Check out the newly released CM for ‘Sunrise/Sunset ~LOVE IS ALL~’:

I’m intrigued. I have yet to be let down by one of Ayumi’s summer ballads (in this case it would be ‘Sunset’), but in the past I’ve found it hard to warm up to the summer singles at first. However, ‘Sunrise’ is a different matter. There’s a really great, upbeat vibe to this song, and I’ve been repeating it a lot since first downloading the full leak.

The video clip, however, does make me think of one things:

“HURRICAAAAANE RIRIIIII~~~ oh, BOSUTAN MARIIIII~~~~”

What with all the flying towels and such.

There’s talk of HΛL being the arranger of this song, which would not surprise me. He’s done many, many of my favorite Ayumi songs, mostly older ones. I guess we’ll know in less than two weeks, right?

P.S. I still hate the covers.

So, when Murr covered my recent Ayumi cover post on IW, it was mentioned that I review every Ayumi single cover out there. That’s an ass load of covers. Keep in mind that Ayumi has over 45 singles and over 10 albums, each with varying alternate covers and variants. SO MUCH MATERIAL, and not all of it particularly noteworthy.

But “Murr,” I said to myself in a stupor over this past week (which has been full of friends in town, vacation time, and drinking), “I’m up to the challenge.”

I’m going to start by analyzing the covers of Ayumi’s “summer singles”, a legacy of which ‘Sunrise/Sunset ~LOVE IS ALL~’ will be a part. I’m trying to include all alternates/variants/booklet shots in order to fully analyze these covers, though I may miss out on some along the way.

(more…)

They’re not BAD, but Ayumi really needs to stop looking like Beyonce, Mariah, and Shakira. They got dey own things going.

Shame that this is my birthday post.

Yeah gurl rock that photoshopped body! ROCK IT!

I love her face and her hair. BUT EVERYTHING ELSE NEEDS TO FOADIAF.

I let the Hottest Thing I’ve Ever Seen series slide for a long time. I’m sowwy. :( But now it’s back, and it’s a doozy! IT’S A SERIES. This one has been a long time coming. It’s something of a fetish of mine. Put a tie, button-down, and trousers on a girl and – usually regardless of the traditional “beauty” level – I MELT LIKE BUTTER. I collect these pics.

Therefore, since this has been sort of an emotional week and I deserve some release, hell yes girls in suits eyecandy spam.

TAKE US AWAY, BOSS!

(more…)

So FRIDAY, that bastion of fair and balanced journalism, says that Ayumi’s recent blog entry threw fans into a tizzy for the wrong reasons. Here’s the blog entry excerpt from 07/04/09, as translated by Delirium-Zer0 on AHS:
I uh…
I made a verrry verrryy big decision today.
I honestly don’t know if it’s the right decision or not.
But I’ve definitely chosen this.
I stressed and I stressed…. and I decided.
It’s best to resolve to do something, and then get acceptance for it later.
So it’s okay.
Definitely okay.

Immediately the fans began to speculate that Ayu was either a) retiring or b) getting married. She responded less than a day later to squelch all those rumors, saying that the decision had nothing to do with retiring or marrying. She apologized for an entry that may have been confusing, and did not say much else beyond shooting down (quite politely and sweetly) the other rumors.

FRIDAY’s prediction? That Ayumi is setting her sights on the USA and Europe. For the USA, I have mixed feelings. Ayumi has been recording and filming PVs in the States for years, and admits her love for Hawaii and California freely. The PVs for ‘Bold & Delicious/Pride’ were even filmed in New York City. For her to launch a promotional plan of attack in the USA would be logical, but it would also be an utter failure. Here’s why:

1) Seiko Matsuda. BoA. Utada. The Wonder Girls. This just doesn’t work. If Ayu proved the exception to the rule it would be amazing, and…well…AMAZING…but…

2) She’s getting old. For a pop star, that is. Face it, let’s say it. 30 is old for a pop idol, even in the USA. Not the time to shoot for anything so lofty.

3) I would take this as a sign of “giving up” from Ayumi. Her sales have been dying a slow death, and her career is nowhere near what it used to be. She is still the empress in J-Pop, but it’s in the way that Madonna is the queen of USA pop. She still packs stadiums and sells records, but is she really still relevant? What Madonna has going for her is an international audience. Ayumi does not (yet) have this. In her 2006 CNN interview, she said that she would more than happy to sing wherever they could have her, but…

4) avex can afford the stage show they put on for Ayumi because it is contained within the Pacific…Japan is enough, but I can’t even imagine how much money it costs to host the ones in Singapore and China. That stage, all that equipment…the cost to produce something of that caliber in the USA would be unimaginable, and definitely not worth the risk. A stripped-down, club-style Ayumi show would be something to behold, but Ayu’s style is NOT stripped-down. Of course already hardcore fans would love it, but numbers like ‘Sparkle’ and ‘evolution’ require that flash and all that ambiance to retain their appeal. It would be dismal to see a less-than-over-the-top Ayumi show, unless she retooled everything we have come to know and love about her stage shows.

5) Again, it’s just not a financial sure thing, and I think avex doesn’t want to go fucking around in this terrible economic climate.

….this last part is just a theory, but could it actually be possible, and if so does that mean that Ayumi is just sick of being the last of the J-Pop queens to see an American collab/release? Koda Kumi has recorded with Fergie. Utada and BoA have always been multi-national in their appeal. Even Namie seems to be more easily marketable to the American market, if avex wanted to do that.

Ayumi is very Japan. She is like Morning Musume, in a way, with their American “expansion” – untranslatable. It would be a tragedy to hear an Ayumi song translated to English and performed. The meaning is in the subtle beauty of the Japanese language. The lyrics to ‘A Song for XX’ would simply not be the same in English.

It just makes me angry at myself to admit that, while I would give anything – and I mean anything, this is going far beyond what I was willing to do for Morning Musume – to see Ayumi in the States, I am ultimately wary of the entire situation and hope she will retain her integrity in the Japanese industry without selling herself into a Lady Gaga/Mariah Carey duet. AAUUUGHH FUCK NO WHY DID I EVEN TYPE THAT D: D: D: D:

Also, LOL FRIDAY.

Maxker at AHS posted the news, and the translated article from FRIDAY is beneath the cut. Credits at the bottom. Haters to the left.

ARTICLE FROM FRIDAY

China Daily (中国青年报) – reporting, according to Taiwan media reports and the magazine «FRIDAY», the popular leader of Japanese music and Asian fashion scene Hamasaki Ayumi have returned after 6 years absence from doing a dorama song. She produced one for the Japanese TV drama Dandy! Dandy! named «Sunrise ～LOVE is ALL～»

Hong Kong media recently claimed, in fact that, Hamasaki Ayumi has been slowly fading out of the entertainment industry since last year, and may withdraw from the end of the year, and marry her secret boyfriend, and become a full-time housewives.

In addition to sitting on the value of a about 10 million dollars mansion in Tokyo, Hamasaki have now also in recent years got herself two new apartments, both located in the expensive Hiroo district located at Shibuya, Tokyo. She is also rumored to purchase many high-level furniture, even a toilet covered with diamonds imported from a nightclub in Hong Kong.

The paper «Magazine for WOMEN», reported that she will marriage at the end of the year and is actively preparing this, that’s the reason why her cooperation with the underwear brand Wacoal, has quietly replaced the image of her as a spokesman.

Japanese media speculated that her source of income to buy luxury flats are likely to originate in the rich boyfriend, her boyfriend in Japan has a number of senior commercial real estate lots.

The magazine «FRIDAY» on their side put these rumors under doubts. – Hong Kong newspapers can never be trusted, says their press agent Kazuo Inagaki.

FRIDAY on its side has a different and more promising theory. Her management advised Hamasaki to withdraw from Japan and focus on the Asian market, more specifically the mainland China. This happened in 2002, with the launch of the single «Daybreak», and with a remix album based on the million seller «I am». Following the latest years Hamasaki has held two large scale concerts in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. According to a document FRIDAY has got their knowledge of, the launch of Hollywood song Rule was Hamasakis and Avex Group’s first major step in the direction of the United States and Europe.

According to the inside document report FRIDAY has got in their possession, the lates international releases from both fellow label colleague BoA and her former rival Utada Hikaru was received with great enthusiasm by producers and critics in the U.S, with the exception of the general public. Under several circumstances, its in fact the name «Ayumi Hamasaki» that have been mentioned and sought after, both during interviews and live presentations, to Utada’s and BoA’s frustration.

For many it may seem as if Ayu has been slowly fading out of the entertainment industry, but this is incorrect. According to sources within the Avex Group, Hamasaki uses a lot of time to practice her language, which she takes weekly English language exams, preparing for a huge career move.

Kazuo Inagaki refers to a post written by Hamasaki in her official blog last week. This post confirmed that a big decision was made, but disproved the theory regarding marriage. This forces FRIDAY theories about the document regarding a large scale world release. -It is only a matter of time before Hamasaki will aim toward the West, whether it be America, or Europe resume to see, she now only need to be fluent in English language, he says.

Editor:赵纲
Translated from the edition 中国青年报; 11th. July 2009. Thanks to “ruyki”@AMF for translation.

Dear Ayumi,

You have affected my life in a way no other artist has, save the obvious exceptions that everyone throws out with some dismissive sense of obligation (John Lennon, Miles Davis, George Martin, Brian Eno, David Bowie). Truly, Ayumi, you’ve touched me and continue to touch me in a way that seems almost silly and shameful, like I shouldn’t find so much solace, happiness, and/or comfort in songs from an overrated pop empress.

It’s why I abuse you, you see. Without the snark to fall back on, I feel no more discerning than a Hillary Duff devotee. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. After all, here I am, an Ayumi Hamasaki devotee. To paraphrase Voltaire: I may not defend your idol, but I will defend to my death your right to idolize them.

Therefore, there is nothing else I can do. My hands are tied. You’re making me wait for the cover to your new summer single, which drops less than a month from today, when a full leak of the song is already available (and rather awesome). Are you scrambling with your endless retinue of handlers, airbrushers, and publicists to carefully rectify the horrors of your most recent covers, an effort that will probably end up in something even more grotesquely photoshopped? Or are you just waiting….waiting to unveil the cover we’ve all been waiting for.

Yes, Ayumi, there is nothing else I can do. I’m going to have to analyze your career in covers. Your five best, your five worst. I’m going to make some predictions about the cover for ‘Sunrise ~Love is All~’ and hold my breath. Because sister, you haven’t come through on much lately.

Sincerely yours,

Vee

SO LET’S GET STARTED ON THAT SNARK.

THE BEST

Endless sorrow

Does it fit the single: Yes. We are all angels, with one wing. It also fits the PV.

How does she look?: This looks like a snapshot, regardless of the artistry. She is looking away from the camera, thoughtfully, almost melancholy. It is a beautiful, evocative cover.

Artistically?: The sepia desaturation is brilliant, and the negative space near the top is inspired. The contrast of her white costume with the black cityspace was nicely thought-out as well.

H

Does it fit the single?: Incredibly so. “H” is the seminal “summer single”, with ‘indpendent’, ‘July 1st’, and ‘Hanabi’ making it the powerhouse triple-A-side it really was. The cover fits the amazingly realize summer concept of the whole thing.

How does she look?: Happy. Summery. Natural. Beautiful. Relaxed. A little bit badass. Again, she’s not looking at the camera. She looks sexy, but not slutty. She looks like the stereotypical summer girl. IT WORKS.

Artistically?: This cover came with many alternate shots forming the digipack, but this was the lead and this is the image I always associate with the songs. The sea, the bike, summer….blue blue blue. The color balance is great, and Ayumi is the central focus of the cover without being all EYES EYES EYES IN YOUR FACE FACE FACE.

I am…

Does it fit the album?: And how. The album was Ayumi’s first release post-9/11, and she has said she wanted to promote an image of hope and peace with the album and all its imagery. This Eve-like persona, complete with (admittedly sort of silly) dove, drives the point home. And think of the songs on ‘I am…’ For most fans I know, they’re the quintessential Ayu songs, like her ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’. So this is the image of Ayu that most fans still, and will always, remember. It fits because it is her legacy, and it is her legacy because it fits.

How does she look?: Radiant, but we’re starting to see the beginning of that photoshop-o-rama phase. Classy, for what could have easily been a slutty cover if given to, say, Koda Kumi. I’m just sayin’.

Artistically?: OK, it falls a little short. It’s not very inspired, and the lens flare above her shoulder is less artistic than it is just plain distracting. Still, it’s nice enough. The balance of flesh tone with the desert, the green winding around her body, and the blue sky above it all.

A Best

Does it fit the album?: If you know the (purported) story behind it, yes. Ayumi was, rumor holds, sick of her contractual obligations to avex and the vicious rumors spreading throughout the media about her rivalry with Utada Hikaru. The fact that her Best Of album would be pushed up to compete with Hikki bothered her, apparently, and this cover was her response. Whether or not you believe it is beside the point. It fits the album. It fits the “inharmonious” beauty so often attributed to Ayumi.

How does she look?: Dark, naked, raw. Powerful, but stripped.

Artistically?: The best an album cover can be, at times: simple and sublime.

talkin’ 2 myself

Does it fit the single?: Hell yes it fits the single. The single is husky, hard, and bold. She was coming out of a breakup and the media was wondering if she’d ever bounce back from dismal sales. She may not have done that, but the cover sure communicates what she hoped to achieve.

How does she look?: Ayumi took a level in badass before this photoshoot. There is still the glamour queen, but her lips aren’t pouted out to Singapore and her eyes are kept in check. Her hair is a thing of wonder. The exposed shoulder is dangerously sexy. Sure, this was at the height of “let’s photoshop the hell out of her”, but this is done to her benefit for once.

Artistically?: You can’t go wrong with black on bold red when you want to catch the eye. The placement of the title right where your eye is going to go anyway is just icing.

THE WORST

NEXT LEVEL

What the shit is going on here?: It turns out that a size -2 IS too small for Ayu, and she ends up in the most awkward position possible when her back finally gives out. Meanwhile the TV monitors show clips from Ronald Reagan’s colonoscopy. Someone tied an ungroomed Pomeranian to her head. I’ve been over this one before. It is vomit.

Voyage

What the shit is going on here?: Magical white horse wants inside the forest circus taking place under Ayumi’s amazing hippy tent-dress. Ayu responds with armpit.

Mirrorcle World

What the shit is going on here?: Butterflies are attacking. You’d think the possibility of Ayu boob would be enticing but it’s not because ARMPIT.

AND STOP POUTING LIKE THAT. GOD. Also, incidentally, this title pisses me off, because you can’t say it without coming off sounding like a douche.

Rule

What the shit is going on here?: The 80’s threw a party and no one came but Ayu. I am so over this cover. I’ve already talked to death about it in a previous post. I HATE YOUR ARMPIT, AYUMI. STOP IT.

Days/GREEN

What the shit is going on here?: ROSES ROSES ROSES ROSES ROSES ROSES MOTHERFUCKING ROSES AAUUUUGHHHHH WHERE IS THE GREEN I DON’T GET IT THERE SHOULD BE GREEN WWWAAAAAAHHHH.

And she’s stoned. And making that. :{| poutface that is OH SO ATTRACTIVE.

Where did that cleavage come from?

AND ONE MORE…THE WORST OF THE WORST

(yes, even worse than ‘NEXT LEVEL’…)

EYES EYES EYES IN YOUR FACE FACE FACE

So now, let’s talk about your next cover, Ayumi.

1. Please do not just send them a few photos and let the CG artists go nuts (see the immediate cover above – that is NOT a photograph, fuck you), turning you into a caricature of yourself.

2. Please do not make that goddamned :{| poutface. (see also Ayumi complete and her 2009 calendar) You can be sexy without trying so hard, I promise. You’ve done it for years.

3. Dress down. For once.

4. Stop showing your armpit. My god. That pose is unforgiving.

Now…let’s all enjoy the full leak of the newest summer single from Ayumi Hamasaki. It’s a real sizzler!

…or wait. Let’s not. Because avex has taken down every full leak of the song. HA HA HA, well, I already have it, so there.

I will not pre-order this single unless the cover pleases me. :(

You may notice the plethora of new headers here on Pink Wota. That’s because I spent way too much time doing them today. I’ve chosen to err more on the side of Asian artists only this time, since I won’t have much longer to fangirl about NIN (BBBAWWWWWWWWWW), and I’d really rather just hide in silence than blog about Beyonce, much as I might want to. Beyonce. ;___; I LOVE YOU.

The pink of the new logo looks more purple for some jpg vs internet problem I’m still too ignorant to care about. Who cares, it’s still slightly pink. I don’t have time to color correct 22 images I didn’t have the time to make in the first place, really.

Links to “About” and “PW Glossary” are now located over there —————->

So, because most of you won’t want to refresh the page constantly, here are all 22 of the headers in one convenient post. HEY WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE. :B :B :B :B Tell me. You’re all going to say the AKB bikini one, aren’t you.

I mean, more specifically, have you seen their new video, which is making the rounds on Digg and Gizmodo and the like? It is one of the coolest things I’ve seen since I first saw Gondry’s ‘Let Forever Be’ clip for the Chemical Brothers. It’s done 100% via webcam with fans from around the world. Check it out. The song will warm your heart. The video with (hopefully) blow at least a tiny portion of your mind.

It will make you smile, at the least.

But who/what is SOUR? They are a three-piece unit formed in 2002. The guitarist and vocalist you see is hoshijima, and according to their website, he is “of French birth and British growth”. Sohey, the bass/upright bass (LOVE) player, is Ginza all the way, and KENNNNN (that’s 5 N’s, get it right), plays the “drums and toys” and is of German birth and Spanish growth. For the quirkiness of these descriptions, I already love these guys. Check out some more of their music, or just some of their videos on director Musashi Kawamura’s channel (masakaaa)

Obviously, they have a comfortable jazz style, and I’d be surprised if fellow wota Wu isn’t already a fan. I usually miss these things by a few years until the viral world throws me a bone.

Oooo, and here’s a live clip: