A ONE thoughts and reviews
 

Going to keep it simple.

01. a Bell :) - Nice but another potentially great melody wasted on an interlude.
02. WARNING :love - This song has really grown on me since the listening preview and the initial "Oh it's just Microphone again" criticism, dare I say it..this song is better than Microphone?
03. NO FUTURE :luv2 - Loveppears meets Love Songs. This is obviously a good thing.
04. Anything for you :love - The only really new song for me...the song was slowly sending me to sleep (in the best possible way) until the chorus gently kicked in with the subtle strings like brush strokes. :love Finally a ballad that doesn't follow one of the 3 ballad templates in Ayu's personalised copy of Garageband.
05. Last minute :rolleyes - *skips* No idea how this became a single, Ayu has filler on some of her worst albums that are better than this. Doesn't help that the mixing is terrible and harsh on the ears.
06. Zutto... :) - This song has grown on me, I really enjoy the dramatic medieval sounding chorus harking back to the Duty era.
07. Out of Control :grumpy - Must be one of the most misleading song titles ever because this song is just as pedestrian as they come.
08. Story :shrug - Can't even muster up an opinion.
09. THE GIFT :yawn - Can't even listen to this all the way through. It's so boring and disappointing considering how much Ayu hyped it up.
10. The Show Must Go On - *wakes out of coma* No words just
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http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb...xo3_r1_250.gifhttp://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb...xo4_r1_250.gif
11. Walk - Sorry can't even listen to this as The Show Must Go On is repeat but I remember this song from December being boring and unremarkable.

Overall: Pleasantly surprised.

My third-world Internet connection says I have three more minutes until my download of the album is complete :laugh
From most of the previews I think I'm going to really like this album. God I hope I didn't just jinxed that.

1. a bell - as the only intro/interlude on the album, it does its job well.
2. WARNING - I didn't like WARNING initially, but as soon as I heard it roar after a bell, just wow. There is an element of 'what in the world is this song doing here' after hearing the entire album, it's themes being completely different from the others songs featured, but hey, it's a great opener.
3. NO FUTURE - an experimental wonder. THE GUITARS, THE GUITARS!
4. Anything for You - Ayu kept this unheard until a preview was posted a few days ago for a reason and I'm glad she did. It's beautiful, truly a grand ballad.
5. Last Minute - Perhaps the song that has suffered the most in terms of its tracklist placement, coming after NO FUTURE and Anything for You, it truly does not shine. It is still a great song, but I wish it had been used later on to break up the ballad section. Mixing is still a bit on the 'meh' side.
6. Zutto... - Enjoyable, it displays the emotion of yearning that no other song on this album achieves, making its placement effective. However, it does sound boring at times, following Ayu's typical ballad formula that we've heard again and again.
7. Out of Control - Has interesting musical elements, but is a bit of a bore.
8. Story - Could be placed on MY STORY (I wonder if this is its inspiration?), my favourite ballad on the album and will end up being my most played from this album overall.
9. The GIFT - I'm one of those people who liked this from the beginning, it has its own place in Ayu's discography, and really adds a simplicity/breather that the album needs at this point following all those major ballads.
10. The Show Must Go On - My favourite of the original previews, this song delivered. It truly, truly did, it is the contemporary AUDIENCE for 'new' Ayu. It's noisy, but it's just so glorious in its abrasiveness.
11. Walk - A proper ender, I love the progression.
12. Movin' on Without You - A great cover, I'm glad she tacked this on because the album does require more uplift.

Tell all is really going to be a breaker here. It really has the ability to take this album from Excellent to WOW.

I am apparently in the minority of AHS members who don't like Ayu making really dated music lol... so my review will reflect that.

I'm mixed on the album. It's better than LOVE again but the multitude of dreary, schmaltzy ballads really drags it down... a lot. There are, what, 3 upbeat tracks (not counting the afterthought tacked-on Movin' on without you)? And two of those are very similar, with similar buildups, arrangements, and overall style. The other one, WARNING, doesn't remotely fit into this album. It's a shame.

It's also her first album that doesn't really have an identity of its own, which is sad to me...

01 a Bell: This is pretty lovely and reminds me of Kingdom Hearts. It fits the album but really fails as an intro to WARNING.
02 WARNING: SOOO out of place on this album lol. This song is OK, but honestly by the second verse it's pretty much done all it's going to do. It doesn't excite me personally, which is sad because I usually cum for her rock tracks.
03 NO FUTURE: My main gripe with this song is how PAINFULLY dated it is. It'd be fine on LOVEppears or ASFXX or Love songs even since that was Love songs' shtick, but for an Ayumi Hamasaki song in 2015 it's... archaic to say the least. A different arrangement might've fixed that, but I don't mind the arrangement itself, and the verse is kind of a big part of the problem too. Anyway, I like the soaring chorus and the buildup to the chorus and how it releases, but I REALLY dislike how the song cycles three full times. It's just too long. But I'm in the minority here who also doesn't think longer = better lol. IN SHORT, one of the better songs on the album, but I really hate that it's on this album and that she's still releasing songs that sound like this at this stage in music lmao.
04 Anything for You: It's better than the preview made it out to be! Very schmaltzy but the key change at the end helps it along a bit. Way too long. I think she sounds really emotionally vacant though... idk, I don't like the vocal delivery here at all.
05 Last minute: This song has grown on me since the CDL performance and PV, but the mixing is still so goddamn TRAGIC. For that reason, this song will never be a "good Ayu song" imo. The CDL performance with edited vocals is great though lmao. The song could've benefited so much from getting a new, COMPETENT mix, so that you can actually hear the main vocal track in the chorus, and taking out those lame "YEAHS" and whatever other vocalizations that ruin the mood of the lyrics.
06 Zutto...: Again, the CDL performance is better than the CD version. The mix is so much better at CDL and her vocals were so serene sighs. I don't mind this song much now, but I wouldn't notice if it just ceased to exist.
07 Out of control: I usually love these Last Links/call-esque tracks, and this one is fine, but it doesn't grab me so much. idk, maybe I'm just oversaturated with this type of track? She's had so many by now.
08 Story: I don't get the love for this one at all. It's just meaning of Love lol.
09 The GIFT: idk, this is so forgettable I have nothing to say about it anymore.
10 The Show Must Go On: HOLY SHIT is this annoying and gives me a headache... which is really sad because there's only THREE TRACKS THAT AREN'T BALLADS on this album as is. The buildup to the first chorus is identical to snowy kiss; the grating, screeching nature of the chorus is too similar to snowy kiss. If you didn't know, snowy kiss is as far as I'm concerned the absolute worst song she's EVER made, so you can pretty much guess my opinion on this track.
11 Walk: Not worth even acknowledging her.
12 Movin' on without you: I don't know what to really say about this, since it was obviously tacked on as a last-second afterthought, maybe because they saw people bitching about the nonstop onslaught of ballads on this album? lmao. Anyway, I actually weirdly like Ayu dabbling in EDM, so Colours was a fun album for me. This song is more in that vein, and I think it's decent although I don't know if I'll ever go out of my way to listen to it.

tl;dr: My main gripes are the dreary ballads and how dated everything (especially the upbeat songs) are. There isn't a single song I'd say I love or can fully praise... I think it's about time she ditched TK compositions and Yuta Nakano arrangements and found someone fresh to work with. I'm sure there are plenty of people who align with her sound that would die to write for her lol.

It's nice that AHS is happy with this album, but I really don't think my taste aligns with AHS's taste at all. This album is just a retread of 1999-2002 and Love songs for me. It's so dated and a bit bland. The sounds she used for RAINBOW, (miss)understood, NEXT LEVEL, etc. were much more interesting.

Mine is very long but if you want to check it out here's the link:

http://sky-fits-heaven.blogspot.com/...um-review.html

1. a bell - I like it. The melody does sound similar to Story. I could see this track as an interlude, not as an intro.
2. WARNING - I like the song but she has better rock songs. It's a good song to introduce the album.
3. NO FUTURE - I love the chorus. This song is great.
4. Anything for You - So beautiful ballad, i love everything. The first chorus is a reminiscence of Walk but the song has a really different atmosphere. I'm not even bothered by the 7 minuts lenghts.
5. Last Minute - It was one of the best surprise of 2014. I adore this song. The PV is simple but i love it. So much emotions on this song. It's a better version of Memorial adress.
6. Zutto... - A great classical winter ballad. I love it. The PV is great too.
7. Out of Control - Good song. I like the chorus and the break.
8. Story - My favourite ballad of the album. It's adorable and emotional. I'm glad she finally released a song with this title. It could have been include on MY STORY.
9. The GIFT - b-o-r-i-n-g. The PV is cute though
10. The Show Must Go On - Addicting. I love the verses and the chorus which are quite different. One of my fav new songs from the album.
11. Walk - It's a beautiful song. The more i listen to it, the more i love it.
12. Movin' on Without You - I'm glad this song was include. It's a great cover with a good beat. Better than the original for sure.


A ONE is a really nice album. It sounds like a collection of what she did the best since her debut, influences from Memorial adress (Last Minute), MY STORY (Story), Love songs (TK ballads), Love Again (TSMGO) and Colours (Mowy).
The album doesn't surprise that much but from the first listen, it's already a classic in her discography.
I'm really happy with it :-) I can't wait to listen to the new version of Tell all.

a Bell - It's pretty but I just don't see the point of it. If the next song was a ballad then okay, but it doesn't fit before WARNING.

WARNING - This song is sooo catchy. The lalalai's keep getting stuck in my head. I love it. 9/10

NO FUTURE - I LOVE her vocals here. This sounds so classic ayu. Like an a-side she could have released in 1999. I love her high pitched vocals :luv2 9/10 (would be 10/10 but the ending brought it down a bit. I'm getting tired of her ending songs like that)

Anything for You - I can't believe this song is almost 7 minutes long. It doesn't seem like it at all. Pretty ballad, but nothing that wow-ed me. Sounds like it'd be a good ending song 7/10

Last Minute - Yeah, I'm still in love with this song. I've been playing it like crazy since it came out. 10/10

Zutto... - I liked this when it came out, but I think it was just because I wanted any winter ballad. Listening to it again, it's really not that great.. and her vocals get annoying. 5/10.

Out of Control - This is one of my favorites. The melody makes me want to cry. I need to check out the lyric translation to this one because it sounds really emotional. 10/10

Story - No. just no. Her voice sounds horrible here and it's such a typical generic ballad. Ugh. 1/10

The GIFT - Boring. Not the worst, but still.. it sucks whenever she releases boring/bland ballads like this because she's ayu and we all know what type of ballads she's capable of. 4/10

The Show Must Go On - Holy shit. Everything about this song blew my mind. It's such a badass track! Best song on the album. Totally takes me into another world. 1000/10 :luv2

Walk - I still love this. It's such a beautiful and emotional ballad and I love how it builds. 8/10

Movin' On Without You - I wound up loving this more and more with each listen. It's so catchy. 8/10

So yeah.. there's a couple duds but I'm not really upset because of how good the other stuff is. The amazing stuff is some of her best work and I know I'll be replaying the crap out of. Compared to her last few albums, this one has more good stuff to offer in my opinion. Great work, ayu. :love

1. a bell - A wonderful interlude and I like the atmosphere.
2. WARNING - Great rock song. Like the "lalala" part and the rest as well.
3. NO FUTURE - One of my favorites. Love the verse.
4. Anything for You - Best Ballad I ever heard. Got an gooseflesh all over my body and could cry. It's wonderful. 7 Minutes pure emotions
5. Last Minute - Not one of my favorites. Can hear but not more.
6. Zutto... - Wonderful ballad. Can hear it all the time.
7. Out of Control - I like it. It's a wonderful song.
8. Story - My third favorite Ballad on this Album. It's wonderful to listen.
9. The GIFT - Don't know. It's a great song but I think I can't listen very often
10. The Show Must Go On - Like it, love it.
11. Walk - Love this Song on her Single and I'm glad that it is on her Album.
12. Movin' on Without You - Was not my favorite from Hikaru Utada but Ayu does great work. It's nice that this is on her Album because I don't wanna buy the Cover Album.

For all - I love this Album! One of her best in a few years. Awesome!

Overall impression: A grand return to her "roots". Almost everything about this album is perfect. I haven't felt this strongly about an ayu album since Rock'n'Roll Circus.

Pleasant surprise: When I first heard the previews of all songs, the track list looked weird because it didn't seem to "flow" correctly. After a listen to the 12 songs I gotta say the track listing worked. Somehow.

Reservation: Anything for You. Basically a rip-off of Walk to me. And seven minutes long. Jesus.

Favorite: (1) The Show Must Go On: This song is CRAZY WONDERFUL OKAY GUYS. (2) Story: it's kind of on par with walking proud/part of Me. (3) NO FUTURE: This is the part of 90s I actually want to hear, TK. WHY DON'T THESE GEMS HAVE VIDEO CLIPS

a Bell is very nice, allthough it does not connect with WARNING.
WARNING definetely stands out and I like it. Bit out of place in the tracklist, but it is not that it would fit somewhere else. She made her point, so it is a strong beginning.
NO FUTURE is great. Cannot say much about it, I just like it.
Anything for You is nice, I hope I can keep enjoying it. I like her voice in this ballad.
Last minute is my favourite song. It's so good.
Zutto... is allright, the pitch bothers me a little.
Out of Control is a bit forgetable, but nice too.
Story is also a nice song. Do not care very much about it.
The GIFT I really need the pv to focus on this song. It is a great song tho, but I do not pay as much attention to it, as I should.
The Show Must Go On is fucking dreadful. What the fuck.
Walk is Anything For You and Story's baby. Or something else. Was never really fond of Walk, but I cannot say it is awful. Just a bit boring.
Movin' on without you Talking about a track 'out of place' but I am glad it is included on the album.

Overall I think she did great with this album. I am happy :)

Well, my tastes have officially changed. I can't even sit through a whole new Ayu album anymore; I can only be arsed to listen to the new songs that haven't already been released to the public on a single or in a PV. And even then, I'm extremely bored.

Yup, I loved Colours, but found A ONE an absolute snorefest.

/waves bai bai to the Ayu fandom amongst sticks and stones and runs like hell >_>;

Seriously though, I guess at least for me, you could compare this to Kim Junsu's first two studio albums. His first album was absolutely on point. It had the perfect mix of upbeat dance tracks, sexy slow songs, and ballads, which are all Junsu's forte. Not to mention, the MV for Tarantallegra was stunning, as well as the album art. It was something new and different than his previous work in DBSK/JYJ, and interesting. For me, this was Colours. Even though it was mostly dance tracks, it was Ayu stepping out of her comfort zone and working with new people, right down to the album art with Alvin Goh.

Then you had Junsu's second album, Incredible. Junsu had since found his love and success in musicals, and this album reflected that. 80% of it was ballads, and therefore felt like one big track. This is A ONE for me. Ayu's going back to her comfort zone: ballads. Not only do the songs sound the same (the rock songs sound the same, the ballads sound the same), but they don't stand out and sound like everything else in her discography. Even the PVs remind me of something else she had already done. But I guess it was already established that this was going to be A ONE's approach from the get-go, with the album being released on her anniversary and Ayu finding her roots again recording in Tokyo. That being said, I do like The Show Must Go On however, even though it bares a striking resemblance to snowy kiss - but then I liked that song as well.

Also, it didn't help with avex uploading literally EVERYTHING sans the makings of beforehand. Some could argue that I didn't have to listen to the previews - which I didn't - or watch the PVs, but it's kinda hard when everybody else does and rants about how good or bad it is and then it messes up your expectations going in. I guess for the next release I'll just unfriend everybody.

(Just kidding! ;) )

WARNING is a nice return to form but it SURE AS FUCK is NOT better than Microphone.

and Story sure as Hell isn't comparable to walking proud.

OMG!! NO FUTURE and Show must go on are AMAZING!! I love this album!!!

Microphone is sex in the form of a song. WARNING is like a really boring version of 1 LOVE.

Ok, I totally stayed away from previews and the music videos and I think this album is.....bland, bland, bland. It makes Love Again appear lively by comparison. >_< A lot of the tracks sound just way too much a like.

It's not a good sign when one of the best tracks on the album is a cover of someone else's song.

I thought Colours was a step in the right direction, but now it feels like 1 step forwards and two (or 3 or 4..) steps backwards.

Maybe it will grow on me...

I think it will grow.

Took a bit for previews to warm up for me, at least.

ok after listening to the whole album like 3 times, here is my review...

a Bell - absolutely love this opening. If it turns into a full track one day, that would be so awesome!!

WARNING - I'm probably one of the few who doesn't like this song. Too repetitive for me...but I like her voice here.

NO FUTURE - This song sound so dated...is this by TK? Don't like this one too.

Anything for You - Beautiful opening...but kinda boring

Last Minute - Still my favorite...so much emotion :love

Zutto... - liked it already when it was released as a single.

Out of Control - Didn't like it at first till the bridge part kicked in. Listened to the song a few times and it grew on me. I feel like this song could be on RAINBOW...or something.

Story - Nice ballad....decent...not great not bad.

The GIFT - a nicer ballad than Story

The Show Must Go On - another dated sounding track...and sounds too much like snowy kiss...never liked snowy kiss

Walk -its ok...doesn't stand out

Movin' On Without You - loved ayu's version

Favorite tracks on the album: a bell, last minute, out of control, the gift, movin' on without you

Overall: Its a decent album. Colours was definitely better. I think I'll combine both albums on my playlist, removing feel the love, XOXO, hello new me, and add in a bell, last minute, zutto, out of control, the gift, and movin' on without you

Already posted a similar comment in another thread, but this album reminds me of Love Again and it bores me. I like about 3 songs: No Future, The Show Must Go On, Anything for You. Last Minute is ok, but I've heard it so much since it was released. Also, Warning is ok only because it's not a ballad. The lyrics in this album are really strong, but it's a pity that there are about 90823409284 ballads in this album. Drags so much.

I agree, and it scares me a little that AHS loves this so much because it's just... such a bland direction to encourage Ayu in? I guess I just don't get why everyone is praising it SO much, I mean do we REALLY want her to continue in this direction of albums bloated to the brim with schmaltzy soundalike ballads and rehashes of that one non-ballad track from Love songs for the umpteenth time? IDK, I just really don't get the hype. Not because I don't like the album (though I don't), but because musically it sounds like a retread of Love songs, LOVE again, and even LOVEppears at parts. Maybe I just didn't realize that so many people preferred this late 90s anime music sound for Ayu. I've always seen Ayu's distinct sound as the big pop stuff she did from RAINBOW through Rock'n'Roll Circus (and Party Queen). To me, this is not at all Ayu's sound or style. But I guess it is to AHS and that's why we disagree? :shrug

I know AHS doesn't like Colours, but despite its major shortcomings it was much more in line with the music she made from 2005-2010. The music she made once she had fully settled into her role as a behemoth pop songstress and fully realized her style. But this album is a step back to a sound that predates those albums. It feels rudimentary and untrue to Ayu's trademark sound.

I can understand liking the individual songs--like, I don't think NO FUTURE is altogether* bad. But is it really appropriate for 2015? No, music has moved past this sound. It's dated and cheesy. It could have been a kick-ass track on LOVEppears or I am... but this is pop and you can't just keep churning out music that doesn't fit with the current times. It just doesn't work like that.

That's why I don't understand the A ONE love. A lot of it would have been fine in 1999, but pop music has moved so far past this. Ayu once moved past this. But now she's regressed and it's stale.

A ONE is intended to be a 'back to her roots' album.

I don't think she's going to keep doing this but it's nice to hear her go back to this sound she hasn't done for a while but had done at one point in her career.

I LOVE the little touches here and there in the tracks' full versions. Wow wow yeah yeah~

I think this album is a good summary of different styles of songs she's done throughout her career. That is probably what she wanted to do. It explains the title (without it's hidden meaning), at least.

Pleasantly surprised is what I would say also. Despite my least favorite track being out of control (because it sounds too much like call and letter to me), I think the rest of the album really shines. WARNING, NO FUTURE, Anything for You, and TSMGO are definitely gems! LOVE!

Out of control IMO is what call and Letter wanted to be.

QFT

I actually enjoy all three of those songs immensely, haha...

I think this album overall is very solid, a very satisfying listen in a way a ton of Ayu's recent material hasn't been. It fixes a TON of the mistakes made in past albums. I'm a big TK fan, so when Love songs was announced as having so many songs composed by him, I was really disappointed with how it turned out... His songs on THIS album, however, are what I was hoping for there and did not get. I think his contributions here are really solid, and "NO FUTURE" is probably one of my favorite compositions of his... ever, actually. I was gonna say "since globe's LEVEL 4 album," but yeah it's probably in the top 5 or 10 ever, and I'm a big fan of his.

I listened to this album with headphones and I'm really glad I did because the good mix on most of these tracks - HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS THE MIX WAS GOOD FOR THE MOST PART - hit very hard. :)

Is the album perfect? No. The ballads get a bit exhausting, "The GIFT" and "Zutto..." have moments that sound really old-fashioned in kind of a dorky way, and there is a lot of recycling obviously.

Objectively I'd put it up with Rock'n'Roll Circus (truthfully one of my all-time favorite ayu albums, though others don't rate it so highly) as far as my overall satisfaction with it though - I will probably listen to this album a LOT.

I like them all too, but I think call and Letter could have benefited from the 'fuller' production that Out of control has.

Yeah, I don't disagree there... I think they're both melodically a bit stronger, but Out of control's mix is much more finished sounding. It balances out for me probably.

I personally think A One is a snore, it's very outdated. But, ayu's trying to return to her roots and doesn't care about what her fans have to say about it. (warning lyrics ).

I'm curious what you all think would be a good direction for Ayu that would not only revitalize her career but draw in old and new fans alike?

I wouldn't be worried about she following this direction... She has been alternating between more experimental and safer albums since RAINBOW or so... The next album will most likely be totally different from this...

I like this album, if compared to Love songs album, this one gonna stand out.

a bell is really a sweet, tranquil openings, kinda hope it turns into full song. But if the next one gonna be WARNING, with its pretty hard rock music that remind me of microphone or mirrorcle world style, then being an opening would be fine.

No Future music was good at intro, but when Ayu start singing and the music change, my curiosity just dropped below zero, because it just reminds me of November, which is a song I loathe.
Anything for You was like Walk episode 2, I'm currently snoring while write this.

Last minute, great decision to put it here, it become some kind of wake up slap. Still like this song. But why does in ref the background vocal louder?

Zutto... oh my favorite song in this album. Such a sad beautiful song.

Out of control. A generic Ayu song. Some part reminds me of Seven days war. I like this. Although her ending singing part kinda off. Makes me cringe.

Story. The intro, gotta admit, it sound like Mika Nakashima's Always from Star album. Anyway, Story was good.

The Gift. The music was like trying so hard to be HEAVEN, it's not a compliment. And when Ayu sing, in some part she just like slip some note. Either it supposedly that way or not, I don't like it. The outro didn't need to be there. The song should just stop when Ayu stop singing.

TSMGO. LOVE this! The music tempo and how she sing was great, although I kinda dislike her cute vocal. I can picture this song become a soundtrack of a game. Maybe Tales again or Persona. The last one simply my favorite game and it would be great if Ayu get to work with Atlus.

Walk. Back to La..la..land. Snore~~

MOWY. Somehow I almost didn't recognized what the different from the last one we get. Anyway, still like this song.

Overall, it's a nice album. There are some time that I just wanna replay the song over and over again, then there's some time I just had enough. It's a good feeling though. 8/10
Good luck Ayu! Good luck A One!

For me Colours was a one time thing. It was a nice addition to her discography, but I think it was clear that, like NEXT LEVEL, it was meant to be a one time thing.

A ONE is alright. Not her best, album, but far from her worst. What the album is lacking is a few more upbeat tracks and a few less ballads.

What I like is, well almost everything, besides Anything for you - the main issue with this one that I have is that it's too long and too similar to Walk. The GIFT which has grown on me, but it's still a cheesy cpop track. The Show Must Go On - I wish it was as good as snowy kiss, but it's not. It might grow on me, but for now I don't feel like listening to it.

The stuff that stands out: WARNING, Last minute, Zutto..., Out of control and NO FUTURE. NO FUTURE was the most pleasant surprise. Even the preview was promising, but the full track is just outstanding in every way. Out of control sounds like it comes from Party Queen's rock section and it's just the type of rock ballad I love. Story has a really nice composition and I generally love it, even though it's not something truly memorable.

I don't think that the cover song is the best track on the album. There are so many tracks on it which are miles better. It's a strong release.

After listen to the whole album, I guess my feeling towards it is similar to njanjayrp. I can see that it's aiming towards more public friendly compared to Colours (and I dun like EDM anywayz so I didn't bother listen to Colours that much). I guess I have to listen a few more times before I can have a better judgement. At least this new album has many ballads, and I adore ballads.

You know what, I can't even connect A ONE songs to the 90s. Maybe the melodies are somewhat retro, but I just can't see, for example, how NO FUTURE can be a A-side from LOVEppears or I am. Trauma, monochrome, WHATEVER, too late, etc are better than this new track. Maybe I just think her recent vocal doesn't suit this catergory. Her voice in LOVEppears were much higher pitch, but I dunno I just love that album.

These are exactly what I had in mind when listening to A ONE :yes
It's a good album not a snoozefest like LOVE again did for me. And she needs more upbeat track, for me ballad is weighted at 5 while upbeat is weighted at 3 so she needs more Upbeat.

Here's my short review
a Bell - I love this intro but it's kinda too short (4/5)
WARNING - What else other than kickass? Maybe the proper rip has better mixing, I hope (4.5/5)
NO FUTURE - Also a nice track, kinda reminds me of Last angel but more energetic and without the low key singing (4/5)
Anything for You - The arrangement are pretty but it's too long I guess and reminds me of Walk (3/5)
Last minute - Her annual dose of Emotional Rock for me, right in the feels. Hoped for a better mixing tho oh well~ (5/5)
Zutto - I initially kinda had mixed feeling for Zutto especially the chorus end when the direction changed was kinda weird, but it's OK now (3.75/5)
Out of Control - As I quoted, this is call / Letter done in better way. Liking what I heard tho maybe not something I'll repeat listen (3.5/5)
Story - For me this one is beautiful, especially the chorus and the arrangement. Idk it's just works for me (4/5)
THE GIFT - Too CPop I guess, I mean I don't really feel anything Ayu about this. It's nice but that's it (3/5)
The Show Must Go On - I LOVE THIS, like a happier version of snowy kiss, just loving this (5/5)
Movin' on without you - Except for her 'weird' singing, I just dance away with this (5/5)

Looking forward to the new Tell All mix, hope it'll change my opinion about it.

Does it matter? Every few albums Ayu shows that she can do whatever everyone else is doing and occasionally goes back to what she likes. Do you only listen to the music which sounds as if it was recorded in 2015? Just because it's "pop" it doesn't mean it has to follow what's popular. I am not sure if you can really stick the pop label on Ayu anymore.

Why does she have to do what's currently in? Also the world has moved past the classical music, it's not in, it doesn't attract masses the way Beyonce and Daft punk do, but people are still making classical music and it has audience.

I very much agree to you.

NEXT LEVEL - sthg experimental
Love songs - sthg classical for ayu
FIVE - sthg experimental?
Party Queen - sthg experimental
LOVE again - sthg classical for ayu
CoLOURS - sth experimental for ayu
then, now A ONE - sthg classical for ayu

Actually I don't mind the above pattern as ayu needs to satisfy 2 groups of fans, one being into her classics and one being into the experimental her.

Turning to A ONE, I like the ballads as they are the classical ballads for ayu and ayu can perform the "love" inside them. Story is one good example.

Of course, there are a few rock/ dance songs - good for the coming Arena Tour 2015!

This album does nothing for me except for WARNING and The Show Must Go On, but that's ok. COLOURS was so amazing for me that I'm ok that she gives everyone else something to love.

I'm genuinely concerned at the number of people that are lauding TSMGO as the best thing since sliced bread. I've listened to the track once, with headphones, and even then I feel like I could hear dogs going crazy from a mile away. :shakehead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Total : 7.95/10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

still waiting for a 320kps rip lol

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

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

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

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

Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Story / The Gift - Boring, not a fan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I do love the song, though.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I didn't forget ASFXX. It is what it is, and obviously near the bottom of the totem pole, but LOVE again is worse. Sorry, not sorry lol

So after a few listens to the album, i finally have the full impression sunken in.

First of all um... The album has a weird pattern of ballad/softness>up tempo/strength, which i would have never thought that could work. But here it does. WARNING kicks in with a surprise after a Bell. And while i am more of a person for the variety of different sounds, and as less cohesiveness as possible, this one doesn't bother me at all, it flows very nicely, which i think makes a perfect "story telling" feeling. I also noticed how quite a few songs start with a very similar tonal/chord like the one that ended before them.

For me personally i found WARNING to be least interesting, it's weird because i actually liked the preview. And i feel more and more like skipping it. However, this is the only album of hers that i can say i played throughout. I don't think there is a song I actually have a dislike for . I have my least favourites but i can still listen to them and enjoy regardless of that.
Also i absolutely love her vocals in every song. They are bright, clear and controlled, emotional where needed and with the vibrato that's absolutely perfect to my ears.

This album for me seems to have every bit of Ayu throughout her career. It somehow feels like there are bits and pieces from her other albums incorporated into the songs. Maybe that's why it feels so whole to me. I kind of see this album as the definition of who she was, is and will be.

I am not going to break down all the songs, because as i said for the first time it feels like it's ONE piece.

This album is the rainbow after the rain that Colours was.

I knew that it's worth having faith in her. Because once again this feels like home.

when one wonders why ayu doesn't push her musical boundaries more than she could, one has to look no farther than her fan base to see the reasons. -.-

After 2 b/filler song types albums, Ayu is back to her roots making great music. I love basically all tracks and as a whole the album feels very cohesive with a clear direction from start to end. I can't believe I waited for 3 years since FIVE to truly enjoy her works again. Even if you don't like this album, there is no denying that ayu is putting much more work and effort here than love again and colours combined. 4/5 but feels like a 10/5 after recent years.

Ayu has already pushed so much throughout her entire career. You can only push so much before you begin becoming an entirely different artist.

The fact is that "pushing boundaries" BS is such a biased thing, what might be pushing boundaries to one, will very much be just an other boring thing for someone else and wica versa. So really.... Plus she's been in a music scene for so long i'm not sure there is anything else to do, it will end up like reinventing a bicicle.

I love this quote and I agree with basically everything you said. :love

^its not...asfxx had strong singles and some good album tracks but the same amount of weak tracks that love again has (as if..., friend, from youir letter, present vs sakura, untitled, petal). all songs that were pre-realesed, despite it being a questionable stunt, are awsome (aka LOVE + again) so the overall albums fells pretty neat.

A ONE is likeable and short - I like it

Lmao! Well said.

Have i posted here yet? Don't think so.

I love this album, yes, too many ballads, but damn, her ballad game is so strong on this one. All the ballads she released on Party queen, LOVE again and Colours are pipi de chat (lit. "cat piss", it means they're meaningless/ridiculous) compared to those.
I feel like i'm listening to the ayu i fell in love with in 2009/2010, there ain't any song i dislike, i really enjoyed Zutto.../Last Minute/Walk when the single got released but know it's like they're my least favorite songs.

I don't think i enjoyed the sound of an Ayu album so much since Love Songs, and damn it was already 5 years ago. I'm proud of her and i'm wondering what she'll do next.

I get what you mean but when an artist brings forth recycled material. Like reusing some rhythms from past songs. I mean I think I heard some obviouse similarities between (anything for you and walk specially on the hey, parts). It all becomes a whole different ball game. is not like there's nothing else ayu could do or that she's pushing boundaries. Its something else... Delicious and bold had good theory.

^
She often recycles her own music tho.
Also she never stick to a musical genre for too much. Ayu will do something completely different after A ONE. It's been her pattern for a while, so :shrug.

Being on topic, after several listenings I really really love A ONE.
It's so nostalgic, all of the songs have a strong Ayu feel in them. I know it's a super-safe release, but I couldn't care less because A ONE have what LOVE again and Colours both lacks: personality. In my opinion, tho.
A ONE sounds like a really personal album to me. That much that I can't help but comparing it, somehow, to ASFXX. Back then she was young and insecure, now she's older and she's doing what she wants.
There's a touch of MY STORY on it too. Not on the cohesive side for sure, lmao, but I agree with the whole story telling theory.

Overall A ONE seems a recap of her past 17 years. A come back to her roots, combining different musical styles she did before. Much better than on that snorefest LOVE again was, imo. A ONE it's still far from being a masterpiece to me, but it's definitely the first album I'm enjoy since Love songs. And maybe PQ that I started to appreciate a lot recently. Also I'd like to quote artcika

I totally thought the same :yes

And I agree with attractive nausea too.
Even though it's a huge ballad album, every ballads stands out for its own and they're not so boring as I was afraid of. Never been a fan of ballads, but Ayu has this special ability to make me love them :laugh

Oh ya I completely agree- I made those same comparisons too. Its just that although they are in the same vain as those songs I think they still sound good and are catchy. My point was more that the songs I think are good are still just songs that have a similar sound as others in her discography.

It is good that none of it is bad. But one thing about her is that I got into her fandom because each album had some new offerings and got me into her. so creative and it really drew you in. We can all have subjective opinions, but not for a second would this album make any kind of wave to attract the attention of anyone whos not already a fan. Which as a fan I do want because ayu as an artist is about that original take on things. Or at least be catchier than anyone else.

Everything u said. ESPECIALLY PERSONALITY.

Umm, what?

My review for now will exclude Anything For You since I'm listening to this album through Mediafire.

1.) a Bell - This is one of Ayu's best introductions ever. It's on the same level of Prologue. The music is reminiscent of the music in Kingdom Hearts.

2.) WARNING - I absolutely hate the transition from a Bell into WARNING. This is one of her weaker rock tracks, but I won't deny her strong attitude.

3.) NO FUTURE - Honestly, I don't find this song memorable at all. It goes on two minutes too long.

5.) Last minute - As much as I hate the mixing on this track, I still jam out HARD to this song.

6.) Zutto... - Not that bad of a ballad actually. The music makes it really powerful. Reminiscent of BALLAD.

7.) Out of control - Probably the most basic song on the album. Boring.

8.) Story - OMG YES! This was a pleasant surprise! My favorite from the album.

9.) The GIFT - Basic. Boring.

10.) The Show Must Go On - snowy kiss pt. 2; not a bad song but incredibly boring to me.

11.) Walk - This was the weakest song on the single for me. But on the album it's really cute and a fitting end if we exclude the bonus track.

12.) Movin' on without you - Why doesn't Ayu just keep making music with RedOne lol they obviously know how to work together. Keep 'em coming!

Meh. I thought I was gonna be disappointed by this album judging from the previews but I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I wish Ayu would have done more experimental stuff in regards to Colours but this is good. Not an album that's gonna shake up the Japanese music industry, but just good shit to listen to. Story is the best song, with NO FUTURE being the most meh. Can't wait to listen to Anything For You whenever I get the CD in physical form.

She has already dabbled in so many different things, while somehow being able to make it all her own. The only thing she could possibly do is to just jump completely in and abandon whatever it is that she does when she takes a genre and makes it all her own.

This is so true! It's how I have felt for years and exactly what I try to express when asking the question "Do you listen to her current releases for the artist or for the music?" - meaning, if you had no bias or preconceived notion about Ayu and/or any prior connection to her, would you still listen to the product? Would you still enjoy it? Would it consume you? People shit a fucking house when I brought that question into play. But it's so true.

The lyrical content and the delivery is so spot on in this album. I can imagine 20 - 23 year old Ayumi Hamasaki singing all of these songs, waving her left hand around as she is singing. The lyrical content is so nostalgic and I don't think she's had such a return to the lyrics that made her big in the first place in recent years...

I do really love The GIFT. I wish it was just a piano ballad kind of like JEWEL. Out of Control is exactly the songs call and Letter were trying to be, I can see this on MY STORY, or I Am... after still alone. The lyrics are so so poignant.

Yes, there are a lot of ballads on this album but each ballad deals with something different in their lyrics which makes everything come together. The upbeat songs are also so so nice. WARNING is definitely being played out right now in this thread (LOL), and The Show must Go On is so nice. I do get the snowy kiss reference but for me, lyrically the songs are so different so I cant say that they are related at all...

New mix for Last minute is pretty good, but still not spot on. :(

A ONE is shaping up to be the album that brings back the passion and fire in her. I like it.

I feel that at least in the tour, Last minute will be proceeded by Out of control in performance. I just did the playlist like this, and they sound so complimenting of each other. Lyrically and musically.

How does the Last Minute mix here differ from the single version?

Is it really a new mix? I haven't noticed a difference at all.

??? Am I the only one who thinks the drum introduction is less electronic, and sounds more organic? Everything sounds less processed, more spaced out, and a little bit more even, and the drums are bumped up a bit in sound over the guitar.

Maybe I'm going crazy LOL

Yea she makes like, maybe two songs on one album that veers from her usual 'sound' and everyone goes into a titzy about how shes being experimental.

Which is why album after album we are still getting songs like song 4 u, Pray, Progress, or things like Story, The Gift, meaning of love, Hello new me.

I'm not saying those are bad songs per se, a lot of them are of course very enjoyable and I like them. But when she has shown that she can do such great stuff like NaNaNa, Shake It, Lelio, I think it's such a pity that she doesn't make a full fledged album exploring those songs.

Doing a whole album of EDM or whatever it is (rock opera, celtic chants, I don't know) does not mean she is no longer who she is. It does not 'erase' albums like Duty or I am... or A ONE. Madonna has done such vastly different sounding albums from Ray of Light to American Life but no one has ever said "that's not Madonna".

They can try to but Madonna probably doesn't give a fuck. (which is very Madonna)

^ Exactly!

Which is why it's disappointing from my point of view as a fan that Ayu constantly seems to want to keep doing her own thing but almost always defects back to pleasing the crowds without finding a way to please the crowd WITH THE MUSIC SHE WANTS TO DO.

We can definitely debate whether she actually desires to 'experiment' or whether shes totally happy 'playing it safe', but I think it's no coincidence that every time she pushes the envelope a bit, and the sales don't measure up, that the next album she immediately goes into a much much safer sound.

This is why she made warning tbh.

I could do without all of those first couple of songs you mentioned. Except maybe progress, none of those are Ayumi Hamasaki to me. She never used to make SO MUCH of that shit. For me, Lelio and Shake It and NaNaNa are actually more on par with how I see her and how nice always seen her. They all have attitude, which is what mostly all of my favorite tracks by ayu has. The rest of CoLOURS though, was just not her. They were like, EDM versions of her shit ballads. They were too "soft" - that was my problem with CoLOURS. It doesn't completely dive in. They are all "knock-off" cheap EDM imitations. The album is a fucking bore. Lelio is the only one that really delivered on the "energy" factor. Feel the love had some, but it was too loopy. Like something you'd hear inside a fucking funhouse.

I wasn't mad that she tried something different, but even trying something different she managed to water it down horribly. If you're gonna do a dance album, make it DANCEABLE. Bring the energy! Bring the attitude. CoLOURS pisses me off cause of all the lost potential. She COULD have made it work, the concept wasn't wrong - the delivery was.

I don't think she was trying to make a dance album with Colours.

An Electronic Dance Music album was not supposed to be a dance album? Then what the Hell was it supposed to be? I expected her to go a bit harder. To bring some more power. To deliver the REAL thing, and not a slew of cheap imitations.

I expected them to get really creative with the sounds. Really draw out the arrangements. Play around with things. Something like the production of Britney's Femme Fatale where it used a bit of everything - grit, synth, bass, layering, etc. I find it funny how people act as if CoLOURS was so different, when it wasn't different enough. NaNaNa with its industrial sound was more innovative than the crap she got sold from "big name" DJs. I just didn't like how corny the lyrics were, but the overall sound was great on NaNaNa.

When damn Crystal Kay and JASMINE have better songs on their EDM inspired albums, then you're doing something very wrong.

Ya I mean its really good her fanbase like us are still so into the idea of her music good or bad to this point in her career. I mean I say a lot of the -where 20xx ayu?- but im still here and listening to everything. It must be the same for japanese fans.

But she needs to be the kind of artist that has an intuition for whats a classic and whats not or whats the next step. Then she can please old fans and get new fans and have the same resurgence namie amuro did. Namie amuro got into the j-hiphop thing and did stuff with even popular korean groups. Thats how you stay relevant. And the songs were good.

People keep saying thats asking too much of someone who is your favourite artist... I dont think so. If shes the same artist she was not too long ago she can get her shit together and deliver some new stuff and steer it in a different direction. Or stay the same- but have the ear for whats catchy enough to have a hit record. Days was so staple- but an amazing song that was a hit. like days or not it doesnt matter it was a hit and its obnoxiously catchy. And we still got green with it which was so fresh sounding and is still an amazing record

Theres so much you could say... I just want to hear a song like how I heard M or brillante or microphone and be like "wow. That was really good. I can show this to a friend and theyll have to agree" the last record I think I could do that for is JEWEL any friend I know who is down for jpop will like it for sure cause its just an amazing song.

Sorry for the essay... listening to the new album gave me a lot of opinions lol I wont be this lengthy here on out

This album is amazing. I didn't think it'd end up being a Top 5 album, but here we are. (Party Queen > Colours > Love songs > A ONE > Rock'n'Roll Circus)

I love that it all sounds so familiar but with a TK extravaganza and random cpop twist and updated with her growth as a person.

I kinda can see why people wish this were the 15th Anniversary album instead of LOVE again, but I honestly don't agree with that.

Zeke it sounds like we basically agree on the same thing. My beef is exactly that, that she didn't take Colours all the way so instead we had a watered down EDM album (which I still liked, but if we could've taken out Pray, Hello New Me, and had a couple more properly EDM-type tracks, it would have been wonderful).

Songs like A song for xx, M, Vogue, evolution, Endless sorrow all had that punch in the gut when you first heard them. And it's not a quality/quantity issue for sure because I'd argue that from A song for xx to Memorial address that's at least 6 albums worth of consistently stellar material.

So while this isn't shitting on A ONE (because, for the record, I'll say again - I LIKED the album), I just find it disappointing that she isn't trying to make interesting music anymore. And perhaps I can be ok with it if I just lowered my expectations and lived with the 'well, she's 17 years into her career what more can we ask', but she is clearly capable of much more if she just committed to it instead of trying to please everybody and impressing nobody in the process.

I will do a more extensive review later with individual track opinions. Short of it, this album is ALIVE is the best word I can describe it really makes me feel, it's intense, raw, emotional, both new and old Ayu. One of her best ever, I didn't think I'd like anything after Party Queen, this is album is so great, every track is gold! Her vocals are fantastic, the songs are layered and full of passion, I believe it when she says this is the work of her life. It isn't a perfect album but I haven't felt so in love with Ayu since I am.../RAINBOW.

She's always going to have an oddball track here and there. The goal of A ONE always seemed to be "Back to Basics" or "going back to my roots". We should get some weird interesting track in the next album since duh, this is Ayu we're talking about.

I don't think her goal in making Colours was ever to make a pure dance album, but just an album that so happened to include some dance/electronic producers. Quite honestly, the ENTIRE release was very out of character for Ayu from the album art to the stylist to the design to the PVs.... ( I wonder if everything started after she talked to Armin at ULTRA) It was a mixed bag of a lot of ~DIFFERENT~ things for her. If she were to ever do a dance album, I don't think it would be the main feature of a release. It would have to be a double album or concept album where one side is "typical Ayu" and the other side is "dance party Ayu".

These are my exact thoughts! Like, verbatim what runs through my mind. The reason I loved Days was because it had that "hit" feeling from the start. It felt whole, and complete. It created interest, it made you anticipate and wait for the release, and when the release happened, it was exactly as you had imagined it to be. It delivered 100% on how you felt the song needed to resolve during the chorus.
Yes! I miss that "kick you in the face" feeling. I guess, lately when she has tried to be experimental, for me, it's a huge failure. Like, she's reaching too far and not bringing it back home. I don't know how to express it properly. But I think we believe in the same thing.

lol the only thing that would be pushing boundaries is going symphonic metal or screemo or something xD she never did those before.....yet... xD she could probably go to the dark side and make an album of something aerie and slightly creepy, but it's been 17 years and that's just not who she is. So.



A ONE to me is a very mature album, for me it's a very solid release.

I was thinking maybe Ayu should rip this off

I just wish she could find a middle ground lol... There's a difference between safe and boring.

I feel like she hasn't really tried to go all the way with an album since Party Queen at the very least.

LOVE again is way too safe (and had too much filler and too many leftovers). It didn't feel like her heart was really in it.

I love Colours for what it is, but it feels more like a mixtape than an Ayumi Hamasaki album. It's way too short, and she outsourced too much to the big-name producers imo. I feel like it could've been so much more exciting with at least a couple more tracks, some trademark interludes, and a track list that actually makes sense lol. I just wish she'd pushed it a little further.

A ONE doesn't feel like an "all the way" album to me either. It's so short and had all of zero effort put into making it balanced. Again, making it longer, adding some more trademark interludes, separating the songs better, weeding out some of those filler ballads and replacing them with at least something less rehashed.

Meh. I just wish she'd realize you can make an album with some ballads that will keep Japan interested, and still do fun things for the rest of it and not make it a ballad-overload snooze fest. You can also do it all without alienating Japan with covers like Party Queen or tacky $5 shoestring budget PVs like XOXO. She was perfectly capable of walking the middle before, but now it seems like she thinks it's either all or nothing.

It was a terrible decision to outsource the album to international big name producers. Because really, why would they give their best work to an artist who's music has very little potential to exceed the boundaries of that artists very own country. They would keep their potential worldwide hits to global artists.

I was surprised because I found this album nice and maybe even lovely. My last fav Ayu album was actually
'Love songs' :)
My favourite tracks are NO FUTURE and The Song Must Go On.
The songs I like very much are: Anything to you, Zutto...