ayumi hamasaki NEW SINGLE 23rd Monster Release 2021.04.08
 

Will post preview link ASAP

https://i.ibb.co/0ZQW0X0/IMG-0029.jpg

NO WAY, FOR REAL??

23rd Monster? what does that even mean?

She's going into her 23rd anniversary.
So this is probably her (keep) being the monster in the 23rd year.

Seriously? Omg

ah okay - still weird, just call it Monster plz XD
ut oh well - news music. yay?!

Wow, ok that was totally unexpected, thanks for the news!! xD
I was 100% sure she was just teasing with her countdown for the A BALLADS 2 release, didn't see a new single (with PV) coming along! Go queen of troll!

There's a link on her official Youtube channel but it's still private
(it will probably be open to stream once it's 04/08 in Japan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xyWffADDUE

23rd anniversary with a compilation and a single, go gurl!

full ver is in DL session

I love the cover! Really curious about it. Weird title, but I’ll take it! <3

I guess this wasn’t supposed to leak like this. Once again, kudos to her management’s team. They’re the best... lol
The cover is gorgeous.

:( sad that it leaked. I’ll wait till Ayu’s update to listen.

OMG ayu went hard on this :luv2 YAS BITCH

Not really a leak, it got available in New Zeland's time zone (Apple Music and Spotify) so we have to wait until midnight in our respective time zones!

Well, I mean before she could announce it officially lol
Kinda steals her thunder. But if it’s time-zone based then it can’t be helped I guess.

If you make a timezone based midnight release you should calculate that if you are not in the "1st timezone", there will always be some fans in earlier timezones that get a glimpse

love the cover :luv2 she looks stunning!

OMG !! This is Ayu !! The song is reaaally good !

Loving the song so much! I've missed ayu so much, this song feels so new!

It sounds like a Memorial Address/My Story song. It's so good! I like this direction a lot.

Interesting track, still unsure if I like it. I am glad it's kind of unexpected though.

Lmao, she did whaaaaaaaaat?!
Exciting!

Right I can't, this even puts W to bed. 2021 is a GOOD year for Ayu!

I literally am so happy about news of a new single that I couldn't nitpick on what I don't like about this!

this needs a kickass video clip and like a good anime(?) tie-in. I'm loving the vibes of her latest upbeat songs, first Dreamed a Dream and now this. my goodness.

happy 23rd anniversary indeed!

OMG how unexpected!!! weird title but yay!! Can't wait to listen to it - and that cover is gorgeous!!

the song is perfect omg

I wonder whether the Insta-story footage she posted about some kind of shoot was for the music video of this single :O

assuming it was, I'm so excited to see what the video is like for a song like this (especially if you also factor in the assumption that she is still pregnant) :luv2

I'm shook. I haven't listened to the track yet, but the cover is striking and...nostalgic? That is, it seems to me quite reminiscent of eras long gone (very 2010 in particular).

Physical CD?

the cover looks to me like a revamp of the CD-only version of A BEST 2 -WHITE-

Welcome back rockayu, I missed you so much :heart

Queen has delivered.

I think, it will just be the head shot? The ones that she has been posting with the bucket hat. I wish for other inter cut scene tho

Ayu really woke up this year and said "It's time to make my comeback"

This is a BANGER

BTW the song is composed by KAZUHIRO HARA

OMG AYU!!!!
Welcome back, Queen!

what I meant was the short clips she posted with some of her dancers present. I think they were captioned with "had a great day" or something. her hair looks different there but you're probably right.

if this is what her recent TA blogpost mean about returning to form for ayumi hamasaki, then I am all for it. my body is ready, Miss!!!

^Absolutely!

I love love love the song so far, I think I'll be listening to this one for a long time!

I don't mind the cover but the font and the way the title is angled on her finger look like a ten minute job :laugh

Similar to My All, but this one sounds more powerful.
Interestingly all the anniversary songs are rockish songs.

Omg the song is really cool, she sings like she’s a bit angry lol
Can’t wait to read the lyrics in English.

JUST CANT WAIT FOR HER PV

Actually I was hoping she can release a physical single and see if she can still get 1

Took me a while to understand your message because I forgot Tell all existed, and I was really struggling to find the connection with MY ALL :laugh

It's true, all the anniversary songs have that 'angry' feeling about them! So far I'd say: 23rd Monster > Mirrorcle World > Tell All, and that's coming from a big MW fan!

I really like those sudden surprises! Boom a new song from nowhere.

LOVE the cover even if it's another headshot. The mask, given the current pandemic, certainly ads some personality to it.
I like what they did with the font placement. And it's out of focus like everything except her eyes, which is a nice touch (so that we can appreciate her weird lenses even more :D).
Also really like the title, this is something I wouldn't expect from her at all! Nice surprise!

As regards the song, my feelings are way more mixed.
I really like her voice here. It's quite low but fits the song very nicely. The delivery (not sure it's the right word...) sounds natural. BUT... I have issues with arrangements and probably mixing too. It's the same issues that DaD had. Everything is so busy, too busy resulting in it sounding really flat and empty. It's even more noticeable on this song to me. The arrangements in themselves are a bit dated and too messy. It certainly would benefit from more subtlety. I can't help imagining this new single with another team behind those two aspects. It could have been way more.
Still I'm happy it's not a typical bland ballad.

Mirrorcle World will always have a special place on my heart because it was one of the songs that made me fall in love with her and everything about it is iconic: the music, single cover, MV, live performance at AT2008...
Probably 23rd Monster won't caught the spot but it certainly sparkles to me hahaha
Tell All is a compilation of all the rhythms she played along her life to me, I love the concept but I have mixed feelings about it :roflmao

I don’t like the font placement either. It really gives me Live Journal icon design contests circa 2005 ahah.

They could have used at least some overlay filter :laugh

Japanese netizens are gonna go mad that she's 'got ANOTHER new voice' hahaha. I like the song but it does sound kinda flat, if they're remastering A BALLADS 2 why couldn't they pay attention to the mixing of her current music?

I like the fact that there are 3 spotlights reflecting in her eyes - is it on purpose, maybe not, but goes well with the 23rd anniversary theme :)

THE FLASHBACKS FROM THESE THINGS

I love the song though. If there is going to be a PV I sure can't wait to see it.

MW is a such a mythical song at this point you're right, if only for that AT 2008 performance! I'll have to reeavaluate when I'm not on my 'new song high' anymore ahaha

Well simple: now they can remaster it for A BEST 3 :cool

After few more listens imo the song had this Secret/GUILTY vibe but with a modern take (?) not sure if that makes sense lol I love it!

Listened to 23rd Monster as it became available where I am. I really like it, while recognising that it does have flaws (the arrangement does feel flat at times, and if it was richer and more nuanced in its layering, it would be a convincing MY STORY - Secret era reject imo), there is an 'aliveness' to this track that I haven't heard from Ayu in a while (the Haru Yo Koi cover aside). This feels like a return to form - I'm looking forward to listening to what comes next!

https://i.imgur.com/OAC9tqB.png

Textless 4 You

Ugh so much better! Thank you!

—

Shimomura mentioned René Gruau on his insta in regards to the hat and red lip pictures so it seems that was his inspiration? :)

Wow nice surprise! I figured it would be a lipstick release or something :laugh

Well, I really liked the whole thing. I'm glad that this is a rockish song and not a ballad. The photos look stunning.

im so happy A LIPSTICK didnt come out but this BEASTY SONG!

The song sounds really fierce! I love the intro and her low vocals. The cover is STUNNING and that rock-ish vibe goes off! I'm excited for the PV. :heart

Hmm teaser instead of full mv

I thought we were supposed to get the full video. Any idea when it will come out? I don't like those longer teasers because they usually eat up views.

Wait they removed the teaser???

^Still there for me.

THE BUDGET IS BACK

Her voice really good!!!

SHE JUST SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A NEW ASIA TOUR AFTER 13 YEARS ON HER INSTAGRAM OMFG

Wooow
I love what I have heard

It’s a bit crazy since pandemic is still not over yet.. unless she is doing an online one but then that won’t make sense... maybe a China tour

I find it hard to believe she will go on an Asia tour with everything that's going on. Or is this going to be Japan + China & Taiwan. I don't know how the situation is over there. I think they can do concerts again in Taiwan but I'm not sure about other places (talking about Asia).

OMG! I really like this cover! Waiting....

I’m not really sure, but according to some media (like if they were believable in the first place tho lol) in China they’ve been doing normal life since a while ago... Maybe Ayu is so eager to perform she choose the only country where it’s legally ok to do so lol

I am from Singapore and I am quite sure it’s difficult although the country population will be vaccinated by the 3rd quarter.

Wasn’t there news about plans to do tour in China last year (hence Chinese ver of my all) but COVID strikes.

China is back to pre COVID lifestyle already

I'm dying already :P

wow i thought the same about anime! Maybe MECCA or vampire haha but i really wanted anime promotional

I don’t particularly like it. Sounds kind of cheap with those weak synthesizers that sound like they came as part of the default sample pack included with the DAW. Lol.

I appreciate the direction she’s trying to take this in, but Dreamed a dream did it better (this feels like a weak version of that meets a weak version of Tell All).

This is her best song since a whiiiiiiiiiile. Finally something up to her old standard. it sounds like something that could have been on Next level or Guilty

I don't know but I'm having the impression that mixing in the MV teaser is better than the actual version (.m4a) we have of the music, seems "clearer" somehow. Somebody noticed it too or it's just my imagination?

I noticed too

Yes!! I keep holding hope old Ayu would grace us with a hot track. And here's one!!! Now give us a whole album like this please!

I had to re-read the katakana in her Instagram story just now to make sure I'm getting it right: an ASIA TOUR after 13 years???

lmao not this woman already planning for the stage! I swear she goes to sleep every night telling her baby to get the fuck out already. A bitch needs to tour. I have no doubt the moment that child pops out she'll walk outta that hospital and straight to rehearsal :roflmao

What an amazing surprise :o I LOVE her voice here! She sounds so fierce, badass, and powerful. I definitely get some MY STORY vibes from the instrumental too. So curious about the lyrics!

I hope we get more rock tracks like this soon! I've been thinking her rock tracks are the tracks that are a hit for me at least 90% of the time. She's just so damn good, especially with how deep her voice can go.

Oh also I love the title of the song. Very creative.

What is she singing in English in the song? is she saying "It's called A monster" and "you are also A monster?"

I like the song, but her voice in the chorus is too squeaky.

WOW.

I like how DARK this is. Right up my alley! YES, QUEEN!
The only thing i wish is more guitars in the actual chorus, it calls for something a LOT heavier. Cuz it kind of falls flat on it's face compared to the verses. But maybe the actual thing will sound better. Or maybeyou guys talking about mixing being a bit off are onto something here.

For some reason when i first saw the video i thought of alterna, it kind of has the vibe of it, the song too. I love her voice in this. It's so dark. THE GOTH ME IS SO HAPPY.

I also for the first time in forever like the cover and what they did with the text. She certainly could have done a more out there photoshoot for it, but it's fine.

I knew that giving up on her wouldn't be a smart move.

Honestly, i was not expecting a SINGLE. She legit surprised me lol

Okay guys I'm super excited about this single ! Love the pics, love the cover, love what I hear !! But when does the song come out ?

It´s in the download section allready. it will be available on streaming service at midnight your timezone

Oh I didn't see it, thanks ! I'm listening now :)

The song sounds tailor made to be used in a live. The power reminds me of talkin'2myself and decision.
I guess this would be the kick-off track for her Asia Tour.

(btw I sense some sort of best album coming... she released A BEST 2 before asiatour2007, and A COMPLETE before asiatour2008 outside japan)

Thank you kindly :D

Just noticed her voice is going from left, to right the first part of the verses.

Also, do you guys know if Shimizu and Sato usually work with her on arrangements?

I see W popping out few times in the conversation. I think I prefer it over this new song. It's much more rock (still a pop song) and the arrangements are more interesting (even if it's mostly electric guitar) and laid out. I wouldn't call 23rd Monster rock, it's more (dark) synth pop.

I love the guitar and bass during the first notes of the intro on 23rd Monster.
The song overall is growing on me. I think I will end up enjoying it more than DaD which didn't grab my attention for more than a few days.

I’m not listening to the song until I’m in a better mood. But I’m living for this. Just when I thought she would go for a softer/ballad-ish style from now on, she releases something like this + a whole tour across Asia given the world’s situation lol I just hope an album is actually coming sometime in the next months (year...?). How much I’d love that cover to be an album one. It’s the best one we’ve had in a VERY long time, it’s nothing special but the styling is different, she looks fierce and what they did with the font is actually very interesting and well executed imo. MORE OF THIS PLEASE. Girl was serious when she said she was going to give back ~the essence~ to Hamasaki Ayumi.

The way she is singing "ru" sounds a bit different but I still love this. It feels like GAME for 2021 Ayu

From the preview clip I also can't wait for a live performance. Give me those dancers adding to the vibe instead of distracting and some flames going off powerfully in time to the music, yes!

The cover could fit for A BEST 3... it is basically the same shoot as A BEST 2 with a face mask (fits the current situation)

Love the song. I also thought a bit about (don’t) leave me alone and that it should be purely rock without synths but it’s actually good and the lyrics!!

I’m excited to see the live performance of this song, especially if the band comes back (fingers crossed!) I can definitely see her performing this along with 春よ、来い on the new TA tour and Asia tour. Maybe she’ll premier pray for you on the TA tour?

I agree. I love rock Ayu and the synths don’t add much for me.
As for the crowded mix, it sounds like they have multiple instruments crossing into each others frequency range instead of the engineer carving out space for each instrument to sit. It’s almost as if the mix engineer was either too rushed or too lazy to create space for the frequencies of the instruments and just stacked everything. The PV mix sounds less crowded, not sure if it’s because they’re using a 48 kHz mix down (the usual standard for when printing for video) vs 44.1 kHz (the standard for audio only distribution) though there really shouldn’t be much difference between them as it’s typically the same mix, just the sampling rate of output is different.

Oh my gosh! This is perfect for me! I love everything about it. Reminds me how excited I was when Because of you, GAME and takin' 2 myself were released, I missed that <3

^I like the song, she does the same thing with her voice like in HYK tho
I'm glad it doesn't sound like Because of You or talkin 2' myself cause I never really liked those

You may know Sato as "ats-"

He did this mix of Dreamed a Dream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrgr...b_channel=ats-

Her voice sounds really different but I like the song. Can't wait for the PV.

I like that kind of voice