Chinese Music Blog

JJ also chose this busy october month to present us his 6th album…called Sixology, or 陸, the traditional character for 六. But unlike Jay, JJ doesn’t disappoint here! In fact he even borrowed Vincent Fang from Jay  to get him to write a marvelous Zhongguo feng song, 醉赤壁. This album is quite long, although Cries in a Distance and Always Online share the same instrumentals, and that 期待爱 is not really a new song. 

The album starts with a short intro track, which perfectly fills its role, and drowns you into JJ’s particular style only with a few notes. The message is appeasing yet intriguing, let yourself go into the music. 
Now let’s step in the serious matter…. The 1st song, 不潮不用花钱 is a fun rappy poppy little delight. As we’re used with JJ, everything is smooth, each single note falls into place, as regular as a Swiss clockwork. One of the things I like the most about JJ’s music is his ability to modulate the rhythm, from a slow beat to the rap, in a perfect transition. 
In fact this song might be my least favorite, since it seems a bit unachieved to me. It lacks a proper end, and compared to the others, it also lacks a meaning. It is still a really pleasant song to listen to. 

Then comes小酒窝, a duet with Charlene Choi from Twins. On my version of the album, I got both the Mnadarin and the Cantonese versions, and I like them a lot. I’m not a fan of the cute love songs, but this one has such a sincere feeling, is so overflowing of happiness that it will reach your heart no matter what! Only one word can describe it : lovely

黑武士, a song about Darth Vader, though I have to admit that the lyrics are not really related to Star Wars in my opinion (ok, apart maybe from the 带我到绝地 “take me to the Jedi” part lol), it could be any story about the inner thoughts of a dark person… maybe not even that dark. On the music’s side, this song is one of the best, if not THE best in my opinion… JJ makes the tension go up and down like a rollercoaster, it’s really amazing. Overall it’s quite a calm song, still with a nice beat during the chorus, and of course JJ’s amazing voice! Do not expect any special Star Wars sounds, that’s one of the reasons I said this song could in fact not be related to Vader, and maybe by making it more universal (i.e. to non SW fans!) it lets it more pure and accessible. Another important thing to mention about that song, the lyrics are written by A Shin. 

Fighting with黑武士 for the 1st place in my heart and ears is 醉赤壁. As I mentioned above, it was written by Vincent Fang, who wrote all of Jay’s greatest successes’ lyrics. The result of this alliance is a ZGF love song, and I have to recommend you to watch the MV, which is very beautiful. I have to admit this song leaves me a speechless…it’s just so pure and so nostalgic… in addition to the Zhon Guo Feng feeling, I would say it has the retro dimension, such as Jay’s 千里之外. 

有你选择 , 街道 and 主角 are 3 RnB songs, quite similar to不潮不用花钱. JJ collaborates with different artists: 有你选择 features Hong Kong artist農夫FAMA, 主角 features Machi. They’re quite pleasant, and if you loved JJ’s rocky songs, you’ll have to be contented with those only (that’s my main critic of the album, for I loved songs like 曹操,  一起摇 or 就是我, this one has only great love ballads and punchy RnB songs). The problem is that when you listen to them all, you end up not differentiating them… 

Next comes an outstanding set of 2 songs, based on the same instrumentals, Cries In A Distance and Always Online. Very touching ballads mixed with some rapping, one is a love song, the other one a critic of the violence of the world (which reminds me a bit of Linkin Park’s Hand Held High). You will be deeply 感动 by those 2 songs, very moving and extremely sad. 

Still in the ballads, 我还想她 and 点一把火炬 are very relaxing ballads, perfect with JJ’s suave voice, every detail has been handled with care, a real delight as the rest of the album.

I won’t present 期待爱 which we’ve all heard on the radio or while watching the drama 原来我不帅 (that I also recommend by the way!!), poppy and cute, but I still prefer 小酒窝.

This album concludes by 爱与希望, a song JJ wrote for the Sichuan earthquake. Deeply touching, with children singing in chorus, this song sounds sincere and pure, almost religious in fact. With very positive lyrics, looking to the future with hope, this song is noble yet close to us. 

JJ has given us a wonderful album, each single detail finished with the greatest care, and each song is a treat. It only lacks a few rocky songs, but the various ballads definitely make up for it. 

Overall grade : 9.5/10 

Track list

1. Sixology (Intro)
2.不潮不用花钱 (Bu Chao Bu Yong Hua Qian) High Fashion
3. 小酒窝 (Xiao Jiu Wo) Small Dimple *
4. 黑武士 (Hei Wu Shi) Lord Vader *
5. 醉赤壁 (Zui Chi Bi) Scarlet Hill *
6. 有你选择 (You Ni Xuan Ze) The Choice Is Yours
7. Always Online
8.街道 (Jie Dao) The Streets
9.主角 (Zhu Jue) Leading Role
10. 我还想她 (Wo Hai Xiang Ta) I Still Think of Her *
11. 点一把火炬 (Dian Yi Ba Huo Ju) Light a Torch *
12. 期待爱 (Qi Dai Ai) Waiting For Love
13. Cries in a Distance
14. 爱与希望 (Ai Yu Xi Wang) Love and Hope *

*= Recommended Songs