After resting for two years, Taiwanese pop queen-Amei Zhang Hui Mei is back with her album - I want happiness. Following all the unwanted gossip and rumours that made her popularity fall and portray a not-so-good image, Amei fought back bravely with this album. The album focused mainly on music and succeeded in bringing out the true voice that belongs to Amei. Unlike most of the albums in the market that focused on packaging and extensive publicity to increase the sales, this album is definitely not another one amongst them.

The album kicked off with 平常心 (normal heart), a normal slow tempo lyric song that Amei used to sing. She clearly express herself through the song. Her bursting voice when used to sing this song would give out a very touching feeling. 人质 (hostage) continues the genre of the first song. In addition to it, hostage requires a high pitching during the chorus part which is definitely not a problem to Amei. You could easily listen to this song from radio stations as it is the second hit in the album.

因为你在 (because you are present) is a lively and fast tempo song. You would easily swing your body along with the tune while listening to this song. Though this song is a little shallow for Amei, the producer should be commended by adding something different to this album. 我要快乐 (I want Happiness) is the best song in the album. This song showed us that how powerful Amei’s voice is. It definitely uncovered all Amei’s singing potential. I just could not demand anymore from this song.

Chinese girl started off with an electroni guitar and the whole tune goes wild after reaching the chorus. Though the tempo and tune is still way behind the classic song - “Bad Boy”, Amei’s bursting voice definitely brings life into this song. One thing that kept me worrying is whether this song would be labelled as a racist song. This actually happened to Andy Lau’s 中国人 “zhong guo ren”, and Lee Hom’s(I’ve forgotten the original singer) 龙的传人 “long de chuan ren”.

不要乱说 (don’t simply say) is a very creative song. The lyrics - 你不懂就不要说”If you don’t know, please keep your mouth shut” seems like hinting at all those baseless allegations written in the papers targeting Amei. Besides that this song also sounds a little persian style which is also a plus point for this song. 所以我愿意 (therefore I do) and 海阔天空 (boundless as the sea and sky) are the two last songs of this album. Though not considered as hit songs, this two songs definitely add weight to the whole album as it really requires Amei’s singing skills and technique to deliver.

After listening to the whole album over and over, I found out that the only one word that I could use to describe this album is “touching”. Listening to this album is like having a ride on the roller coaster yet having a calm and peaceful state of mind. The message that Amei intended to send out is clear - to use her sincere voice touching each and everyone’s heart!

Track Listings
1. 平常心 “ping chang xin” (normal heart)
2. 人质 “ren zi” (hostage)
3. 不像个大人 “bu xiang ge da ren” (not an adult)
4. 因为你在 “yin wei ni zai” (because you are present)
5. 我要快乐 “wo yao kuai le” (I want happiness)
6. Chinese girl
7. 不要乱说 “bu yao luan shuo” (Don’t simply say)
8. 单纯 “dan chun” (purity)
9. 所以我愿意 “suo yi wo yuan yi” (therefore I do)
10. 海阔天空 “hai kuo tian kong” (boundless as the sea and sky)

Discuss this album here.