New song:『Pray for you』

[koumori]

Originally Posted by artcika

i'm looking forward to the bit of action happening in her career again.

I'm really happy for this too, really. I'm pretty sure this is only happening because Avex can't hold concerts safely yet, but I still hope they make the most out of adding a long-awaited additional best album to Ayu's discography.

[Akutenshi]

Originally Posted by koumori

Words are important, and "in my opinion/from my perspective" are used to differentiate between you acknowledging that other people think differently and you think that's fine, or you thinking what you are saying is fact and you judge those who think differently.

We seem to have a problem with people misunderstanding why it's important to use words to explain their point better. People here aren't your friends, they barely know you. If you walk into a room irl and say something like "x artist has gotten really bland" then you'll get the same response from strangers if they like that artist. It's more likely you'd say "Well, their last song wasn't my thing, for x y and z", which is what you say to welcome discussion and not seem like you're preemptively shooting it down.

Is it unnecessary? Well, since people are commenting that they needed to repeat that they do consider it just their opinion, I personally wouldn't say it is. If multiple people are misunderstanding you consistently then sometimes it's good to look at the finer details of the wording you're using to make sure you're representing yourself in the best way.

After Zeke's signature back in the day I really thought on why we would see consistent debates on his wording, and this is the big key difference really. If you're allowing yourself to be open to discussion and other people's opinions, then say so, because people don't know you and won't assume the best. And everyone here has had bad experiences of being told their taste is shit point blank lmao, unfortunately not everyone comes onto a forum wanting a discussion and it's just the reality of things that we have to signal when we do or that we know not everyone thinks the same as us.


This is amazingly off-topic but since it's on the topic of AHS as a community, I'll roll with it. My apologies to those coming here for Pray for you news

While I can understand what you're saying, what makes it any different from people just saying "this song is great"? Because it's a positive expression and not a negative one, the same rules don't apply?

You touched on people feeling like they're being judged by someone who says "this is bland/bad/etc", but why then is it acceptable to judge those who voice negative opinions? I expressed a negative opinion, and a whole conversation was started with people quoting me shooting down my opinion. I didn't approach the conversation this way - I didn't quote a bunch of people who enjoy the song so far and shoot them down. Why is the standard not applicable here? That's my problem with this whole situation. And this doesn't just happen to me. I've been on this forum for 15 years - this has often been a situation when a minority opinion is stated.

You also touched on "people don't know you and won't assume the best", and I agree. But again, the standard needs to be applicable to both sides. It's ok for people to project their assumptions onto my comment and take issue with how I express myself because they don't know me personally, but I have to adjust my thoughts and feelings for people who I don't know personally myself?

It's totally ok for people to like different things. It's also totally ok to express your feelings how you see fit. Again, I didn't personally attack or insult anybody. If people choose to view it in that lens, that's their prerogative, but I have no way of knowing the personal histories of every single member on this forum, and it also isn't my responsibility. The same way I wouldn't expect anyone to know anything about mine.

I'm sorry if I seem stubborn, I just don't think it's really that complicated. All any of us can offer are our opinions, therefore, it's a pretty safe rule of thumb to realize that a statement someone makes IS their opinion. We should all be able to state what we feel and think on a forum, as long as we aren't attacking members or breaking rules. This is the last I'll say so as to not take the topic too far away from the song anymore

[Mikytaryan]

Originally Posted by Akutenshi

While I can understand what you're saying, what makes it any different from people just saying "this song is great"? Because it's a positive expression and not a negative one, the same rules don't apply?

I understand that for you this sounds like you are right and you truly believe in your ideas, and for me this just feels two ways: a person that strongly believes in something and a behavior that disrespects what others feel.

I always assume that behind any behavior is a positive intent so I'm going with this, but voicing the fact that you feel everyone else is wrong it kind of disrupts the forum dynamic. And it's not just you - I know that sometimes insisting on something can be more hurtful, but I feel that in this context, what you say doesn't apply.

This is a forum indeed, a place for opinions, but it's also a place of socializing, a place where most of us have found comfort in these crazy times. Having someone disrespecting social conventions (politeness, stating beforehand things like "in my opinion", criticizing a product, not the person, etc.) is a bit hurtful. Keep in mind that we are in a social context here, and believing that everyone else should just accept and adapt to something just because for you that feels like "freedom of thought and opinion" is unrealistic.

I am sad to see that Ayu's song-gift to us has become a subject of debate for other still open wounds, but I still believe that Ayu was also a driver for unity in a common interest - and that is the wellbeing of Ayumi Hamasaki and the appreciation for the music she is still offering us. Regardless if we like the songs or not, she is still here, working, giving her best.

So, I can't wait to hear Pray and enjoy a sweet ballad during this long awaited spring

P.S. apologies if my reply is also a bit off-topic. I know that constant debates sometimes will lead to nowhere. I hope everyone can feel safe talking here, and I will also try my best to not take anything too personal.

[AndyF]

Even if ayu releases a new "I am..." some people here will still complain and say that this is "a bunch of uninspired songs". So in the end of the day, it's a matter of opinion and I'm really excited to hear a new song.

[voltron]

I'm looking forward to new music, but I can't say the preview excited me a whole lot - I haven't listened to it more than once. That said, it doesn't mean that I won't grow to like or appreciate it, and her vocals definitely have a chance to change that perception.

I do totally understand people not liking this kind of song, and I'm the same way. I tend to love her power ballads and ones where she uses more of a full voice, but what becomes same-y to me is the airy ballads she has been doing for the past decade (not all of them, but a lot of them - think Days-like vocals). I think a different vocal delivery would makeup for a "classic" sounding composition.

And I don't want to get into the tone policing conversation here too much other than to say I also think there's a big difference between the younger and older members of this forum and how personally they do or do not choose to take things. And of course there are cultural differences at play, since members are from around the world. If you dislike someone raving how much they love something all the time, get over it. If you dislike someone saying something is boring or uninspired, get over it. There have been a handful of members over the years who go over the top to the extreme and come across as attention-seeking, and that I understand getting annoyed with - but otherwise this is all just discourse, and a difference of opinion is natural.

[truehappiness]

Everyone has their preferences but often things get 'personal'. I've chosen to not really engage outside of what I feel because it's not really my business and it's just less stressful to just let people do as they do.

I will say it is annoying as hell to get attacked if you like something for christ's sake... like what is that even? lol

[DavidChaiLatte]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Everyone has their preferences but often things get 'personal'. I've chosen to not really engage outside of what I feel because it's not really my business and it's just less stressful to just let people do as they do.

I will say it is annoying as hell to get attacked if you like something for christ's sake... like what is that even? lol

I don't know... I feel like the opposite holds true here as well. People quite often get attacked for expressing their disappointment.

All in all, I think we can all agree we are still here on AHS because we all care about Ayu to various degrees. Opinions can vary but at least that is one thing all of us (99%?) have in common.

[love in music]

Originally Posted by Akutenshi

Again, I didn't personally attack or insult anybody. If people choose to view it in that lens, that's their prerogative, but I have no way of knowing the personal histories of every single member on this forum, and it also isn't my responsibility. The same way I wouldn't expect anyone to know anything about mine.

You did though, right here:

Originally Posted by Akutenshi

Second, it is completely okay to not blindly praise everything your favorite artist does

You are saying that those who don't share your opinion are "blindly praising" what she does. Honestly, I've seen people say this many times to try to devalue the opinions of people who like something. They just MUST be blind fans who love everything she does to like something you don't like, right?

I think both fans who love something and fans who don't could work on being more respectful towards each other. So many times I have seen fans devalue the opinions of fans who dislike something and call them a "hater" or fans devalue the opinions of fans who like something and call them "blind".

I think in reality, most of the time fans are neither of those things. People just have different tastes and it's cool. If people could stop for a second and think "hey, they have different taste than me, that doesn't make them wrong and there's no need to devalue their opinion, in fact, I'd love to hear why their taste is different than mine" then conversations would probably go much more smoothly. When people are already devaluing someone else's opinion and writing them off to be a certain type of person, it definitely sets people up to act defensively and not want to continue to have an interesting conversation.

[AyuCanada]

I keep coming to this thread every day hoping the new messages are about the song.

[PinkShinigami]

What happened to this? It's not on A BALLADS 2, is it?

[truehappiness]

It's probably being saved for when she can perform MUSIC for LIFE (and probably on another EP/single).

[Aderianu]

Originally Posted by PinkShinigami

What happened to this? It's not on A BALLADS 2, is it?

I still hope it ends up being hidden track

[koumori]

I've moved the discussion about Timmy to this thread. Please discuss it further there so this thread can be used for any speculation or news about Pray for you

[SURREAL__RAINBOW]

It would've been nice if this song became the opening song for CD1 on A BALLADS 2, and had a pv Oh well, hoping it comes out in a next single/album

[truehappiness]

I think it will be part of MUSIC for LIFE and probably usher in a new EP/album?

[AyuCanada]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I think it will be part of MUSIC for LIFE and probably usher in a new EP/album?

Isn't it crazy to think it has been 5 years since we had a full album?

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by AyuCanada

Isn't it crazy to think it has been 5 years since we had a full album?

Gets less crazy every year really...I've stopped expecting a new album 🎻

[!Lawi!]

To be fair the main problem with TROUBLE for me wasn't that it was a mini, but more that we knew so much of it beforehand. WatQ and WORDS had been out for a while, and aeternal was teased so much with all the demos that by the time TROUBLE released, it felt only W and The Way I am were new.

Which is why it scared me when someone on the A BALLADS II thread mentioned the (very real) possibility that the next mini could be Ohia - DaD - Pray for you - Haru yo -1/2 new songs.

I fully expect the first 3 to be on whatever comes next but I hope Haru yo stays on A BALLADS II, and I hope we'll get something with at least 9 tracks + 1 interlude like MADE IN JAPAN.

To come back on Pray for You, I find it so strange that she'd tease it with the literal instrumental version (not just name-dropping it or teasing she recorded something), and then not include it in her next release. Still surreal to me. Hopefully we'll get to hear it soon though!

[RealLight]

Originally Posted by !Lawi!

Which is why it scared me when someone on the A BALLADS II thread mentioned the (very real) possibility that the next mini could be Ohia - DaD - Pray for you - Haru yo -1/2 new songs.

Oh god, please no

[hidekirby]

I'd rather have nothing released than another mini à la TROUBLE. I hope she'll take the time to release something worthy.