I see many people are reviewing JPop albums!! I have rated Ayumi's albums in the past. These are my ratings, but my opinion about her albums constantly change tbh. Last time I reviewed her albums out of 10:
Nothing From Nothing: 9/10
Extremely good album, very oldschool and I totally understand why it flopped hard. Some call it boring, I find it fantastic and very moody, gloomy and groovy. It's so dark imo and amazing.
A Song for XX: 9/10
Classic Ayumi, I have read the English lyrics to these songs and they are stunning. Her voice was not that developed at this point, but the overall result was a distinctive sound with interesting vocals and really amazing songs.
LOVEppears: 9,5/10
Songs like Trauma, Boys & Girls etc. are all-time classics for me. Stunning album & nearly perfect! One of my all-time JPop faves.
Duty: 10/10
What can I say about this masterpiece? Ayumi on top of the industry singing Vogue, Far Away etc. = HEAVEN. This album will never get old!! :heart:
I Am...: 10/10
No words for this one. One of my 10 favorite albums of all time. M is one of my top 10 songs ever (hence the name AyuM: Ayu + M
). Never Ever & Connected are 2 of my all-time played songs ever. And I wont waste time complimenting each track!
Rainbow: 9/10
This album did not capture me when I first listened to it. It's different than the rest of her albums. But I think it represents an era when Ayu was transitioning from the traditional 90s JPop culture to a more 00s Western-type pop. I think it's more experimental in the sense that her vocals seem kinda different to me, in a good way, because they improve and sound even more mature. But that does not please all listeners... It pleases me though! This might be the most important Ayu album cause I feel that it changed her direction, and even though it has some weaker moments it overall does that very successfully.
Memorial Adress: 8/10
This E.P. is nice but not amazing. It provides certain amazing tracks like No Way to Say, but some others are not very noteworthy. Overall a good effort.
My Story: 10/10
YES! I love this album lately! I didn't love it at first, but nowadays it's one of my faves. My Name's WOMEN is AMAAAZING and songs like Happy Ending are so epic. I love love this album. :heart:
(miss)understood: 10/10
Even better than My Story. This album has only great tracks. No fillers imo. you'll find many energetic, rock gems here. Also, I think this album has really memorable melodies. I recommend this to everyone.
Secret: 8,5/10
This album is nicely produced but none of the songs are as memorable as (miss)understood. I will admit that this used to be one of my fave Ayumi albums, but lately I feel that it is a weaker extension of (miss)understood and My Story. I might change my mind again in the future (lol). But, seriously, this album is good and I enjoy it always, however, I have realized that it's not as distinctive as it's two predecessors.
Guilty: 8,5/10
When this album was released I ordered it asap. I loved it, but I'm not as crazy about it as I used to be. Still, this album remains a classic for me. It features more philosophized beats imo but that can overshadow some songs. One of my biggest obsessions from this album was without a doubt "Mirror".
Next Level: 10/10
Days, Sparkle, EnergizE, Rule, Next Level, identity... etc etc etc THIS ALBUM ROCKS. It features a great variety of songs and genres and never fails to keep the quality at the maximum (next
) level. I was stunned when I got this album album!! Epicness!
Rock 'N' Roll Circus: 9/10
A really consistent album. Sunset, Sunrise, Microphone and other songs from here are part of my personal soundtrack for 2010. Great album, not as good as Next Level though. *OT: Alex was so obsessed with this album!!*
Love Songs: I hope for the
BEST!
Someone suggest Namie's PLAY but I've already heard that one and it wasn't that memorable, so I'm not going to listen to it again. Obviously Violet Sauce is the best song on it.
at those song titles
