When word got our that Ayu was contributing to a cover album of Hikaru Utada's songs, everybody called the horses out and brought rope, ready to tie by the ankles, hop on a saddle and drag for miles. I bought myself some cowboy boots ready for the ho-down. But I'm going to have to walk right back to the shop with my receipt and get me a refund, because Ayu did good. She covered a Hikaru Utada song and didn't ruin it.
The one song I thought would be one of the low points of the cover album turns out to be one of the highlights. Where-as as many of her peers opted to try and revamp and transform songs (with some catastrophic results), Ayu played it safe and delivered a nice cover. Had she tried to have gone off on some grand tangent, she almost certainly would have found her back severely grazed from a marathon dragging.
Ayu's cover of "Movin' on without you" is produced and arranged by the RedOne team who helmed "XOXO" - which was one of my stand outs from her album Colours. So it comes as no surprise that they managed to have Ayu sound decent on a club jam, yet again. If Ayu hasn't already whatsapp'd her A&R to keep RedOne's team on the blower for future releases, then she damn well needs to.
If I were Ayu, I would have pulled some Voodoo pussy shit and sucked a dick at Virgin music to allow for the song to be released as a fully fledged single. That Zutto... / Last minute / Walk single of hers won't pop or have people talkin' like this.
Ayu needs to send Hikaru Utada a box of Tokyo banana, a strawberry cheesecake and a Kobe beef hamper for throwing her a lifeline.
The one song I thought would be one of the low points of the cover album turns out to be one of the highlights. Where-as as many of her peers opted to try and revamp and transform songs (with some catastrophic results), Ayu played it safe and delivered a nice cover. Had she tried to have gone off on some grand tangent, she almost certainly would have found her back severely grazed from a marathon dragging.
Ayu's cover of "Movin' on without you" is produced and arranged by the RedOne team who helmed "XOXO" - which was one of my stand outs from her album Colours. So it comes as no surprise that they managed to have Ayu sound decent on a club jam, yet again. If Ayu hasn't already whatsapp'd her A&R to keep RedOne's team on the blower for future releases, then she damn well needs to.
If I were Ayu, I would have pulled some Voodoo pussy shit and sucked a dick at Virgin music to allow for the song to be released as a fully fledged single. That Zutto... / Last minute / Walk single of hers won't pop or have people talkin' like this.
Ayu needs to send Hikaru Utada a box of Tokyo banana, a strawberry cheesecake and a Kobe beef hamper for throwing her a lifeline.
YAS, all I need is an official remix album cover now...
ReplyDeleteI still don't know if I love this shit or absolutely despise it. That's the power of Ayu, I guess.
ReplyDeleteWOW. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI actually like it and was shocked by the song she chose. I was expecting "Final distance" or some other balls which is what I guess she turned down for "MOWY".
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm looking forward to "Zuto... / Last minute / Walk" because it seems like she actually gives a fuck again, single covers are good, music station booked etc just hope the video isn't basic lol
This time Hikaru has spared a rare Ayuwig from being scalped.
ReplyDeleteSeriously thought she was going to do a ballad but the girl saved herself and went safe. For me, it was most anticipating cover compared to other artists because she hasn't released ANYTHING good in the last couple of years. The only part I don't like are the verses. Hearing those "ii's" remind me of how good she was and could be again.
ReplyDeleteNo. Those single covers are not good. They are horrendous. She looks awful.
ReplyDeleteThe verses are my least favourite parts too, but this was the case for me on the original too. The chorus is where it's all at.
ReplyDelete*eating words*
ReplyDeleteI take back what I said. This is probably the most interesting and most tolerable cover on the whole damn album. I'm sorry but some of the other covers were butchered beyond what I thought was possible. Those "Sakura Drops" and "Keep Tryin" covers...Girl, Bye.
Despite playing it safe and going the beaten to death EDM route, I actually like what Ayu has done with the song. Two thumbs up for sure. I will definitely have this song on repeat on my itunes.
This is such a refreshing update. I'm so happy Ayu's finally delivering something of high quality here. It's been so long since she's delivered something that doesn't make me wanna cringe. If she were to get RedOne to work with her like how Nakata works with Perfume, maybe she could have a real comeback someday.
ReplyDeleteWell damn...the one who I thought was gonna be cringe performance surpassed my expectations. Ayu comeback perhaps?!
ReplyDeleteNo. Those covers are gorgeous. I'm looking forward to that single also.
ReplyDeleteAyu did good RedOne did good I enjoyed this cover the most
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to note that after listening to this album these past days it's pretty much a big fat joke. What the hell...
ReplyDeleteit's so fucking good
ReplyDeleteI've been dragging LEVEL3 since the day it released, but you made it sound like some kind of perfection.
ReplyDelete*LOL* Thank you!
ReplyDelete'LEVEL3' features good songs, but the track sequencing made the album sound a lot worse / weaker than it actually is. I also think that many began writing the album off early on due to the singles, each of which featured B-sides that were getting way more love and attention from fans.
The tour didn't help much neither. Just as the album got a dodgy track list sequence, the tour got a weak, badly ordered set list. "Party maker" single handedly saved the entire thing.
Please put up some kind of download link! This is giving me SO much more life than the actual album! xD
ReplyDeleteWELP this cover album was a huge disappointment. Who would have thought that Ayu's cover would end up being one of the album highlights. I know people weren't really feeling Sheena's cover, but I loved what she did with letters and thought that she did a good job of making the song her own while still retaining the original melody. Also, it was interesting to hear her sing a song according to Utada's vocal arrangement. I know Sheena's tone can be polarizing, but I thought her voice suited the new arrangement well. The only other cover I really liked was Bonnie Pink's, my only complaint was that it felt a little to long. Miliyah and Ai's covers were nice, but they weren't anything special imo. The other covers on the album though...LAWD... it's like the guys who were featured on the album just said fuck singing in key... flat notes every where...off key wailing....I can't. Also, what was with the bitch featured on Keep Tryin sounding like she was about two seconds from offing herself, the irony.
ReplyDeleteAre you all serious? Utada is still the best. Ayumi's cover sucks.
ReplyDeleteAutotune does work.
ReplyDeleteYou're wrong. The covers are barbaric and her lips are outrageous.
ReplyDeleteInnerBich is at it again. What's new?
ReplyDeleteyawn. shut ur damn mouth
ReplyDeleteHer lips are new. So is her wig. Anymore questions?
ReplyDeleteSo does up-pitching. She sounds like a woman here. And a chipmunk in other places.
ReplyDeleteGirl, fix this mess of a cover album.
ReplyDeleteObviously your shit-talking is still boring as fuck.
ReplyDeleteTou sound more like a little bich than she does
ReplyDeleteSo are her eyes, but those have been new for years.
ReplyDeleteI agree. She sounds more like a man. :)
ReplyDeleteHow ironic. What a fairy you are. :)
ReplyDeleteHush.
ReplyDeleteHer music hasn't been new in years though. So she sings Utada. :)
ReplyDeleteA flop covering a queen. Ironic, I agree, ayustan utada hikaru. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to know Utada's a stan of Ayu.
ReplyDelete..
ReplyDeleteSomebody has to be. Poor thing. :)
ReplyDelete"Nothing's gonna stop me. Only ayu can stop a beat." :)
ReplyDelete