[Kanzaki]

tasky
Possibly the most appropriate and perfect interlude to an album titled "MADE IN JAPAN". BA blend of old and new, would've maybe liked a bit less techno and a bit more "old", but I seriously like this opening.
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FLOWER
Mid-tempo rock ballad. Her voice is clear, but sounds like it's struggling a bit in the chorus. The blend of old and new still works really well here. The riff at the bridge kills me every time!
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Mad World
Another mid-tempo, but with a melody and vocals much more to my taste. The build-up gives a much better pay-off, this doesn't go all out with screaming, but is much more heartfelt and feels somehow more "genuine" to me. You can really feel her emotion in this one.
♥♥♥
Breakdown
Old school Ayu ballad opening, turns epic and bittersweet just a few seconds into the melody. When she starts singing, the quiet instrument with japanese influence really allows for her voice to shine. The chorus isn't too overpowering, throwing the whole song off-balance, it's just perfect for it to work. Her voice here is brilliant.
♥♥♥♥
Survivor
There's something very ESC about that chorus and her voice in it (in a bad way), and that chanting from the back-up singers isn't doing it any favours. I think there's massive potential in this song and a lot of promise in the better parts of it - the quieter, build-ups. But it's just too much. It wouldn't surprise me if this song would become beloved by many and also hated by a few. It certainly does sound like a survivor's song, I'll give her that.
♥♥
You are the only one
Bagpipes.
That is all.

Actually, no. Because this is a really sweet song. It sounds almost a-typical Ayu in some ways. There are bagpipes, 80's synths and it's a softly sung ballad. And it's honestly a very good song. I'm not blown away by it, but it's not the kind of song to do that. It's soothing, tender and loving.
♥♥♥
TODAY
Another ballad. This has a much more uplifting and warm sound to it, reminding me a lot by feeling of Sweet Season. Makes me see that orange, glowing colour scheme and makes me feel like I can overcome everything today might bring. It's so tender, it's almost heartbreaking!
♥♥♥
Summer Love
Oh, sh- here we go. Cranking up the tempo for this one. Despite all the tempo and the dance-beat, it's kind of boring. Not bad, just boring. I'd much rather listen to Terminal or one of her more recent remixes than this. I can't see myself listening to this again many times over.
♥♥