On The Way To The Stars
Kenji Wu
Taiwan’s Kenji Wu has the pretty-boy looks and he has talent. Apart from writing and producing for himself, he has also penned hits for others, including Landy Wen’s Fool.
For some reason, he has never really broken out here in Singapore, other than the occasional hit such as Poems For You.
It certainly sounds like he wants to change things on the title number: “I’m waiting for someday to come back, I dream about someday to come back/Want to shine for you, prove that I exist, as proudly as a star exists.”
He makes no bones about the fact that he wants to be a star.
Besides statements of intent and love ballads, Wu shows off his versatility on the bonus disc with the aggressive Minnan techno track Flip Over The Table. One can just imagine that performed at getai, complete with flashing coloured lights.
The duet You Are So Cute, though, comes across as trying too hard and South Korean actress Song Ji Hyo’s heavily accented Mandarin does not help. Still, the melodic Britpop stylings here and a thoughtful space theme – You Are My Jupiter is another highlight – could well propel him to greater heights of popularity.
(ST)