FINALLY, got to hear the album!!!!!! Im surprised. Now, I can understand why there are divided opinions and now I can understand what it means to have a COHESIVE albums.
I would say, Im very surprised by the styles of the album..for the new tracks I mean. It's really hard to find them similar to ANY Ayu song at all.
And it was really cohesive I agree. I felt like I was in a dream...especially towards the middle. It was magical.
and one thing I love about the new songs...are their beat and the rich music.
01 Love song: 10/10
FREAK! NOT NOT NOT EXPECTING THIS AT ALLL!!!!
This song is truly amazing. It doesn't need multiple listens. The music is fantastic. I did feel the Last Links' guitar-ish part but the rest was purely amazing. I love the kickdrum. It gives the song a whole new feeling. Not to mention, gorgeous opening too..and i mean, that melody is just REALLY beautiful to listen to alone haha (that explained the looping of the CM previously haha). Her voice is special here hahaha..its really strong and there's a lot of character in them. Oh and i really love the chorus..everything forms up really well. (Damn..Ayu has crafted another one-and-only song-of-a-kind)
02 crossroad: 9/10
It was amazing. I could never forget how it sounded so weak in the chaku-uta but this now...the orchestra and instrumentation is just fantastic and powerful. Yea, it definitely has less of the appeal after 3 months but still, its a great song.
03 MOON: 9.5/10
I adore this song because of its power and emotion. Yes, it may sound like a style Ayu has always been doing but so what? It is still a great song.
04 sending mail: 8.5/10
Honestly, first time i heard it, I got a i-almost-went-crazy moment at the last chorus AHHAH..it seemed like it was never gonna end omggg. But now im getting used to the length. I love the rush..and doesnt matter if it has a 80s/90s melody..I actually thought it was a pleasant surprise. And I felt a lil nostalgic at those points. I love the entire progression of the song. Right now, its still growing on me omg...And I totally hear Mirrorcle World's beats in the chorus too
05 Last angel: 9/10
This song has grown on me quite a bit I would say. It was the song I'd actually pay least attention in L but whoa, something about the upbeatness of the track and progression of music that just keeps drawing me in. This song totally brings me into outer-space of sorts.
06 insomnia: 5/10
I loved the opening and this kinda dragged on for too long. Love the ending scary sound too. But yea, i guess it's a Like a doll prelude.
07 Like a doll: 6/10 ->
6.5/10
The opening is so beautiful. But yea, i agree with some here. The song doesnt seem to ever pick up to a climax. It COULD have been much better. Same here, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE BEAT and her Like a doll chant is quite cool hahaha!! Verses are an ace but the chorus' melody is kinda weak for the track. Sometimes, its happy, and sometimes its sad. But I think it may grow on me..because the tune is so simple, it'll get stuck in my mind easily.
(EDIT: ok it's growing on me hahahha!)
08 Aria: 9/10
Im very impressed with this interlude. It's such a joy to listen to it and really feels like I'm im a fantasy
garden. I wasn't expecting the louder sound halfway and it was such a pleasant surprise. Definitely one of her best interludes.
09 blossom: 9.5/10
Giving it a 9.5 because it has came out for sometime. But honestly, if I heard this song for the first time, i would call it a roller-coaster. I love the guitar parts as they portray such a
rough and emotional side..then the verses are
soft and mellow with a very nice beat to them. Not to mention that awesome bridge
10 Thank U: 8.5/10
Wow, never thought the song would turn out so...fresh. I thought it would be kinda like her typical pop song but this has quite a cool sound. It gives me the same vibes as Bridge to the sky..
really wants me wanna fly. For a moment, I pictured Ai Otsuka/Perfume singing such a song..or maybe even Hitomi Shimatani
...but i really like it! It's quite different from Ayu's goodbye songs actually. I really feel very emotional at the musical interlude it has...it feels so right. lalalala into rightness~~~
11 Sweet Season: 7/10
I like this song. It fits really well after Thank U (and in this section) generally. Whenever I hear the song now, I remember the PV..and recall how perfection doesnt exists and it makes the song so pretty...kira kira kira~
12 overture: 7.5/10
RPG RPG RPG!!! this interlude feels like it'll fit right into any RPG trailer hahaha! And I can totally picture Ayu singing for this. Could this be the Tales track??? ahhahaha...I dont mind
13 do it again: 8.5/10
Epic! I feel like the world is coming to an end really. No wonder everyone said it sounds so sad..I feel that too. In a very beautiful way. the way she croons the dance dance dance sing it again is so haunting really. I love it. Initally i felt the chorus didnt really live it up but now, I think it's ok. It'll continue to grow on me
14 November: 9/10
It grew on me REALLY FAST! I like the beat. It's just right. The more I listen, the more i discover in the background. And the more I find that it's different from other Ayu ballads. Is this even considered a ballad? LOL. Theres this bittersweet and medieval feel I get from the song. It's fresh and cool.
15 Virgin Road: 10/10
I love this track. Everything is right. The mood, the progression, the power. One of her best power ballads in a long time..without the need of being rock-influenced.
Overall:
BEAT BEAT BEAT! The new songs are really good! most of them are. I absolutely love the effort gone into making this album. The music is fantastic. It's actually telling a story without even having Ayu's vocals, which have improved. Sometimes, she sounds strained yes..but I guess, i'll get used to it
She still sounds really good in general.
I like how Ayu strayed away from the typical. I find this album very different actually.
great job! now, I just need more listens because as much as the music is amazing, the songs are those thatll JUMP out at you (cept Love song) immediately. They take time to grow on you via their music