Opinions on Party Queen covers?

[owlflight]

I showed my new friend (who is also an Ayu fan) the covers and she loved them.

[isthisLOL?]

Before anyone says these covers are meaningless and Ayumi just covers that up with her tweets I'd wait for the album...I think all those posts will seem really ridiculous in a bit over 2 weeks.

I think these have her BEST cover concepts so far easily(even better than Next Level) and the tweets were not needed to see that, several people came up with it before she started tweeting. She just confirmed what has been guessed ever since she revealed the album title.

[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

Before anyone says these covers are meaningless and Ayumi just covers that up with her tweets I'd wait for the album...I think all those posts will seem really ridiculous in a bit over 2 weeks.

I think these have her BEST cover concepts so far easily(even better than Next Level) and the tweets were not needed to see that, several people came up with it before she started tweeting. She just confirmed what has been guessed ever since she revealed the album title.

u mean people speculated the covers mean a "lonely and sad party queen"? i only remember many people flocking to nod their heads to her tweet about "is like duty", "sad party queen", "crying inside"... the only thing i read was people thinking it's a parody of tabloid magazine covers which ISN'T a "lonely and sad party queen"

i don't think there's anything horrendous about the covers, i'm not against her being sexy, neither do i see the need to call her a ****, but i mean if it's a cover like this, it is a cover like this? Ayu tweeting about the deeper meaning (something she never has done, so that means something) just after the covers are out, followed by Timmy's "outrage" reeks of hyping up the covers, only because they're as what they are.

it's my personal opinion, and i respect Ayu and those who agree with her that the covers represent a "lonely and sad party queen" but i really don't see it. in fact, i would be happy if Ayu tweeted her interpretation and then we do see SOMETHING in the covers that link to that.. but well it's just so hard to tell that it makes me think she's tweeting as a cover up!

[isthisLOL?]

Ayu tweeted about the hidden word on FIVE as far as I know and the last time she had meaningful covers she hasn't had twitter yet since the Love Songs and RnRC covers were just pretty pictures.

And the cover is part of a whole, that's the reason it's not in-your-face-obvious. Covers are a small aspect of a big piece of work, they get their meaning from context we only have hints of yet. Everybody will probably see it when the album is out, since it's pretty much confirmed that after the first 2 or 3 songs the album will be rather sad. With all the info we got I honestly can't understand not seeing it. It's the same with people that thought "Party Queen" would mean getting an album full of dance tracks. Yeah sure, right after her divorce...and from Ayu...

[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

And the cover is part of a whole, that's the reason it's not in-your-face-obvious. Covers are a small aspect of a big piece of work, they get their meaning from context we only have hints of yet. Everybody will probably see it when the album is out, since it's pretty much confirmed that after the first 2 or 3 songs the album will be rather sad. With all the info we got I honestly can't understand not seeing it. It's the same with people that thought "Party Queen" would mean getting an album full of dance tracks. Yeah sure, right after her divorce...and from Ayu...

Then we should all probably wait till the album is out but speculation on both sides is always interesting~ anyway, i wouldn't mind if the covers were just meant to be "i'm sexy and i know it" or "lonely and sad party queen", either way is fine, but i guess i was just a little annoyed by the "timely" Tweets

[George]

I still dislike the covers and I will probably never truly appreciate them. The thing is, if you know nothing about the album and its content, what you would see is either a gorgeous cover or an unflattering one, and if you see the latter you would be quite apprehensive about buying it. It'll either be a good marketing move or a bad one, we'll see very soon, I do hope for all of our sakes it's the former.

[ayu_ready?]

Originally Posted by MissElin_

It's not like it's only black and white guys. And this I point towards "both sides". Pretty much all comments I see here is gray zones.

If people between the lines say thay they would be ashamed of the covers or you know, feel that people will judge Ayu right away wihtout giving the album a chanse and listen to it - they don't mean that they are worried about what their friends will say and doubt themselves of why they have that album/listen to it. I don't actually think noone thinks this. What people who's "worried" mean is more like "Ah, shoot, since we do live in a world where sex and porn is still quite tabu to put out in regular stores in the bright day, this album might get more bashing then it deserves". Are you getting what I mean here? It's not like these "worriers" feel like they will doubt their own liking and preferences, but more like that the album will get a more unfair chanse towards the casual listners. Because we all know that the world isn't as rebellic and forward thinking as Ayu is. That's pretty much the thing about the whole "worry" aspect.

Also, if people here say they don't like these covers/like them, please don't come with words that have somewhat negative tones in them to make your own point said. This also I would like to point to "both sides". There is no need to tell people that don't like them that they are stans and such because that is completely unnecessary and will only trigger the bashing.

People who don't like the cover isn't saying that they feel like the concept is bad, or that the whole ironi is bad. I do belive that pretty much everyone who don't like the covers still love the idea Ayu have with the covers and fully support that. BUT, the ones who don't like them are most concerned in how the covers actually look like. You might actually more think of this whole like/not like discussion as a regular design issue. Some people think it's nice that she's not obvious - other thinks that she could portray some small part that makes you feel like she's sad. There is no need to say "Can't you see it? It's obvious that she's sad!" when others simply don't think so or see it. There is no need to call them stans or something else negative just because they don't see it.

This also connects with the discussion "She's done this before!"-discussion. Pretty much everyone knows she have indeed made daring PVs/shoots before like Sparkle, STEP you single shoot, LOVEppears cover, Naked Talk shoot in ViVi etc. Some people thinks that those examples and Party Queens cover are right in the same line in posing etc. - only that she's been more dressed or somewhat covered. Others think that those examples are indeed daring but way more classy since they smell high production and they follow the same design pattern as similar shoots. If Vouge did a naked shoot we all know what kind of design pattern they would go for and what they would not go for. The design pattern Ayu went for in Party Queen is more raw, low budget that reminds alot of people of cheep production like sitting in on a saturday with a bucket of chicken wings. Now Ayu wanted to do this more raw and shocking design for her covers shoots and that is all fine. But everyone is not gonna like it. You know, it's all about personal references and liking.

Also alot of people think that the overall design is bad too, not only the photos. But design like placing of the text, leopard stripes e.t.c. This is just like the above only because of personal liking.

There is simply no need to claim that someone thinks "this" or "that" just because you is upset that people don't see what you see. It is really not black and white. Overall people do agree with each other. Yes, the concept and idea is good. Some people just don't like how it's been portrayed and some don't. No need to go kindergarden and call each other negative stuff.

thank you for bringing it up!

Originally Posted by kiseki

Hamasaki Ayumi is better than posing like that and agree to go on with that production. She doesn't need to do that to attract people. I was a fan of her years ago because of her unique style and songs. But right now I feel that she's taking a whole new approach which imitating Lady Gaga and other singers too. I think that she's better off with her unique style.

I think that the thing that only old fans will understand, unfortunately

[kiseki]

ayu_ready?:
I think that the thing that only old fans will understand, unfortunately

It's sad enough that I can't find myself to keep up with her new songs and PVs. In the past, I used to wait for the information regarding any new release but now I'm merely curious on how her songs are becoming nowadays. Few days ago, I saw her new PVs in her mini album 'FIVE', and there was nothing special. Compared to before, her songs were much much better.

I hope she finds her style once again and walk on that road like she used to .

[RayJason]

Originally Posted by kiseki

It's sad enough that I can't find myself to keep up with her new songs and PVs. In the past, I used to wait for the information regarding any new release but now I'm merely curious on how her songs are becoming nowadays. Few days ago, I saw her new PVs in her mini album 'FIVE', and there was nothing special. Compared to before, her songs were much much better.

I hope she finds her style once again and walk on that road like she used to .

I agree with that!

I actually only listen to her older songs; M, SURREAL, Mirrorcle World and Rule (+more ofcourse). And I never play Love songs / Rock 'n Roll Circus or FIVE. I guess that I fell in love with the 'old' ayu.

But whatever, how beautiful you are managed to stay in my head for a while, and I'm beginning to like the studio ver. of Party queen (the 20 second CM thing), so this might be the album where I have been waiting for. I love the concept. (+ I have a feeling that she starts this album as a (stereotypical)party girl and ends it with being a reasonable girl or something). I can't wait to see the PV's either.

[isthisLOL?]

BRILLANTE is the most skillfully crafted video in her videography with cinematography unreached by any of her other videos. /unpopular opinion

[toniayu]

I just noticed...the covers was made in New York and the album was recorded in London.Ayu said that USA means freedom while London means darkness and sadness or something like that.So that could have meaning too.I'll tweet her,i think

[ayu_ready?]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

BRILLANTE is the most skillfully crafted video in her videography with cinematography unreached by any of her other videos. /unpopular opinion

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

[Jester]

Originally Posted by kiseki

It's sad enough that I can't find myself to keep up with her new songs and PVs. In the past, I used to wait for the information regarding any new release but now I'm merely curious on how her songs are becoming nowadays. Few days ago, I saw her new PVs in her mini album 'FIVE', and there was nothing special. Compared to before, her songs were much much better.

I hope she finds her style once again and walk on that road like she used to .

Just let's hope for her Return Road song.

[saigodansu]

@toniayu the covers are not from New York, they are from the shoot shot in her home in Tokyo last year. The same shoot that was set to be in lifestyle book showing her shoe collection and the photo used for the"meaningful" cover for Party Queen, had nothing to do with the album when the shoot was done.

[sinfonietta]

Originally Posted by RayJason

I actually only listen to her older songs; M, SURREAL, Mirrorcle World and Rule (+more ofcourse). And I never play Love songs / Rock 'n Roll Circus or FIVE. I guess that I fell in love with the 'old' ayu..

I find this interesting because I don't consider Mirrorcle World or Rule to be old. But I guess it is all down to perception.

I don't think Rock 'n Roll Circus (or NEXT LEVEL) is fantastic but Love songs is gold IMO.

[femtrooper]

I don't LOVE them, but I don't hate them either. Definitely not my favourites. I don't hate them because of the sexuality though, cripes, I could be a sexologist. That stuff doesn't bug me, but ehhhhh, they don't seem 'Ayu'ish. I think that's why I don't dig them very much. But hey! I'm stoked to see the inserts and hear the songs!

[love in music]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

BRILLANTE is the most skillfully crafted video in her videography with cinematography unreached by any of her other videos. /unpopular opinion

how so? i'm really interested in why you think this.

[juanes6]

The only thing I will say about this cover is...

...

I really need an HQ wallpaper for my lap and a GIANT poster to put in my room NOW!

[jbrat2219]

^ LOL I know right.