Party Queen album thoughts II

[XFER]

Ok, I was a hater lol I disliked this album on first listen and forgot about it until recently. Now, I think it's the best thing she's done since at least Secret or (miss)understood! I think I like every song. Some more than others of course. Reminds me, NaNaNa, Shake It<3, Return Road, Letter and Party Queen are among my favorites. So good that I decided to return to the album to revisit it, it really paid off and now I love it <3

[microphone]

Nanana is a fun song but would be easier to listen without the cheesy rap. My favorite tracks are Return Road, Eyes Smoke Magic, Party Queen, Letter and reminds me.

[JaysenRyan]

I feel like this is a failure on many parts. I love Ayumi and have been a fan for a long time now (7 years?), and in that time this is the only album that did not impress nor grow on me. Some of the songs are pretty decent but have no lasting effect on me. I do not want to offend the fans, but I personally just couldn't give this my thumbs up.

Ayumi is an amazing artist and is subject to at least one bad album, so it's no biggie. She'll do better next time

[NintendoHTF1242]

I finally realized that I do not like this album at all. The only song I listen to is Return Road...

[mizuki-7]

I always like Na Na Na, Shake It, Return road, remind me and tell me why

I think at this point i prefer this album than Rock'n roll circus if I take song by song !
Recently I've listen to all her albums from first to last and I realize that I've always praises Guilty but in fact it's not a exceptionnel album, same for rock'n roll circus... Next level is very catchy so I think i prefer this album more than party queen !
I've underrated (miss) understood I really like this album now. Secret is according to me slightly better than party queen and every thing she has done before is better (imo) except to Asong for XX and Five because I don't consider it like an album but like a big single...

Sorry for my long post lol

[SURREAL__RAINBOW]

Party Queen is been growing in me so much, I wish it had a pv

[koumori]

I never really listened to this album properly; maybe a few times before unfortunately I was parted with my copy of it. Now I've been reunited with the chance to listen to it again..well, it's not bad! It still has that Ayu-style to it, albeit in not such an in-depth way like we're used to with her classics. But it's emotional in a different way and once again, she experimented with her style.

It doesn't live up to my favourite albums, but compared to other artists I still say it's pretty good. The upbeat songs are catchy and fun, and I've fell in love with songs like Letter and Return Road. Her jazz-style phase at the end didn't grab my attention, but it's nice she tried it at least. Jazz really isn't my thing anyway.

[njanjayrp]

Even though this isn't Ayu's best album it features some styles that are new to her at least. So one could hardly say that she recycles all the time lol Anyways I like the album a lot. I even grew to like Party queen. Shake it! was so much fun live, but the studio version still isn't xD NaNaNa on the other hand is catchy, but I got tired of it fast. The albums starts to be epic the moment taskebab starts. reminds me and Return Road are still my faves, with Letter being the 3rd.

[NintendoHTF1242]

Hey guys. Sorry for bumping such an old thread.

So I gave Party Queen another shot the other day after ripping it at a high quality into my iTunes.

THE FIRST THREE TRACKS - DANCE
So these tracks are usually regarded as the "dance" songs on the album. Out of the three, "Party queen" is my least-favorite. I've come to really like the beat in "Shake It". The rap in "NaNaNa" is so off-putting, but Ayu saves the song. So from when I first heard these three songs, I hated them all. But now they've all grown onto me slightly.

taskebab fills the gap into the rock tracks, and it does the job very well.

THE ROCK SECTION - SADNESS
Now we reach the next couple of rock songs. I've always liked "call," even from the first listen. It's just such a feel-good summer song. The next couple of tracks grew onto me a lot. "Letters" and "reminds me" are both stunning and gorgeous. I'm glad I gave these songs another chance. I used to like "Return Road," then ended up disliking it after a while. But it's grown onto me again (I see Ayu throwing the Mannie shade though in the PV). Finally, Tell me why is alright but it never really stood out to me. The melody and beat are on-point though!

a cup of tea has such a promising intro, but then it transitions really weird...

THE JAZZ SECTION - SEDUCTION
The next two songs are the infamous jazz songs. I don't particularly dislike these songs, but they're definitely not songs I skip to on a playlist. They're not very memorable, for lack of words. But they're not bad songs and I would love for Ayu to experiment more with this genre.

I've always liked Serenade in A minor since I'm a sucker for Ayu's orchestral interludes.

THE LAST SONG - BEAUTY
"how beautiful you are" never really stuck out to me in any way, shape, or form. But it's definitely a pretty song and it closes the album on a more positive and uplifting note.

VERDICT
This used to be my least favorite Ayu album. But after putting on my earphones and actually listening to the album, I've come to appreciate it for what it is. Not to mention all the lyrical analysis I've read from the fans have helped me appreciate this release a lot more. Is this an Ayu album I go straight to? No. But it's definitely no longer one that I ignore.

[Delirium-Zer0]

I'm glad you posted your thoughts! And I'm glad it grew on you. The surface elements of this album make it so easy to pass over, because most of that aspect was so poorly done. It's an album you gotta kinda snuggle up with & get to know better, you know? haha

[Livey~]

Wow a super thread of thoughts on Party Queen~

I'll be honest. It happened in April/May of two years ago that I was like "who knows if ayu has released a new album..". She did!

2012/03/21 in stores
13th ALBUM『Party Queen』

God.. I was like..

Sorry ayu.. I'll come back later.. I'm not in the mood~


Then, in Autumn - we're talking about the same year, 2012 - I decided it was time to go back into ayu. I had to give a chance to this "new" album. And so I did.


ayumi hamasaki Party Queen


Party queen - lol really? is this ayu?

NaNaNa - I can't..

Shake It♥ - better than Party queen.. catchy.. nothing special.

taskebab - uhm..

call - not bad.. not bad at all. Things are getting interesting..

Letter - seriously interesting..

reminds me - omg..

Return Road - OMG! How could I be so shallow?
Tell me why - again.. How could I judge this album by its title and its cover?
a cup of tea - Uhm...

the next LOVE - not really to my taste, but somehow interesting.

Eyes, Smoke, Magic - fun but.. meh

Serenade in A minor - sounds good.

how beautiful you are - Okay. I've been a total idiot.


Now I enjoy all the songs, although I'm not so into the next LOVE and Eyes, Smoke, Magic.

And I own the CD+DVD too! Unexpectedly, YesAsia sent me the First Press!

And this little ayu with the PoM T-Shirt.. Too adorable~

[tsumekaze_]

^ kawaiiiii

[Surreal17]

So, let's see.........

*PARTY SECTION - it really took me light-years to get into track 1 & 3 but I finally get it....she really nailed the album

Party Queen - I really love the tired dubstep...gives me weekend vibe..I could listen to this all Sunday, in fact it's very cool as background music...at the beggining I was like "Ayu gone mad..omg...." but my first impression changed so much

Na Na Na - love the dirty & dark undertone of the song..things start to get messy....even if I could live without timmy's rap his touch really makes the song complete...

Shake it - I hated the song at first (I was about to give up the album....initial shock lol!!)..but eventually I listened more closely to the song and I discovered some really nice sound layers in it that makes it more interesting (the same with NaNaNa and call)..kind of a twisted lyrics but that's ayu after all!

*ROCK SECTION - crescendo..until Tell me why comes in to calm down the view

taskebab - great interlude .bad for not being a full song but ....good opening for the rock section

Call - this song may be described as a pop rock band song....I couldn't find a place in my heart for it because it didn't impress me at all (not dramatic, not agressive, not ethereal/dreamy, not traditional, not really impressive vocally and instrumental talking...but its place on the album is very well defined)..I started a while ago to appreciate it more, in fact I can say that I discovered it again..it often happens to me with ayu songs (I simply loose interest in some of her songs, they become bland and uninspiring and then unexpectedly I find out new meanings and new fresh perspectives for those songs..I love when this happens, through your evolution, the songs evolve too)

Letter - love the lyrics of this song so much...the introduction is really warm and her voice is really cool too, somehow it showcases sadness but at the same time is really realistic...a good song! *we need live ayu*

reminds me - one of my faves from Party Queen...love everything about this song..the acoustic guitar along with ayu's sad note, the dramatism, the lalaalallas, the lyrics and also the booklet picture ...I loved it from the first second I heard it

Return Road - impressive instruments... don't really resonate with the lyrics, not finding a strong emotional connection with it but the instrumental speaks by itself...Hmm, as for the whole song, I sometimes love it to death but sometimes find it too complicated and not in the mood to listen to it (harsh words I know..sorry).

Tell me why - my least favourite song from the album, don't really like anything about this song.....it's kinda bland for me..although I love the lyrics and the message she tries to convey...

a cup of tea - it's really weird but in the good way..it really contains many interesting elements..the video for this is really funny too

*JAZZ SECTION - *ayu's experiment..yay!*..she should really do a jazz album

the next LOVE - this song is fabulous, it makes the album much more interesting and versatile...love ayu's voice, love the slowly pace from the verses and the grandiose chorus, love the sexiness in ayu's voice too...the performance from HLS 12 is simply amazing, my favourite along the ESM one.

EYES SMOKE MAGIC - love everything about this song...it really takes you in old times...the special effects are really a nice touch for the song..and the lyrics are really unusual and special in ayu's discography...the change of the pace is really welcomed!@

*BALLAD SECTION - liberality

Serenade in a minor - beautiful ..just this....sometimes it gets me sad while listening to it

HBYA - emotional, love the male choir and the english lyrics sound really warm..

Overall, a good album. It grew on me so much since the times it was released. This thread is a really good idea. It's nice to express your own thought about ayu's works without the need to contradict, or to argue

[Minttulatte]

I can only say that I still think it's one of the best albums she has ever released. I loved it back then and I still do. Too bad that I haven't been in a Ayu mood for months now that I could listen to it but that doesn't stop me from thinking that Ayu should have stayed with that style. Especially use more Timmy's music because that guy did something magical for her music. ;_;

[waterballoon]

I can't remember if I've ever posted here, but let's see...

Stand out tracks: Shake It <3, reminds me, Tell me why, the next LOVE
Meh: Party queen, NaNaNa, call, Letter, how beautiful you are
No-go: Return Road, Eyes, Smoke, Magic

I admit that on the first listen I didn't exactly like the album, though I didn't hate it either. Perhaps I was influenced by all the drama surrounding that era, but I grew to dislike it very much.

Then the lyrical analysis posts came up & it got me interested to listen through the album again. I've always loved the lyrics to certain songs in the album like reminds me, the next LOVE & Letter. It is right that some of the songs here are very personal... perhaps not since MY STORY has such doubt been cast upon this lady.

BUT, one thing I feel very strongly about is that taking Party Queen to her other introspective albums like A Song For xx, LOVEppears, Duty & MY STORY, I cannot help but to think Party Queen came across a little more than "self-indulgent".

"All right I got a divorce, I'm getting old & I'm not with a man. Let me find a gay best friend and get drunk to put it all away." That was the train of thought I felt from the album while listening to it. Maybe this is what it means by "raw" and "personal", but other albums of such lyrical content came across a lot more serious and professional, which I liked much more.

All in all, it was an interesting album, and 2 years after its release, some songs really shone as stand out pieces. I have to commend reminds me and Tell me why, because these are songs that could have fit right into MY STORY. The bitter pain in the melody, with that lyrics that seemed to concede defeat... it's a despair that I related to really well.

Like what Nintendo said, at this point of time, I don't think it's an album I would ignore anytime soon, because personally most of the songs stand out well alone. If any of them pops up on shuffle it's not likely I would skip them... but again this will never be an album I'd be keen to listen from beginning to end (I did it for stellar albums like LOVEppears & MY STORY). I still feel it's quite a self indulging album, and that it represented one of the low points in her career. Not her worst album (that glory goes to NEXT LEVEL; at least she put in much effort into Party Queen), but not her best either.

[Tom Punks]

I still think the production on this album is overall some of the most inexcusably terrible I've heard but man I love Party Queen anyway lol. I wish she'd go back to this musical style