A ONE thoughts and reviews

[truehappiness]

A ONE is intended to be a 'back to her roots' album.

I don't think she's going to keep doing this but it's nice to hear her go back to this sound she hasn't done for a while but had done at one point in her career.

I LOVE the little touches here and there in the tracks' full versions. Wow wow yeah yeah~

[Ashen Twilight]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

A ONE is intended to be a 'back to her roots' album.

I don't think she's going to keep doing this but it's nice to hear her go back to this sound she hasn't done for a while but had done at one point in her career.

I LOVE the little touches here and there in the tracks' full versions. Wow wow yeah yeah~

I think this album is a good summary of different styles of songs she's done throughout her career. That is probably what she wanted to do. It explains the title (without it's hidden meaning), at least.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

Pleasantly surprised is what I would say also. Despite my least favorite track being out of control (because it sounds too much like call and letter to me), I think the rest of the album really shines. WARNING, NO FUTURE, Anything for You, and TSMGO are definitely gems! LOVE!

[truehappiness]

Out of control IMO is what call and Letter wanted to be.

[Ashen Twilight]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Out of control IMO is what call and Letter wanted to be.

QFT

[Delirium-Zer0]

I actually enjoy all three of those songs immensely, haha...

I think this album overall is very solid, a very satisfying listen in a way a ton of Ayu's recent material hasn't been. It fixes a TON of the mistakes made in past albums. I'm a big TK fan, so when Love songs was announced as having so many songs composed by him, I was really disappointed with how it turned out... His songs on THIS album, however, are what I was hoping for there and did not get. I think his contributions here are really solid, and "NO FUTURE" is probably one of my favorite compositions of his... ever, actually. I was gonna say "since globe's LEVEL 4 album," but yeah it's probably in the top 5 or 10 ever, and I'm a big fan of his.

I listened to this album with headphones and I'm really glad I did because the good mix on most of these tracks - HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS THE MIX WAS GOOD FOR THE MOST PART - hit very hard.

Is the album perfect? No. The ballads get a bit exhausting, "The GIFT" and "Zutto..." have moments that sound really old-fashioned in kind of a dorky way, and there is a lot of recycling obviously.

Objectively I'd put it up with Rock'n'Roll Circus (truthfully one of my all-time favorite ayu albums, though others don't rate it so highly) as far as my overall satisfaction with it though - I will probably listen to this album a LOT.

[truehappiness]

I like them all too, but I think call and Letter could have benefited from the 'fuller' production that Out of control has.

[Delirium-Zer0]

Yeah, I don't disagree there... I think they're both melodically a bit stronger, but Out of control's mix is much more finished sounding. It balances out for me probably.

[jiarongisme]

a Bell - Somehow reminds me of the background music in the intro of HOTEL Love songs when Timmy was talking about the amenities in the hotel. Not the best interlude, but it's pretty alright. Calming. 3.5/5
WARNING - And then this just jumps right into your face. Like a huge punch to your stomach. Great track. I wish Ayu did more rock. 4/5
NO FUTURE - F L A W L E S S. I love how the ending flows beautifully to the next song too. Though for some reason You & Me came my mind when it abruptly became slow 5/5
Anything for You - Omg the progression for this is so brilliant!! It starts of as a little bleak, and she sounded so lonely and in pain. And it slowly transitions to her being hopeful and loving. I love this so so so much. 5/5
Last minute - Still amazing. Still fresh from when I first heard the single leaked. It's interesting how it's put right after Anything for You though. PLEASE FIX THE MIXING. 5/5
Zutto... - I'm so used to listening to it from the single, so it's kinda odd that it's placed after Last minute to me Still really love the lyrics because I really relate to it. 4/5
Out of control - For me, this song is really J-Pop sounding. It's really moving. I really like it!! 4.5/5
Story - The ending of Out of control and Story fits so perfectly. I thought Out of control didn't end lol. The song is alright, one of the weaker of the songs in this album. But still pretty. 3/5
The GIFT - I'll be honest and say that I put this song on repeat when the PV came out on YouTube I really like the mood of this song, and how she sung it. It's so ernest and heartfelt. The lyrics are nothing spectacular but I think it's pretty sweet. 3.5/5
The Show Must Go On - Hellooooooo snowy kiss. The 'The Show Must Go On yeah yeah yeah yeah' parts are pretty annoying. But everything else is pretty on point. I do foresee her having trouble singing this live though. That and her using her strained 'cute' voice. 4/5
Walk - Kinda find the transition from TSMGO a bit odd. Didn't really feel this song when it first came out but I've come to love it after a while. The lyrics are so honest and uplifting. 4/5
Movin' on without you - I honestly feel like it's not really necessary to add this into the album. The album would've closed beautifully with Walk. It's not even listed as a bonus track. It's just... There. I love the cover, but it feels weird that it's there. 4/5

Honestly, a really great album. I really enjoyed Colours but this has always been the Ayu I've come to know and love. I really really love how this album sounds. Left a really strong impression on the first listen. Can't wait to get my copy!! I foresee myself playing this album over and over again.

[melissalove]

I personally think A One is a snore, it's very outdated. But, ayu's trying to return to her roots and doesn't care about what her fans have to say about it. (warning lyrics ).

[orbitalaspect]

Originally Posted by tasking

Well, my tastes have officially changed. I can't even sit through a whole new Ayu album anymore; I can only be arsed to listen to the new songs that haven't already been released to the public on a single or in a PV. And even then, I'm extremely bored.

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

Ok, I totally stayed away from previews and the music videos and I think this album is.....bland, bland, bland. It makes Love Again appear lively by comparison. >_< A lot of the tracks sound just way too much a like.

Originally Posted by Larisa-chan

Already posted a similar comment in another thread, but this album reminds me of Love Again and it bores me.

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I agree, and it scares me a little that AHS loves this so much because it's just... such a bland direction to encourage Ayu in?

That's why I don't understand the A ONE love. A lot of it would have been fine in 1999, but pop music has moved so far past this. Ayu once moved past this. But now she's regressed and it's stale.

Originally Posted by melissalove

I personally think A One is a snore, it's very outdated. But, ayu's trying to return to her roots and doesn't care about what her fans have to say about it. (warning lyrics ).

I'm curious what you all think would be a good direction for Ayu that would not only revitalize her career but draw in old and new fans alike?

[Andrenekoi]

I wouldn't be worried about she following this direction... She has been alternating between more experimental and safer albums since RAINBOW or so... The next album will most likely be totally different from this...

[Refix]

I like this album, if compared to Love songs album, this one gonna stand out.

a bell is really a sweet, tranquil openings, kinda hope it turns into full song. But if the next one gonna be WARNING, with its pretty hard rock music that remind me of microphone or mirrorcle world style, then being an opening would be fine.

No Future music was good at intro, but when Ayu start singing and the music change, my curiosity just dropped below zero, because it just reminds me of November, which is a song I loathe.
Anything for You was like Walk episode 2, I'm currently snoring while write this.

Last minute, great decision to put it here, it become some kind of wake up slap. Still like this song. But why does in ref the background vocal louder?

Zutto... oh my favorite song in this album. Such a sad beautiful song.

Out of control. A generic Ayu song. Some part reminds me of Seven days war. I like this. Although her ending singing part kinda off. Makes me cringe.

Story. The intro, gotta admit, it sound like Mika Nakashima's Always from Star album. Anyway, Story was good.

The Gift. The music was like trying so hard to be HEAVEN, it's not a compliment. And when Ayu sing, in some part she just like slip some note. Either it supposedly that way or not, I don't like it. The outro didn't need to be there. The song should just stop when Ayu stop singing.

TSMGO. LOVE this! The music tempo and how she sing was great, although I kinda dislike her cute vocal. I can picture this song become a soundtrack of a game. Maybe Tales again or Persona. The last one simply my favorite game and it would be great if Ayu get to work with Atlus.

Walk. Back to La..la..land. Snore~~

MOWY. Somehow I almost didn't recognized what the different from the last one we get. Anyway, still like this song.

Overall, it's a nice album. There are some time that I just wanna replay the song over and over again, then there's some time I just had enough. It's a good feeling though. 8/10
Good luck Ayu! Good luck A One!

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

Ok, I totally stayed away from previews and the music videos and I think this album is.....bland, bland, bland. It makes Love Again appear lively by comparison. >_< A lot of the tracks sound just way too much a like.

It's not a good sign when one of the best tracks on the album is a cover of someone else's song.

I thought Colours was a step in the right direction, but now it feels like 1 step forwards and two (or 3 or 4..) steps backwards.

Maybe it will grow on me...

For me Colours was a one time thing. It was a nice addition to her discography, but I think it was clear that, like NEXT LEVEL, it was meant to be a one time thing.

A ONE is alright. Not her best, album, but far from her worst. What the album is lacking is a few more upbeat tracks and a few less ballads.

What I like is, well almost everything, besides Anything for you - the main issue with this one that I have is that it's too long and too similar to Walk. The GIFT which has grown on me, but it's still a cheesy cpop track. The Show Must Go On - I wish it was as good as snowy kiss, but it's not. It might grow on me, but for now I don't feel like listening to it.

The stuff that stands out: WARNING, Last minute, Zutto..., Out of control and NO FUTURE. NO FUTURE was the most pleasant surprise. Even the preview was promising, but the full track is just outstanding in every way. Out of control sounds like it comes from Party Queen's rock section and it's just the type of rock ballad I love. Story has a really nice composition and I generally love it, even though it's not something truly memorable.

I don't think that the cover song is the best track on the album. There are so many tracks on it which are miles better. It's a strong release.

[bluegie]

After listen to the whole album, I guess my feeling towards it is similar to njanjayrp. I can see that it's aiming towards more public friendly compared to Colours (and I dun like EDM anywayz so I didn't bother listen to Colours that much). I guess I have to listen a few more times before I can have a better judgement. At least this new album has many ballads, and I adore ballads.

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

That's why I don't understand the A ONE love. A lot of it would have been fine in 1999, but pop music has moved so far past this. Ayu once moved past this. But now she's regressed and it's stale.

You know what, I can't even connect A ONE songs to the 90s. Maybe the melodies are somewhat retro, but I just can't see, for example, how NO FUTURE can be a A-side from LOVEppears or I am. Trauma, monochrome, WHATEVER, too late, etc are better than this new track. Maybe I just think her recent vocal doesn't suit this catergory. Her voice in LOVEppears were much higher pitch, but I dunno I just love that album.

[terra]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Out of control IMO is what call and Letter wanted to be.

Originally Posted by Delirium-Zer0

Yeah, I don't disagree there... I think they're both melodically a bit stronger, but Out of control's mix is much more finished sounding. It balances out for me probably.

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

FA ONE is alright. Not her best, album, but far from her worst. What the album is lacking is a few more upbeat tracks and a few less ballads.

The stuff that stands out: WARNING, Last minute, Zutto..., Out of control and NO FUTURE. NO FUTURE was the most pleasant surprise. Even the preview was promising, but the full track is just outstanding in every way. Out of control sounds like it comes from Party Queen's rock section and it's just the type of rock ballad I love. Story has a really nice composition and I generally love it, even though it's not something truly memorable.

These are exactly what I had in mind when listening to A ONE
It's a good album not a snoozefest like LOVE again did for me. And she needs more upbeat track, for me ballad is weighted at 5 while upbeat is weighted at 3 so she needs more Upbeat.

Here's my short review
a Bell - I love this intro but it's kinda too short (4/5)
WARNING - What else other than kickass? Maybe the proper rip has better mixing, I hope (4.5/5)
NO FUTURE - Also a nice track, kinda reminds me of Last angel but more energetic and without the low key singing (4/5)
Anything for You - The arrangement are pretty but it's too long I guess and reminds me of Walk (3/5)
Last minute - Her annual dose of Emotional Rock for me, right in the feels. Hoped for a better mixing tho oh well~ (5/5)
Zutto - I initially kinda had mixed feeling for Zutto especially the chorus end when the direction changed was kinda weird, but it's OK now (3.75/5)
Out of Control - As I quoted, this is call / Letter done in better way. Liking what I heard tho maybe not something I'll repeat listen (3.5/5)
Story - For me this one is beautiful, especially the chorus and the arrangement. Idk it's just works for me (4/5)
THE GIFT - Too CPop I guess, I mean I don't really feel anything Ayu about this. It's nice but that's it (3/5)
The Show Must Go On - I LOVE THIS, like a happier version of snowy kiss, just loving this (5/5)
Movin' on without you - Except for her 'weird' singing, I just dance away with this (5/5)

Looking forward to the new Tell All mix, hope it'll change my opinion about it.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I can understand liking the individual songs--like, I don't think NO FUTURE is altogether* bad. But is it really appropriate for 2015? No, music has moved past this sound. It's dated and cheesy. It could have been a kick-ass track on LOVEppears or I am... but this is pop and you can't just keep churning out music that doesn't fit with the current times. It just doesn't work like that.

That's why I don't understand the A ONE love. A lot of it would have been fine in 1999, but pop music has moved so far past this. Ayu once moved past this. But now she's regressed and it's stale.

Does it matter? Every few albums Ayu shows that she can do whatever everyone else is doing and occasionally goes back to what she likes. Do you only listen to the music which sounds as if it was recorded in 2015? Just because it's "pop" it doesn't mean it has to follow what's popular. I am not sure if you can really stick the pop label on Ayu anymore.

Why does she have to do what's currently in? Also the world has moved past the classical music, it's not in, it doesn't attract masses the way Beyonce and Daft punk do, but people are still making classical music and it has audience.

[ayumi_ed]

I very much agree to you.

NEXT LEVEL - sthg experimental
Love songs - sthg classical for ayu
FIVE - sthg experimental?
Party Queen - sthg experimental
LOVE again - sthg classical for ayu
CoLOURS - sth experimental for ayu
then, now A ONE - sthg classical for ayu

Actually I don't mind the above pattern as ayu needs to satisfy 2 groups of fans, one being into her classics and one being into the experimental her.

Turning to A ONE, I like the ballads as they are the classical ballads for ayu and ayu can perform the "love" inside them. Story is one good example.

Of course, there are a few rock/ dance songs - good for the coming Arena Tour 2015!

[Kashoku]

This album does nothing for me except for WARNING and The Show Must Go On, but that's ok. COLOURS was so amazing for me that I'm ok that she gives everyone else something to love.

[chocopockymaster]

I'm genuinely concerned at the number of people that are lauding TSMGO as the best thing since sliced bread. I've listened to the track once, with headphones, and even then I feel like I could hear dogs going crazy from a mile away.