Your Love Songs reviews!!!
 

Try to write more than 2 lines ;)

Here is what I posted at another, non-Ayu website:

Are you on XTC or something?

In my opinion it's better than Rock'n'Roll Circus, perhaps better than Next Level, but it can't even come close to albums like Secret or My Story.

I'm sorry for not giving a full review but I can't even be bothered, I'm so disappointed in the new album tracks. I still absolutely love MOON, blossom, Last Angel and Virgin Road. Love Song and Sending Mail are growing on me, but the other new tracks are a complete disappointment to me.

^MTE.

like I said in the last topic, Last Songs pales against...pretty much every other album in her discography IMO. I wasn't that big on Rock n Roll Circus either, I hoped for more after I heard the epic-ness of Love Song @ BEST ARTIST 2010 and I liked crossroad + SEVEN DAYS WAR from the single. But when I listened to the entire album, I was disappointed. Even though I didn't like RnRC that much, I still might prefer it over Love Songs because it felt a bit more solid than this.
this bit be my least favorite of Ayu's, or 2nd to last.
*sigh* or maybe its because this just seems like a rush job to me.

I posted this on the other thread, but anyways, here is my review of the new songs of the album:

1. Love Song. It's a strong and powerful starting of the album, not as much as with Microphone, but it's a pretty cool song, with a lot of energy. mark: 9

2. Sending Mail: this was just such a surprise. I'm in love with this song, it reminds me of Malice Mizer. It has delicious arrangements and perfect voice. And kind of "vampiric" sound with those organs too.. mark: 9.5

3. Insomnia: it's a pretty interlude, but I prefered the other ones. mark: 7

4. Like a Doll. The first time I listened to it, I didn't like it as much as the rest of the album. But now that I've listened to it more times, I'm in love with it! 7.5

5. Aria. What a beatiful interlude! ^^ It's so sweet and peaceful, I love it! mark: 8

6. Thank U. This song is one of my favourites (maybe the most). It has the old ayu sound... it reminds me of the Memorial Address era with Angel's song, Greatful days,... and it's similar to Rainbow's "everlasting dream". The best voice on the whole album, it's like it was recorded 7 or 8 years ago. And the "lalala" will be so good for concerts... mark: 9.5

7. Overture: another beautiful interlude, as good as aria. mark: 8

8. Do it Again: I didn't watch the short version, so this was the first time I listened to the song. It has some kind of ballad/trance mix, I love it. And very good voice too. mark: 9

9. November: if you're going to listen to this song for the first time, please do it reading the lyrics. It's such a beautiful combination... and the ending sentence is so moving... good vocals and perfect arrangement! mark: 9

Mark for the whole album: 8.5 maybe? I can definitely say that this is better than Rock'n'Roll Circus, NEXT LEVEL, Guilty and Secret! (in my opinion, of course =P)

I hope you all will enjoy the album as much as I did!

I don't really feel like reviewing each track, all I can say after giving the album in full a few listens is this is the best album she has ever released, not even exaggerating here. The upbeat songs are seriously mind blowing, and the ballads are some of my favorites, even the INTERLUDES are amazing. Before anyone says I'm crazy like they did with the OP, please just deal with it.. people have different opinions.. just because they don't agree with you doesn't mean they're crazy.

I barely liked half the singles that were released and only a few album tracks stood out to me. I liked RnRC better :(

Why do I have the feeling that Love songs and Rock'n'Roll Circus will be compared like I Am... and RAINBOW usually are?

Btw, I think I'll wait to do a review until I have the album in hand and can listen with the Bose earphones. :D

I love this album! I have to say that this is one of her best! Her lyrics are especially strong in this album. My favorites are November, like a doll, love song and sending mail. I'm not really a huge fan of interludes, so I don't pay much attention to them... I only see the point of them in concerts,BUT insomia was pretty sweet. I feel like people who have gotten bored with ayu should give her a second chance with this album. I don't wan't to say it's abest album yet. however, it's defianty in the top five for me. YAY AYU!

Not sure yet. First few new songs I wasn't drawn to immediately but I did like Thank U, Do It Again, and November right away. I'll give it a week of listening before I decide.

Do It Again was very surprising to me. With everyone talking about lyrics "Dance Dance Dance, Do It Again X4" I expected a very upbeat, fun, dancey thing - more like Lady Dynamite but I like how different it turned out to be!

As of right now, November might be my favorite.

On a side note, her voice sounds very healthy in these songs! Very impressive!

RAINBOW was better than I am...
Love songs is better than RnR Circus

As simpe as that.

this album is so mediocre '-___-

i have loved every album in some way since my fanship since 2006,
but wtfff

1. Love song
this song, despite being tk, is sooo good. definitely the new microphone, I am so glad she is promoting the album with this.
9/10

2. crossroad
sigh, nice instrumental, nice verses, so so chorus
6.5/10

3. MOON
by far my favourite on the album. simply wonderful
9.5/10

4. Sending Mail
surprisingly grows on you quickly. i give tk a nod for this one
7.5/10

5. Last Angel
catchy but wth sounds so outdated to me
5.5/10

6. Insomnia
hrmmm i like, the same way i like disco munication
7.5/10

7. Like a doll
ugh... definitely not a keeper for me.
4/10

8. Aria
wow sounds custier in full. i'd rather play final fantasy?
2/10

9. blossom
finally a breath of fresh air. the chorus could be better
7.5/10

10. Thank U
she officially must stop making cute songs now. she has enough. i blame tk
2/10

11. Sweet Season
thank you again, non tk song. no shietty electro beats ftw
8/10

12. Overture
i like it!!
8/10

13. Do it again
hrmmm not bad, it'll grow on me the english is so annoying though
7/10.

14. November
honestly just terrible wtf
3.5/10

15. Virgin road
another crossroad story. but definitely not as catchy
6.5/10

16. SEVEN DAYS WAR
i like. another nod tk
7/10

honestly this album started great then someone started shieting on it
why does he keep making ugly choruses for songs...

i'm not dissappointed and everyone can be all like "oh you guys are so negative~~" LOL but honestly I'm being real these songs didn't stick with me and the whole I'm in a video game vibe from a good quarter from the songs may be all "old school ayu" but i just wanted good music and tk is a good example of kazu who wouldn't leave for a while. this whole time listening to it i felt so relieved when blossom or Sweet Season came on.

sorry but this album has got NOTHING on NEXT LEVEL or RnRC, and definitely not GUILTY (in terms of the recent albums)

The thing is ...I really like the first few seconds of instrumental of her new songs, but then....it goes down hill from there.
The only song I can listen to in full aside from the singles is Sending Mail.

Really, this album is just not my taste at all.

I love the whole album except Thank U which is... okay but nothing special at all. do it again is amazing but I'm afraid not amazing enough to make me sit through 16 do it agains at the beginning very often. The singles were fantastic, amazing etc. I loved all three interludes. Then my favourite album tracks... November <3 Like a doll <3

Only complaint I have is it feels like there wasn't enough new tracks. But that's just cause she always only has 4 single tracks lately and this time there's more. And they're awesome anyway.

# Love song is a nice song, and probably one of the best non-single tracks from this album. I like how powerful this song is. ^^ It goes on and on with that effect that tells you that the refren will probably 'explode' soon.
# crossroad I like it.
# MOON I like it.
# sending mail another song with the "strong" effect, it might grow on me later, as for now, I just enjoy it.
# Last angel the best one, definitely, I love it! :3
# insomnia Ayu has got better interludes, this one is just plain.
# Like a doll I think I have just realized that I cannot stand anymore Ayu's 'english'. I mean, that is just irritating, the other parts aren't that bad. I'd like to remove the "Like a droll" part and enjoy the rest of the song...
# aria better than "insomnia". I like the violins.
# blossom I like it.
# Thank U it reminds me of ANGEL'S SONG so much! I can imagine Ayu singing this at the end of some concert. However, it makes me impatient and I just can't force myself to listen to it till the end. It's just a clone of "HONEY" and other well-know cute songs that she still uses as a space-filler and as an excuse to not sing more required songs.
# Sweet Season I liked the song after I had watched the PV : )
# overture the same as for "aria".
# do it again the worst song on the album, and it's got the worst possible refren in Ayu's discography. At first, I liked beginning and I thought: "OMG, another epic Ayu song with piano" and then she started singing in awful engrish and I was shocked. I mean, the refren consists of "sing sing sing, do it again, do it again, dance, dance..." o_o It sounds unbelievable stupid.
# November boring - howerer, it's got a potential to grow on me later even though I sincerely doubt it.
# Virgin Road still boring and too long for me, but I find it ok to say at least.


Good points:
-the inner covers that remind me of A BALLADS (even though they don't have any winterish theme)... I like them more than the RnRC's covers.
-interesting tracklist
-good single tracks & PVs with 'to be continued" story.

Bad points:
-unoriginal title of the album
-the album is filled with single tracks, which is kinda bad because non-single tracks are not impressive and some of them have even repetitious melodies and that brings us to already mentioned theory that there is not enough originality or improvement with this album. A bit rushed out in time for Christmas, ne?

NEXT LEVEL & Rock'n'Roll Circus > Love songs

I really like "Love songs" as an album. Still I did decide to listen to 'MY STORY', when I went shopping today, even though I already had 'Love songs' on my MP3-Player, LOL ^o^

I will review it tomorrow or so but I can see that it is my new favourite Ayu Album, next to NEXT LEVEL. I know you are judging me now, but I usually listen to Idol Groups so my taste is probably different from people that listen to Kuu etc. etc. lol

I'm so accustomed to the sound of 90's TK because of being raised in a culture that loved his music at the time. For me, this is definitely one of the better Ayu albums recently and not because the melodies of each song is so memorable. I love deciphering the arrangement that is used for each individual and trying to listen to background lines rather than only Ayu singing.

Yeah, the TK-ness is soooo big lol But I like it, because it's moving Ayu away from the formula she's been in...and it's so much better than the crap she put in NL, like Energize.

Sending Mail
Yeah...sending mail needs to choose a tempo and a vocal style and just keep with it. I don't like her vocals in the verses at all.
I like the part right after the first verses, right before the chorus. Theres two notes where it's just awesome. Makes the whole song better lol
As much as I probably won't listen to this song, because it IS messy...composition is all over the damn place, I think it will be MUCH better live....if she can keep her vocals strong for it.
That ending was REALLY unnecessary and out of place though lol

Insomnia
Love it. This is going to be soooo cool live. Please dont ruin it's potential ayu!

Like a Doll
Wow, this composition at the beginning is so perfect for the song title. Oh, upbeat now okay. Her saying "Like a doll" is so annoying lol Please stop speaking in english.
oh interesting arrangement stuff happening....
So, at this point in the album, this is my favorite song.

Aria
very pretty. and it's happy....which, it probably should be, and is supposed to be, but somehow after like a doll, I feel like it should be darker lol
Wow the ending chaos is wonderful!

Thank U
Beginning is pretty. I like the arrangement here, the strings with the electro thing....and then ew, she built it up into a sunrise thing. Gross. Is this seriously a full song. Oh hello cute ayu voice and horrible vibrato. I really HATE that build up sound that goes into the chorus....but oh well. I guess this is a pretty, and happy, song....but it really feels like one big interlude to me, and it's really cliche.

It's soo ayu though lol I imagine this to be in the encore section at concerts. If it's anywhere else I'll go up on stage and protest.

Overture
pretty openings she's got on this album. Oh I love the little stuff happening in the background. Very nicely composed little orchestra piece.

Do It Again
omg ambitious beginning that is awesome. DANCE DANCE DANCE DO IT AGAIN lol As cliche and unoriginal as this is...it's building up REALLY nicely.
This is one of the best songs on the album, easily. I'm tying it with Love Song actually. I cant wait to see this live. I don't really know how I feel about the song taking this turn after the bridge.
Interesting stuff happening in the arrangement again~ cool. Nice backing vocals.
I really like how they blend the electro bits with all the strings in this album, it's very nice.
There's a little too much happening for me here towards the end...everything is getting lost in itself...but maybe thats what they want.
Very good song.

November
Oh pretty instruments at the beginning! omg yes using stuff she hasnt used before. Nice little composition here in the verses. I like this song because, it's like, "bare" and it's got serious personality lol
It's got one of the better compositions in the whole album too. I LOVE IT omg. I love the instrumental parts...arent they cute? They make me feel like I'm walking through a forest on a journey in a video game lol

Her vocals are interesting towards the end of the song. She gets really into it. This is a good song, and it's going to be amazing live too.


So...I still don't feel like this compares to a lot of her stuff, but I think it is a good album. I give it an 8/10.

The songs all blend together really nicely, and I feel like the feelings that she wanted to portray get expressed really well, both in the individual songs, and in the album as a whole.

The covers for this album are sooo fitting too lol

I don't know if this album is better than RnRC...or NL...but...meh, I dont really want to think about it. I'll figure it out later.

@ emiko - I pretty much forget that Thank U is part of the album actually...I think I would prefer the song more if it was the speculated Ayu solo version of THX A LOT lol.

For me, I'm still...not sure.

I felt that listening to most of the tracks, especially sending mail and like a doll that it wasn't complete. I really felt like "Oh my god It's about to be SOOO COOOL" And then it was like "um...ok?" Something was missing to make the songs totally awesome. I feel that there was such strong potential and it just failed.....

My favorite track is Do it again by FAR. IT has the potential to be one of my favorite Ayu songs ever. It is so EPIC and I don't mind the English. Say it's awful, but I listen to Namie on a regular basis. The girl is queen of ENGRISH, so it almost sounds normal LOL.

Overall, this album is very very very very forgettable. Disappointing. What's even worse is I found the album tracks to be a lot better than single tracks. I didn't like any of the single tracks but Last Angel.

IDK I MAY CHANGE MY MIND! I DID WITH CROSSROAD!

@Kogepan: I wish it was just a bonus song lol

@Kashoku: I kind of feel like there is something missing from the songs that is stopping them from being awesome...but then, idk, it's hard to say.

I definitely like the album tracks over the single tracks though as well.

The singles have been not great at all.

I don't feel like writing out long reviews, but I'll just say that I love every single track (big surprise for me).

I know what's gonna be on repeat for the next week or more...lol

I get what you're saying completely. Get the feeling with pretty much all the TK compositions (besides crossroad, SDW, and Virgin Road). I do enjoy the songs, but yeah I know what you mean...

That's exactly how I felt with every single new song on R'n'R, minus Microphone.

I'm not surprised. For me many of her recent songs from 2008~Current had potential (nice verse and build up + awesome instrumental) but for some reasons Ayu just did not ace it (songs just fall flat towards the end)

Some examples:

Name / Reason for fail

Curtain Call - Had potential to be as awesome as jewel, but too repetitive
Microphone - Cool chorus and bridge, but what was she mumbling/murmuring about during the verses? :|
Don't Look Back - She really missed this big chance as she made it TOO repetitive
Meaning of Love - Nice title but sounds like a filler track
Blossom - Awesome chorus but verses = fail, and abit too repetitive.

I cant review each track so fast, but what I know is.. this album is so emotional, strong and awsome I started to cry. I feel every inch of the album. *keepsoncrying*

^you could add a lot of NEXT LEVEL songs with that list too for me.
And I think Curtain Call was never meant to be another JEWEL. I found it interesting that it had no chorus and it was really kinda like...idk how to describe the structure but yea, it was cool.
blossom is amazing actually..lol. the soft and hard are all in this song. and Microphone..wel, the verses may have been a lil anticlimatic but the progression is still there. and making a full blown out rck song may have beem disastrous for the listener (and most here are probably gonna call it noisy and messy)

lol..i see a lot of disappointment in this thread.
whats the general reason?
-doesnt like single tracks?
-album tracks didnt live up EVEN better?

Disagree with Microphone and blossom. They are both perfect on their own!

It is the repetition that really makes Don't Look Back for me. But the same can be said for the new album, imo. It seems to communicate sadness and emptiness in a way...

I don't mean JEWEL ll, but because both uses piano and Curtain Call seemed so....empty compared to JEWEL, and not to mention the pv (urrghh complete Pride rip off >< )

Blossom, yeah it's amazing but I have to emphasize that it was too repetitive and lack the element of suprise. And microphone for me I don't really like any smooth progression from verses to chorus..very abrupt. Listen to Show Me Love (not a dream) by Utada, it's not a full blown rock track but the whole song flows like a masterpiece.

I see. However it does't really work well for me because I kept hearing the same thing over and over again. The instrumental (esp. the bridge) was awesome, so it's quite a waste imo.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____

Anyway imo I must say Do It Again is considered the breakthough song of this album. I enjoyed the whole 5:52 of it and it's definitely something new Ayu had put out in a longggg while. Sending Mail, THANK U and Like a doll was okay and it seems like November will be the only filler track in the album. Overall Love Songs is a great album with quality single (except blossom) and album tracks, and I don't really place much emphasis on interludes but they were great so yeah :D

I'm actually surprised that not more people like this album. First listen through and I was just just so amazingly touched in a way that one of my top favorite albums NEXT LEVEL even couldn't do. I already loved the singles (minus Sweet Season, which is still a weak link in the album for me). I won't do a track by track review, but the new songs are amazing. I already loved "do it again" and now I also really love "sending mail" and "Thank U". "Like A Doll" was a little messy for me but still really charming in its way. And the interludes are her best in a really long time.

I've realized since Secret that my tastes in her albums tend to alternate years. Loved Secret, did not like GUILTY, loved NEXT LEVEL, was underwhelmed with RnRC, and was expecting that I would also like this album based on the singles, and I was right. This is probably the absolute most cohesive album I've heard from her since her earlier years.

Oh well, it's not everyone's cup of tea. I do think it's an amazing album though.

I'm not marking yet because I think it is too early for me to do that! Not doing interludes because I tend not to listen to them until I get the physical album and can listen to the whole thing through. I had quite high hopes, then I put them down a bit in case I was disappointed

Love Song. Really love the fresh sound and use of strong verse and chorus. Like the different use of verse and chorus that isn't exactly standard. Great lyrics, been listening on repeat until the rest of the album leaked!

Crossroad: I loved this since the single release and still listen regularly. A good, solid Ayu song

MOON: A beautiful Ayu ballad. I feel the singles this time have had the solid standard Ayu tracks with a slight fresh, new feeling to them and they have all come together with the new album tracks which I love.

sending mail: The tempo is this is amazing! I love it! Music is wonderful and builds up. Wonderful lyrics again but not what I expected from having read the lyrics in advance!

Last angel: I love love love this! So unexpected for me again. I love how Ayu is moving away from the typical verse, chorus, verse, chorus, repeat chorus, repeat chorus songs a bit more again. The whole album sounds like she was a lot more inspired recently, especially coming up with a new album so quickly

Like a Doll: Again, not expected but I think that is what I love. Love the beat and lyrics again. Such a catchy chorus with thoughtful verses. Refreshing change to marionette or my name's women which is what the title seemed to allude to (I love both of those songs, but something new is even better)

blossom: Not my favourite of the single tracks but I think that was because I was so in love with MOON instead! Still a good track nonetheless.

Thank U: Reminds me of catcher in the light a bit at the beginning, but I love that song! And yes, it is like replace and honey, but when I am in the right mood I like those songs a lot, so this is a nice happy song to have to balance everything on the album. I think I will love this come Spring...it has a Springy feel to it

Sweet Season: A good typical Ayu song. I like the kira kiras.

Do it Again: I do love the build up in this. Not so keen on the english, but it works with the song better than some of Ayu's other english parts. Loving the beat too!

November: Wasn't sure when I first heard the opening, but it flows into a wonderful song. I nearly cried reading the lyrics while listening. That last chorus is so beautiful and powerful.

Virgin Road: A lovely slow ballad from Ayu. I don't sound as enthusiastic about the single songs but I think that is because I have had longer with them and I enjoy them as and when I want, rather than listening greedily to them as I did when they were newer. I have all these album tracks to do that with now!

Seven Days War: I actually wanted this on the album as a bonus track. I like that this makes the album back to 16 tracks because some albums previously have felt a bit filler-y. The live version is a great addition. SDW sounds like an Ayu song. It fits with her voice well for a cover but I feel like she makes it her own and really poured her emotions into it for the seven day final of the tour. You can tell that she is on the verge of crying in the track which does affect her voice, but boosts her emotion- can't have everything!

Oh Ayu, I don't know why I doubt you every album because you have been on an up since Next Level. This is above NL, Secret and Guilty for me, probably RNRC too...Really didn't expect it! Overall an improved voice as well. Ayu just keeps pushing past what I expect! The instrumentation and melodies seem new rather than rehashed as some songs can sometimes feel. I don't listen and think "Oh, this is like such a song had a child with such a song" which is good I think. RNRC was a step up, and this is even better. I thought Ayu wouldn't get back up to such high standards that she had set herself with albums like MY STORY. The variety is good here, but it all still flows. The lyrics are uh-may-zing.

This is far longer than I ever intended! Oh dear >.< I just hope that lots of people get the beautiful feelings I have gotten from this album too :)

I have to disagree with you about Curtain call, any other song I think you'd be right but I think it's the repetitiveness that makes this song powerful. It's one of my favorite ballads!

I can't really make a review, so i won't haha..
but I really in love with the album, all the new songs in here are totally so unexpected!
specially " do it again", it's my most favorite track on this album!
the interludes flow perfectly with the next songs, it feels nice!
this album feels more like 80s-90s type of music..
i just love the album so much :)

Me too. Obviously you can't always please everyone (Ayu fans especially) but this album seems to have a lot of what many people have wanted to see from Ayu.
I don't really think it's right to judge an album straigh after listening to it either....but whatever.

hahahah..
everybody praised this album alot when the preview leaked,,
then complaining it to hell when full album leaked...
that's it,,,
always do the same thing on this forum,,
complaining,,,complaining,,complaining
lol,,,,
i enjoy this album,,

tough it's a weak album in my opinion,,
but it isnt that bad,,,

I agree! I love the cut back simplicity of it. I don't think it was meant to be as elborate as JEWEL at all, but I can see how it could annoy people. I can easily listen to one song all day for a week and still love it, but I know other people prefer variety, but different things for different people! :yes

I just hope this album does well because it feels like it deserves it. It feels like Ayu has really poured herself into this album as she used to. RNRC and NL had good songs, but not this cohesion and they didn't feel quite full of Ayu as she had previously done (to me anyway) Love Songs also has some of the most beautiful lyrical themes to date which may touch on previous songs and allude to them, but they don't feel as repetitive as some have before. Gah, I've rambled again! I hope someone actually manages to read all these posts!

Some people just aren't gonna like it, hon. :no

There's literally nothing Ayu can do about that. Which is why I'm glad she doesn't care.

strangely, I think this is my 2nd favorite album..... or maybe even first.
Seriously.
It has WONDERFUL flow.
The song transitions are great! (which is rare)
And she's trying styles she has never tried before!!!! "Like a Doll" has an R&B feel, and a lot of the songs have this cold piano tone.
I love it.
The songs aren't the typical Ayu song, in my opinion. I'm actually listening to the arrangement and the instruments as well as her voice, not just the beat... it's very good in that way.
I'll come back and write a song-by-song review later, once I give it a few more listens!
But the verdict is that she caught me off guard. Finally the versatile, changing, evolving Ayu.
AND NOT REHASHED. :)

haha bare with it dude~
it'll always be happen~~ not just with ayu i guess haha..
so just enjoy what u like..
coz i am!

its true though, people just come here to complain, 99% of the time.


I'm not gonna download and wait for my copy :love the reviews so far are interesting though

I don't get why people are so surprised, there's always going to be people who like it, and people who dont :shrug

I like the album, but I can most definitely see why people wouldnt like it.

And also, I think the type of album this is is a lot different from any album done since...idk...2003? lol

Definitely going to have people not used to it as well.

I think the previews...made the songs sound better than they are...but that's just because...element of, you dont know whats going to happen in the rest of the song.

BUT, I mean, I think the songs are great, so idk...just depends on what you like I guess.


Oh and yeah, Album tracks > Single tracks ;)

QFT

This album is really great!! Much much much better than RnRC! I'm so happy that Ayu put out this great work!!

haha people won't get any satisfaction from any of ayu's releases~~
they are either getting bored with ayu or just,... i don't really know~~

anyway, i really love the way ayu sang differently in each of the tracks..
we got to hear ayu's cute vocal..got the strong n bold vocal.. love it!

anyone else a little surprised at how high her voice is in a lot of these songs? sometimes it reminds me of her LOVEppears voice, but I do think it's stronger now. It's kind of stupid of me, but over the years I kind of got the idea that ayu's voice just wasn't able to get that high anymore lol.

All the album tracks sound like they should be in a RPG!! That is how I would summarise this album. It's her best since Secret for me. It's lacking that "perfection sheen", it's got that awkward messy feel of her older music. The songs also don't have such a clear structure on here! So many surprises. I love it. It's such a cohesive album in music and theme, nothing feels odd or out of place. It's great! It's not her best, but it's up there with her best for me so on my first listen.

Love song - 10/10, I love this song. It has everything I love in an Ayu song. Amazing.
crossroad - 10/10, loved it since the single. See above.
MOON - 7/10, didn't like it much on the single, still don't like it much. Works well here.
sending mail - 10/10, I love it! It's so... fresh sounding. I love the beginning of each verse, it sounds so... awesome? Chorus is so catchy too. I like how it all fills like everything is going on and on ontop of each other and is all confusing and chaotic. It's like all the unsent mail is just piling and piling up on her~ ♥
Last angel - 10/10, love it. Are we noticing a trend here?
insomnia - 4/5, This makes me think of dungeon crawling in Persona 3. I think this whole album feels very RPG actually, guess that's why I love it. Captures the feeling of insomnia perfectly. That nervous, edgy emotion. I knocked a point off as it doesn't really go anywhere and... I will skip haha
like a doll - 9.5/10, adorable beginning!! Kyaa! I'm so glad that musically this isn't Marionette ~part II~. It makes me think of music boxes and frilly little dolls in dresses and pink~ I...I...I LOVE IT. All these songs have an amazing beginnings to their verses.
Aria - 4/5, more songs I want to hear in a RPG. This is town music. You know, that cute little country village and then you run into one of those big hills with flowers blowing and general happiness.
blossom - 8/10, really really like this one. This is definitely the "remnant from the old album" song alongside MOON, it DOES fit, it just feels...so different. I guess this and MOON involve typical Ayu guitar at some point, that's missing in the other songs. Make sense? It works here though, it's got that happiness that Aria had.
Thank U - 8/10, I like it, it's the laid back not overly emotional version of MY ALL and its friends. It's got that same feeling as NEXT LEVEL, just not so forced and formulaic, sans the la la la's I feel it will grow on me
Sweet season 2/10 - I tried so hard to like it more. I've listened to this song in full twice - once with the PV, and once with the single. I will not try again. I can't make it through the whole song. It just... annoys me for some unknown reason. One day I may be able to like it, but...ugh no.
overture 4/5, lol more video game music. Love it.
do it again - 8/10, Ayu, we know your English is better than it is in this song!! MY least favourite of the new songs. It feels kinda...repetitive? I don't know.
November - 9.5/10, I LOVE THE BEGINNING. I LOVE THE MUSIC. I WANT AN INSTRUMENTAL OF THIS RIGHT NOW. I love that...whatever it is around 2:07 that goes until 2:25, it's at the beginning too. It's so...so... just love it. Rest is just great, not LOVE LOVE. Haha This will be a grower.
Virgin Road - 10/10, EPIC NON WINTER BALLAD. YES. I'll play it at my wedding Ayu!! Haha. Or not.
SEVEN DAYS WAR 10/10 - Unbelievably happy this made the album. I love love love it. Live version is awesome.

9/10 one of her best albums!!

oh wow I love how she sings November!! Her voice is totally awesome in it! So much emotion!

Did anybody notice the eerie scream/howl right before the final chorus in 'November'?

isn't November one of Mannie's favorites? lol I can't remember which ones he said he liked best x)

finally, a new ayu album!! it feels so long since RocknRoll Circus :tipsy

1. Love Song - i love this song! its so good, i love the chorus melody so much, its like past ayumi. simple but nice. im not a big fan of the bridge however because of the temporary key change - 9/10

2. crossroad - not my favourite song, its just ok. sounds very old like a song from 1980-1990.. - 6/10

3. moon - worst song on the album.. :headache i hate the chorus so much, its so noisy and badly arranged. shes trying too hard to be sad and angry - 3/10

4. sending mail - :dead2 so SO good!!!! i love how fast it is and how challenging it sounds, i love this new style of music ayu uses in sending mail and last angel - 9/10

5. last angel - love the arrangements so much, good song! reminds me of until that day but more melodic - 8/10

6. insomnia - very cute but too simple and sounds like its made by someone who just learned how to use music software - 6/10

7. like a doll - new style of music again!!! omg im so glad she finally is changing her sound for real! this, sending mail and last angel sound like theyre from the same family. very good song too! - 8/10

8. aria - very nice music, i love it so much - 9/10

9. blossom - starts off amazing for a few seconds then all the old sounding instruments come and make the song sound like its from 1995-2005... - 6/10

10. Thank U - its very cute but too repetitive and too long for my liking and the beats make it less special, i really love the la la la parts - 7/10

11. sweet season - i like this song a lot it reminds me of the memorial address album for some reason - 8/10

12. overture - so pretty!!!!! - 10/10

13. do it again - this is a very moody pop/rock song that sounds like it will fit better in rocknroll circus, its still a great song though. its very strong, memorable and sounds very ayu - 8/10

14. November - a pleasant pop song, im not in love with it, but towards the end it does pick up and turns much mroe interesting - 7/10

15. Virgin Road - one of the best ayu songs ever, its such a beautiful ballad, its like all of alan's best ballads mixed together by ayu!! - 10/10

16. seven days war - a bit boring and i dont like the arrangements, they sound extremely cheap and old - 5/10

overall - Moon crossroad and blossom ruin the album.:headache love songs is her best work in so many years, i love shes taking chances and trying out new things, but songs like moon are just ayu rehashing old sounds.. those three tracks doesnt show progression in her music..

her new music however, is AMAZING and easily some of her most creative and best work to date!!

i wish she never released moon/blossom and crossroad singles, because they held her back. if she took a break in that time and then build up promo for her first triple-A maxi single L, the single could have been a very big success and the album will do super well because of it.

now i think the album will struggle to do 250k, and thats so sad since its one of her best work to date!

oh yes! talking about high-pitch!
i'm surprised that she still has that kind of high-pitch..like in "Thank U".. that's so HIGH!! n i love the current high-pitch vocal coz it's not just randomly high pitch, she just got it in the right technique, i guess?

I actually think this album is her best in years. I've liked all of her releases so far, but everything from Secret up to RnRC (which I REALLY liked) did not feel as honed, polished, focused, and INTENSE as this. Not all the way through, at least. Not even GUILTY! The track list flows, the interludes aren't just slapdash thrown in useless features of music -- they're intricate and curious, they stand out and yet act as bridges between songs. I'm more than halfway through the album and I have yet to find my attention straying for a moment.

Whatever it is that Ayu's done with Love songs, she hit on something golden and this song is so refreshing. Her discography needed this ******* album.

I think he said "November" and "sending mail"
tbh I think she wrote the lyrics to November while having Mannie in mind.

yeah I agree. it's high but not so much that it hurts my ears like it used to.

it's also my very first time to ever like the interludes in an album so much!
and i can't believe i'm looping this whole album over and over again now.. everything just flows so perfectly :) where i could never really do it with the previous albums, except for RnRC though..

aww November, there's little romance between ayu and mannie in a month time in LA..how sweet~~

I love this album which is an epic though the style is totally different than ever. Album tracks, the fluence of song and ayu's voice give me a lot of suprise. Also each new album songs is amazing~~~OMG!!!!ayu is best!!!!!! thank ayu give us this X'mas gift

Love song 10/10

Sending Mail 9.5/10

Like a Doll 9.5/10

THANK U 9/10

do it again 10/10

Novermber 10/10

I also just noticed something -- this may be one of the first Ayu albums to AVOID having those summer/winter trope songs. And you know what? THE ALBUM IS BETTER OFF WITHOUT THEM.

Does that mean I don't like summer songs and winter ballads? Of course not. I love those songs. But the fact that their absence doesn't take anything away from the enjoyment of the album says to me that Ayu is (1) taking a risk, creatively, by not throwing them in and (2) is probably happy to do without them, after all these years.

MOON / blossom may have been released in the summer, but neither track really feel like a summer song to me. Nor did any of the songs on L, not even Sweet Season. Maybe if you want to get technical, Sweet Season could have been her belated summer song, but it doesn't feel like the poppy, dance-y kind that all the summer song predecessors have been, you know? There's definitely a pattern with summer songs, and this year Ayu did without them. In fact, this entire album makes me think of a warm, spring breeze... which is a fascinating feeling to conjure up in every single song, considering this album is an Xmas gift to us fans, and it's being released in the cold cold cold wintertime :3 (for us in the northern hemisphere lol)

What's most impressive to me about this album is that while recording songs that sound unlike anything she's done in the past, they're still 100% Ayu and that feeling never wavers through the album. I also like the fact that she regressed a bit in her vocal style, but with a more mature feel. She sings in higher keys without it being grating.

For the people who don't like Sweet Season so much, I recommend you read this scanlation provided by the one and only Misa-chan and then listen to the song while reading the lyrics! It definitely changed my perspective.

I had the same feeling. This is pure Ayu, this album -- and yet it's so different! It's so new! The only thing I can think of, as a comparison, is how Dir en grey's "Uroboros" album is so UNIQUE and fascinatingly complex for them as a band, and for music in general -- and yet it's an album that is quintessentially Dir en grey. Love songs is Ayu's Uroboros, in that it's unique and intriguing, but it's not a ridiculous departure that makes it feel forced, risky, or even a flop.

^you know what, though I havent heard the album proper, but I think...I get what you mean by emotion. But to each individual, emotions can feel different. It's something so varied And intangible. For me, her most emotional albums were GUILTY, Rock'n'Roll Circus, Duty, Secret...there's something very raw in these albums altogether.

While, I really don't sense more emotion in NEXT LEVEL than in GUILTY haha..

And I have to disagree about songs in L not having the special touch. yes Sweet Season may be plain and simple, Last angel may be full of orchestra and electro (somewhat), Virgin Road is one of her more endearing and emotional ballads imo.

Love how this album has such varied opinions Hahah...not gonna judge it yet because I still don't know what to expect!

I like the album, but most of the songs sounded the same: mellow or ballad-y. I kinda feel like the only songs that stuck out to me were Sending mail and Love song and do it again; the interludes were nice too. But then again, I was listening to them while on a plane flight with only 4 hours of sleep and slept through the album. LOL. fail. Lyrically the album's great though. :D Interested in seeing the full versions of the PVs.

I'm too lazy to write a full review.

When Rock'n'Roll Circus came out I thought it was one of her best but when the anticipation and excitement died down, I thought there's really nothing new and it's not as special as I thought it was and well I don't listen to it anymore. Anyway what I'm saying is I might say that I adore Love songs now but after a month who knew, I might think it's a disaster so as of now here's what I think.

It's really great and I love it. Each track is unique yet the album is cohesive.

I love the interludes.

THANK U is probably the most repetitive song I've ever heard. It's like one long interlude.

I'll give it a month and most of you won't be as nice about the album.
Every new Ayu album is always OMG AMAZING for the first few weeks.

^ I will, but I'm not nitpicky and overly critical like a lot of the people here. Plus this album has really touched me...

Anyway, I can see this is an album people are either going to find really boring and bland, or something new and wonderful.

That never really happens with me. If I love it at first, I'll usually stay loving it and thinking it's amazing.

Arent u guys giving too high notes?.
I mean, its been about 20 hours since we have the album.... I understand if u love some songs, but giving them a 10 is a too much. In my opinion is necesary to listen about one month to an album to discover if you really like it. Im quite disappointed with the album, but i won't be giving any 0 until i have listened to it more times

And isn't 0 very drastic either?

And yea, EVERY new release is gonna face the same fate. There's nothing wrong with falling in love head over heels over a track now and gradually losing the like for it because either you've gotten sick or it, or that there is new music. And it ALWAYS happens. Be it album or artiste. It's just how long this love will last. If you don't even bother giving it a good listen on the first time then...in one months time, you would have deemed you didnt like it in the first place.

I created a thread in the chartroom. Whether old songs have caught up to members' likings. It proves that clearly you can still hate it over the next month and in a few years, then only you may start liking the track. Vice versa - loving it in 1 months time After deciding you like it then losing the like after the next few years. So, while some can say, "don't be too quick to say you like it", I will say "don't be too quick to dislike and hate it either"

And lol Heavenly_Zerase, you seem deemed to give songs 0 after listening to it more.

Please realize that this is MY interpretation of what I'm hearing and reading, and it may or may not be "accurate" of what the album really is.
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Today Ayumi's Love songs album finally leaked! It was love at first listen (lol), and I must have played the whole album three times over. Then I decided I would gather up the English lyric translations, print them out, and then listen to the album while reading the lyrics.

I already thought that the songs were quite emotional and touching from the *sound* alone, but--wow--reading the lyrics *with* the music...This is such an emotional and meaningful album. I admit that this may be due in large part to the fact that I find the songs "speak" to me at my current place in life. A couple of years ago, I lost a person/relationship and have spent the time since making many changes and growing personally. I even tried to convince myself for a long time that perhaps I had never really loved this person, but that was just a way of distraction. (This is probably why "like a doll" is my absolute favorite track on this album. wow!)

In the end, I'd have to say that this album was a great big hug and a gentle push from Ayu.

So while this is a review of the album, I will quote lyrics that really stood out to me. I highly recommend listening to the songs and reading the lyrics, if you can. Someone (kogepan?) mentioned that TK is quite purposeful with his music, and that really shows as you read along.

1) Love song - She's telling us that she can't compromise on love, dreams, and music, so what is it we can't live without? (0:44) "Life is boring if you don't have anything that you can't compromise on". If we don't know what we must have, how can we guard it? (0:52) "Do you have anything you want to protect?" I love all of the questions she poses to us. (3:25) "Can you become honest? Why won't the tears stop?"

2) crossroad - The music at the beginning is a bit formal and elegant (imo), and switches ("I wonder if I made the right choice) for the questions (0:40). Then "I'm still going forward"~ the music switches to a hopeful, rising (imo) sound (0:59). Finally, a more steady sound (1:09) "pretending to be strong to not get hurt..." So beautiful...

3) MOON - I can't help but think of the pv when listening to this song as it fits so well with the song. Sad memories that won't leave her alone... (1:20) "I thought I'd be able to forget you" (2:06) "Please don't ask me anymore..."do you love me?". No wonder she cries so much in the pv! A song of regrets and sad memories...

4) Sending Mail - This song, after listening closely, reminds a bit of Malize Mizer with the dark vocals and music at the beginning (0:20) "The sun has left me again today", the organs (0:33) "I hate myself when I'm like this". She still has regrets and wishes she could change things...She wants to write an email but keeps erasing it....eventually not sending it at all.

5) Last Angel - This song sounds like it could be the message she wanted to write in Sending Mail. It's like the last wishes and words before moving on. (1:08) "I believe you can hear me, I want to tell you" (1:22) "This bell sound announcing the end bear no sad tone at all." Even though she wishes things had been different, she is ready to move forward. (1:49) "I don't regret or look back anymore, it's the only way for me to go forward."

6) Insomnia - A dark and slightly creepy interlude...I really love this..It makes me feel a bit alone, like in a haunted house. lol

Here the tone changes from her regrets to almost as if she is admonishing and giving someone advice to move on.

7) Like A Doll - The music here is like Eurythmics and Kanon Wakeshima had a child song together. I LOVE IT! The somewhat stately, clockwork feel goes completely with the concept of a person locking their heart up and trying to live while ignoring their emotions (much like the guy in crossroad--to not be hurt, he pretended to be strong). (1:31) "Forgetting what is love, forgetting what is respect" (1:54) "If you ignore all your feelings, you won't feel hurt" It's almost like she's begging for the person to realize what is happening. (2:03) "but you won't feel any happiness either" (3:33) "Don't live like you are dead"

Basically this song is part of that "gentle push" I mentioned. :yes

8) Aria - A very sweet, achingly beautiful interlude. All of the interludes on this album are terrific, imo. Honestly, it sounds a bit like an intermission in a conversation because Ayu continues her little talk from Like A Doll into blossom.

9) blossom - [I have not seen the blossom pv, so I'm not even considering it here.] (0:17) "Within your heart, you've actually been crying for awhile, haven't you?" blossom, imo, is Like A Doll ~part 2~. (0:43) "I'm sure it was your sweet lie and the pretension to be strong with all your might" (1:10) "we started to talk and we don't need a reason for that" (1:19) "we certainly know at least that we are simply OK, we are OK now" Basically, this song is saying, "You've been hiding your pain, and it's difficult, but we can move forward together."

Here's a little break in all the seriousness...

10) Thank U - I don't know when this song was written, but...I want to say that while RED LINE may have been for TA, I think that Thank U might be for the US/overseas fans. (0:57) "Today was another day we shared precious moments together, you just being yourself made me happy" (1:19) "I want to say Thank U for everything" I could be completely wrong...That's just the feeling I get from the song, especially since you have to know this song is perfect audience singing material at concerts. It sounds like something she might say to her fans.

11) Sweet Season - I don't dislike this track at all...Some have said it reminds them of 70's era light pop, and I like that type of music (lol). The lyrics are very sweet, and I kind of wonder how it relates to the ending of the music video. I love the tracing of time and love with the seasons. (2:21) "In the winter days, when our fingertips were trembling in the freezing cold/We warmed each other's hearts, didn't we?"

12) Overture - I've said it before, but this song reminds me of a sci-fi theme, particularly Stargate SG-1 (in spots XD). It's a dramatic interlude to prepare us for a dramatic song...

And we transition back to Ayu talking to that someone...

13) Do It Again - I think the "dance" and "sing" parts here refer back to Like A Doll (Like A Doll's music gave me a picture of a ballet type doll dancing.) This is my third favorite song...I'm not certain, but it seems like Ayu might be referencing the song, Naturally, with (1:28) "'What's sad is giving up' That hasn't changed one bit". [She could just as easily be referencing earlier songs in this album though.] She then says, (1:40) [paraphrasing] "not only that, but it's even more true now!" The part that leaped out at me was (2:49) "'Letting go is also courage' That is something we know as we become adults" Again, the talk of growing up and also remembering our important dreams (as she talks about in Love song). I think in this song Ayu is again talking about moving forward and growing with the "dance" and "sing". Don't stay still and give up--dance and sing!

To point out a little music bit, check (3:13) "what would the you now [do], think about this..." and then the music hesitates, almost as if to give you a moment right now to think.

14) November - Ok, second favorite song on the album, and the one that turned on the waterworks for me. I know people are saying this is about Mannie, but I'm not so sure of that. It retains the feel of Ayu trying to help someone. This time she is saying to not be afraid of taking a risk to find love again. The "we" she talks about--(0:55) "but we often can't find the right one"--sounds more like a general "we as people" and not "we as in some guy & I". (1:13) "though we believe, we are so afraid of being hurt that we walk past each other and continue on".

There are three choruses in this song, each one having the same first three lines [except for the last chorus] but different last two lines. It's really a very sweet picture of Ayu wishing to comfort someone and help them move forward. The first two lines (1:31 & 3:38), "If I could grow one wing, so that I could fly freely in the sky like a bird, I would gently land aflutter your shoulder". The last line in the first chorus, (1:58) "And fall asleep, while whispering to you about love". The last line in the second chorus, (4:05) "And let the tears which I have been holding back fall". The last two lines of the third chorus, (4:41) "I want to give you both of these wings so that you can fly to the place you want to go." IMO, the chorus music really does give a feel of flying.

15) Virgin Road - I think someone said this song is about Ayu's mom? It really does sound like it, imo. Ayu's saying that even though she & her mom had some rough times, now Ayu can finally say thank you to her. (Can someone remind me if A Song for xx was written about her mother? Might be interesting to compare the two songs.)

Coming from listening to November, now Virgin Road has switched to first person. (1:47) "I met a person who said, 'I love you and want to protect you.' We start to walk together now." Again the reference to walking together, going forward. It's like a fulfillment of November.

Then (4:23) "I feel that the person you once met and love is somehow like the person I love". I think the sweet part of this song is the fact she reviews her relationship with her mother [I suppose?], thanks her, and then tells her mom that she has now found someone else who loves her. Not only that, this person is like someone her mother once loved (Ayu's father?).
Even if it isn't Ayu's mother, it's definitely someone she looks up to. It's like "Thank you for all the love and support, but now I have someone else who loves me too."

16) SEVEN DAYS WAR - Another great song, I'm so glad that Ayu covered it. It really does fit with the theme of this album of healing and growing up. (0:54) "I don't want to destroy everything, I just want to search for something" (5:07) "Seven days war, I'll fight so I can just be myself" It's almost like a last notes of "I'm moving on, here I go, I'm fighting."

(thank you tenshi no hane and masa for your lyric posts!!)

:tired I REALLY like this album apparently because usually all I can say is a few sentences about this kind of thing.

And if you read all of this, then have a cookie. :shakehead And some sleep.

Adding: The first part of the album is Ayu talking in first person, the second part is Ayu talking in third person. I think it's possible that she is talking to herself in this second section. Then the third section of [seemingly] unrelated songs, and the last second of first person Ayu again. Maybe this album is a bit autobiographical? *shrug*

lumieregrl, WOWWWW ur review is AWESOMEEE!!
it makes me love the album even more!!!
i can't stop looping the whole album now... thanks so much for the review!

I must agree with those who think the album flows well, because it REALLY does.

Cohesively as an album, this is one of her best studio albums in her career; the sound shifts from one track to another, each being individually great yet still part of a whole. That's a hard line to walk—shifting sounds too drastically to make for a varied album or not shifting enough to make a bland album—but she pulls off being able to create different songs which all work well together.

Overall, my favorite stand out album tracks are "Love Song," "Sending mail," and "November." Her single tracks were all very strong; added with these album tracks and a few really well-placed instrumentals and you have arguably the easiest flowing album. (For the record, I felt GIRL NEXT DOOR's debut album was great with the non-stop feel, but "Love Songs" totally dusts its butt.)

"Like a doll" feels like she dropped the ball there for a little while, since this is my weakest track on the album (even more than "Sweet Season," if you're wondering), but even the weakest song on the album offers something we haven't really seen before. I don't know what, but something separates this album from the rest of the lineup.

In response to the "lack of album ballads," we didn't need any to begin with. I think we've had enough single ballads (MOON, crossroad, SEVEN DAYS WAR, Virgin Road, and Sweet Season) to make up for any album ballads we may have encountered. I think it was smart of her not to include any ballad-ish album tracks because those would have made the album bland.

And to be quite honest, until I read Komuro Tetsuya composed most of this album, he was the furthest thing from my mind; kudos to him because he has this distinct sound one can't really take their ears off from even if they wanted to, and he was able to break out of that for the most part. (What I mean is most of his compositions could be seen as just revamps of his older material or one could very well replace vocals with other TK-related artists and would basically sound the same. I think Ayu's work here is actually unique without too much TK-flair.)

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Wow, following lumieregrl makes me feel not too bright. Haha. I didn't do what she did, but rather went off of sound alone. Maybe when I read the full translations of these songs rather than pull from the song directly as much as I can, the review will become better. Hahaha.

I don't like Thank U with all its lalala's, but I love the other album tracks :heart

like a doll + do it again are my favorites, but November and sending mail are really good as well <3

I'm happy I like them, because I wasn't expecting much at first XD

The tracks are a bit repetitive but I think it's not that bad if you actually know Japanese (or at least read a translation).

And, the lyrics are beautiful <3

November's arrangement reminds me of a Final Fantasy tune though XD I just can't remember which

And insomnia's first 15 seconds instantly reminded me of tune played in FFX-2 when you meet Shuyin in that cave (I'm not saying it's ripped off or anything, it's just interesting to me)

I actually had the opposite reaction, I can hear TK's influence distinctively throughout this album. I would only classify his mid 90s produced singles as sounding similar, but his album work has always been quite varied and experimental I've thought. Watching the PV short versions, I didn't know that basically all of the album tracks were done by him but as I listened I though, "OK, so she must have used TK some more." :) Because it really doesn't sound like the kind of material the composers that she usually uses would put out.

I'm going to hold off on giving my album review yet as I want to give the tracks sometime to settle in first. But I can already say that overall on first listen I have a stronger reaction to it than I did to my first listens of Next Level and RNRC.

You're officially AWESOME lol


About the ratings...I mean, no offense to people and their opinions, but I do have a hard time seeing this as the best album she's ever had...

but whatever. If people believe that, then they believe it. There are worse things they could believe lol

I do think it's the most cohesive album she's ever had, probably since A song for XX lol

But then again, I never really cared for cohesive-ness, because for me, that usually means, a bunch of songs that are really similar...and as easily bored as I get...that is just, album killer for me.

And tbh, I never really understood why it was so bad for her to have albums like (m)u, secret, guilty, RcRC, etc, where she's got the rock songs, and the pop up beat songs, and then the ballads.

That's waaayyy more diverse and entertaining imo, and the songs always went together for me.

But I do think what DaisukiDayo said is true, I think this album manages to do it without being boring...so, that's cool.

Oh, and I'm extremely happy there was a lack of album ballads. omg. I would have died if she threw more sweet sappy ballads. yeah, the singles were killing me.

Huh? None of the singles were sweet sappy ballads...

I want another HEAVEN / Together When... / You Were... or JEWEL.

Virgin Road alone was not enough for me for 2010 cus I'm greedy lol. And I wonder when CREA will make a comeback. Have you guys tweeted Ayu about this???? :(

This whole album just screams STORY for me. It's heavily influenced by classical music this time~!

Love Song - Although the melody of kind-of easy; the vocals are BEYOND amazing, and it feels like it's Ayu's first country-like song. She really rocks the vocals

Sending mail - This song sounds like it tells a story, and therefore would have a GREAT arena tour performance. It's not as good as some of her past rocksongs, but it's nice enough to scream along to, especially in her concerts. The vocals are quite good

Like a doll - My favourite from this album. It REALLY tells a story. After listening closely to the lyrics, I feel everything is connected. I could have done without the high notes in this song, but yes it's like a 'scream' in the lyrics aswell. It's dark and happy at the same time; I feel it's irony; and the classical influences are fantastic! Yes, my #1 here

Thank u - Not as bad as a thought. A mix between a lot of old songs, with her typical cutesy vocals. Gets annoying real fast, but it will be like RED LINE, good for concerts.

Do it again- The arrangment is one of the best arrangements in ANY Ayusong. The chorus is just a bit too poppy, composition-wise. could've been MORE epic with a better chorus.

November- NOOO!!! Why?? A VERY good arrangement, with a VERY good melody; but not with the best vocals~!! it sounds like Ayu strains her voice in the high notes. They could've used a lot more echo and bass on the voice to make it sound better. Ayu is a fantastic singer, I dun get why this track sounds so strained. At any rate, the song is a true masterpiece, I hope that Ayu sings is better Live ^_^

lumieregrl what a fantastic review. Honestly, Im very amazed at the thoughts in Ayu's album. NEXT LEVEL was this video game idea, Rock'n'Roll Circus had the Yin and Yang idea and now Love songs has this progression of Love. Sounds ordinary but the way lumieregrl put it, with Ayu's lyrics, now makes so much sense and that it was very well-thought out. It's too bad few will ever appreciate that level of intricacy and detail in an album. I'm gonna do it that way and read the lyrics on my second hearing because...I need to digest the songs first round through hahaha.

(and ur crossroad part...im just wow..TK's music really had that conotations when put with Ayu's lyrics)

love song The vocals are really great, the song is like a diary of a stranger, you keep being suprised, and it doesn't get boring. I really like the arrangement and the lyrics are more then amazing

sending mail very strong song, the arrangement is ok (chorus is the best part i think), together with the singing it is very very good. Not really a rock song, not really a pop song, a mix, with a bit of folk and tech-pop influences.

like a doll suprising song, starts a bit like a mid tempo-ballad but the further i comes to teh chorus it turn more strong, and the chorus is then a little simpler less strong, but good. The composition of the singing is also very good in the intire song.

Thank UThe chorus is rather simple, but catchy just laa lalala but actually i like that. other then the lalala it is very interesting song, cute-ish mixed with a mid-tempo song, actually i like it even more then teh chorus. Even though the lalala will be anoying at a part, i still like it just like teh whole song, it is a listen and forget your worries song.

do it again a lot of repeating, the first time hearing it, it sounds just bad but the longer i listened to it became better and better, i really like it now. But chorus is very good, without all the repeating in the song, it would've had a big chance to be the best song of the album. also the instrumental part after teh second chprus is really surpising, really great.

November really a great song, very good arrangement and it is maybe the best song from the album. I don't really know what to say about teh song, but it is eally great, the composition together with teh singing is amazing.

Overall i don't really have a favorite song, i like them all, but Novermber and sending mail are both awsome i think for now my favorites of teh album, but i think maybe my opinion will change later on.

I take back all my words i said before about this album ! it's amazing and better than both R'n'r circus and NL (^^!) !the only song i don't like is Thank u ! The flow between every track's really good !
My grade'll be 3,5/5.

I'll wait a few weeks before I give a proper and full review, cause the album is still fresh.
But at the moment this album shapes up to become my favourite Ayu album or at least to get its place in the top 3.
I only dislike two songs, Thank U and Sweet Season, not my kind of songs in general. Other than that I'm really impressed, especially the new album tracks. Love the coherent and darker sound with classical and synth elements. Reminds me of her older albums and that's a good thing!
I was so disappointed with her last albums, especially R'nRC, so I'm happy right now.

Only on my second listen, so I won't post a song-by-song review yet since it always takes me a few days to digest her new tracks. But from what I've heard:

- This is probably the most mature-sounding album she's ever released.
- Every track is UNIQUE.
- Like with most Ayu albums, experimental sounds. Wouldn't be the same unless we heard a song that is like nothing she's ever done before.
- Very nostalgic feeling, sounds are reminiscent of her earlier albums.
- It actually feels like an album, like Ayu has known what she wanted it to sound like right from when she wrote MOON.
- Thank U.. really not sure about that track. Its too sugary and sweet compared to the rest of the album. It is well placed next to blossom and Sweet Season, has a catchy 'lalala' chorus but it lacks substance.
- Tracklisting is perfect, I wouldn't change a thing there.
- My favourite album track right now is 'Like a doll'. Perfection.
- insomnia is in a league with the NEXT LEVEL interludes, its so good.
- November sounded better as a preview. The full version needs more 'oomph'.

Be back in a couple of days with a full review :)

Okay so now I finally got the time to write a review...


1) Love song - I fell for this song the first time I listened to it. I love the arrangement, the melody and her voice. It doesn't quite got this kick-ass opening feeling that Microphone had, but since this Album is a different kind of I think it matches quite well. It's my 3rd favourite song on this Album!

2) crossroad - From the 3 last singles this on has been my favourite. I can't even say what it is, but something about this Song feels really great and unique to me.

3) MOON - I like this song. I can't say I totally love it, but I like it. I think it really fits the flow of the whole Album. But it's one of the songs that would also have done as an Album song...I'd rather had one of the Album songs as a Single instead of MOON, but I'm not gonna complain.

4) Sending Mail - My favourite song on this Album! It's amazing! The strong vocals...the slow parts...the fast paced parts...I love it. I can't even say much about this because I think its just awesome the way it is. This song has been on repeat since this morning.

5) Last Angel - The song is my favourite from the L single. I think it's good to put it after Sending Mail! The thing I like the most about the song is the intro and how it suddenly changes.

6) Insomnia - This one reminds me of some tune I have heard before, but I can't quite get my fingers on it. I think it's pretty cool, it would kinda fit as ending theme for some horro-drama kind of movie I think.

7) Like A Doll - My second favourite Song on this Album! I totally love this song! It sounds cute and sorrowful at the same time. I somehow can imagine a PV along the lines of Do It Again and Real Me for this song! I really like the "Like A Doll...Like A Doll..." parts in this one, as well as the shprt instrumental parts before the refrain starts.

8) Aria - I'm not a big fan of interludes to be honest, but this one is really stunning IMO. It sounds really sweet, it somehow gives me a feeling of spring.

9) blossom - I always liked this one better than MOON and it still is like this. I like this summerish, kinda sad feel of this song. I wish for more songs like this one from Ayu in the future!

10) Thank U - I guess a new concert ending song? I think it's cute but I have a feeling that I will like it better when I heard it live. For me it's the same with MY ALL, I love listening to it live but on CD I don't really pay much attention to it.

11) Sweet Season - IMO the weakest track on the Album. I never was able to get into this song. I think it's boring. The only good thing is the PV which I think is really well made.

12) Overture - I think it sounds like out of a Disney movie or something...like the poor girl finally has found her prince etc.etc. It's nice but nothing special IMO.

13) Do It Again - When the first Previews came out I really didn't like the 'Dance,dance,dance...' parts, but now that I was able to listen to the whole song I totally love it. I like how it starts of very slowly and suddenly gets more fast paced and the suddenly....it becomes slower again. I think this is a great song to see live!

14) November - IMO this song is nothing special but still really, really nice. It's just a small but great song. I totally adore the arrangement in this one. Somehow her voice sounds a bit sad in this Song I feel...

15) Virgin Road - This song. I love it. I love the arrangement and her vocals are powerful. I love how it starts and ends in the same way. I think Ballads tend to feel a bit boring very fast but not this one, it really has a nice flow.

16) SEVEN DAYS WAR - I'm glad they put the live version on the Album. I love this song and I think it's even better live. It gives me the 'I didn't think I'd make it, but I survived!' kind of feel. I think it's a good song to listen to if you feel down.

I think this one is my favourite Ayu Album because the is only 1 Song I'm probably going to skip when I get my copy, and that is Sweet Season. Besides, I like every song. For me it's a better Album than R'n'RC and kinda on the same level with NEXT LEVEL (lol). I will order it as soon as I can (which means probably in January...) and can't wait to have a copy of it on my own. I also am curious to see all the PVs that are included on the DVD. I think this Album is a great christmas present from Ayu.
I give it 9,5/10 points.

浜崎あゆみ – Love songs

First things first, I love Tetsuya Komuro. I’ve been a globe fan as long as I’ve been an Ayu fan, I believe. I found “genesis of next” alongside with “Dearest”, LOL. So, I may be biased a bit here, but I try not to be. Love songs isn’t a globe album. I just want to make that clear. In fact, I find this to be a very “Ayu” album...but an Ayu album with a clear TK influence. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, though. The main problem I’ve had with a good handful of albums past (miss)understood is the fact that, well, same old material. Songs sounded similar and sometimes I forget which songs went on what album. I even forget the title of the songs if they are playing in the background, on shuffle on my iPod, or whatever. What Love songs manage to excel in comparison to GUILTY/NEXT LEVEL/Rock’n’Roll Circus is the sense of “newness,” but not manage to lose that Ayu flavor. I thought NEXT LEVEL was a good departure (“Sparkle” is such a flawless song OMG), but not a GREAT one. Love songs is probably the album I’ve been waiting for. I say probably because all this album needs to do is stand the test of time, LOL. I think this is my favorite recent Ayu album since Secret. I don’t think Secret is her best and it has its flaws, but I really loved that album & I still do. I haven’t listened to her albums since then with the same passion, if that makes sense. OKAY, ON TO THE SONGS ANALYSIS:

Love song: Uh, I love this song. It manages to be an Ayu song, but not at the same time...a theme in this album, haha. It has a folksy, yet passionate Ayu flavor to it. I believe this will be one of my favorite Ayu songs ever. It’s an mid-tempo/upbeat song, but it’s so distinct in her discography. I knew right off the bat this was a TK song when I first heard the leak, hah. I know how that man rolls.

crossroad: One of my favorite Ayu A-sides and single of the year. I really don’t have anything to say other than I love this song. I love the atmosphere, the feel of the song, the emotions, the strings, etc. There really isn’t anything bad I could say about it. I just love it.

MOON: I always liked MOON. It throws me back to early, i-just-made-my-damn-debut Ayu. I think it’s a great song, but not her best. That intro is just awesome; I can’t get enough of it. It goes well after “crossroad,” I thought. Better than I predicted.

sending mail: I think this a very interesting song. I actually like the way the song plays out. It sort of goes in different directions, which can be annoying for some people, but I enjoy it. The TK influence is very, very strong in this one, lol. I think I’ll need more spins on this one, but again, I like how this is a new type of song for Ayu and I find new things after each play, which I can’t say for other previous Ayu songs on her albums.

Last angel: Last angel...How do I begin to explain Last angel? Last angel is flawless. *continue Mean Girls quote here*

insomnia: OH GOD OUR FIRST INTERLUDE. But you know, it doesn’t suck! I was very disappointed in the instrumental tracks/interludes for Rock’n’Roll Circus, so I’m glad we’re on route for awesomeness again. It’s pretty creepy, but so good. I like it a lot! Love the electronic influences.

Like a doll: It’s a song that is very similar to sending mail & Last angel. I think structure-wise, but yeah, that’s all because of TK. LOL. I love the song, nevertheless, though. It’s just a song you don’t expect from Ayu. The way she sings this song is very reminiscent of other TK songs too. I can imagine KEIKO singing this.

Aria: Another interlude! More happier than the last one, but I guess it had to be since the next song is “blossom.”

blossom: I don’t particularly care for this song, tbh. I never really did. LOL. It was sort of a song that just existed for the sake of existing on the MOON/blossom single. I do think it goes well with the feel of the album, though.

Thank U: No Thank U. LOL. I think it’s the weakest new album track. It’s sort of repetitive and I never really like the whole cutesy voice Ayu does in some of her songs (except for HONEY). It might be better in concert though. It seems like a fun song for a concert... just being in such a positive, LA LA LA LA environment.

Sweet Season: This song is definitely one of the standout tracks in all of Ayu’s discography. There’s nothing like it, for real. This one was a grower for me. I think it’s still trying to win me over, to be honest. I really need the patience for this song, but when I do have it, it’s such a cute song!

overture: ouuuu, I like this interlude. It’s somewhat depressing, but cheerful at the same time. It reminds me of like...Disney or something though, strangely. I don’t really know why.

Do it again: What a surprising track. When I heard the preview for the song, I was sort of annoyed at the repetitiveness, but it REALLY works well for this song. It’s so eerie in a way, but I’m touched by the emotions in Ayu’s voice and how she carries it throughout the song. It’s a song that progresses and grows and grows. It’s very impressive. One of the strongest, imo.

November: Another really good song. It’s got a killer composition/arrangement. I like it a lot. At times, Ayu’s voice strains, but you can tell there’s this deep emotional connection through it. It strains for a reason, so I can let that slide haha. It seems like she had a hard time with this song though. I want to read the lyrics!

Virgin Road: I thought this was the most un-TK TK song on the album, LOL. I love “Virgin Road” though. It’s got epic Ayu ballad written all over it, tbh.

SEVEN DAYS WAR (Live Version) : not an Ayu original, but a cover. It was nice to hear Ayu do a cover since she barely does them. I think I prefer the studio version though, since I’m generally not a fan of live recordings. It’s obvious this song is important to Ayu this year though, so I’m glad it got into the album in some shape or form. AND it is a TK song, so it works! LOL.

I personally think it’s great to have a really different sounding album. It’s fresh to hear new things from Ayu, especially since her recent albums have been rather one-note in my opinion. I understand if people don’t like it or aren’t used to TK/90s J-pop influence and sound. I’m not sure where to rank this album with the rest of her discography just yet. It would probably rank somewhat high-up, but far from her best effort (Duty is my favorite Ayu album ever). It’s nice to know Ayu can pull off an album like this after many efforts! I’m also so glad she didn’t pull the usual summer!fun!song, winter!long!ballad format this year. I think that would’ve ruined the album experience for me. For the first time in a while, I don’t know what Ayu will pull next!

I think some people take what people do or don't like in music way too seriously. :laugh

A couple pages back somebody mentioned how her albums can feel different to different people, and I agree. Kind of like how I've never cared much for GUILTY but have loved NEXT LEVEL since the first day I heard it.

And imo cohesiveness doesn't have to mean "sounds the same". To me it just means the songs all sound like they belong together and follow a flow that makes sense. Even albums like mu (which imo is the "worst" in these terms) have it to some extent but I think Love songs was produced, mixed, and arranged together very strongly.

I agree with this. The songs don't sound the same here, nor have they ever in any Ayu album. But its really clear that these 15 songs form one cohesive piece, which is very rare in Japanese pop albums considering singles are often released months (or years?) before album tracks are formed.

Given this is probably the closest its been between 1st single and album release ever, it was much easier for Ayu to forge an album that sounds like one piece, to have an image of what she wanted right from when MOON was released. As much as I love albums like NEXT LEVEL and m(u), the singles sometimes just don't work as one with the album tracks.

PS. I love the inclusion of a live version of Seven Days War. It makes you feel like you're at an Ayu concert, a perfect ending.

Love Song: At first I didn't like that much of this song 'cause the introduction reminds me Last Links, but at the end I absolute love this song. It's such a good song for open the album =D. I miss an introduction before this track. My note is 8.0/10
crossoroad: I really love this music. It's one of ayu best songs ever. 10/10
MOON: I'm very addicted to this song. I think work it very well after crossroad. I love the emotion this song have. 9,5/10
Sending Mail: omgggg. this is epic for me. My favorite song of the album. The ending of the song is just too amazing for words. 10/10
Last Angel: It's very nostalgic ^.^v. I was surprised when I heard at the first time. 7.0/10
Insomnia: I love all the interludes of this album. 9.0/10
Like a doll: For me is refreshing. Isn't like "wow this is perfect" but I love all the elements of this song. I love the lyrics and I can relate with then. 9.0/10
Aria: Amazing. 10/10
blossom: It's way better than MOON =). Although I think I one of few people who loves this music. 10/10
Thank U: I almost cried listening to this music. It really touched my heart I felt it was writen for overseas fans ^^. I don't think it's a happy silly useless music. I'm very happy with the results. Anyway remind me a lot of greatful days don't y'all think? =D 10/10
Sweet Season: Is my favorite song of L single. I think it's one of the best lyrics ayu ever wrote ^^. I love the country elements =D. 10/10
Overture: Beautiful interlude =). Idk but reminds Zelda Ocarina of Time xD. 10/10
Do it Again: I can't stop listening this music. It's great ^^. It's my second favorite track of the album. 10/10
November: Also reminds me Zelda Ocarina of time xD. I didn't like that much. Besides the lyrics is just ok song for me. 7.0/10
Virgin Road: Epic =D. 10/10
Seven Days War: Best final track of all ayu albuns =D. This song is love for the first listening =D. Since the crossroad I was crossing my fingers for this be a bonus track. I really love how ayu makes us feel like this is an ayu original song.10/10
Overall: I'm in love with this album. I can't stop listening and I can't skip tracks. The whole album has a good structure and is very easy to listen every track. I'm very happy with the results. I think it's better than RnRC because of the elements of every music also is more cohesive and consistent album. Anyway, this is a review without listening with all translations because I need to digest some music and feel all the deepest emotions and then organize myself with the lyrics. I always do this with ayu albuns. Later I'll post a more serious review ^^

I have to say, after listening to the entire album now...I love it. It flows very well together. I honestly didn't think I would like this album as much as I do, because the previews sounded kind of bad, to me. But I am pleasantly surprised. Very glad I preordered this one!
Over all it's a 9/10 for me.

I laugh at everyone who says being OPTIMISTIC about something so soon is a bad thing. What the hell is wrong with you all?

Truth be told, Ayu has never REALLY disappointed me. My initial impressions of her albums always remain my true and lasting impressions of her work. My opinion refines over time but it never changes drastically from what it once was.

And HEAVEN FORBID SOMEONE EXPRESS GENUINE EXCITEMENT ABOUT HER WORK =D Since when did it become more acceptable to be negative about a musician's work?

It seems Ayu likes my opinion:
http://oi54.tinypic.com/23vnvad.jpg

OK, I'm just reli, reli happy to get a response, even if just a smiley! haha

Are we really telling ayu that her album leaked and we all downloaded it illegally? xD

aves is controlling the leaks so she knows it leaked, we are fans so she knows even if we order it we listen as soon as we can(well, most of us) haha
I think if she got japanese messages telling her that it would be worse, she knows international fans often have to wait weeks for orders to arrive.

werk! :yes
I can love a song so much..the excitement will Naturally die off in months. then I can ignore the song for another few months but that doesnt mean it is a bad song.

LOVE SONGS
it's really interesting
i feels like in a tales story..
difference world
i love it, n much better than R'N'RC
:D

I did a lengthy review on my blog because it's way too big to have here! lol

Here's the link: http://bestworsthings.blogspot.com/2...-hamasaki.html

I have to give this album a 9/10. It's her most coherent since RAINBOW and has the prettiest booklet since MY STORY and GUILTY.

I haven't worked out where it comes in terms of favourites but I do love it. A LOT.

Now I've had my unbiased review I can read all of yours!! :love

Regardless, you don't go telling the singer you download her songs illegally. Made more obvious by the fact the album is not available yet.

I guess she's not stupid though, knowing she has an international fanbase through illegal downloading.

This album has lotsa orchestra in it I guess. Something new...none of the songs feel like fillers but ya need to get used to it. sending mail is messy messy messed up esp the ending chorus. MW is way better.

her voice in this album is great but ya as some people said here, it's not a strong abum