her control has improved immensely. It's particularly apparent in the verses and in the "softer" chorus of TSMGO. It's giving me A BALLADS~Haru yo koi era vibes. There was this effervescent quality in her voice then where it just felt like she was singing everything effortlessly. TSMGO, btw, conveys this amazing feeling of "calm determination" that is so uplifting. I think had goosebumps the entire six minutes during the first listen!

I do have one problem with the album: the lack of visuals, i.e. music videos, that properly represent the album's mood and concept. I mean, I wouldn't say Ayu has ever been an outstanding video artist... but there is SO much potential here to give these FANTASTIC songs even more power, meaning, and "oomph" by giving them a proper visual representation—and I think it's becoming a real issue for me in regards to her artistry. The songs that she chose to make videos for, "WARNING" and "The GIFT" just do not feel representative of the album's overall theme AT ALL. I think she totally got it right with Love songs, for instance. The PV's weren't amazing by any means, but she chose exactly the right songs to represent the album visually IMO. Now, if she had chose to make PV's for NO FUTURE, Walk, and Out of control—how much better would this era be? It's really a shame. And no, I don't think her concerts cut it for giving the song accompanying visuals. There's certainly a limit to what you can convey on stage.

Thoughts:

A Bell - Just okay. I'm surprised that so many people like this when she has shown that she is capable of so many other much, much, stronger album openers.

WARNING - Great "Until that day type" song, nothing special.

NO FUTURE - Love it. I really want a trance remix of this song.

Anything for you - I really don't understand why she felt the need to include this song when Walk already exists. It's not a bad song but it just adds absolutely nothing to the album, and makes the whole album sag. I'd rather have one song less than for this to be on it.

Last Minute / Zutto - Not bad. Already liked them on the single.

Out of Control - I really really love the chorus. This would sound great in an acoustic arrangement. I kinda wish this had gotten a PV instead of Zutto or Last minute (though both those songs were great).

Story / The Gift - Boring, not a fan.

The Show Must Go On - Delicious. Please play this every concert.

Walk - Was already my favourite of her 3 winter ballads, and would have been an excellent album closer if not for.......

Movin on without you - Ugh. Don't get me wrong; I LOVED ayu's cover of this song. I just think it's a horribly cheap tactic to just stick it on at the end. Couldn't they at least have called it a 'bonus track' so we can preserve the illusion that Walk was the legit album closer? This song makes absolutely no sense in the context of this album and they're better off sticking it on Colours or A Best 3 when it comes out instead. I can of course just not listen to the song, but now as a fan I have to live with the fact that she + her company allowed an artistic decision like this to pass. Compare and contrast this to I am, where she rerecorded + rearranged Endless sorrow so it would thematically fit the whole album instead of just sticking the album version on to it.

Overall - nice album. To me it's a better version of what Love songs aspired to be, with overall much stronger song writing and production. It's about on par with Love again for me. A nice inoffensive album, with songs that are strong enough that when she performs them one day in a concert 3-5 years from now, we'd go "wow that's a really good song, better check out the album again". Of course I wish she had fully expanded on the dance pop she dabbled with on Party Queen and Colours, but I guess she has commercial obligations to meet. Still a fan can wish.

Movin On without you is not part od the actual album and i did not include it since I have the track on the tribute album already

I agree - I like it in it's place within the song, but the pitch chosen is just, she should have went lower and louder, a little more commanding.

I do love the song, though.

I really do always want ayus albums to be amazing and I dont even mind when they all sound the same as long as theyre good. But with a one the thing that sucks is that its not bad at all- its just not amazing.

If anyone was waiting for that ayu sound shes done before then you got it. But I hear that and feel like theres better versions of everything. Im glad a lot of people here like it but I couldnt fall into it the same way.

but there are songs I do really like. Warning, last minute, and to a lesser extent story are the ones that will probably stick with me. But theres no evolution, no new direction where what shes done feels unique. Or at least if it sounds the same have it super catchy.

Melody is by no means original but I think its an amazing song. Brillante was so fresh and even if you dont like it, its still an example of her doing something different.

I just hope again we can get something after this was shows she will move forward

Music wise it's her worst album to date for me. I love WARNING, NO FUTURE and Last minute and I like The Show Must Go On and Anything for You but the rest is damn fucking boring.
I don't see why this should be a better LOVE again. LOVE again was also boring because of the amount of ballads but the compositions and arrangements were way more creative.
Well, I think she's just doing whatever feels comfortable to her atm music wise and she doesn't care if the outcome is great from an artistic point if view. Personally I think that's sad but if it's what makes her happy...

TBH as much as I agree with you about the album being boring, I feel like she does think this album is artistically great... which scares me a bit lol. This is a sound she has kept crawling back to since Love songs. It hasn't worked at all since IMO, and even Love songs didn't really age well looking back on tracks like Like a doll. >_> From an artistic standpoint, I still feel like this album really lacks an identity.

As weird as it feels saying it, I actually think this album might be worse than LOVE again for me. I'm gonna give it more time to settle, but honestly, it's pretty much a case of hate vs. apathy lmao. I despise LOVE again, but at least it's not so bland that I can't feel SOMETHING at all toward it. As bad as it was, it had at least SOME tracks that I think are objectively pretty decent Ayu songs and feel true to her sound and artistry. A ONE has nothing that stands out above mediocrity for me... It's all just washed-out and forgettable stuff she's done time and time before. :\

I don't know why everyone keeps saying LOVE again is her worst albums...it is way better than ASFXX and for me even better than LOVEppears and on par with some other albums... there is no difference for me compared to RAINBOW, Secret or NL - those have just some sort of nostalgia bonus.

It's interesting that you mention how there are better versions of everything, yet cite WARNING, Last minute, and Story, when WARNING is a less impactful and lessn ingenius version of Microphone+1 LOVE, and Last Minute is a knock-off and forced version of Memorial address. Story is one step up from Meaning of love, but that's not saying a whole lot.

I guess, I'm just happy this is at least reminiscent of the quality of work she should be releasing. It's not 100%, but at least I feel it as "HAMASAKI AYUMI" and that's enough to give me hope and make me happy. It's the start of her getting back her groove, and that's the most thrilling aspect of the whole album. It gives hope and shows promise for the future.

Funny you should say that. It reinforces my theory that the album is an ironic desire for HAMASAKI AYUMI to want to get back together with AYUMI HAMASAKI, but AYUMI HAMASAKI does not want that.

Yeah, people seem to forget about A Song for XX. I think that's easily one of, if not her worst album(s) and it was the one that began her career. A Song for XX is definitely worse than LOVE again, although I will admit that I don't like LOVE again very much.

I haven't heard A ONE yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I appreciated the aesthetic of all the PVs--Ayu looks so good with brown hair. I want people to start receiving their physical copies so we can see if there's something hidden in the A ONE title after all.