Deep Dives: Ayumi Hamasaki Part One (A Song for xx)

    2023 is the 25th anniversary of the "Empress of Pop," Ayumi Hamasaki. Looking back, the album we are going to be Deep Diving today almost doesn't feel like a Hamasaki record because it's her most tame. A Song for xx still defies expectations and still has a lot going on. She fully established her own sound and path by her second studio album, LOVEppears. Hamasaki has released so much over her 25 years. She has 18 studio albums alone. That's not counting numerous compilations, physical singles, remix albums (she is a Remix Queen), and mini-albums. So this Deep Dive series is going to be long, but I'm so excited for it. You'd think that with such a daunting discography that there would be dull moments, yet Hamasaki has always been someone brimming with ideas and a unique sound that you don't tire of. She always has something to say. Put on your wetsuits, normies. We're going on a Deep Dive!

    Hamasaki debuted on the legendary record label, Avex Trax, in April of 1998 with the single "Poker Face." She quickly became known for her fashion flare, her beautiful looks, her unique compositions, and the perspective of her lyrics. Hamasaki's singing voice is also unmistakable as early in her career she sang in a high pitch. Her live performances are full of charisma and she often sounded like you were listening to her CDs instead of a live performance! Her executive producer, Max Matsuura, is often credited for launching Hamasaki into superstardom. Though this is not to dismiss Hamasaki herself, as she is the best-selling soloist of Japan. She pens the lyrics to every song and has often composed many of her hits. She has number one singles and albums for days, and also holds many records. In short, she is THE big deal. 

    Her humble debut, A Song for xx, shows glimmers of the direction Hamasaki would pursue on future records. At the time of release, critics partially dismissed her debut as safe pop-rock songs. The album, however, outperformed expectations. Debuting and staying at #1 on the Oricon chart, and where it enjoyed number one for 4 weeks eventually selling over 1 million copies. 

    The bottom line here is that there are good things happening on this debut. I think the singles not as much, but for songs like the title track, "A Song for xx," it's an instant Hamasaki classic. The lyrics, the composition, and the delicate vocals all make it a superior crafted song. Follow up song, "Hana," is a thrilling listen complete with electronic blips and brassy horns. You have counterpart songs "Friend" and "Friend II" here that keep the record going tight with that same pop-rock sound. 

    There is always going to be something nostalgic about A Song for xx. I revisit from time to time. I think you can feel Hamasaki's ambition and eagerness even though the songs are about loneliness mostly. Still, I think her genuineness comes through with her own lyrics. She's always been a great lyricist with a individualistic personal outlook. If you have not read about how Hamasaki got her start, please read into her biography. Not only is she interesting as all get out, but she's really her own person who wanted to do things her own way. For instance, Avex sent her to New York for lessons, and she just didn't go to them. But it was this coincidence that happened that Matsuura learned that she was a professional at expressing herself while he conversed with her through letters. He suggested she should write her own lyrics.

    This played to Hamasaki's advantage as she did not like the proposed lyrics to her debut single, "Poker Face." So she rewrote them into what they are today. "Poker Face" plays it safe musically, but that's not a bad thing. It's still a solid debut if nothing else than due to its lyrics. This made it so instead of Hamasaki just being an idol, she's an artist. And she takes her artistry seriously. 

    "You" has a great hook in the chorus that drops all the seasons by name. The lyrics are very meaningful. "Powder Snow" is a fan favorite that received a sequel on her follow-up to this album. She noticeably sings lower here and sounds amazing. Her voice still has her trademark quirks. This is a very wintery song. Perfect for listening in December and January.

    "Trust" also sounds cold. Despite being released in August, originally. I think it could easily be a winter song due to its opening alone. It's one of two standout singles from this record. The other being the exciting "Depend on you." The most popular single from this era for Hamasaki. It became her second top ten single. It has such a thrilling opening and singable chorus driven with the record's trusty pop rock sound.

    Hamasaki can sound shrieky here at times. Such as on "Wishing" during the latter half of the chorus. I swear though, that gives her debut its charm. I truly believe if anybody else sang these songs there would be nothing special about them. She sounds comfortable singing as she does though. And, to be honest, it's easy to sing along with these songs which give them a universal appeal. I say that as a dude.

    Something to note here lyrically, there is not a single English word on this album. Something very unique at a time when English was used in a variety of hooks and as phrases in verses on virtually every song on a Japanese album for a Japanese audience in pop music. Just look at Utada Hikaru's debut around the same time. Hamasaki really reached out to her audience here with this choice. She has a message, and she will communicate it as clearly as she can.

    "Signal" is a fun song with a groovy chorus that is just a blast to sing along with. This song receives a couple of remixes on her first remix album, ayu-mi-x. These remixes just pump up the fun to a ten. That remix album in particular, makes these songs more adventurous and was a massive hit in its own right. The remixers just had a blast with these tracks because there's so much potential here on already great songs. 

    I call A Song for xx a winter album not just because it was released on New Year's Day. Several of the tracks just have a wintery cold sound. Once again, we're faced with another one of these tracks in the form of "As If..." which features a solemn piano in the beginning and twinkling beats throughout the chorus. And I think this album does a good job as a winter listen.

    The album comes to a close with two tracks. A single, "For My Dear...," and "Present" which was featured as a B-side on her debut single, "Poker Face." I think these two songs do a good job of closing us out. 

    So I think we can see that Hamasaki is setting us up for brilliance here. It shines through here in good amounts even if it's sonically not the most enthralling listen. It's still very pleasant and highly enjoyable. But she would later go on to surpass expectations for her next 10 albums, at least. Which may explain while her follow up, LOVEppears, was released in the same year a mere 11 months later. And that album is a joy ride.

Rating: B Rank! We'll always depend on you, Ayu!!

Recommendation: If it snows in December, put it on!

Standouts:

    A Song for xx 💖

    Hana

    Poker Face

    You

    Powder Snow

    Trust

    Depend on you 💣

    Signal ⭐