[JaysenRyan]

Ayu really does like to try new things, but at the same time you can easily hear similarities in A LOT of her songs. There are far too many clones. I understand that is common in many artists, but for me personally it is too apparent in Ayu's music. This is both a gift and a curse for me, as sometimes she'll clone her good stuff, but others not. I didn't like the You Were/Ballad single. My personal opinion was it was very similar to other things she has done and it felt uninspired but that is my own personal opinion and as long as Ayu sells, I am happy.

But I think for a new album she really should do soemthing completely unexpected and stop playing it safe. AVEX must be pretty protective of her streak of #1 singles, because they sure don't swim out far in the water. It reminds me of the irony behind Celine's CD "Taking Chances". It was an album full of songs she'd done a billion times. The same old words and melodies plopped together with the same instruments and it was nothing special.

As wonderful as a "signature sound" can be, it can also be as bad as an actor who can only play Villains. Eventually you get sick of seeing the same person in the same role and you're dying for them to play a hero or someone silly.

Ayu is always in my heart and she will never truly disappoint me, but I wish she would take a chance like the Sugababes did and just do something completely different than anything she's ever done. NEXT LEVEL had some bold chances on it and produced some of my alltime favorite Ayu songs "Rule, Rollin, Energize, LOVE N HATE, SPARKLE!!!!, Load of the SHUGYO". But I think it's time for the FINAL LEVEL, and time to face the end boss. LIONHEART FTW!!!!! lol