Mirrorcle World (single)
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Released: 08.04.2008

CD “YOU ver.” Tracklist
1. Mirrorcle World
2. Life
3. YOU (10th Anniversary version)
4. Mirrorcle World (Instrumental)
5. Life (Instrumental)
6. YOU (10th Anniversary version-Instrumental-)

CD “Depend on you ver.” Tracklist
1. Mirrorcle World
2. Life
3. Depend on you (10th Anniversary version)
4. Mirrorcle World (Instrumental)
5. Life (Instrumental)
6. Depend on you (10th Anniversary version-Instrumental-)

Mirrorcle World is the 43rd single released by Ayumi Hamasaki and is released exactly 10 years from her major label debut single “Poker face”. The single came in 4 different versions: Depend On You (CD/ CD+DVD) and YOU (CD/ CD + DVD) with each version containing a 10th anniversary edition of either her second single YOU or her fifth single Depend On You.

Mirrocle World reached #1 on the Oricon and sold 145,576 copies in it’s first week.

My Thoughts
Mirrorcle World is an extended version of the intro named “Mirror” to her last album “GUILTY” and boy, what an extension. I’m not an avid listener of Ayumi Hamasaki’s music but I do have quite a few of her songs and in my opinion this is up there, one of the bests shes made.

The song opens with grand and solemn strings until the electronically distorted sound comes which is where the original mirror started. Like Mirror, Mirrorcle World is a high energy/ fast paced track especially during the loud chorus and it sounds better than ever especially with the epic, epic bridge. I liked Mirror enough but Mirrorcle World blows it away.

Life is the B-side included on both versions of this CD but right after Mirrocle World, this is a little underwhelming. It’s a nice mid-paced song and a pretty average pop-rock song but not memorable.

As for the two 10th anniversary tracks, I’ll start with YOU. I haven’t heard the original version of this but apparently it’s been “modernized” with more guitar and less synth but I wouldn’t know. It’s an above average song but Depend On You is the better of the two.

Now, I have heard the original version of Depend On You and this track is a real nice change. The new rock influence is prevalent and this song is much catchier than YOU because of the memorable chorus.

Final Judgment
The A-Side is GREAT, it really is but the B-sides are above average at best so this single gets a 4 out of 5, still it’s Ayumi Hamasaki’s best single in a while to me.