Deep Dive: Ayumi Hamasaki Part Fourteen (A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~)

 

    A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~ was Hamasaki, yet again, taking a career victory lap as she had been on top for 10 years at this point. This album still charts frequently and is close to being a million seller. Hamasaki shows off here a decade of ingenuity and innovation. Constant reinvention. A persistent and personal narrative. Yet most importantly, a lot of heart. Here is a complete deep dive!

    What's not to like about A COMPLETE? In all honesty, it's perfect. You'd have to search far and wide for a 3 CD set of cutting-edge pop like what is collected here. By this point in her career, Hamasaki had released 9 studio albums, countless remix albums, 4 compilations, and almost 50 singles. Most of which were chart toppers. This was even her second release of the year after GUILTY being released on New Year's Day in 2008. Hamasaki broke records left and right. 

    I don't have many criticisms here. I think the song selection is spot on for the most part. I think "Together When..." should have been included as it was a pretty good hit for Hamasaki. And I think that all of the A-sides from her "A" single should have been included as they are all such career highs. Likewise with the A-sides from "H" and "&."

    

    It's hard to believe that we've covered all of the songs here except for one (or two if you count the new 10th anniversary version of "Who..."). The version of "monochrome" that appears here is the one with the guy at the end! And the version of "Kanariya" that appears here is the superior album version, but without the hidden track silence and having to wait for "Who..." to end. The album version of "Daybreak" also makes an appearance here. And I prefer these versions that are here over the remixed versions that appear on their respective singles any day. 

    Hamasaki could really do no wrong at this point in her career. Her knack for song-crafting had little competition. And she held such a high quality for 10 years with releasing a studio album annually or bi-annually. Just amazing.

    As far as new and unique songs go, A COMPLETE features "Mirrorcle World." The single Hamasaki released as part of the celebration for her 10th anniversary. And. It. Is. Life! Hamasaki took everything she had did in 10 years and combined it in an epic. Seriously. "Mirrorcle World" is a accumulation of 10 years of work into one 5 and a half minute song. Part of this song originally appeared as the intro of her 9th studio album, GUILTY, in the form of "Mirror." It's been cleaned up and expanded on here. I'm guessing fans and Hamasaki herself liked it so much she extended it into a masterpiece, and I'm glad that she did. 

    "Who..." is reborn as a 10th anniversary version. Hamasaki made 10th anniversary versions of past songs that appear here, on "Mirrorcle World" as B-sides, and on "Days/Green" as B-sides. As far as it goes... The original is far superior with her squeaky vocals. This version isn't bad at all, but the original just has this emotion to it that I can't put my finger on. Like it was happening to the narrator at that moment. This version, the narrator sings with more nostalgia. As if looking back. 

    I think a new original song would have been nice to have here in addition to "Mirrorcle World." Like "Life" that appeared as a B-side on "Mirrorcle World." If it was the new song here, I think it would have been well-received. Just to end the album on a moment of Hamasaki embracing the past yet looking to the future.

    We'll talk about "Life" here. It's a nice song. A little generic for Hamasaki in comparison to "Mirrorcle World" and the other material featured on this album. But she sounds nice and relaxed. The vocal layering is wonderfully. It's non-offensive otherwise though. The guitars are a nice touch especially during the intro, and the last stretch after the chorus gives the song a bit of needed flair. 

    Hamasaki has such a strong personality that shows through all of these songs so amazingly. Even her humor at times. She has such charisma but doesn't take herself super seriously. And if you've ever watched her CMs, you'd see just how wonderful of a person she is. 

    Like, seriously?! What is that? It's insanely good and hilarious! I loved Hamasaki before I watched those commercials, but absolutely adored her afterwards. And with watching AyuReady? Her talk show. 

    Overall, I hope you adore A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~ as much as I do. There's a lot to love here because there's a lot of heart here. Please continue to give Ayu much love in her 26th year!

Rank: S COMPLETE. ~all SingleS~

Recommendation: When you want no skips!

Standouts:

    Mirrorcle World revives me.