THE introduction This is something unique in it, you know? Sounds like a melody from the computer game, but still has that original feeling. I personally loved it. But does it match to this album, as intro before Microphone? I don't think so. Cool intro, but it shouldn't be here.
10/10
Microphone What can I say? It's my favourite Ayu's rock song together with Rule and GAME.
10/10
count down It reminds me so much of fated (~episode II~ anyone? LOL)... But with stronger feeling. Love her voice here, melody is catchy. It'll become one of my favourites from her for sure, if we talk about angry, powerful rock songs.
9/10
Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ It's kinda weird it's here exactly, after 2 previous powerful rock songs... It's like coming to another category... I've liked it since I've heard it at first. Nice, relaxing song, it can become a bit boring though. Not my favourite, but not that bad. I can't understand why there are so many Sunset haters.
7/10
BALLAD I remember I used to love it when it came out... Now it's nice song, but I won't listen to it often like during Yw.../B release days. Bring even more than Sunset. 6
/10
Last Links Acoustic guitar
Violin
I've loved it already when I heard the beginning. But when I heard it in all... I'm having a dissatisfaction feeling. Maybe it'll grow on me.
5/10
montage The most epic Ayu interlude, no doubt. It's just so beautiful with its mystery. I love how many different melodies are played in 1:40 long interlude. Variety of instruments is awesome.
10/10
Don't look back Like with Microphone, I don't say more. It's one of the best made Ayu songs in her career, music, arrangement, lyrics, climax - all is on the highest level. And I'm just a sucker for oriental sounds.
10/10
Jump! Welcome to the next part of the album! Nice alternative from all these serious melodies. Enjoyable, but it'd match more as melody to some of tour screens without appearing on studio album.
6/10
Lady Dynamite Cool & sexy~ It's so catchy. I have SURREAL feeling when I'm listening to this... and it's positive thing
Electronic sounding tune ruined it a bit for me, but it's one of the best songs here.
10/10
Sexy little things I'm not crazy about it as I used to earlier, but it's an awesome song. Something totally unexpected and original from Ayu, FINALLY.
10/10
Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ They put this in a right place and they can't do this with Sunset? Maaan... Summer song which is supposed to have fun, so I've never had high expectations about it. I always want to dance (or throw a towel
) when I'm listening to it, so it's positive side about it. Very jpop-ish, but quite good.
8/10
meaning of Love What a boring and unoriginal song... I couldn't listen to whole song. It's going to be deleted from my computer asap.
0/10
You were... Typical Ayu's winter song... And very generic song. I have the same feeling during listening to No way to say. It've not amazed me and never will. I just can't stand it, like the previous song.
2/10
RED LINE ~for TA~ [album version] What a great ending! RED LINE is calm and cheering song with a super message. Ending is amazing, I've always wanted her to sing acapella in the end of the song! It's gonna sound amazing in tours! And lalalas aren't creepy finally.
8/10
So, what I think about the new album? I don't say it's better than NEXT LEVEL, because I love NEXT LEVEL and it's one of my favourite albums. I say that it's definitely better than previous albums, GUILTY and Secret. On the one hand it has a well thought-out order, we see these three parts: songs with sad or powerful message (from beginning to Last Links), montage with Don't look back (I love that it is a special, stand out part which connects 2 parts) and finally energetic, fun songs with calm ballads at the end. But on the other hand the order is a bit chaotic like in a NEXT LEVEL, what's why it's similiar album to NL IMO. It has meaning of Love, from now Ayu's worst song overall though. There are some other weak songs which can be replaced, but... it's not that bad. because this album has epic, kicking asses tracks which will stand out from her discography along with the most popular songs. Rock'n'Circus is definitely worthy to listen not only for Ayu fans!
7.5/10
Best tracks:
Don't look back
Microphone
Lady Dynamite
Sexy little things
count down
Song I'll give a one more chance:
Last Links
BALLAD
You were...
The worst:
meaning of Love (why does it exist?)
about introduction and interludes: THE introduction and montage are one the most original intros from her, I'm glad they were created. Jump! is nice, but a bit forgettable.
9/10
PVs:
I re-watched them all once again and... Unfortunately, I have to say that they're not amazed me. Maybe in Lady Dynamite and Slt all was supposed to be fun, but they weren't solid videos IMO. Don't look back and Microphone are interesting, but not to watch it often. They're still better from GUILTY and NL clips though.
5/10