It has been over two years since we last heard from Wesley and Jay of the duo Awaking (元衛覺醒). In the past two years they have experienced many changes, including a label change to EMI. Another notable change is the style of their music. Although not a drastic change, it seems that they have drifted a bit from their infusion of folk music with hip hop and rock to more of a pop-rock sound. In my opinion, it was good change. This change can be attributed to their month long stay in the US, while they wrote and recorded the songs on the album. Their experiences, hardships and growth can be felt while listening to album.

下流社會 (Lower Class Society) is the title track and representative for the theme of the album. The song is very lively and fun while expressing the greatness of being young and poor. Hence the album title: No Money Still Be Happy. Even if we are living in a “Lower Class Society” we should take pride in what we have and enjoy life as it is.

分手禮 (Breakup Ceremony) is a slower paced song with the song title pretty self-explanatory. The way Awaking is able to present the song is almost as if they are telling a story with beginning, middle and end. By the end of the song, its almost as if I had experienced it as well.

駝鳥 (Ostrich) and 梧桐 (Chinese Parasol/Phoenix Tree) are very similar in sound and feel which is perhaps why I enjoy all three songs.

機車人生 (Life On A Motorbike) is a very chill song. The beginning of the song reminds me of my days at the skating rink. The throwback to the 70’s era is refreshing but they are still able to keep it 2008.

給我一槍 (Give Me A Shot) is a very generic song churned out of the music mill. It sounds similar to many songs I’ve heard before with verse and catchy chorus but not much else. Although I enjoy the song, I wish they could have put in a little more effort to make the song “their own” since they have so much talent and style.

像個小孩 (Like a Child) and 只要一秒在一起 (Just Want One Second Together) are my favorite/recommended songs from the album. Much like “Breakup Ceremony” and the others, it is impossible to not become caught in the emotion and sentiment of the song. As I have mentioned before, Awaking has an uncanny ability to bring the song to life and engulf the listener. The lyrics aren’t even close to the level of Vincent Fang but they are simple and easy to relate to.

飛向你 只要一秒在一起


Flying with you, (I) only want one second together
哪怕是眼光 不小心撞擊


Even if it is careless judgment and (we) accidently collide
我決定封鎖秘密 就算已死心塌地


I’ve decided to seal the secrets, even if it means giving up

The simplicity of the lyrics makes you realize that not everything in life needs to be complicated. “Only Want One Second Together” and perhaps that may be just enough.

Songs to avoid: 虹彩她妹妹 (Coloring Her Sister Multicolored) and 笑掉江湖 (Laughing Away Society). To me the digitally produced music is just so much noise it distracts from the actual song. To the point where it could be unbearable and downright annoying. The title track comes pretty close to falling into this category.

In conclusion, this is obviously not album of the year but it is a good investment if you’re looking for something relaxing and easy to listen to. The songs and style are nothing new, but Awaking is able to enliven the pop-rock genre with quality material.

Rating: 7/10

1.笑掉江湖Xiao Diao Jiang Hu (Laughing Away Society)
2.下流社会Xia Liu She Hui (Lower Class Society)
3.分手礼Fen Shou Li (Breakup Ceremony)
4.驼鸟Tuo Niao (Ostrich)
5.机车人生Ji Che Ren Sheng (Life on a Motorbike)
6.给我一枪Gei Wo Yi Qiang (Give Me A Shot)
7.像个小孩Xiang Ge Xiao Hai (Like a Child)
8.虹彩她妹妹Hong Cai Ta Mei Mei (Coloring Her Sister Multicolored)
9.只要一秒在一起Zhi Yao Yi Miao Zai Yi Qi (Only Want One Second Together)
10.梧桐Wu Tong (”Chinese Parasol”/Phoenix Tree)