LOVE again thoughts?

[Jawdarna]

So, since half the album has leaked already, I thought I'd create this thread!

How do you feel about LOVE again (so far?)

I was a disappointed when I first heard the leaked album tracks, as I could no longer hear that distinct Ayu sound present. I feel like I'm listening to a different artist rather than Hamasaki Ayumi. But, everything changes and I have to remind myself that every Ayu album is different from the last (this one is just very different hehe).

After heavy rotation though, I don't mind them at all!

petal is my favourite so far. Initially from the preview I thought that it reminded me quite a bit of Duty, but I feel this is very wrong indeed. It reminds me much more of the ballads from (miss)Understood, Secret, and GUILTY. I'm still a bit undecided on the verses. They feel slightly weak, and a bit awkward in places. But, this is my only qualm.

I was hoping that SAKURA would be that extra vigour that this album desperately needs, but I realize that this album isn't meant to be full on like (miss)Understood, and to some extent, even Love songs. I believe it is purposely meant to be a bit understated, and even...melancholy? It's so interesting though, as this is perhaps the most powerful ballad present after Missing, and I feel that it encapsulates this meekness perfectly.

untitled for her...story 2 was my least favourite of the previews, but I actually like the full version! You can hear the emotion in her voice, and that really carries this simplistic composition along.

Bye-bye Darling is the one I think will take me a while to appreciate. It's very generic, and it has to compete with snowy kiss and Wake me up. It's a lot 'weaker' (I don't like using this word) than the previously mentioned tracks, and although it's catchy, it really misses out on that fierceness that the other two boast.

I'm a bit scared to hear Gloria. It was my favourite from the previews, and considering that these tracks are so different from their first impressions, I'm not getting my hopes up.

I think this time overall, Ayu has chosen the better songs to be pre-released as singles/on mini albums. Song 4 u, Missing, Melody, Wake me up, snowy kiss, Sweet scar, and Ivy really are the stars this time around.