｢Party Queen｣ Thoughts on album?

[ayu-fan]

Omg after reading the translations i kinda understand now why she told us earlier she's a sad lonely queen (( the lyrics seriously made me appreciate the songs greatly, even the un-ayu-ish song like the next LOVE.

[Kazeyomi]

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

I guess I'm one of the rare ones who loves ALMOST everything she does.

The only tracks in ayu's discography that I can't listen to in full (only including "original mixes" are:

Will
the next LOVE
Eyes, Smoke, Magic
from your letter

you're not alone
I mean, might there are the weakest songs and albums for me, but overall I never had a huge disappoint in her yet (and I hope it will never happens, would be sad and awful lol).

Btw I listened to PQ several times this week and I can make easily my love/like list now:

Love

the next LOVE
call
Shake it ♥
reminds me
Tell me why
how beautiful you are

Like

Party Queen (I still prefer the live version ugh)
Letter
Return Road (everyone will hate me now lol)
Eyes, Smoke, Magic
NaNaNa

[Delicious n Bold]

Here's a mini review of the album:
Party Queen- 8, she sounds cute on the song, but not overly cute (a la honey, thank u) so all's good.
NaNaNa- 8, Ayu's fantastic chorus saves the day, her voice just suits the beat.
Shake It- 10, Less timmy, more ayu singing. also, this kind of song is my thing and its quickly becoming a favourite.
Taskebab- 7, makes me hungry, but the guitar sounds okay.
Call- 7, not much to say, its okay. I like the pre chorus.
Letter- 9, i love the pre chorus, chorus and instrumentation after the chorus. it just flows imo.
Reminds me- 8, i love it when ayu goes 'la la la x100' and this song supplied me
Tell me why- 8, solid instrumentation. sounds nostalgic. a nice song.
A cup of Tea- 8, It's growing on me, this dub step fusion thing. It sounds weird where it's placed, but it's a nice interlude.
The Next Love- 10, slow and peaceful, an easy, lazy listen that i just adore.
Eyes, Smoke, Magic- 8, ayu once again has those cute-but-not-overwhelmingly-cute vocals in this song. it gets better once timmy leaves (that laugh at the beginning.... ugh).
Serenade in A Minor- 8, im partial to the violin. it sounds lovely, but its missing something that i can't quite put my finger on.
How Beautiful You Are- 10, I'm a SUCK for an ayu ballad. and the message makes me feel so happy.

Overall: 8/10

[jbrat2219]

The only songs I don't listen to are Last Links and Teddy bear. Can't stand her voice. But other than that there are not that many songs in her discography that I can't listen to.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

As for me, when it comes to Party Queen:

Love
Party queen
NaNaNa
Shake it
reminds me
Return Road
Tell me why
how beautiful you are

Like
call
letter

Dislike
the next LOVE
Eyes, Smoke, Magic

[qwerty]

"Return Road" was good for the most part... then that weird falsetto "AAAAAH AAAAAH AHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHH" part just had to show up and ruin the song... And then it stays for the rest of the song. Sigh.

I love "Party Queen," "NaNaNa" (Timmy's rapping isn't so bad in this one; I'm not sure why it's so unpopular), and "how beautiful you are." "call" is really great, too. It seems a bit underrated to me.

I hate "Eyes, Smoke, Magic." She sounds like she's trying to imitate Shirley Temple. But then again, it might grow on me. B&D was unlike anything she's ever done, and I hated that when it first came out, but now it's a classic to me.

"Shake It" isn't bad, really, but it's just kinda boring.

I like "Tell me why." Nice melody and vocals. Doesn't seem like filler material like 60% of her last album was.

Overall, PQ isn't a bad album, but it's definitely not her best. Still good to know that she's still got it, though.

[jewelbox]

I can't listen to :Than kU, S/S,glitter, Beautiful day, HONEY or Beautiful fighters. There's probably couple more. Some cutesy songs are too much for me and my personality.
On PQ:
Love
reminds me
Return Road
Tell me why
Like
Shake it♥
Letter
the next LOVE
dislike
HBYA
PQ
NaNaNa
E,S,M
call

[freedreamer]

MY REVIEW:

Before I start, I've gotta say I love the songs she has delivered in this album. I may give numbers but that is probably from a more objective point of view because...I mean...call VS Return Road, in terms of music and style, Return Road definitely takes the trophy so here goes...

1. Party queen: I've loved it since CDL1112. And now in HQ, it's really so fun and chirpy! It kinda lifts my mood up while listening to this. But yes, the KANPAI parts are severely anti-climatic but at least that's just two points on the song. I wonder who did the creepy laughter at the end lol! 8/10

2. NaNaNa: i ADORE the "tick tick tock" part so much!!! I actually find Timmy's rap really cool hear. I was expecting some bombastic loud rapping but ok, it was subdued and kept down which was nice. It really got to me when Ayu said "I'm a lonely queen"...cant help but feel that tinge of sadness. I feel like the chorus was alright..at least the music sustained it well. 8.5/10

3. Shake It: again..love the "oh lalalai" part a lot. She has such cool and random hooks to these tracks, I cant help but think back to how K-pop is written. I dont mean this as any form of degrading. Aside, the beat is really good and fierce. I thought I would dislike the Shake It part but damn, it's kinda like a let loose moment..so its cool. That weird music in the middle part is just SO UNIQUE LOL!!! 7.5/10

4. taskebab: this interlude is alright..it's just guitar sounds and some electro beats at the end, which I like. I've never heard Daft Punk's so I'm not judging on that. Well...as far as I'm concerned, the interludes on this album dont do anything much for me. (unlike those in Love songs)

5. call: WOW what a feel-good-summery-song! I love how it begins with the acoustic guitar. It's just so beautiful. I dont really like how she ends off the verse lines...it's like a double Ah thing lol...but that actally made the verse stick in my mind >.< The chorus is so pop and cheery (with sad lyrics...). I like the male voice in this song too. 7.5/10

6. Letter: This gave me a lot of F.I.R vibes (a chinese band). It would totally be something they would have on their album. I like this song a lot too because its totally a style i dig. I like how the melody changes up in the pre-chorus section. and the chorus itself is catchy too. I can totally envision this in a DAI album haha. 8/10

7. reminds me: Oh god..due to the length of the lyrical parts, i need more time remembering the verse for this song. but its really amazing. I love how dramatic it is and her voice is AHHHMAZING!!!!! I can totally feel her emotions through this and yes, the lalala part is really beautiful. 8/10

8. Return Road: Let me first say, strip away the organs and church bells and drama...and insert instruments similar to "call" and "Letter" and you probably get a really similar rock song and one that DAI would really have in their album. Honestly expected more from the first two lines of the chorus, wanted more melody but there wasnt much. But the music of the song is what makes all the difference. It's really powerful and amazing and Ayu's voice, when she hits the chorus is SO DAMN GOOD. 9/10

9. Tell me why: This song is really unique! Very different and if you were to put it in any other album (cept Love songs), it may feel like a filler. But because of the mood of the songs before it, this provides a great contrast and Ayu sounds even more poignant on this wan such that everything so far has flowed really beautifully. 7.5/10

10. a cup of tea: I don't understand what this instrumental is for lol! it breaks the flow of the album's mood so far.

11. the next LOVE: I didn't think she would really go here but this is really cool. Albeit a bit slow but I love the drama in it. I can totally see Ayu exaggerating during the chorus. And it does remind me of Pride as well. The music is really typical Jazz so it's nice..and not weirded out by something more Blues-y. 7.5/10

12. Eyes, Smoke, Magic: I gotta give slightly higher points for this song because it's just so fresh for me. I think I don't have a single song in my iTunes that is like this. But of course, I know how Broadway goes so this is really true to that genre. Maybe it wont be something I'll listen to long term (as with most Ayu experimental tracks) but when I do, I know I'll enjoy it. 8/10

13. Serenade in A Minor: This sounded so sad in the start I really felt the emotion from the violin. Then...it kinda dragged a bit too long.

14. how beautiful you are: Maybe because I've been severely addicted to this I'm gonna rate it the highest score. And really, hearing this at the end really made a different. I already loved it but now hearing everything together, this as the ending piece made so much sense *read below*... 9.5/10

OVERALL: I think the flow behind this is really nice cept that interlude lol. The Party Queen parties..and then the mood gets darker and darker..and finally it reaches that Jazz section..where CLEARLY, she is in need of Love but now doesnt know where to get it and the whole genre change in this part makes it feel like the Party Queen is having a dream, living a life like a show. And after all the turmoil and facade, the album ends of beautifully with something that is true and real.

*thumbs up*

[waterballoon]

no offense to anyone, but constantly throwing the "read the damn lyrics and u will understand sad/lonely party queen" is losing its power.

this is an album. not 14 poems for us to read and analyze like in literature class. this is a product that has a packaging and an image.

i will never disagree that from a lyrics point of view, there is indeed morose and regrets in bulk of the album songs.

but i can't ignore the fact that many other factors of the album that make it an "album" is seriously lacking in any depth to support the "lonely queen" theory that she and Timmy are so snappy about on Twitter.

NaNaNa and Shake It PVs gave me 0 hint on "lonely queen". the album covers and booklet scans also gave me 0 hints on that.

that's all i can say. of course the lyrics prove themselves to be heartfelt and raw... but whatever, it's what i expect from Ayu. i also appreciate the fact that she's trying a facade thing; what with a "party queen" who is in fact really depressed over her recent divorce and many problems of life..

but i don't blame people for failing to see "lonely queen" in this album.

[jbrat2219]

^ I somewhat agree with you. I think because of the language barrier it is harder to understand her point through her lyrics. Even reading translations may not help. With ayu's brand of lyrics you almost HAVE to know Japanese to really understand.

But I disagree that she should make her point more obvious through her PVs or covers. Her 'loneliness' shines through her words. Yes she looks cheery on the outside and she's not crying all over the place but she doesn't have to if it is all in the lyrics. We have to remember as overseas fans that she's not catering to us to make sure we can get through the language barrier to understand her. She's not going to be like, "okay, I am crying now, I am a sad lonely Queen, do you get it?" It is up to us to look deeper and find it. We have to work twice as hard to understand her subtlety because we simply don't speak her language.

And no offense to our lovely translators but in my opinion, Japanese is one of those languages you really have to know to 'feel' the lyrics, if you get what I mean. I don't read translations that much anymore because I like to understand the lyrics for myself.

[channy]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

i can't ignore the fact that many other factors of the album that make it an "album" is seriously lacking in any depth to support the "lonely queen" theory that she and Timmy are so snappy about on Twitter

Thank you! That's what I was trying to say a few posts ago

[freedreamer]

Ayu hasnt displayed loneliness just through this album. It's through so many things she have done in the past before. Look at Days PV, GREEN PV, all those damn lives with Shuya, BALLAD PV, Together When... PV..of coz these are just stories and narratives wconjured by the director but doesnt the work of ayumi hamasaki REFLECT Hamasaki Ayumi in that light? She's already been saying so much it's just that we dont really see it. And then now, again in this album, she finally blatantly said "Im a lonely queen"...

[PoetGirl]

She even says in english 'Im the lonely queen'. And this isnt poetry, but its no instrumental music either!

I think... who didnt feel anything similar in their lifetime cant understand what Party Queen is about. As always if you didnt feel love you will think love songs are stupid.

And I dont blame people who cant see whats obvious in my eyes. She isnt sexy in booklet, she doesnt even have pretty hair in it. She has the most basic lingerie and shoes which are usually perfect for party look (watch jersey shore lol). She doesnt look happy. Nor sad. She looks empty and with no hope imo.

Its like... when the work is over everyone goes to their houses and to their beloved families. And what she's about to do? I dont want to imagine what does she think, 'cause she's 10 years older than me, so I bet its even harder to face you are alone.

[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

But I disagree that she should make her point more obvious through her PVs or covers. Her 'loneliness' shines through her words. Yes she looks cheery on the outside and she's not crying all over the place but she doesn't have to if it is all in the lyrics. We have to remember as overseas fans that she's not catering to us to make sure we can get through the language barrier to understand her. She's not going to be like, "okay, I am crying now, I am a sad lonely Queen, do you get it?" It is up to us to look deeper and find it. We have to work twice as hard to understand her subtlety because we simply don't speak her language.

I don't really think she needs to make the PVs/covers super obvious... Ayu has always been a smart lady, who always adds subtle hints in her works to make her fans think "there's more than it meets the eye"; I just feel that this time round, the hints (if any) are really lacking. Sans Return Road, the other PVs are really just what they are on the surface level personally.

Even for the covers and booklet; fans might argue it's a parody for a tabloid and that she's "lonely and empty" in the booklet but I sometimes feel this theory is a little too contrived, i.e. it doesn't feel convincing enough for me at least.

And I wish I knew enough Japanese to fully understand the nuances in her lyrics! I can always make out a few words here and there, as well as heavily depending on translations but i always know if I understood the language completely i'd have been just floored over by the wisdom of this lady.

Originally Posted by freedreamer

Ayu hasnt displayed loneliness just through this album. It's through so many things she have done in the past before. Look at Days PV, GREEN PV, all those damn lives with Shuya, BALLAD PV, Together When... PV..of coz these are just stories and narratives wconjured by the director but doesnt the work of ayumi hamasaki REFLECT Hamasaki Ayumi in that light? She's already been saying so much it's just that we dont really see it. And then now, again in this album, she finally blatantly said "Im a lonely queen"...

I appreciate all that. That's why I said, her subtle hints in the past have been subtle enough, yet not that blatant to spoil the fun.

I dunno man, like saying adding a scene in NaNaNa/Shake It where she wakes up from the party alone, or has everyone leave the party and she slams the door and walks back to a dark room (which will link us to the first stanza of "reminds me").... something as simple as that could just spark that thought in our minds. Yet now, I'm just seeing.. whatever we can see now.

I don't dislike the PVs, I just feel we can't just see the lyrics to understand the concept; it is an album after all, and every aspect is equally important. I thought that video TomPunks shared about the couple who commented on the album cover as "all i see is a big ass" is evident enough.

maybe Ayu knows all these, and is trying to stir such a reaction with the covers, who knows? after all this lady is so smart and deep, i'm afraid to play mind games with her

Originally Posted by PoetGirl

She even says in english 'Im the lonely queen'. And this isnt poetry, but its no instrumental music either!

I think... who didnt feel anything similar in their lifetime cant understand what Party Queen is about. As always if you didnt feel love you will think love songs are stupid.

And I dont blame people who cant see whats obvious in my eyes. She isnt sexy in booklet, she doesnt even have pretty hair in it. She has the most basic lingerie and shoes which are usually perfect for party look (watch jersey shore lol). She doesnt look happy. Nor sad. She looks empty and with no hope imo.

You're missing my point. All I wanted to say was that using the lyrics as a reason for us to fully understand "the lonely queen" just isn't gonna be good enough considering this is an album!

And all I see in the album is her making a mess out of her hotel room and trying too hard with the "1025" thing.

And you're sure she doesn't look happy? I beg to differ.

[PoetGirl]

post a picture where she looks happy! I dare you

[waterballoon]

i'm lazy to post lol. um the one where she has her leg up & lol-ing with Timmy

[PoetGirl]

thats not happy imo lol, because she has drink in her arms and is naked and timmy looks very distant from her. her smile isnt honest smile, its like dying of laughter (forcing). that kind of drink reminded me of old people who go into bars and cry their loneliness out in movies.

[waterballoon]

i respect ur interpretation. i just don't feel any depth in the booklet, or rather, i don't wanna force myself to come up with a "oh she looks lonely..." when i don't feel it.

to me, she looks like she's just drinking lol

[Tom Punks]

Looks like a real laugh to me. Like they were talking and one of them said something funny.

[jbrat2219]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

i respect ur interpretation. i just don't feel any depth in the booklet, or rather, i don't wanna force myself to come up with a "oh she looks lonely..." when i don't feel it.

to me, she looks like she's just drinking lol

But you could also look at it this way:

To you, she doesn't look lonely. A lot of the times people who are really lonely are great at looking like they are NOT lonely. Happy, smiling, drinking. And one can point out, "she looks fine to me, I don't understand how she's lonely. " and it is that misunderstanding that could make her point. You don't SEE her loneliness but it is still there somewhere deep. She's harboring it to herself.

I'm not trying to force to think one way or the other but I'm trying to kind of fuse your interpretation to make a new one. One of the fun things about ayu's ambiguity lol.