Well, this is what always happens. People don't judge a song for itself but they will always connect it something else. S/S is a really good idea and concept if u ask me. But people immediately connected it to other concepts like YumenoUta/futari de... etc but for me an UPBEAT track -> Ballad is fresh. And Ayu did both individually really well. I mean, it's not like she sang the ballad in a really happy mode. And Sunrise definitely gets people hyped. How can u compare such a new age track to Boys & Girls, which is old skool jpop? THAT has already become of Ayu's classics..if not a well-known song in the history of Jpop even.
You were.../BALLAD are also really strong tracks THEMSELVES. but when people hear You were..., they'll all cry how similar it is to songs like No Way To Say etc. Honestly, I did to but who cares, I love how emotional the whole song is..and it's simple melody n the verse pulls me into the whole song and when it climaxes, I think it's just wow. But people don't often see that. BY that I mean, those who have such high standards that no song must song like another and even the vibe "I" get must be different. BALLAD is another emotional rollercoaster and a brilliant track all round despite it lying on the softer side.
I don't think Ayu's works have failed in anyway because it's all up to how u DECIDE to perceive it. U can class it as a typical Jpop tune with a simple melody, or u can class it as a really relatable and radio-friendly one. Itt's only because Ayu has HAD a similar sound that these appear weak..If she released these maybe 4-5 years back, I think people would probably have loved them even more.
Sidenote: I'm getting I am... vibes..(though Im not a fan yet during that time). Sunrise-flower garden, Sunset-a song is born, You were...-M, BALLAD-Dearest
Again, it's MY vibe. Which leaves all the brilliant album tracks I am... had...which were rock and slightly electro
hope it's right.