AYUSE KOZUE – Simply Good November 24, 2009

Track Listing

1. close to you ~Zutto Soba de~
2. Yamitsuki
3. Anone no Ne
4. Toori Ame
5. Bambi no Shippo
6. Un-controllable ~Itsudemo Kimi Dake~
7. Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite
8. KISS KISS KISS
9. LUV CRUISIN’
10. ONE
11. How Beautiful
12. Don’t let you down

1. close to you ~Zutto Soba de~

Oh hot damn, close to you has one of the most intriguing openins I’ve heard in an album.  It seems to continue to reinstate that AYUSE + synths & R&B really does work.  Her vocals are at their usual stance like in her previous songs, so you know it’s pretty strong.  It could’ve be a bit stronger, but this is nice.

2. Yamitsuki

Girl is getting better at doing music altogether.  This is the first time I’ve heard AYUSE actually sound edgy with her music and she’s basically saying the lyrics of the song at a very fast pace.  It’s strange that there’s like no melody at the verses, but the chorus is where things happen and it’s pretty nice, though thin.  Interesting…

3. Anone no Ne

Then AYUSE goes back to the synth/R&B fusion again with Anone no Ne.  It’s can be a really catchy song when you really dig into its core, but that strange ad-libbing really weirded me out…Especially since its AYUSE we’re talking about, it’s something new and different and like I said, it can be a good track, at the right time.

4. Toori Ame

I’m trying to think where AYUSE was exactly going with this song.  The arrangement is really stiff and while AYUSE is trying to make a song out of this one, she kind of messed up because it’s kind of annoying with the boring drum rhythm.  Though I do like whenever synths are heard and the small parts with xylophone.  I can appreciate that at least.

5. Bambi no Shippo

 Bambi huh?  I guess she was writing a song about that famous deer?  AYUSE still hasn’t deviated from her R&B sound, but as one of the album’s ballads, I kind of enjoyed this.  It’s more nicer when there’s acoustic guitar and piano with a simple beat.  It really did work out.

6. Un-controllable ~Itsudemo Kimi Dake~

I’m happy that we’re getting back into a more upbeat mood because Un-controllable is really nice as a song.  There’s a lot of synth present here and while it’s more of a pop tune than anything else, it’s rather cool and AYUSE’s vocals are radiant in the song.  Definitely one of the smoothest tracks she’s released in a while.

7. Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite

As the era’s 3rd A-side, Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite really boosted AYUSE back up after two singles released previously to this.  There’s a lot more energy found here and with brass and guitars to break the synths out, it’s really exciting and made for parties.  Though the rapper dude, could’ve been left out IMO.

8. KISS KISS KISS

Damn, I love the bass synth opening KISS KISS KISS (which isn’t a cover of Ami’s or BENI’s.)  While it does remind me highly of “Don’t let you down” with it’s chilled out R&B sound and soothing vocals from AYUSE, it just doesn’t beat the latter track at all.  Then again hearing AYUSE in the higher register here isn’t such a good thing. 

9. LUV CRUISIN’

I was weirded out by this song.  This seems to be the only track where AYUSE is actually rapping in the song (mainly verses).  Sadly, the song is filled with auto-tune and the tempo of the song is way too slow to really ensnare me into it.  Though I was impressed at how fast she was getting through the verses, probably the best thing here.

10. ONE

Released as the era’s 2nd single, ONE is probably my least favorite track out of the A-sides because while it’s another ballad which isn’t too bad, it didn’t scream A-side and previous release “When I Wish Upon A Star” was handled a lot more better (unfortunate that that song was omitted off the album and yet is present on the DVD.)

11. How Beautiful

As we near the end of the album, How Beautiful ups the energy back up and I kind of like the songs heavier beats and free-sounding arrangement.  It seemed to be made with fun in mind because that’s what I’m getting.  The only thing I kind of cringed at was whenever she scooped her vocals when saying ~how beautiful~.  Other than that, it’s fun and really catchy.

12. Don’t let you down

I’ll admit it, the album ended really nicely with the era’s final A-side.  I thought we were going to get something epic especially with how sweet that opening line is.  It’s a little sad that the album is joined with other similar sounding songs, but at least it had a PV and the synths weren’t too distracting from AYUSE’s singing and the beats were also nice. 

Tracks Recommended

• How Beautiful
• Un-controllable ~Itsudemo Kimi Dake
• Bambi no Shippo
• Yamitsuki
• Don’t let you down

AYUSE’s sophomore effort was a step up after her debut, but I initially came into the album expecting more electro songs like what she did with majority of the era.  Though with what I got, it was a nice set of R&B songs.  She does need to work on not making songs so tedious at points and adding everything.  I mean no “When I Wish Upon A Star” & “Apple pie”?  WTF

AYUSE KOZUE – Apple pie October 10, 2009

Track Listing

1. Apple pie
2. Delicate ni Sukishite
3. feel so good
4. EXCLUSIVE JAM MIX

1. Apple pie

Oh this song is just way too cute for words.  I thought “unpretty good” was 80’s giddyness, but damn she 1-upped for this A-side.  Apple pie was a lot of synths involved and AYUSE totally fits with the songs mood.  I can’t believe how this was omitted from “Simply Good”, still I’m happy with this track and c’mon who doesn’t like apple pie and ice cream?

2. Delicate ni Sukishite

Why yes, this is a cover of a pretty well-known anime tune which is a more electro-styled tune than the original.  I actually think other artists that have covered this were a lot more better and more lyrically stronger than AYUSE’s, but I do love the arrangement for this one since it reminds me of a mix of the FOLLOW ME remix and “unpretty good” mixed in with AYUSE under auto-tune/vocoder.

3. feel so good

The other B-side goes back to what AYUSE’s more typical sound of R&B.  Unfortunately, the song doesn’t really catch my interest since it doesn’t really lead anywhere more interesting besides the synth solo after the chorus.  Besides, AYUSE sounding food, it’s otherwise a bland tune.

4. EXCLUSIVE JAM MIX

• Sundae Love
• boyfriend
• Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite
• KONOMAMA
• Omoidasu yo
• eyes to eyes
• 24/7
• pretty good

Should I be surprised AYUSE would actually do a megamix to finish off the single?  Now, Sundae Love was a pretty damn random tune by the time of its release and hearing it first on the track still carries that funny sound that made me lulz at the video.  It’s just so unneeded that I had to hear Flavor Flav sampled here.  boyfriend pops up next with it’s chilled flow and AYUSE spins through the song pretty nicely.  Even though I do think it’s a little too hectic sometimes, her slow parts are really nice.  Since I did just review Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite it’s actually the only song of this era featured in this megamix.  It did fit since it is that upbeat.  Luckily, WISE isn’t featured here as much…and didn’t do his rap before transitioning to KONOMAMA.  That being said, KONOMAMA was a little messy coming after a fast track to a more slower R&B tune.  It does sound like a normal R&B tune with it’s oddly cheesy arrangement before the synth beeps come in.  Omoidasu yo continues to show off it’s laidback flow and it actually kept me interested more than “KONOMAMA”.  Though the question is what was with that rapping section…it was just awkward even for this megamix.  I actually think it was the worst on the megamix.  After that awkward mess, eyes to eyes fixes things up nicely since it’s still chill but it’s got a lot more of a nicer flow and arrangement.  It’s however the shortest used tune and quickly goes over to 24/7 and by here is where I start to lose interest because of the similarities going on and this flew over my head pretty quickly.  pretty good finishes up this 16 and a half minute megamix on a smooth note.  It’s a bit more closer as a ballad because of the piano and strings and arrangements used her and I though it made a nice end to this. *thanx to Selly for figuring the list of songs used here since I haven’t heard anything from her first album*

 

 

While I still don’t understand why Apple pie is excluded from her sophomore album, I have to say this is an alright single.  Apple pie is clearly the shining track off the single with is fun-sounding 80’s-like arrangement.  Delicate ni Sukishite was an alright cover, but I’ve heard way better handling with this song.  feel so good though is probably the worst song of the era since it really didn’t offer anything new here.  The EXCLUSIVE JAM MIX was a nice treat for those big fans of her and featured big songs from her, but she could’ve had less of the chilled out tunes that were plaguing the later part of the megamix.

AYUSE KOZUE – Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite October 10, 2009

Track Listing

1. Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite
2. unpretty good
3. FOLLOW ME (Soul Central remix)
4. Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite (instrumental)

1. Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite

I was happy to see AYUSE finally pick things up after two slow singles with Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite.  It’s more of the style that we’ve seen back with “Sundae Love” and I was happy to see some action.  She sounds pretty good with the exciting.  I mean brass? and guitar?  Sadly, the song does go down because WISE is featured in the track and while his rap section changes the sound of the song, it still wasn’t that good.  Without him, the song would’ve been pretty good.

2. unpretty good

The B-side follows up after a few similar songs like “Pretty Good”.  I lulz at the opening with AYUSE doing the swooping with her “WHOOO!”.  It’s got a bubbly personality and it does fit with what’s coming up on her next single.  It’s the cute 80’s like sound that made me like it more than the A-side.

3. FOLLOW ME (Soul Central remix)

It kind of seems random to remix a track that was released back on her debut album, “A♥K”.  Either way like other remixes, it starts up with a beat and the main sound which can become annoying, but I do like the chill sound of the remix.  Though it takes way too long before FOLLOW ME starts up and by then I want to change it. 

 

 

AYUSE’s 3rd single is a lot more exciting for starters since the previous two were ballads and such.  Koyoi Kimi ni Koi wo Shite is good and all, but WISE actually destroyed the tune for me.  If he wasn’t part of it, I think I would’ve been lighter on it.  That’s where unpretty good fits in.  The song was more towards what she’s going for for the rest of the era.  The remix was just too long and went nowhere til later.

AYUSE KOZUE – Don’t let you down September 22, 2009

Track Listing

1. Don’t let you down
2. material girl
3. Don’t let you down (Instrumental)
4. material girl (Instrumental)

1. Don’t let you down

The beginning of the tune was quite hopeful as AYUSE starts singing in heavy vocoder.  Then it goes into this synthy R&B track that is rather smooth and fun-sounding with it’s clicking sound.  The problem though is that it seemed like there was no effort to make the song and lacks the punch her last two singles had, especially “APPLE PIE”.  It’s alright, but it’s not amazing.

2. material girl

While it isn’t a cover of Madonna’s tune, material girl also feels hardly strong.  It’s even more smoother and while AYUSE’s vocals are really nice and soothing, and the 8bit melody in the after-chorus seemed like an afterthought, it’s a bit more to the era’s style of 80’s pop.  It’s a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.

 

 

Isn’t it time to release an album AYUSE?  Don’t let you down is rather a step down after the nostalgic release of “APPLE PIE”.  Don’t let you down is alright, maybe a little more effort could’ve worked for her and added stronger beat or two.  material girl is better and worked better in her R&B style.  I just hope she releases an album next!

AYUSE KOZUE – ONE August 10, 2009

Track Listing

1. ONE
2. cry baby
3. ONE (acoustic version)
4. ONE (instrumental)
5. cry baby (instrumental)

1. ONE

It’s weird that I know AYUSE for her more synth-happy tracks, but ONE is completely in AYUSE’s normality as it is an R&B track that features sitar?  Other than that, this isn’t any different from any other track AYUSE released previous.  I do enjoy her vocals quite a bit more than “When You Wish Upon a Star”.  I think the piano helped move the song along though so I didn’t think this was a total bore.

2. cry baby

The B-side also is R&B, but somehow the song sounded really good especially with the weird keyboard sound and the booming beat.  Onec again her vocals are solid and sound really good.  At this point, I do consider this over “ONE” as it’s just more to my liking and the various snippets of synth helped out too.

3. ONE (acoustic version)

Opening up the same way, the acoustic version of ONE takes out the R&B stuff and leaves the strings and piano to work wonders with the song making it more of a ballad.  Despite what could’ve been a lot better, it seems a little awkward listening to the song without the beats and sitar.  There’s places where it sounds beautiful, but c’mon fast vocals in ballad form just doesn’t work for me.

 

 

AYUSE’s 2nd of the era comes off as a bit strange, but it’s alright nonetheless.  I do like ONE more than the previous single, but it still doesn’t leave too much of an impression like her later singles.  cry baby was a pretty good B-side though it’s nothing I haven’t heard before from other artists.  The acoustic version of ONE felt weird to listen to, but being a winter single, it sounded fitting to the occasion.  Alright, but ehhh

AYUSE KOZUE – When I Wish Upon A Star June 12, 2009

Track Listing

1. When I Wish Upon A Star
2. Goin’ on (ex. mix)
3. SUNDAE LOVE (chocolate sundae remix)
4. When I Wish Upon A Star (Instrumental)

1. When I Wish Upon A Star

AYUSE really surprises us beginning a new era with an actual ballad.  It’s full of piano and strings and what not.  It’s quite a dropoff from her last era which was full of them R&B and poppy tracks I bet.  I know it’s a drastic change of sound from her last two singles.  It does come off as a bit too shoddy, but AYUSE sings pretty well in a deeper tone.  It’s alright, but there’s not much to remember it by.

2. Goin’ on (ex. mix)

Released as a HMV limited single, Goin’ On gets a remix more or less and while I’ve not gone and listen to the song, this mix continues AYUSE’s R&B nature pretty well.  I thought the song was an extended version, but I guessed wrong.  I really liked her voice though here.  It’s smooth and not boring at all.

3. SUNDAE LOVE (chocolate sundae mix)

Sundae Love was a single in the past era and that song was 80’s nostalgia and the video was just a whole bag of random.  The remix on this single took the 80’s out and gave it a urban style to mix things up, hence the chocolate.  AYUSE’s doesn’t fit right though in this remix nor the rapper…just a mess IMO

 

 

So far though, When I Wish Upon A Star begins the era off pretty slowly with a ballad.  I’m not sure where she’s leading off, especially with all them party singles beforehand, but maybe it’ll get better from here.  The remixes is alright, nothing to really oogle over, but it’s passable.