Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai - New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [VIII]

Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/index.php)

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- - New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [VIII] (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112956)

New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [VIII]

Reminder: Please try to be civil in this thread.

I am posting all relevant information in here! Hopefully it helps. If anything needs to be fixed or added, please post it here and I will add it ASAP!

**Originally the title of the album was reported as "Party queen" by Kome, but Ayu corrected Kome and said it was "Party Queen". It looks like he sent out the notice before Ayu made the correction.

Quote:

フジテレビ系木曜よる10時ドラマ「最後から二番目の恋」主題歌として話題の「how beautiful you are」をはじめ、未発表書き下ろし新曲のみ全14曲を収録した超豪華フル・アルバム！全曲ロンドン・レコーディングを敢行し、世界の音楽シーンの最前線で活躍するトップ・エンジニアやミュージシャンを多数起用した、まさに世界標準のサウンドが詰め込まれた意欲作。
【CD+2DVD】【CD+DVD】【CD】の全3形態でのリリースで、【DVD-1】にはロンドンで撮り下ろされた3曲を含むミュージック・クリップ4曲とそれらのメイキング・クリップの未発表8トラックを豪華収録！さらに【DVD-2】には、2011年大晦日に開催されたばかりの最新ライヴ「ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2011-2012 ～HOTEL Love songs～」を完全収録！！

Translation by Misa-chan:
Starting with the unveiling of Fuji TV’s Thursday 10pm drama 「Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi」’s theme song 「how beautiful you are」, a super grand full album of 14 brand new songs will be released! All songs were recorded in London, featuring top engineers and musicians at the helm of today’s musical scene, creating an ambitious album of world-class quality. 3 versions will be released:【CD+2DVD】【CD+DVD】【CD】【DVD-1】 will include the PVs for 4 songs, 3 of which were filmed in London, plus making-of clips to make up a total of 8 tracks!【DVD-2】 will be the complete live recording of countdown live concert held on New Year’s Eve in 2011, 「ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2011-2012 ～HOTEL Love songs～」!!

Covers

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Tracklist

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Composers

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Versions

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CD+2DVD - first press includes a regular CD case + special DVD packaging in a plastic sleeve for the COUNTDOWN LIVE 2011-2012 A ~HOTEL Love songs~ DVDs, regular press has all discs in regular cases

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CD+DVD - regular CD+DVD

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CD only - regular CD only

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PLAYBUTTON - special button that also functions as an mp3 player... more information at http://www.playbutton.co

SPECIAL LIMITED BOX SET CD+2DVD+Blu-ray - special set that has the CD+2DVD, POWER of MUSIC Blu-ray, and a pair of half pint glasses and cork coasters

SPECIAL LIMITED BOX SET CD+4DVD - special set that has the CD+2DVD, POWER of MUSIC 2 DVD set, and a pair of half pint glasses and cork coasters

Mockup of the limited box from the website

Spoiler:

*Exclusive goods for box set are half pint glasses and cork coasters. Two of each.

Bonus goods

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Misc. information

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Notable links
2012.03.21 NEW ALBUM CONFIRMED
Albums on PLAYBUTTON
～POWER of MUSIC～ 2011 A LIMITED EDITION on DVD/Blu-ray (21. March 2012)
"how beautiful you are" Jacket Released
Party Queen lyric snippets + interlude confirmation
how beautiful you are PV on 03/09 on SSTV
how beautiful you are PV/making caps from Mezamashi TV
Peach John CM- "Party Queen"
Return Road - music.jp CM
Party Queen previews now up at Ayu's official site
New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [II]
New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [III]
New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [IV]
New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [V]
New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [VI]
New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [VII]
New album 'Party Queen' out 03/21 information thread [VIII]

It is amazing how fast this thing fills up... lol
GIVE ME MORE!!!

The first part of Party queen's verses sounds terrible. Like they tried to put a voice from a song on another different music. The arrangements sound really poor too. Waiting for the HQ, but I don't have much hope for this track. Return road sounds promising.

I heard that someone on a Chinese forum is gonna leak Return Road tomorrow/today already in some countries. Anyone know if that's true or just a rumour?

I wonder how they would leak it since I don't think they have the albums yet...

Maybe it's coming out on radio/USEN first?

i hope the full version is really good! I cant wait to hear it!

I am now realizing that my wish for Return Road to be an "answer song" to Virgin Road is a little silly. She didn't write that song for Mannie, she just met him during the PV. So, the feelings expressed in the song are not about him, so the song was already made. She would have to make an answer song to like, November or something.

Still her hair in that Return Road preview seem to reflect the Virgin Road PV hairstyle (esp bangs, she doesn't often wear it like this), she also seems to have some huge dress (at least the sleeves suggest so) with veil in black, kinda opposite to VR outfit. In VR she was getting married in RR she seems to be escaping a funeral :)

Just overfantasizing, I want to see more :D

The PV seems to definitely be the one with scientists and drones. I don't know how they'll factor into this whole post-apocalyptic feel though.

Virgin Road preview sounds great!! Can't wait for the full version! :love

Party Queen is... let's just say that I won't listen to that song again

^Virgin road, ey? :D

*cough* Return Road! :D My brain is playing mindgames with me

Listened to the preview like 10 times, just the type of song I've wanted from her!

i hope this video is amazing.
Although.. didn't all of Love songs was written before she met mannie?

Nope. Most of the album was written after they met except for the singles.

so that mean a little less than half was written... there were 8 songs singled right?

EDIT:
there were 7! ^_^
with 3 instrumentalsl tracks..
that leaves six with the possibility of being about mannie... (yay for me, lol)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004 (Post 2829511)

so that mean a little less than half was written... there were 8 songs singled right?

There were seven, of which only six were "main" tracks, since SEVEN DAYS WAR was a (live, on some editions) bonus track.

Return Road is going to be epic. Like... there's no question about it.

I'm liking the sound of the "I am your party queen" part, the verses are pretty catchy too. I dislike the main chorus, it's a bit too cutesy for my liking.

Not enough of Return Road to judge, I'm not a huge fan of Ayu rock, but I still can't judge it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truehappiness (Post 2829514)

Return Road is going to be epic. Like... there's no question about it.

Ditto. I just can't wait to see that PV. I think I've seen the CM at least 40 times since I've come back from work.

^ I hope yall are right with that.
So far it has promise. Which of this, makes me happy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by truehappiness (Post 2829514)

Return Road is going to be epic. Like... there's no question about it.

This! It was like love at first listen. I'm still playing the CM. haha I hope this won't leak anytime soon because if it does I'm not able to keep away from listening, and then all the excitement gets ruined. :laugh I'm so pathetic.

I am all for a new epic Ayu rock song, so Return Road sounds very promising! The PV looks like it's going to be fabulous too! OMG OMG!

Return Road preview is.. :thud

I want a full leak asap, I know I shouldn't judge by just 10 seconds but.. omg it sounds amazing :luv2
Party Queen studio ver. sounds so good though. A bit slower but it's ok, even if the laughs at the end are quite creepy lol. One of them sounds like a laughing sheep :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004 (Post 2829511)

I'm pretty sure November was written specifically about Mannie, I think TH told me that a while back. And the whole name and concept of the album points to her being in luuuuurve. So, one of the songs on PQ could be an answer song to one of the album tracks of LS.

Return Road is going to be EPIC, it has to be!!

As for Party queen... Well I already liked the song, and the "KANPAI" sounds a lot better in the studio version :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by happiholic★ (Post 2829558)

maybe? I thought Ayumi had already said that they were not going to be linked like that?

The end of the Party Queen, creepy laughing, is remind me one of her interlude "WONDERLAND", maybe Shake It<3 and NaNaNa will be a fun rock-ish song? like Ladies night or Lady Dynamite? I'm so excited for the album now.

Shake It was said to be a fast dance track according to a dancer that was on set.

NaNaNa is probably the same way with an upbeat feel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truehappiness (Post 2829576)

Shake It was said to be a fast dance track according to a dancer that was on set.

NaNaNa is probably the same way with an upbeat feel.

Yeah but it can be rock-ish dance songs, LOL I'm just hope for more rock songs from her. :lech

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester (Post 2829580)

Yeah but it can be rock-ish dance songs, LOL I'm just hope for more rock songs from her. :lech

Yeah, you're probably gonna get more rockish stuff with call, Letter, Tell me why, and reminds me, so don't worry about that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester (Post 2829573)

Ayu just loooooooooooooves creepy laughter. :grumpy

Just as much as she loves clowns too.

Someone should ask her when her love for them started, haha.

The clowns have got to go... cant stand clowns!

After she released this album, I wish she just change the tour name into "PARTY QUEEN TOUR 2012". Sounds FUN!!!

she can connect the pv to virgin road even if she didn't write it for manny.

symbolism symbolism, I do think the pvs are going to be connected.
But that's just me.

Besides, Mannie was starring in Virgin Road, it had nothing to do with him except that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004 (Post 2829566)

maybe? I thought Ayumi had already said that they were not going to be linked like that?

I only remember her saying that Return Road was not connected to Virgin Road. So, that crosses out Virgin Road and Return Road as being connected. But, for example, November could be linked to The Next Love. Not saying they are or that any songs are going to be, but I would kinda like to hear a song that she specifically wrote about her feelings on her divorce. And only because at first I thought that Return Road was to be an answer song to Virgin Road.

I'm sort of "meh" about Party queen; it's not really my type of song.

Return Road, however, I am SOOOOOO excited for! I could listen to that short preview again and again :D I can't WAIT to hear the full version!

Studio version of Party Queen sounds really sad %) At live version she had fun

I think next week preview will appear at TA site. Maybe with CM

Yeah, we'll probably also get a CM with all of the PVs soon too.

I actually very much prefer the studio version of party queen.

Probably because idk I don't want a happy, fun party song.

I think I want a serious song lol Just because of the vibe I get from this album...idk it's very serious to me in a way..."serious" in the sense that, it deals with some pretty heavy and complex ideas.

idk whatever. I feel the studio version is more successful at conveying those messages.

11 days till release!!

I am tempted to listen the previews...I allways caught but I will resist...

Looking back at old interviews, I love how Ayu's always responding to questions about how "the title of this album isn't at all like we expected." with "Of course, because it's me (Ayu), this is always how things turn out."

Though it only happens with the titles that aren't dark in some way.

I think Party queen's studio version is very empty sounding. Like, it's tinny, if that makes sense.

It sounds unfinished.

I don't hate it, but it definitely won't be my favorite. Live version is much better, imo.

And also, the "kanpai" parts sound like they're cut off abruptly at the end...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan (Post 2829869)

I agree; the studio version sounds vacant. It's possible that this is how she implies her Party-queen-sadness.

party queen sounds AMAZING:luv2 i can't wait to hear a clear and hq version of the song, because the radio rip already blew my mind <3

I like the "Kampai!" in the studio version more, but yeah, it sounds like it's cut off too early. Maybe if it lasted another second or so?

The backing track sounds pretty "empty", too, maybe that'll come through better in HQ, or perhaps this is the sadness coming through? Gah, maybe instead of a hidden track, we'll get a hidden PV? lol!

I seriously don't understand people judging a LOW QUALITY RADIO RIP of a song as if it's any 100% clear indication of how the song will sound in a decent quality. Buuuut it does makes for an interesting read so lol overanalyse on, my friends.

^ LQ? Okay, the rip isn't high quality but it is not low either. We can definetely hear the instrumentals, back vocals, Ayu's vocal etc. etc. People judge what they hear. Do you understand now?

^ We have 10 seconds of Return Road and everyone is about to collpase, this is AHS

i think they were talking about party queen..
that might be true.. it's just a radio rip... im not likeing it, sadly.
I loved the live.. it sounded so different and fresh...

Party Queen is a 96kbit/s rip, if it was 128kbit/s we could somewhat judge the instrumental, 96 can completely hide instruments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan (Post 2829869)

yeah :irked :eviltongu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Wolf (Post 2829931)

It's a full track, live version was pretty much enough to judge it let alone the radio rip. It's not going to sound so much better, as it's essentially far from amazing.

i hope it sounds different.. i mean.. some much is missing from the studio version... its sad really.

I can't judge 'emptyness' of arragment but I can hear from LQ that is pretty boring (the music itself, it's a whoop whoop all the song :P with some sounds in 'I am your Party queen') but vocals and vocal melody is awesome, I LOVE BRIDGE so much I'm gonna cut this into a ringtone when HQ pops up :D

Where are the backing vocals in the chorus? Are there any? I think that might be why it sounds so empty.

party queen is just an horrible song ! :( hope the album will be better (return road promises better :)

the live version sounded ok but I'm not liking the studio version.
Ah well.

can't wait to hear nanana and shake it.

I think what we have of Party Queen is pretty much what its going to sound like, as the rips are not totally low quality. From the live to the CM to the radio rip, the song always sounds the same. It always sounds like its lacking a bass, no matter what version. So, unless they add some drastic thumping base to the CD version, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like Party queen. Yes, I do love the mini clip of Return Road, but that's because it catches my attention, which is something that Party queen never did.

Party queen gives me a eerie haunted like feeling. It's not that super happy as I thought it would have been. At CDL it sounded so happy but in the studio ver. (the radio rip) they sound really weird... (I'm not even exaggerating or something). And the laughing at the end. Creepy! Like they're laughing AT someone, scary. :/

Return Road however, has gotten me all excited for this album. Just the 10 seconds are so superb, I love it. No stupid cute song but a tough song. I really like the direction this album is going to. :D (Can't wait to see the PV)

Quote:

Originally Posted by xLuna&1LOVE (Post 2829933)

^ LQ? Okay, the rip isn't high quality but it is not low either. We can definetely hear the instrumentals, back vocals, Ayu's vocal etc. etc. People judge what they hear. Do you understand now?

Just because there's more music present doesn't mean it's HQ as in clear and easier to distinguish the song's... you know... quality. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with what people are doing; I find it silly but, also, amusing and more importantly interesting to read. UNCLENCH PLS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by isthisLOL? (Post 2829947)

Party Queen is a 96kbit/s rip, if it was 128kbit/s we could somewhat judge the instrumental, 96 can completely hide instruments.

this

I know that the HQ rip will be different. But it'll most likely present itself in the usual, more emphasis on high hitting/low areas...and maybe those back up vocals people were talking about.

I don't think my personal opinion will change that much. I have a very good feel for the melody and overall tone. It's not like we were leaked something that was full of static and stuff.

We were leaked something...fairly decent compared to other leaks :shrug Even if instruments get cut out. I doubt something is going to come in and just change the whole song up. But who knows.

^ "I doubt something is going to come in and just change the whole song up" I hope the album has a "Party queen -sad ver.-" and "Party queen -happy ver-". :laugh It would make sense in a way? right? right!? :lech

I guess. But I'd be more pissed that she used up a slot on an album that could have been used for a new song.

Ayu fans are never happy.

I'm surprised that I like the studio version, as I didn't like the live at all.
The song does sound sad tho somehow. I feel the emptiness as well, and this isn't the feeling I would expect from this song.

I think that emptiness everyone is feeling is the lack of bass :laugh I think I would like this song more if it had that.

^ I think you need to listen to the live and then to the radio... they sound different... and not in a good way.

From the live I was expecting something... and I don't know... they sound so different to my ears

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Wolf (Post 2830016)

Please, don't tell me I need to relax. I only do ask you questions.

The radio rip of Party Queen has fine quality. Not the very highest, but you can definetely hear what the whole song (vocal, instrumental, background vocals and whatsoever) is all about. The album version won't be very different from this. So, why is it silly we judge the radio rip? It's still the same Party Queen song we are talking about. We just like or dislike what we hear. It does not matter if the song is a preview, a rip or the album version. People just judge what they hear and I believe there is nothing ridiculous about that.

And it's not just to you, there are also a lot other members who find it silly we give our judgements over the previews, rips and whatever.
Tell me why

^ kinda agree. It won't be diffrent. It may change opinion based on quality (HQ can be rougher (because of clear sound) or opposite - it may sound a little more polished) but I don't really think it will sound THAT diffrent in HQ :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004 (Post 2830042)

Honestly, they all sound the same to me. Bad. And I don't think that the HQ version is going to change my mind. If it does I will admit it, I don't care. But, right now my feelings are not good. The song just sounds cheap to me.

LQ rips can definitely hide the bass. But yeah, I don't think a HQ rip is going to change people's minds about the song too much.

But we also had the bra commercial, and it seemed to be in higher quality, but it still seemed to lack bass? And I agree, it's not like the hq version will completely change people their minds.

I think people who hated the song the moment they heard it aren't going to care for a higher quality rip.

However, people who aren't sure because of how 'cheap' the song sounds or how the song sounds empty may change the way they feel about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xLuna&1LOVE (Post 2830049)

Because it's my opinion and it's bound to bother some people *shrug* Nothing either of us can do about that. To me, radio rips are always going to suck and not indicate how a song really will sound in full, clear quality.

I think we're just so used to her pop songs having harmonies and backing vocals in the chorus... EnergizE, STEP you, rollin'... all "thick" choruses.

Yet the part leading up the chorus seems to have harmony vocals... wtf was the arranger thinking?

The live version of PQ was pretty bad imo, but the studio version was waaaay much better. I can't wait to listen to it in HQ!

I like the live version better... i just hope its because of the source and not the actual song...
I will see what happens after I get the album.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEOyumi (Post 2830083)

The live version of PQ was pretty bad imo, but the studio version was waaaay much better. I can't wait to listen to it in HQ!

yeah her voice was awful in the live. it's much better in the studio version.

I really like the rip of Party queen, the laughing at the end didn't bother me that much either. The music does get a little repetitive toward the end, but I think this song would be great for a remix version or with heavier dance music

:happy1:

The more info I get about this album, the happier I find myself. I can't wait to hear it, I think it's going to be great. I just wish I had more patience.

"sekai wa kira kira", "Saturday night" and "I'm your party queen" are parts of the song I can't stop singing in my head or out loud lol.

im consistently walking around the house singing party queen...
lol.. my roomies think im crazy!

*i am your party queen*

People really do seem to be interpreting Party Queen's ending laughter as creepy, and, I don't really know what I think of it, but I really don't get the sense that it's creepy. Just me I guess.

^ me either. it sounds more like just people having fun, a bit like the ending of Sunrise or smth.

Is it just me or does ayu sound somehow autotuned in the beginning of the song?? In a bad way??

also I think the laughter is supposed to be drunk laughter.... on purpose.. .so it's a mix of creepy in there but still having fun~

well, for me they sound rather creepy :/ like WONDERLAND laughs. Sunrise ones was really like people having fun. PQ ones are.. barely human lol.

It's just my opinion though :yes

Yeah I've been blasting Party Queen on my speakers for the past day..... Do not give a crap about my neighbours :D

What was creepy for me was the kids on My Story... i think it was WONDERLAND...\
that was creepy.

Loving everything off of Party Queen so far! Looking forward to HQ rips! :love

it's not creepy to me, but it's not fun or happy either...

and what's the deal with the low monotone one that comes last. Weird ayu, weird lol

the end laugh is creepy for me, I like the live version it sounded more lively

but I am sure it will sound wayyy better in HQ since Namie's radio rip of Go Round and the pv rip, were really different for me

I can see where people are coming from with the comments about how the laughs are "creepy", but I didn't think anything of them before people pointed it out. I still think they're just carefree laughs after a night of laughing and drinking. The album isn't supposed to transition into dark melancholy until a couple tracks later, right?

did we have news that ayumi said there was going to be a track with kids in it...
is this it, or do we have another one coming?

I dont know how people can think that Party Queen (song) has a secret meaning. It's juts a party song xD

It is the first time ayu post her TA Daily on behalf on her "Ayumi Hamasaki & A Staff". The daily is regarding the 311 earthquake.

http://ww4.sinaimg.cn/large/89aee8adjw1dqv6fqoxwuj.jpg

A rough translation:

Greetings.

I think everyone knows what we are asking for.

I think everyone knows what are we praying for.

On the 11th March last year, we are creating HOTEL LOVE SONG.

This is 11th March, we are re-creating the HOTEL LOVE SONGS.
During the rehearsals, we torture by our memories and feelings.
However, Japan has taught us how to be strong and keep going. It just like someone keep pushing you at the back. And you are not yet a loser.

Therefore, until the last moment, no better what kind of pain we gonna suffer,
We never give up, never compromise,
And we hand in hand, keep cherishing and creating.
The Never-ending dream.
The Never-vanishing dream.

So Everyone.
When you suddenly feel afraid. When you suddenly feel like you gonna cry.
When you suddenly feel panic. When you suddenly feel like you gonna be a loser.

Please listen to my song.
And I will be crying with you.
And I will be laughing with you.
And I will be holding tightly with you.

From TeamAyu A & STAFF DAILY

It is a really touching daily. I hope Japan will get recover very soon!
Pray for them,

Quote:

On the 11th March last year, we are creating HOTEL LOVE SONG.

This is 11th March, we are re-creating the HOTEL LOVE SONGS.

this part feels so surreal and meaningful. Ayu's trying to have the image that time stopped and its time to move on from what was incompleted. its as though, we must finish what we all started out to do.. :)

ganbatte Ayu! ganbatte Japan!