So, this album I had not listened to in full until I received it.
Here's how I feel about it.
First of all, the packaging is absolutely gorgeous, the booklet, the colours, the softness and the wonder that the words Love songs portray – it’s perfect, especially the alternative cover, Ayu is so beautiful.
Now, the music.
1. Love song – the piano is what I hear first; I like it, and it does a lot for the song, the guitar also sounds very relaxing, a nice start. I think it’s an interesting composition that feels like one continuous melody, which isn’t divided into parts. I’ll give it a 6.5/10, because I feel that I might grow tired of it after a while.
2. crossroad – I loved this one from the start, no buts whatsoever 8/10.
3. MOON – I remember loving MOON when the single was released, I believe the play count on iTunes was around 264 when this downhill feeling came over me as it usually does when I lose interest in a song. Back then I would have given it a 9, today I give it a 5, because I feel that I'll skip it in the future many times.
4. sending mail – oh my, quite repetitive are we. But I'm intrigued, the beginning makes me want to know more, the rushed vocals almost make me feel the anticipation, and I'm waiting for the climax. I can slowly breathe when the chorus ends, but then I'm tensed when the second verse begins. I like this one, especially the violin at the end, that was a surprise! Props to Ayu for rising some excitement in me in the morning 8/10.
5. Last Angel – this one's always been 50/50, the beginning is great, and I like some parts of the song, but not so much as a whole, too much lyrics perhaps? It may feel too long, but now I see that all of the songs are quite lengthy. 4/10
6. insomnia – hmm... it's quite good to be honest, the piano reminds me of the scenes in the Last Angel PV where Ayu is wandering on her own at night. Yes, it feels just right after Last Angel, especially with the finale, and the sound of the rushing wind, or the car driving off, whichever it is. 7/10
7. Like a doll – what a simple tune the piano is playing at the start. But 0:30, oh Ayu, your voice sounds strained. I'm not bothered by the English phrase at all, I love the violin, the bridge builds up nicely and the chorus? – God how I love the strings before it begins, but it sadly fails to deliver. This song never reaches its full potential, it could have been much more powerful – yes that's the problem, it doesn't convince me, though the parts where she repeats "like a doll" are supported by the best of the melody. Nice song, will listen to it, perhaps it was intentional to have it composed/arranged in this way, but I can't be sure of how long it'll last in my library. 5/10
8. Aria – another interlude, and so soon? How relaxing is it, I can almost picture being in the country, surrounded by green meadows and fresh flowers, birds flying by, chirping away, that's the type of image it paints in my mind. It's lovely. 8/10
9. blossom – I've never liked it much, it was just so boring. At one point I enjoyed the remix, but I don't listen to electro pop nowadays, so no longer. It feels like Aria's twin song. 3/10
10. Thank U – starts interesting, this and Aria fit the bright side of the Victorian style, but not for long... Lalalala... this is too much, how I lived through this song is beyond me. It's painful, so painful. 1/10
11. Sweet Season – pretty, but that's about it. Boring, how unfortunate, but better than blossom, 4/10
12. overture – I like how the piano is so simple and yet beautiful throughout the album. There is no over the top, exaggerated playing, just relaxed fingers caressing the keys of the most wonderful instrument, accompanied by the strings and the woodwinds. I want to close my eyes and doze off~ 10/10
13. do it again – more English, but the music video I absolutely adore. This is going to be RnRC's equivalent of count down for me, seemingly a simple song that absorbs me entirely. Sing, sing, sing, do it again, dance, dance, dance do it again, Ayu are you confronting our demands? But the song is magic, the dogs that would want to run off and are too big for your hands, just as the industry that's using you, and the charts, which you're trying to dominate, in hopes of reaching the hearts of as many people as possible. God, how this one has captured me. 9/10
14. November – starts of quietly, modestly, Ayu's voice trembles from the emotion that she's sending towards us. It's so beautiful, my legs feel weak. It's different from BALLAD, which was my favourite recent ballad. November leaves me helpless, tears gather under my closed eyelids, because I don't even want to see anything whilst listening to this, let me get lost in the sound... 10/10
15. Virgin Road – one of her most amazing choruses ever, but it's too long, the rest just feels too long. 6/10
Wow, I didn't expect this, I've really enjoyed it. Forget the unimpressive tracks, they're invincible under the light of those that are so wonderful. I'm not bothered by them, because the album is cohesive, though the songs might not survive on their own, but it sounds professional. I'm grateful for the excess of the classical influences, thank you for that Ayu.
You've outdone yourself, LA does you good, Mannie clearly does you good, visit more countries in the future
