
Track Listing
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Prologue
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A Song for ××
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Hana
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FRIEND
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FRIEND II
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poker face
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Wishing
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YOU
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As if…
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POWDER SNOW
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Trust
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Depend on you
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SIGNAL
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from your letter
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For My Dear…
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Present
1. Prologue
It’s pretty understandable to begin an album with an introduction to this album and Prologue is one of those tracks that makes you wonder what it’d be like if it was an actual vocal track because I really like the fantasy-like sounds and the piano combining together to make a soothing opening.
2. A Song for ××
Our first track is the title track for the album. I expected the song to be a ballad of sorts and I was kind of right, but then it became a pop/rock filled with a nice arrangement and guitar riff. The verses are the ballad-like parts of the song while the chorus is the more aggressive side of the song. That’s actually the best part of the song IMO. Great way to begin things. Ayu though kind of gets worse when she starts the wailing…
3. Hana
Yikes, talk about cheesy pop in the days, Hana is like that with the funk riffs and the wild brass that’s in the song. Ayu’s vocals sound alright, but they aren’t in good shape still, but I can’t get this song into my head, it’s just not that interesting IMO.
4. FRIEND
Meh, I would’ve rather not have seen this on the album as it still is boring as hell to listen to and there’s just nothing that exactly makes it stand out in anyway shape or form. Then again it did come from her avex debut “poker face” which shows that it’s not that good in the first place. PASS
5. FRIEND II
That’s where FRIEND II steps in. Clearly this track was a bit more eventful that the previous track and there’s like somewhat of emotions written throughout. Then again the arrangement isn’t something amazingly new which surprises me, but at the same time it’s Ayu what can ya do at this point of time? Her vocals are a bit meh here as well, so don’t expect something extravagant, but still it’s way better than “FRIEND”
6. poker face
We get back to horrible vocals from Ayu with her debut song which nowadays sounds terribly aged and I still can’t say I enjoy it much since Ayu is just way flat and out of place here. I can feel for her that the song is special to her, but c’mon you need to spruce this track up and badly I must say.
7. Wishing
Is this our first actual ballad? I keep forgetting this track was on this album and not her sophomore album, “LOVEppears”. Now at this point on the album, a ballad is kind of strange and yet makes me smile because it’s nothing cheesy. All it is is percussion and piano which is nice. Her vocals do sound better than it did on “poker face” which is a good sign for sure. Pretty good ballad.
8. YOU
I’ll admit it, I fell in love with this track even though I still feel it’s ridiculously slow and awkward. Like I said in my single review, the remixes and various touched-up versions make the original sound bad, it’s still not that bad of a song and even then there’s just a lot to like about it. OK, her vocals hit the slumps again, but seriously, it’s not thaaat bad.
9. As if…
Did Ayu just go valley girl on us? Anyways, the song once again fails to make an impression on me because well, it’s too basic. I mean there’s parts I do enjoy like the low synth beats and chorus, but other than that there’s just not a lot going for it. Typical pop song IMO
10. POWDER SNOW
Another song that’s less liked than it’s remakes and remixes. POWDER SNOW is our next ballad, and at that a wintry-based ballad. The first thing I noticed about the song was the a good portion was just piano and Ayu’s off vocals. It does eventually gain some guitars and drums and that’s bad cuz it’s typical….
11. Trust
Trust also seems pretty meh, especially since it was a single…Like “YOU” it’s amazingly slow for a track that I think was meant to be a bit faster. Remixes definitely make this song sound worse as it is….hmmm It’s luckily not the worst on the album.
12. Depend on you
I think overall, Depend on you is the best song off the album because even though it’s vocally unstable, it actually manages to keep my interest through the entire song. It’s also more rock than any other song off the album with it’s awesome guitar riffs and synth inclusion. It’s got a lot of energy, especially for a song on this album. Still IMO one of her best songs.
13. SIGNAL
Just like our last track, SIGNAL is quite energetic and sort of reminds me of said track because of the similar guitar riffs in the verses and use of the synths. I can’t say vocally if it’s any better, well she does really hit those high notes in a very nasally way. It still is a lot more interesting than most of the tracks off the album.
14. from your letter
Of all the songs of this album, I honestly think this song has aged the worst as it sounds very 90’s-ish and I mean like early 90’s. The beginning with the magical sparkling was just odd since the other tracks usually just got into the song right from the start. It’s a little boring, but at least the beat is keeping it from dragging entirely.
15. For My Dear…
Ending off the era, was actually one of her worst sung songs. First things off, her vocals are uber pinched right from the start, that just doesn’t give hope to the rest of the song. She actually keeps it for most of the song. I don’t know, but once again I feel like she could’ve raised the tempo a bit to have made a more cohesive track, than a borefest with bad vocals.
16. Present
Ending off the album is another wintry track? If there was one cheesy track, it has to be this one because it’s one of those songs that make you feel giddy around the holidays, with joyous piano and brass playing. It’s not that bad of a track actually because Ayu isn’t stressing her vocals to parts unknown unlike the other songs…Not the way I would’ve finished the album, but ok.
Tracks Recommended
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Depend on you
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A Song for ××
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YOU
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FRIEND II
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Wishing
Song of Avoidance
Everyone has said this, but of all her avex albums, this is her worst vocally and well it’s true. Over time, she’s gotten more control. Her avex debut was kind of bland overall using the same techniques with some surprises here and there to make it look more varied, but most of the time it came out way too typical and useless. My least favorite album of hers actually.