Opinions on Party Queen covers?

[ExodusUK]

I can understand if people don't want other people to know they own something that looks like pornography.

[Andrenekoi]

^Those people still has two different and non-sexual covers to choose...

[Corvina]

The CD only cover is non-sexual? With the boobs being directly in your eyes?
Ok...

I don't like those covers much.
Not because they're sexy or trashy, cause I like some of both in my life, but because they're poorly done. The layout, the random leo print, the font... and so on.
Also I 'd never see the meaning behind it without Ayu's explanation. Except that she's alone in those pics, but that also could be cause she's in the spot light as "Party Queen".
Besides I despise that wet hair. Seriously.

[Kanzaki]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

I can understand if people don't want other people to know they own something that looks like pornography.

If it did look like pornography, then I'd agree.

Felt like editing and elaborating a bit. What I mean is that any person with sense, would put away their porn. And not have it in a CD-case. The only thing that slightly resembles porn is her outfit (or lack of it) and pose.

[ayu_ready?]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

Yeah, I don't think any of her covers come close to this one in terms of sexuality. She has been naked on covers before, but I thought those covers were great because she looked beautiful while at the same time not screaming in your face sex.

And yes, she has a lot of female empowerment songs, but I don't see any connection between that and these covers. Female empowerment does not necessarily = sex.

I always luv your posts

Originally Posted by emi♡

Yeah. Just buy the one where she's holding onto her shoe like a psycho.

It's a commentary on economic materialism.

ahaha. to me, the more I look at the covers the more it seems like they were made not in Photoshop, but most likely in Paint lol

[kiseki]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer:
And yes, she has a lot of female empowerment songs, but I don't see any connection between that and these covers. Female empowerment does not necessarily = sex.

Well said. Not only those covers were poorly done, but even her idea didn't show at all. Even when I read the interpretation of the whole concept, I couldn't see any connection. I can't imagine myself buying any of those CDs even the album was worth it *sighs*.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by Kanzaki88

Getting embarrased over an album cover and people you know potentially seeing it? That has socially awkward (penguin) written all over it.

Even worse, is people getting embarrased thinking about what strangers who aren't ayu fans will think when they see these covers on a store. I mean, does it even matter wth strangers think or don't about some artist cover?for real lol Also, guys, getting worried about your friends seeing you having an album with such a cover...don't worry, they already think you are a bizarre freak for liking a japanese artist called ayumi hamasaki, so seeing the cover won't probably change much of their opinions anyways.

[ayu_ready?]

^ it is not about strangers, but don't you need to renew/expand the fanbase too?

[LONJJONG]

She said that the queen in the cover was lonely. But I don't think sooo~
I love all covers except CD+DVD *Because can only see her face and hands -_-*

Oh people please stop complaining about the cover...

[Kanzaki]

Maybe it's the whole: "The happy clown that smiles on the outside, but is crying on the inside" thing she's referencing?

People are complaining, but people are also complaining over people complaining, which isn't a whole lot better. And some are just saying what they think about it, and there's nothing wrong with that, unless you're being an asshat :3

[jewelbox]

First I really hated the covers, but even my boyfriend saw the tabloid parody in them and I thought maybe Ayu really nailed it. I don't dislike CD+2DVD because of it's sexuality, I'm not just happy how these are made..The fonts etc. And I think CD+DVD is just not a good picture of her. But now I really see the point in these and I'm happy that I was able to change my mind from the first reaction. I like CD only picture very much, so I'm definetely going to buy that.

[kendelle]

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004

Actually ayumi stated the album (I am...) was suppose to be about the loneliness and confusion that she had, but had a change of heart after the 9/11 attacks and instead went for a a peace and faith theme.

I remember a theory the Ayu-mi-x 4 covers were originally intended for I Am... because they are undoubtedly too detailed compared to all the rest of her remix covers and they came out within a short time of each other.

[emi♡]

idk back in the day I remember feeling embarrassed over some of Ayu's covers, think it was NEXT LEVEL that did it. Cause...it's like, other people are going to see it, and judge it, and ew lol So I can kinda understand what they're getting at....

But, tbh it's not really that important. She's going to have her same fans always. And well, maybe the kind of people who would instantly label her a **** just because of some covers aren't really the people she needs around her anyway

In any case...I think people will be more attracted to it than not

[isthisLOL?]

Originally Posted by ImpactBreaker

Even worse, is people getting embarrased thinking about what strangers who aren't ayu fans will think when they see these covers on a store. I mean, does it even matter wth strangers think or don't about some artist cover?for real lol Also, guys, getting worried about your friends seeing you having an album with such a cover...don't worry, they already think you are a bizarre freak for liking a japanese artist called ayumi hamasaki, so seeing the cover won't probably change much of their opinions anyways.

I love this post.

Nothing more to add since I put my entire opinion on my blog and will not quote the whole thing here xD

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by ImpactBreaker

Even worse, is people getting embarrased thinking about what strangers who aren't ayu fans will think when they see these covers on a store. I mean, does it even matter wth strangers think or don't about some artist cover?for real lol Also, guys, getting worried about your friends seeing you having an album with such a cover...don't worry, they already think you are a bizarre freak for liking a japanese artist called ayumi hamasaki, so seeing the cover won't probably change much of their opinions anyways.

Exactly, especially the bold part! Love it! It really made me laugh because it is so true! xD

Next to my japanese CD's is my Pokemon soundtrack CD, which I keep because of nostalgia and my only western CD's are my Britney CD's, which doesn't make me any less strange. Not to forget all the manga in my bookshelf and the four posters on my wall (Dir en grey, Ayu, MUCC and An Cafe). I'm convinced that it looks similiar in rooms of other ahs members.
Besides I don't really think any of my friends paid ever attention what the covers of my CD's look like. Even though they might see my Party Queen CD I don't think they would recognize it as porn - not after watching MTV back then when we all were 13.

[channy]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

I think she is just acting drunk as stupid people who puts stupid party photos on Facebook...

NO! Cant you see? She's just sad, lonely and parodying hookerism!

[toniayu]

I think they're gorgeous!They're different,they have meaning,ayu looks gorgeous...
They don't look cheap or trashy!!I think i'm the only one who love the covers,am I?

[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.

[jbrat2219]

I don't know. I feel like if the judgements of other people is so much of a concern then why are some people also fans of artists who do racier stuff. I don't need to tell you there are artists who do things way more over the top than even the worst of the Party Queen covers. And fans wave the freedom flag of defence for others claiming they can do what they want and sex is natural and they are free to express themsevles. So why not ayu? It is not like she has NEVER done it before and it is not like she campaigned her whole career against sexuality. Why isn't she free to express herself without shame, judgments be damned? Why does "what will people think?" Matter now?

In my opinion, I would be ashamed if ayu did something wrong but expressing your sexuality or creativity is never wrong. It may make some uncomfortable, sure. But that doesn't make it wrong. She is still the same woman we all know and love. She hasn't changed, she hasn't stopped surprising us (obviously lol), she hasn't stopped pushing the limits.

About the execution, yeah I agree her point could have came across a little better but to be honest if you are familiar with ayu's work you know that she does total package, not obvious displays in each segment of her work. Her work as a whole will reflect her purpose. Not just one piece of it. Doesn't that mean you can't hate the covers? No, hate on haters. But I think we should leave the discussion of concept to a later date when we have more pieces of the puzzle because right now the covers are only a clue.

[kiseki]

To me, I find the pose and the fact that she's almost naked what disturbs me about the covers. I really hope no one will bash me and say some things I might not want to hear/read but I'm merely stating my opinion. And I think some might agree with me.

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 really hope she returns back to her style before she gets too indulged with her current one.


jbrat2219:
I completely agree with you. But perhaps some find Ayu different than others for her style in the past years was more unique than others and didn't do much of what other artists did. That's why maybe they find it hard to accept those covers.