I’m not asking anything of her, but that doesn’t mean I don’t hope for things. I’m just stating that she either doesn’t pay attention to recent trends, or she just doesn’t care. It wasn’t meant to be a negative, just an observation.

In the end, 23rd isn’t a commercial (on trend) song. If you’re into the 2007 era jpop songs, it’s a great track. If not, then maybe next time. For me, I prefer poppier songs and hope she returns to that sort of sound soon.

In terms of her deafness, I’d still hope that as a musician she still enjoys music and the music scene as much as she can… and it seems that for awhile she was uninspired by her own admission. Now that she’s stated that she’s back, I look forward to what she brings us.

^ Just out of curiosity: if it were up to you, what kind of trend or sound would you like Ayu to follow/inspire her?

Oh if I had my dream album I don’t know it it would necessarily be on trend lol, but it would be a sound Ayu hasn’t revisited in a while, which is the more dreamy, ethereal sounds of RAINBOW. A nice album to escape too, something that’s light and poppy. Colorful visuals. Heck she could even have a “nightmare” portion of the album if it’s a full dream concept.

We often get quite heavy albums / videos / visuals / lyrics from Ayu, and sometimes I don’t want that. You can still be very thoughtful and interesting and insightful while being happy or fun or light in sound. Fairyland is a rather deep song but sonically it’s poppy and light, for example.

I miss those sorts of sounds, so I long for them most I suppose.

Not this.
https://media.giphy.com/media/pqLVfj...zo6Q/giphy.gif

Or this.
https://media.giphy.com/media/eLpoB5...vJ2e/giphy.gif

But I am ok with this.
https://media.giphy.com/media/wIJ6JU...r8oo/giphy.gif

And this
https://media.giphy.com/media/5ZYCjG...Ixjz/giphy.gif

^please no. (Although I’ll take anything from her at this point lol)

Y.E.S

What I would really like is her to do more stripped down music at some point. I wouldn’t mind at all an album with less instruments and arrangements (yes, I’m looking at yuta nakano) in which she can focus more on her voice. I’m sure if she went to the slower-mid tempo route paired with her lower register, we could get some interesting creations here. On another side note, her over dramatic intonations could make this unlistenable too tho I’m thinking about rainbow (the song) while writing this, but Lana del rey’s recent style comes to mind as well.

I personally really don't want her to follow the trends. It would be worse than doing her signature sounds all over again for me. Yet, there is a whole world between doing this and relying on the same sounds again and again. I crave for something bold, new. I wish her and her whole team would explore new horizons, being creative and passionate again like they used to be during so many years. I hope this is definitely not behind her.

I don't have much to 'critique' 23rd Monster with, because at this point I was just thirsty for some fierce song with a cool-looking video, and I got them both :laugh

thank you for saying this. while I agree that her 'peak', whatever that means, was reached long before, I cannot help but look at Rock'n'Roll Circus with such marvel and fondness.

the whole medley style for Sexy little things—Microphone PVs? iconic. her LOOKS alone in these two videos are mind-blowing to 2010-me, even now. plus the concepts are so cool.

and, please, Don't look back? it's such a simple video but I still get chills. I love the song, and the video is so well done. the cheeky showing-only-one-side-of-the-face, the reveal of the disheveled side, her haunting devastated look, and the whole symbolism with the huge scratched up A BEST 2 -BLACK- poster behind her as she smiles sweetly throughout the video. this video is an MA thesis.

thank you for saying this :yes

I'll stop following her

I love Cardi B because she can have this unique style.

However, I love ayu because she has another style that fits her.

I prefer not to comment and just read, but i found this thread to be quite interesting and i enjoyed reading the many different perspectives of the members.

To stay on topic: I love the song, i’m a rock-ayu fan so i am biased but i really do enjoy it and think it’s one of the best she’s done recently.

But to comment on the grander and bigger topic regarding the artistic direction of Ayu, i’m just gonna be honest. She’s in a state where it’s impossible to please everybody.

If she sticks to what she knows best and her signature sounds. People will complain it’s nothing new and something they’ve already heard from her.

If she does branch out and try new and different things, people will still complain that she’s doing something that they’re not used to from her and that she’s abandoning her core style and sound. We’ve seen the reception to Party Queen, COLOURS and to some extent.. NEXT LEVEL. It would be a lie to say that I myself have also not liked some of her recent work and have been disappointed by the musical direction and lyrical content in comparison to what she’s put out previously.

But beyond all of that, I have no doubt in my heart that she is aware of those issues above and at this point, she really doesn’t care, she stopped caring about sales and relevance a long time ago and at this point she only cares about doing whatever feels good to her. And to be honest i respect her for that, she really has nothing to prove at this point and considering her health issues that are definitely affecting her creativity and performance (directly and indirectly).. i’m just happy she’s doing what she likes. Of course i do have my concerns and wish she would take it easier on herself. But i am just amazed at the level of dedication she continues to pour into her career, even when she’s recently given birth! regardless of her sound currently. I have an enormous respect for her as a person and as an artist and i will continue to follow her.