Showing posts with label Mandarin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mandarin. Show all posts

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Artist Profiles~ BY2

BY2 are a Singaporean Mando-Pop duo based in Taiwan. The duo is composed of twin sisters, Yumi Bai and Miko Bai who debuted in 2008 at the young age of 16. BY2 is known and appreciated for their upbeat dance tracks as well as their sentimental ballads. With their sweet vocals, energetic dance, and stage charisma, these two young women possess the full package of talent.


Duo



In 2011, BY2 released their fourth studio album "90 Now (90'鬧Now)." The album title is a reference to their being born in the 90s and it was one of the records they released in their coming of age period. "Isn't It? (有沒有)" is the lead single from the 2011 album and is an infectious electro-pop track. The music video has a quirky, retro feel and the lyrics seem to parody the fallacy of rumors and tabloid media coverage.
BY2 deviated from their normal dance-pop and ballad styles to take on a traditional aesthetic and sound. The twins are feminine and poetic as they dance in floral cheongsams with wax parasols. All the details make the music video artistic and intriguing. There is paintbrush imagery that alludes to ancient Chinese art, cherry blossoms and kaleidoscope effects. Though traditional, the "Peach Blossom Cheongsam (桃花旗袍)" still has modern elements with the inclusion of light pop synths. 
BY2 bring out their inner feline and pounce on their love like a cat on a mouse hunt. "Cat & Mouse" is about the emotional game of "push and pull" in a relationship. The concept is brought to life as the girls wear cute kitty costumes and do what their choreographer calls a "cat dance." Before filming this music video, BY2 traveled to Los Angelos to get dance lessons, and their hard work really shows! Their fun energy pairs well with the upbeat electronic track easily making this one of my favorite BY2 songs.



Sources
Info: Wikipedia, 1,2,3a,b
Images: Profile,*,2,*

* are screencaps I made myself

Thursday, December 14, 2017

November in Music

Here's my top picks from the month of November!

1. NCT 127 - Limitless
Japanese
Released: November 4th
NCT 127 released the Japanese version of "Limitless" which is a preview of their upcoming debut in Japan. You may recall the Korean version from this past January, and you will hear that the song in Japanese is just as high quality! The music video, however, has a slightly darker, edgier concept. The members of NCT dance and roam around in a mysterious warehouse.
Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 5/5


2. Block B - Shall We Dance
Korean
Released: November 7th
Block B's last comeback was in February with the quirky pop tune "Yesterday". However, with "Shall We Dance", the versatile group goes back to showing their love for urban music. There's a very obvious Latin influence, which is paired with brassy horns and an addicting beat. And as usual, the guys of Block B are styled very flamboyantly.
Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 3/5


3. Namie Amuro - Finally
Japanese
Released: November 8th
Namie Amuro gracefully ends her long, successful career with a final compilation album. Through "Finally", Amuro seemingly bids the music scene farewell with a touching sentiment and opens a new chapter of her life, "I'll spread both hands towards an unknown world the light shines into, and I'll accept it all so I'll go to a brilliant future, finally." This ballad is complimented by the beautiful and calming aesthetic of the music video. Note: I've only included the teaser because the video is not on youtube, but you can watch the full mv here.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 4/5


4. Eric Chou - Without Her
Mandarin
Released: November 16th
Taiwanese singer-songwriter Eric Chou's latest song "Without You" is sure to attract much attention with its style and sound. It closely follows the latest music trend of EDM and has a very enjoyable melody. Personally, I love the way the song transitions between English and Chinese, and between piano and electronic. This is just a taste of Eric's upcoming album, "The Chaos After You", which is to be released very soon!
Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 4/5


5. Jannine Weigel - Heart Stop
Released: November 17th
English
Jannine Weigel is a 17-year old Thai-pop singer, but much of her music is in English. "Heart Stop", from her second English EP, is a catchy pop tune about the thrill of falling in love. It's fun and sounds very much like something Disney stars release when they start off their solo careers. 
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3/5


6. K.A.R.D. - You In Me
Korean
Released: November
"You In Me" is KARD's first official comeback since their debut in July. To me, this song really points back to their pre-debut singles in terms of sound, theme, and choreography. "You In Me" is about reaching a desperate point in a troubled, failing relationship - much like "Don't Recall". As for genre, it is electronic or tropical house like the majority of their discography. What makes this KARD release different is the dramatic music video. The members are paired into couples and act out a dying romance, in which the guy dies - perhaps symbolizing that the relationship or love is dead.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5/5


Sources:
Info: 4, 5
Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Female Soloists in C-pop (Pt 3)

In the third and final part of the series, I'll introduce to you some more ladies of the c-pop world. Included are some facts about their career and a few works in their discography. If you missed it, check out parts 1 and 2!

1.Hebe Tian
田馥甄 Tian Fu Zhen
Taiwanese
Having gained popularity for being a member of the girl-group S.H.E, Hebe Tian debuted as a soloist in 2010 with her first studio album. It is titled "To Hebe", and was tied as the fifth best-selling album in Taiwan for that year. Currently, Hebe Tian is the most-viewed C-pop female singer on Youtube, having an accumulated 500 million views on her official channel.

Notable Works (Albums & Singles)
My Love, Insignificance (渺小), Day By Day (日常)

Love Yourself (獨善其身)

OSTs

A Little Happiness (小幸運) [Our Times (我的少女時代) Movie Theme]

2. A-Mei
张惠妹 Zhang Hui Mei
Taiwanese
A-Mei is a popular singer of Aboriginal Puyama descent and therefore considered a pioneer for Aboriginal artists in Taiwan. She entered the music scene in 1999 with her first album that bore the Mandopop classics "Nothing You Want" and "Sisters". Since then, the "Pride of Taiwan" has sold over 50 million records. A-mei is known for her ballads and upbeat pop songs, however, she has released rock music under the moniker "Amit", which is titled after her birth name.

Notable Works
R U Watching? (你在看我吗), Faces of Paranoia (偏执面), Star

Do You Still Want to Love Me? (這樣你還要愛我嗎)

OSTs

Shouldn't Be (不該 )(With Jay Chou) [Ice Fantasy]

3. Ann
白安 Bai An
Taiwanese
Ann was discovered in 2008 after publishing her songs online and signed to B'in Entertainment. Ann's music is electronic-folk and her unique singing voice is comparable to that of Faye Wong and Stephanie Sun.

Notable Works 
What's Next?, Catcher In The Rye (麥田捕手), Collab single 送你一首過年歌

If You Ever Thought (若你真的有想過)

OSTs

My Place (我的地方) [Second Chance (逆轉勝)]

4. Rainie Yang
杨丞琳 Yang Cheng Lin
Taiwanese
At the start of her career, Rainie Yang was a member of Taiwanese girl group "4 In Love". She was given the stage name "Rainie", as the other members were called "Sunnie", "Cloudie" and "Windie". Since then, Yang has established her image as an all-around talent, not limited to only singing and dancing, but also acting, directing and hosting as well.

Notable Works
Angel Wings (天使之翼), A Tale of Two Rainie (雙丞戲), A Traces of Time in Love (年輪說)

Love Voyage (為愛啟程)


OSTs


5. Summer (Juan Yi)
吉克隽逸 Jike Juan Yi
Chinese
Also known as Summer, Jike Juan Yi notably participated and landed third place in season 1 of "Voice of China". 

Notable Works
Intrepid (大無畏), 我是女王 (I Am The Queen),吉克隽逸 Self-titled Album


Sources:

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Female Soloists in C-pop (Pt 2)

Here are some more of the many current female Mando-pop artists. These acts are popular in China, Tawain and/or the Mandarin speaking world. See also: Female Soloists in C-pop (Pt 1)

1. Jolin Tsai
蔡依林 Cai Yi Lin
Taiwanese
Fondly dubbed the "Queen of C-pop", Jolin Tsai is a singer and dancer who is credited with bringing mainstream popularity to the dance genre in China. Her latest studio album, "Play" tries a mix of dubstep, dancehall and bubblegum pop. Through her music, videos and fashion choices Jolin Tsai makes strong artistic statements.

Notable Works (Albums and Singles)
The Great Artist (大藝術家), Myself, Journey

The Great Artist (大藝術家)

EGO-HOLIC

OSTs/Promotional Singles

Now Is The Time [Pepsi Promotion]

2. Shi Shi
孫盛希 Sun Sheng Xi
Chinese
Shi Shi is racially Chinese but was born in Korea. She moved to Taiwan to become a singer and in 2014 released her debut album "Girls" under Rock Records Taipei. Much of her discography is comprised of OSTs for Taiwanese television shows including "The V-Focus" and "Behind Your Smile".

Notable Works
Girls, A Late Goodnight (很晚的晚安), Between

Let's Talk About Love (非關愛情)

A Late Goodnight (很晚的晚安)

OSTs

He isn't Worth It (是他不配) [Behind Your Smile (浮士德的微笑)]

3. Elva Hsiao
萧亚轩 Xiao Ya Xuan
Taiwanese
Elva Hsiao debuted in 1999 with a self-titled album. Early in her career, she was known for her ballads, such as "The Most Familiar Stranger". Later on, she became more known for having upbeat dance tracks like "Miss Elva".

Notable Works
Miss Elva (潇洒小姐), Shut Up and Kiss Me (不解释亲吻), I'm Ready(我爱我)

Super Girl (愛無畏)

  Miss Elva (瀟灑小姐)

OSTs

Thunder of Love (天雷地火) [The Amazing Spiderman 2]

4. Genie Chuo
卓文萱 Zhou Wen Xuan
Taiwanese
Genie Chuo debuted in 2001 at 15 years old with her first studio album "1986". Since then she has released 5 more full albums and has acted in Taiwanese TV dramas such as "Romantic Princess" and "Rolling Love".

Notable Works
My Favorite Kind Of Geniie (超級喜歡), Burning Sense Of Music (灼樂感), Just The Way I Am (反正 卓文萱)

Dark Horse (黑馬)

OSTs

Don't Want Don't Want (不要不要) [Office Girls (小資女孩向前衝)]

5. Momo Wu
吴莫愁 Wu Mouchou
Chinese
Momo Wu became popular after competing on and becoming the runner-up of "The Voice of China". She has a unique quirky style and soulful vocal color that is comparable to that of Kimbra, Duffy and Amy Winehouse.

Notable Works
Close To Infinity (接近无限), Why Not (有何不可), Everywhere (无所不在)

Not Love (不是愛)

OSTs/Promotional Songs

Live For Now [Pepsi Promotion]


Sources:
Info & Images


July In Music

Two-thirds into the summer, the music scene only heated up more with comebacks and debuts! Also, I found myself listening to more Chinese music this month.

1. One - Gettin' By
Korean
Released: July 11th
One, a former member of OnePunch, is known for his appearances on Show Me The Money seasons 4 and 5. July 11th, he launched his career as a soloist, making him the first male solo artist to debut under YG Entertainment in 14 years. "Gettin' By", produced by AOMG's Cha Cha Malone, is a single off of his mini-album. This laid-back song talks about how life feels lukewarm after a break-up. One raps throughout and sing-talks the chorus in an almost monotonous way that reflects the whole "so-so" vibe.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5



2. Shi Shi - A Late Goodnight
Mandarin
Released: July 13th
"A Late Goodnight (晚的晚安)" is a belatedly released OST from the Taiwanese TV Drama "Behind Your Smile". This lullaby-like song has a melody built on acoustic guitar and the light notes of a piano. All of this is complimented by Shi Shi's whispery vocals and a music (lyric) video of a night skyline.
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 2/5



3. Luhan - On Fire
Mandarin
Released: July 13th
Luhan concludes his "XXVII" music project with the last part "I". In "On Fire" he is a tough, cool guy singing and rapping about moving forward to accomplish dreams. This release is of the electronic hip-hop genre and is especially exciting because it's the first time in a while that Luhan gave the world something this fun and upbeat.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 4/5



4. Blackpink - Whistle (JP Ver)
Japanese
Released: July 14h
Blackpink made their Japanese debut with Japanese versions of their five Korean singles, "Whistle" being my favorite. A lot of times, versions of K-pop songs in different languages don't have the same quality as the original. In this case, the Japanese version of "Whistle" is just as good as the Korean and has the extra appeal of all-English raps.
Review: Song - 5/5  MV - 4/5


5. A-Lin - Go Straight
Mandarin
Released: July 18th
Three years since her last LP "Guilt", A-Lin is preparing to drop her 8th studio album in September. "Go Straight (一直走 GO)" is the first single off her upcoming album and was produced by A-Lin herself. The song explores the EDM genre, a sound that the pop and ballad-oriented singer has never attempted before. Overall, "Go Straight" is fresh and uplifting, making us curious as to what else A-Lin has in store.
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3/5


6. K.A.R.D. - Hola Hola
Korean
Released: July 19th
Co-ed K-pop group K.A.R.D. finally made their official debut after teasing fans with pre-debut singles since December 2016. Once again, their title track is tropical house, which begs the question of when they are going to try a new style. Fortunately, there are a few fresh elements this time around: vocalist Jiwoo joins J-speph and BM in rapping and the music video was filmed brightly in areas of California.
Review: Song - 2.5/5  MV - 4/5






Sources
Info: 1,2, 5a,b
Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6


Friday, July 28, 2017

Female Soloists In C-pop (Pt 1)

There are numerous female soloists in the world of C-pop. Here is a list of a few currently popular Mando-pop singers who I listen to.  They are based are based in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each item on the list contains facts about the singer, songs, and official sound tracks. Anticipate more in the upcoming parts of this series!

1. Jane Zhang
张靓颖 Zhang Liang Ying
Chinese
A renowned singer in Mainland China and in the Mandarin-speaking world, Jane Zhang gained fame for her appearance on the singing competition show "Super Girl". She earned the nickname "Dolphin Princess" for whistle vocal register. The majority of Jane Zhang's music is in Mandarin, but she does have some English singles including "Dream It Possible" and "Dust My Shoulders Off". 

Notable Works (Albums & Singles)
Reform(改变), Seventh Sense(第七感), Dust My Shoulders Off

Bazaar

OSTs/Promotional Songs

My Dream (我的夢) [Huawei Theme]

2.  A-Lin
黄丽玲 Huang Li Ling
Taiwanese
A-Lin is a vocal powerhouse of Amis, or Aboriginal Taiwanese descent. She made her debut in 2006 and since then has released 4 full albums and an extended play. In 2015, she competed on the Chinese show "I Am A Singer" which earned her more recognition. 

Notable Works
Guilt (罪惡感), Happiness Then What? (幸福了然後呢), Fleeting Happiness (幸福太短)

All In

OSTs

How Far I'll Go (海洋之心) [Moana OST]

3. G.E.M
邓紫棋 Deng Zi Qi
Chinese (Hong Kong)
G.E.M. Tang, whose stage name means "Get Everybody Moving" is a Chinese singer who originated from Hong Kong. She is known for writing her own music: songs that express deep emotions and strong messages. Her latest studio album, Heartbeat, is a visual album in which every track is accompanied by a music video. 

Notable Works
Intoxicated (你把我灌醉), Heartbeat (新的心跳), Live Piano Session

Goodbye (再見)

OSTs

Light Years Away (光年之外) [Passengers Movie Theme]

4. Angela Zhang
张韶涵 Zhang Shao Han
Taiwanese
Angela Zhang rose to fame after playing the main role in two hit Taiwanese television dramas. Soon after, in 2004 she released her debut album "Over The Rainbow".

Notable Works
Angela Zhang(张韶涵), Visible Wings(有形的翅膀), Head Over Heels (全面淪陷)

Not Afraid (不害怕)

OSTs

Be My Faith (把你信仰) [Find The Adventure Of Love 尋找愛的冒險]

5. Diana Wang
王诗安 Wang Shi An
Chinese
Diana Wang was born in the Netherlands but is now based in Taiwan. Her debut album "How Are You? Love Lesson" explores the nature of love and contains a cover of British singer Birdy's hit single "Skinny Love". More recently, Diana Wang has gained attention for her collaboration with R-Chord in " Love Doesn't Need To Pretend" and her English single "Home".

Notable Works
Home, I don't Know, 你好嗎 Love Lesson

Home

Heartbeat
I Don't Know

OSTs

Love Still Exists (爱存在) [Ultimate Dormitory X (终极X宿舍)]



Sources:
Info and Images

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

February In Music

We had some big comebacks in February including Red Velvet, Twice and Taeyeon. Overall, they weren't to my liking, but there were plenty of songs that I did enjoy!

1. NCT Dream - My First and My Last
Released: February 8th
Korean & Mandarin Versions
This is the groups' follow-up to their debut song 'Chewing Gum'. 'My First and My Last' is about a young boy's first love. The song is kind of choppy and is influenced by the bass of new jack swing (a genre of 90s music). It has a lighthearted melody and the members dance a quirky, cute choreography, that is much like that of their sunbaes Shinee. I included the dance version, I enjoyed it more the regular music video.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5



2. BTS - Spring Day
Released: February 12th
Korean
BTS are poetic as they use the weather to symbolize their emotions. Meeting the one you miss feels like a spring day in the dead of winter. But missing someone can feel like winter in the middle of summer. 'Spring Day' is such a touching display of friendship: the scenes are gloomy when the members are alone, but bright when they are together.
Review: 4.5/5 MV - 5/5



3. Dean - Come Over (Feat. Baek Yerin)
Released: February 16th
Korean
Dean is an outstanding musical artist. Every song he has written and composed for others has his stamp on it and is undeniably his. With that said, it's always nice to see Dean make music for himself. However, 'Come Over' isn't a heavy hitting song, in fact, it took a few listens to grow on me. The smooth vocals of Dean and 15&'s Baek Yerin are what makes it worth listening to. As for the music video, it's a black and white sketch animation. Creative, but rather boring.
Review: Song - 3/5 MV- 1.5/5



4. K.A.R.D - Don't Recall
Released: February 17th
Korean & English Versions
A very fitting follow-up to their debut, which I deemed one of the best songs of 2016. It's an extension of 'Oh Na Na' both sound wise and visually: both songs are tropical house and have the same music video aesthetic. Lyrics from the girls' point of view express wanting to get away from the guy. They pretend not to remember the good times in the relationship. In reply, the guys are trying the persuade the girl to come back and say that they were good together.
Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4.5



5. Luhan - What If I Said
Released: February 22nd
Mandarin
'如果 What If I Said' is a laid-back electronic song with smooth, unprocessed vocals. Its duration is rather flat, in that it doesn't reach a climax, but this factor makes the song even more chill. The music video has very subdued colors and natural visuals: vintage furniture and mirrors in a sand-filled room with rays of sunlight shining through the windows.
Review: Song - 3.5/5 MV - 3.5/5



6. Faky - Surrender
Released: February 22nd
Japanese
I'm very familiar with this J-pop quartet, and this time they wowed me. 'Surrender' is an emotional plea to their boyfriend to stop fighting. It's perfectly chaotic: shifting from smooth vocals with little background sounds to a barrage of sounds and fast verses. To top it off, the rough & smooth sound of 'Surrender' is complemented by the girls' sporty, grunge outfits.
Review: Song - 4.5/5 MV - 3/5



Sources:
Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6
Info: 1,5