Discussion: Ayu Critique

[koumori]

Her singing voice changing and having to adjust over time is likely a huge contributor to why we don't get new music from her. It's literally the theme of 23rd Monster, that she has to let go of old standards and embrace who she is now.

It's not to say critique is unwelcome, it's... going to happen on AHS, but when I see comments like "x will never be as iconic as (old hit) and (old hit)" (from over 10 years ago), it just makes me feel the underlying opinion there is that you don't support Ayu. Ultimately, I feel everyone who is still active here should at least support and appreciate her more recent efforts and the struggles she writes about so openly to the listening audience. It gets frustrating to still want to engage with a forum that is meant to be for her fanbase when a lot of the criticism is said without seeming to pay attention to her current circumstances and challenges as an artist.

It's fine to compare to her previous work, it would be weird of us all not to, but the angle with which we do so is important. I'm really happy with 23rd Monster and her vocals, although her singing style has definitely changed, and I do find it interesting when people comment on that and try to describe how - but it's less interesting and more draining when people use their energy to then needlessly compare and drag down her potential now. If you're not bothering to read and sympathise with her lyrics, I'm not sure why people are still following her as closely as to use a fan forum.

As an obligatory mention because I know some might take it like this - not liking her work and talking about that is different to not supporting her. You can't force yourself to like a new style of singing or her new work. But I've seen critique and comments that state that without losing the sentiment of appreciating the artist, and I feel that is the key factor.