Stranger Under My Skin
Eason Chan
Of the recent spate of comebacks in Mandopop, the biggest is, of course, China-born diva Faye Wong’s return to the stage. The hope is that there will be a new album to go with her concerts.
Meanwhile, the crystal-voiced singer has offered her fans a Mandarin duet, Because Of Love, with Hong Kong’s Eason Chan. It is the theme song to her hubby Li Yapeng’s movie, Eternal Moment (2011).
The idea of the two top vocalists working together is intriguing but their two voices are so different, it sounds like she is soaring in the ether while he is earthily poignant.
And yet, the beguilingly lilting song won’t leave my head.
It is a total contrast to the brassily lively Paradise, which sees Chan partnering Taiwanese singer-songwriter Kay Huang. While the talking point of his previous EP, Taste The Atmosphere (2010), was the trio of women singers he worked with, Stranger has the stronger collaborations.
Awaits Your Love is a gently affecting take on romantic longing.
All these are found on just the bonus Mandarin disc. On the Cantonese EP proper, Chan once again serves up an eclectic and engaging selection from the sweeping drama of Snow In June to the title track, which riffs on the well-known Romance d’Amour by Spanish guitarist Narciso Yepes.
The undisputed highlight here is Bitter Gourd, with its emotive melody by Kenix Cheang and masterful lyrics by Wyman Wong. It is a classic Eason Chan ballad in which his voice is pensive and tender and moving.
The humble melon has never been this satisfying.
Only For You
Show Lo
Am I listening to Show Lo or Will Pan?
Both are singer-actors releasing their eighth albums and have topped the album charts in their native Taiwan. Neither the material nor their voices are particularly distinctive.
The opening numbers here, Only You and Beautiful Mistake, sound like warmed-over K-pop while the ballads such as Silence Phobia tend to show up Lo’s weak voice.
Nowhere To Hide, which plays to his strength as a dancing king, and the breezy Let Love Show fare better.
It seems greater care went into the glossily produced 48-page photo album than the music album.
(ST)