An Ideal
Li Ronghao
Since winning the Golden Melody Award for Best Newcomer for his debut album Model (2013), China’s Li Ronghao has been in more demand as a songwriter than before.
Recent compositions by him include Leo Ku’s Monster as well as Jacky Xue Zhiqian’s Ugly Freak. He has also found time to write for his own record, although one wonders if he might be stretched a little too thin.
While the tracks here are not as immediately arresting as the singles from Model and his follow-up self-titled album in 2014, there is still a thoughtfulness to the songs that comes through on closer listening.
Wild Animals, with lyrics by Hong Kong’s famed Wyman Wong, employs vivid imagery to depict the savage nature of relationships: “His bones are crushed, you fight poison with poison/In the face of love, we won’t just give in.”
Full House finds Li in a reflective mood as he contemplates the search for one’s identity, while on Father And Mother, he sings a touching tribute to his parents.
An Ideal might not be perfect, but Li remains a compelling singer-songwriter nonetheless.
(ST)