Ayumi tells a tale of pain, heartbreak and hope with her single Moments.
In 2004, Ayumi Hamasaki released the single Moments, one of three which topped the Oricon charts and was so popular that it reappeared on her album My Story that winter.
Moments begins the single with a simple piano melody that accompanies Ayumi, who hums through the introduction before meeting the guitar and violins that guide her into the first stanza. Singing about broken dreams and loyalty to the one she loves, her sad vocals are masked by her cheerful, resounding voice. During the chorus, along with Ayumi's powerful vocals, we are given a glimpse of the full array of instruments present in the composition, from drums to wind instruments and chimes. When the song moves back into the next stanza, many fall silent again to give the attention back to Ayumi, only to resurface during the next chorus. Before the final chorus, a guitar solo paves the way for Ayumi, whose sonorous vocals build the excitement for the closure of the track. While Moments has a strong and cheerful pop feel, one look over the lyrics shows Ayumi's pain can even be present in happiness.
The acoustic piano version of Moments is very quiet, unfolding the beauty of Ayumi's voice and shining the song in a much more comfortable light than its predecessor, which showed us elements of both pleasure and pain. While the piano version allows the listener to focus easier on the vocals, the absence of the instrumentals, which built the higher points of the song, break a lot of the emotions the song first held.
The third version, Moments - Flying Humanoid mix, shatter the setting that the previous versions created, making it almost impossible to receive the message Ayumi is delivering. With distorted vocals, synthesized instrumentals, chimes and electronics, none of the emotions are present in this version, making this cacophonous track just another noisy addition to the single.
The original instrumental version brings Moments back to its most pure form, closing the single out on the melancholy note it deserves. While it is advertised as an instrumental version, Ayumi's vocals are present through the entire song, sung in a near whisper during the stanzas before bursting to life during the chorus. Despite this, the listener can appreciate both the instrumentals and vocals with this sophisticated composition.
Despite the awkward mixed version, Moments is a strong single with a bright sound and hopeful lyrics. With an important message that shouldn't be overlooked and a catchy composition, Moments is sure to stick out in your memory and won't be forgotten.
