New album (January 2023)
 

"Title Undecided"
on sale 25.01.2023

On January 25, 2023 the 18th original full-length album will come on sale.

This is the first full-length album in six years since "M(A)DE IN JAPAN" released on June 29, 2016, and the first album since "TROUBLE" released on August 15, 2018!

Ayu, who has delivered songs that touch the hearts of many people across generations, now expresses all of her creativity in the format of a “full album”.

=== EDITIONS ========
[CD+2DVD+Goods]
¥12,500 AVZ1-63413/B~C
✦ TeamAyu / mu-mo shop limited edition
✦ Luxury BOX specification
✦ Goods: Special book (80 pages A4 size)
✦ Sumapura music code
✦ TeamAyu's original bonus "undecided (Bonus B)"
‣ DISC-1 - CD
・オヒアの木
・Dreamed a Dream
・23rd Monster
・春よ、来い
・Nonfiction
・Summer Again
・Mask
※12 songs total, order undecided

‣ DISC-2 - DVD
01. オヒアの木 (music video)
02. Dreamed a Dream (music video)
03. 23rd Monster (music video)
04. 春よ、来い (music video)
05. Nonfiction (music video)
06. Summer Again (music video)
07. Mask (music video)
08. オヒアの木 (making clip)
09. Dreamed a Dream (making clip)
10. 23rd Monster (making clip)
11. 春よ、来い (making clip)
12. Nonfiction (making clip)
13. Summer Again (making clip)
14. Mask (making clip)

‣ DISC-3 - DVD a-nation online 2020
00. opening
01. Dreamed a Dream
02. Startin'
03. Jump!
04. GET IN GEAR!
05. vogue
06. Far away
07. SEASONS
08. ayu-mi-x Mega Mix -a-nation 2020-
09. Greatful days ～ glitter ～ independent ～ Sunrise ～LOVE is ALL～ ～ You & Me
10. BLUE BIRD
11. July 1st


[CD+2Blu-ray+Goods]
¥12,500 AVZ1-63414/B~C
✦ TeamAyu / mu-mo shop limited edition
✦ Luxury BOX specification
✦ Goods: Special book (80 pages A4 size)
✦ Sumapura music code
✦ TeamAyu's original bonus "undecided (Bonus B)"
‣ DISC-1 - CD
‣ DISC-2 - Blu-ray
‣ DISC-3 - Blu-ray a-nation online 2020

[CD+DVD]
¥4,500 AVCD-63410/B
✦ Sumapura music code
✦ TeamAyu's original bonus "undecided (Bonus A)"
‣ DISC-1 - CD
‣ DISC-2 - DVD

[CD+Blu-ray]
¥4,500 AVCD-63411/B
✦ Sumapura music code
✦ TeamAyu's original bonus "undecided (Bonus A)"
‣ DISC-1 - CD
‣ DISC-2 - Blu-ray

[CD]
¥3,200 AVCD-63412
✦ Sumapura music code
✦ TeamAyu's original bonus "undecided (Bonus A)"
‣ DISC-1 - CD

List of the songs not released on any album yet

- Pray for you - we don't know for sure if it's actual song or just instrumental
- Ohia no ki
- Dreamed a dream
- 23rd Monster
- Haru yo koi - was on A Ballads 2, but such things never stopped ayu from releasing same songs on compilations and full albums
- One night carnival - same
- Nonfiction
- My All (Chinese version) - good applicant for bonus track at Chinese version of the album

Ohia no Ki was on A BALLADS 2, as well. I definitely want it on the new album, though. It just feels right.

As for Pray For You, I genuinely think we were all misled by Ayu's post about it. I don't think it's ever gonna be more than that instrumental/choir version we heard.

I think MY ALL is probably going to be cut, if not a second Bonus Track after One Night Carnival. I noticed that she puts all her cover tributes as the final/bonus track since A ONE so this is likely to happen here as well.

春よ、来い will probably be on the album, too. (RAINBOW did not get included in the next album, but it was re-included in the DVD-Audio of RAINBOW if I'm not mistaken - i.e. we've seen precedent of this happening.)

that said, we already have at least seven full songs, so all she needs is one intro and two interludes - voila, original full album! :laugh /lh

I do hope we get more than 10 songs, though.

from the CDL snippet, it does sound like a full song, which seems to be a mediocre ballad, for my taste, but it certainly seems to be too long and nondescript to be an instrumental-only song. we'll see! I'm very curious about its final version. hope it's not as boring as I expect.

I mean, initially we were all under the impression that she was going sing it at the CDL but since that was cancelled, she uploaded the instrumental as a "treat" / "teaser".
However, she did include the whole song (sung by the choir) in MfL Return, which leads me to believe it was never more than that. If it was going to be a proper Ayu song, then why didn't she sing it there? After all, it seemed very important to her to showcase it during the Music for Life show. It's not like there wasn't enough time to finish it either.

It seems more like it's one of those concert 'filler songs' to me. She's had several full non-Ayu songs as interludes, so this wouldn't be too far off.

You never know with Ayu, but in my opinion it wouldn't really make sense to turn this into a proper song about a year and a half later (after showing an instrumetal & choir version). That would have to be the weirdest roll-out for a song, ever.

One more thing: I actually like the instrumental and wouldn't be opposed to hearing a version with Ayu singing on it – I just don't think it's gonna happen.

Unpopular opinion: although I don't want an eight-track album with two new songs only, I don't want a sixteen-track album either (even some of them being interludes). One of my complaints towards MY STORY is its length. I like cohesiveness, but objectivity too. If she delivers a very solid and non-repetitive 16-track album, ok, but I prefer a strong release above all, so if it's 10 tracks with 4 new songs but a superb album, I'll be satisfied.

I am happy if we get to have all the past years songs on a same album in HQ and as a proper release, all extra material is bonus. I hope we get 2-3 new songs too, but I don't need 8 new tracks. 16 tracks album won't happen. I expect a similliar content as Love again (a mixed bag of all mini-albums, singles and compilation plus few new songs... I hope they will have the decency to not include any TROUBLE tracks on it)

^I can't see them including TROUBLE tracks, it wouldn't make sense. LOVE again was an exception, with the EPs being glorified maxi singles (they released anything BUT a proper single at that time, maybe avex hoped to keep the streak alive for longer).

We're gonna get a couple of new songs at the very least.

Watch her not include any previous released song and give us a completely new full album. Tbh, everything is possible. But i really think we’re getting more than 3 new songs. As much, I can see DaD, Ohia, 23rd, the new one, and Haru yo as bonus. That’s 5, and as a full album it will have at least 10 tracks so...

Guys do you know what would be awesome? A collaboration with Koda kumi. To be honest, I think if we use social media to promote the idea and let them know how much we want it, it might happen. What do you guys think? Anyone up to it?

A collaboration with them would be nice since they have similiar fanbase but I don't see it happening as they had few opportunities to collaborate together (A nation, tributes album, going to each other's concert) but they never collaborated.

Now this may be unpopular opinion but I can't picture in my head ayu x kuu collaboration.

I am super excited about the album. There is so much to look forward to, the tracklist announcement, the covers, the first press bonuses and in general different editions. All the songs she has released in recent years give me high hopes for the new material. Ah, the autumn is going to be so great!

I must say that I'm more excited about the album tour than the album itself ^^' It's about time we have a tour with a proper theme/vision/new songs again and not another tour with a selection of old songs that she's been doing basically since Just the beginning back in 2017 :(

Excited for the new album!!

At this point I don't think it would be unpopular. Ayu and Kuu have openly hung out and clearly respect each other. At this point the competition era is past, and they're both queens with nothing left to prove just doing the work they want. A collaboration would be great!

It wouldn't be reasonable to delay it to autumn since she has already released like 4/5 songs of the album. Maybe she won't include Haruyo and Ohia in the tracklist (I hope so).

I personally hope it’s not all EDM inspired…

Considering the description mentions R&B for Nonfiction (even though I’d disagree lol, based on the concert at least), and since she sang from your letter, which leans far more to R&B, I’d love love love if she went in that direction for some songs.

I’m boring maybe, but I love easy listening songs lol. Also, she mentioned Komuro who, at one time, made great R&B songs.

Something like Amuro’s Private would be fantastic too. With Ayu’s deeper register now, I think it could be great.

In terms of jacket, I assume it’s related to the picture from the cafe, however if I had my way—it would be great to have a picture with some depth… instead of a flat closeup of her face in an empty studio lol. I miss her “destination” photo shoots.

wow we are just two interludes away from a full album. do we need to wait till autumn for it? :P

let's just hope that MY ALL (Chinese version) has a chance to be showcased LIVE in some Chinese-speaking countries that is not under some lock down.

Wait for more informaion!

I don't understand it either. Also why we need to wait until 22 April if song is ready and it will be digital release

Hopefully because it comes with a video that includes the all-pink shot! We think her weird angle wide eyed insta picture is from that shooting day, meaning the video could have been shot recently and needing editing?

I'm not a fan of the cover in the sense that the picture from the café looked so much better! I would have loved a full body shot for the cover with the wall she has a hand against showing the title!

It might be hopeful thinking but I really want to believe in a 10 tracks, 2 interludes, no Haru yo koi, no One night carnival situation!

Ideally something like:

Trickstar (interlude)
Nonfiction
New song (upbeat)
Dreamed a dream
23rd Monster
Interlude (tasuku)
New song (rock ballad)
Ohia no hi
New song
New song

Love your vision of this new album ! I want trickstar so badly lol

Yeah looking at the other threads it looks like us two are obsessed with Trickstar ahaha!

It was just the kind of sound I like at the moment, and the fact it had recorded lines just made it stand out - I can't imagine she'd record lines just for a concert interlude?

Same here, I would think she could release the new song. Not sure if I recalled wrongly but she released 23rd monster on the day of announcement right?

I think it appeared at iTunes even before the announcement because of time difference

I want to believe she's waiting to shot a PV or something :yes

Ok I read to quickly.
Ayu herself announced it at the end of the concert then? Good.
I'm SO happy.

YES to all of this. from your letter is one of my favourite songs from ASFXX and PRIVATE is easily top 5 Namie songs. I would LOVE if she went in this direction.

(But if Nonfiction is an indication of what's to come then...:dead2)

Maybe she wants to release a summer single first before the new album.

I was wondering if she would release another single but I was like, hmm unlikely because she would announce it right together with the rest of the news

I don't see why she'd be announcing a digital single for, say, July in April.

^ she announced a fall album in April?

I understand the logic of announcing the album so early but not all the singles. I can see one ore two more digital singles being released between Nonfiction and the new studio album.

Actually I wouldn’t mind a summer single. I miss her summer single, fairyland BLUE BIRD glitter. Also helps with a new song while waiting for the fall album

If she release anything else I'm afraid we'll get album with all known songs

Nonfiction is not really the type of song I like. It reminds me WARNING. I am not a big fan of WARNING either.

I really like her recent ballad songs tho.

I hope her next digital single will be a ballad song.

Dreamed a dream
23rd Monster
Nonfiction

Three singles in a roll are all non-ballad songs.

We had Haru yo Koi between Dreamed a Dream and 23rd Monster.

Summer single is definitely possible, it seems like she’s very inspired these past couple of months.

I’d love a classic jpop summer sound from her again:)

I say YES PLEASE for that summer single from Ayu. Something catchy and popish prefetably because I'm not in the mood for more rock songs atm. :D

I'm SO happy she did release some songs that are NOT ballads.
We had plenty of ballads already :p I want a catchy or rockish album for once, it's been a while !

If there would be no songs from A BALLADS included (also I just dont listen to Ayumi's ballad anymore - have I ever tbh? lol) I will be satisfied. 23rd Monster and Dreamed a dream should be on the album totally (with the new single 'course)

I’m here for a summer single. But I need a rock album.

I'm here for whatever she decides to release that is new, because it's been way too long haha!

Summer Dairy / HANABI type of summer ballad songs would be great.

In her newest TA blog ayu said she is working on a new song again :)

This makes me confident that we are not in a TROUBLE situation again!
If I'm not mistaken, she recorded 3 or 4 songs before the Pia Arena date, didn't she? Even if one of those was One Night Carnival, I'd say we're still looking at a 10 track album at least with the existing singles!

I wish physical single.

Yea! I am excited when I read that she recorded new song! Still hoping for a 16 tracks album haah

I also think so. I have hopes she will deliver this time. I don’t really know which her plans are for the coming years or her 25th, but if this is the last studio album we’ll get in another 5 years she better give us something grand.
Btw I can feel A BEST 3 coming early next year + another Asia tour, just my psychic gifts talking to me

On second thought, the chances of a summer single is high. She could sing it during A-nation and maybe a new song from the fall album to promote

Ayu: *literally announces her first full-length album in 6 years, obviously showing that TROUBLE is not considered a full album*

Fans: "I hope it's not like TROUBLE" "I'm hopeful it's not another TROUBLE situation" etc

Like, yes, I also remember her annoucing an album and then getting an EP with two old songs, but Ayu has made it very clear we're not in another "you'll get a 5-track EP marketed as an album" situation again. Is the lack of trust really that high? She couldn't be more direct this time around IMO.

Ha, I didn't realise the 6 year comment was official, I thought that was from just our OP here, but just checked the website and you're right - that does bode well for the length of the album.

On the other hand, all covers and Chinese versions included, she already has 3x the content she had at the time of TROUBLE, sooooo

Just playing the devil's advocate here, I genuinely think we're getting 10 tracks or so this time, with only Ohia, Dad and 23rd Monster previously released. I think we're just trying not to hope for too much so we can't be disappointed in case of a worst case scenario situation!

If I get 5 new original songs I will be more than pleased.

Ayu wrote at TA blog that she went to the studio to work on new song.
How many times she mentioned working at the studio except obvious work on One Night Carnival? Around 3 and now it's 4th? At least one song composed by Tetsuya Komuro

That's what I mentioned :) Just saying that it's about the same thing so there isn't any confusion :) And yes, I believe it's the fourth new song. I wonder if Nonfiction counts here.

Should be the 4th new song, including Nonfiction.

@!Lawi! I completely get not wanting to get your hopes too much! I was just kinda irritated by people (not just on the forum) saying stuff like "please not another TROUBLE", when Ayu confirmed it's gonna be a full album. That's what sparked my comment. Hope it didn't come off the wrong way.

I would love for her to do another physical single with more than just one track but I understand why she doesn’t anymore. I wish she would release a maxi single with a bunch of dance and trance remixes like some of her earlier singles but people would say she’s desperate for streams 💀

^Who would say that..? Most people would probably welcome a single that comes with remixes of new songs. Many fans have been asking for another remix album & greatly enjoyed the Dreamed a Dream campaign.

I don't think anyone would see that as her being desperate (except people who literally use anything to hate on her). Besides, her streaming numbers will not really help with charting higher, so that whole "more songs => more streams => higher chart position" logic doesn't apply. Because what would she be desperate for if streams don't really impact how well Ayu's releases do. And Ayu's personal streaming numbers aside, I'm pretty sure Oricon doesn't give all that much weight to streams.

Although streaming has become bigger in Japan, the market is still very sales-driven. Streaming is growing but physical sales are still much bigger (+ digital sales for singles). With Ayu's career it would be rather silly to say she is looking to increase her streams when that is not the aspect of sales an artist like her would focus on. Remixes would at most mean adding more value to the single while giving fans a little treat.

Whew, wrote a lot more than I had planned, especially since Ayu 99% is never gonna release another maxi single (aka it doesn't matter anyway).

We thought we wouldn’t see another full studio album and here we are so... don’t kill our hopes lol (even though I’m with you on this, we’ll probably just get digital singles from now on) And talking about remixes, please Lord give us a remix album or classical or whatever after this album. I want a new Ayu trance so bad

^I always believed we'd get another album, haha! I'd love a maxi single but much more than that I'd like a full remix album of newer songs (which I think could happen at some point). The more songs the better!

Not at all, I'm glad it made me check because now I'm even more excited!

One week to Nonfiction now! I really hope we get the tracklist of the album in advance - I love trying to imagine what the songs will sound like ahah

^Getting the album title + tracklist is one of the most exciting parts of an album release! :)

^Agreed, I love it! I still remember being so confused by taskebab and a cup of tea ahaha!
I loved the daily lyrics she shared for MIJ too!

We'll see if I manage but I'll try to go in blind this time, and not listen to anything that isn't released as a single. I liked the aeternal gimmick when she shared the work in progress, but I felt almost bored of the song by the time it came out. If there are previews this time, I'll try to stay clear!

Ah yes I rem the fun time we were guessing which of the song title is an interlude and not an interlude

Maxi Single is an outdated way to promote a new song. It was a way to promote the song in the CD disc fully (about 69 minutes).

We don't have that limited technology anymore in 2022 digital era.

But yes it was a cool era to have a single with lots of remixes.

Also the length of her hair, colour of her hair, her nails... what she dress. It was always a news topic in the past. Duty cover was iconic. I am... cover was classic. RAINBOW cover was unique. NEXT LEVEL cover was "wtf are you wearing, ayu?"

Idk i’m from Twitter and whenever an artist releases a bunch of remixes the first thing people will say is that they’re “desperate for streams” (just look at any of the replies on chartdata or popcrave 😭) which is why I’m still stuck with the whole Billboard-esque mentality. I hope u don’t think i’m dissing ayu not at all! I would love for her to release a bunch of official remixes and work with some of her old collaborators like Armin van Buuren, System F, Hex Hector, etc. I’m more so addressing people who immediately say someone is “desperate” for releasing multiple versions of a song which I understand that it does help a song chart better (at least in more stream-driven markets) it’s also nice to give fans little gifts and alternate versions (what I do wish people would do is instead of releasing the different versions separately they would bundle them all into one neat little maxi single kinda like what Twice did for The Feels)

^ why did the emoji send like that lmaooooo

Looking forward to the new album :heart I've been burned too many times to have high expectations about the number of new songs lol, but nice to see she's making new songs. I still always love to read her lyrics.

let's not forget.. "EGG" haha.

I mean we all had issues with TROUBLE because it was so hyped up, and then, it was just 5 songs including 2 previously released songs. Considering ayu considers her last "full" album is M(A)DE IN JAPAN (6 years ago), we should expect 1 prelude and 9 songs minimally.

Thanks for reminding us that EGG..

Scramble EGG would be nice.

Thanks for reminding us that EGG..

Scramble EGG would be nice. EGGXISTENCE sounds hot. Hard Egg would be unique. Egg White would be perfect.

I don't remember EGG O_O

Some fans made a rumor tracklist pre-I am era.. called NATURAL and it has a song title EGG.

It was the biggest joke or ayu-meme at the time.

and then in 2010 there a release titled "egg" feature ayu's song and the joke of egg came back.
http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103833

and I made the lyrics of EGG (actually it was from rollin')

Aaaah ok, I don't remember any of that !
Thanks Kotora for the clarification !

at least they got one of the titles of the songs semi-right considering how I am... did end up having a song called Naturally LOL

This would all make sense if Ayu had a newly released hit which was massively streamed which she does not ��

to add on, for the younger ayu fans lol

Fake tracklist containing EGG: http://ahsforum.com/forum/showthread...&highlight=egg

Eggs are delicious: http://ahsforum.com/forum/showthread...&highlight=egg

this joke survived 18 years. =x alright time to move on lol

Actually Survivor turns out to be a real song from that fake track list. still alone had the rumor that "Survivor" was the original title.

omg. this is not the first one. There is another fake list.

Indeed we need to move on.

yeeeas

I am so curious what theme would this album be..

Is it something similar to rock n roll circus that mix music style?

Guess not. Haru yo, Koi probably will be featured only at A BALLADS 2, so Ohia no Ki is the only one ballad present at the album so far. Besides that, all the songs sound very cohesive (electronic and rock, with some aggresiveness), they are all going to a similar direction and vibe. Even the possible bonus track (One Night Carnival) is going the same route.

^omg you’re right. Don’t get my hopes too high for a rockish badass album lol

I'm hoping this is early autumn lol. I feel so impatient.
I'm also always hoping for ayu rock songs above all, but am open to whatever directions she goes so long as there's not too much baby voice.

2nd October is nice date, but it's Sunday, so maybe 5th instead

I want her to work with a new composer again, not only a new composer but also a new arranger who is more in line with current jpop trends.
I dreamed that she will be working with Hiroyuki Sawano one day

She did an amazing job on rapping as well, I would love to hear her rapping again and make more experimental song

A Ballads 2 is actually a more closer release to A summer Best than A Ballads, so I can totally see Haru Yo being on the new album.

I feel this album will be similliar to "A One" in terms of being a bit all over the place going from different styles from different years. I doubt it will be as good as A one though. I like the new songs but nothing stunned me like Zutto/Last Minute/Walk... so far.

For some reason, I have a feeling/high hopes that this album would be more than 10 tracks. Best if she could have more music videos though someone mentioned it is unlikely for companies to invest to much on albums due to digital purchase :(

I don’t think it’s stupid otherwise avex wouldn’t be pumping up all the additional video content that they keep recycling. They also earn munnies off Youtube and those views!

A BASSADS 2 is basically Avex money grabbing plan for the pandemic. Many artists release BEST albums because avex cant make money from tours/live and they have big debt issue.

I believe if they could release another BEST album for Namie at that time, they would f*cking do.

Am i the only one who stopped caring about the format she's releasing and is just glad we're getting new stuff? I just want new music lol I need more rock tracks from her.

still remember i was expecting "Disco-munication" to be a disco song when they annouce the tracklist for NEXT LEVEL, lol

Ayu wrote on TA
"わたしの今年のGWは夏曲創り！" so if my google translate and others are right she is making summer music ^^

It feels like good old days

She’s back for real. Can’t believe it

My prayers for a new Ayu summer song have been heard.

she's going to take advantage of the long holiday to make a new song
that's my gurl

Omg make it a summer single!!!! Need a new beach mv!

I just hope Nakano won't be invited. This guy ruins every song he composes with his bells.

Can't wait to have more concrete infos about the tracklist and stuff. I love the hype before the release, all the speculation around it, cover, length etc.

I know I'll be disappointed I just don't know for what atm. Can't wait. :P

Please Ayu, don't fill the album with songs that are already on a BEST or else album.

Colours was the perfect format.

Please don’t be edm please don’t be edm please don’t be edm.

It seriously does!! :D I'm so hyped for this album

ahhhh...this reminds me of "glitter", "blue bird", "inspire" & "HANABI"... whatever song gonna be release, I know she's gonna nailed it!.