Singer-songwriter Ivana Wong [File Photo: Baidu.com]

Hello and welcome to another edition of  China Beat here on China Radio International. I'm your host Zhong Qiu. In recent years, a number of popular new-generation singers have emerged from Hong Kong who have attracted attention with their singing or songwriting talents. Of the group, Ivana Wong, or 王菀之, is the shining example of a singer who is also an able composer. Despite the success of her critically acclaimed Mandarin hit, "I Am Really Hurt", 我真的受伤了, Wong has yet to formally introduce herself to the Mando-pop scene. With her first Mandarin language album, Ivana Wong is now ready to further extend her music career. This album features 13 tracks including the new singles "You Are My Greatest Love", 你是我最爱的人 and "How Could I Be Lonely?", 怎么会寂寞. For the rest of the show, we will find out if this talented artist can continue to please Mando-pop lovers with her individual sound.

The third track, "How Can I Be Lonely", 怎么会寂寞, was composed by Wong accompanied by lyricist, JJ. The track is typical Wong. Light and upbeat, though strongly influenced by eccentric Parisian art-house music, the track uses alternating piano chords to carry the pace. Wong's vocals serve to merge phrases into one another. The effect is that the song becomes engaging and energizing while retaining a laid back approach.

("How Can I Be Lonely")

It's Ivana Wong's take-it-as-it-is approach that is the most appealing aspect of her music. Her music is less about bold statement than it is expositions of her own art-house style: free from expectation. This aspect is perhaps what was most appealing about her breakthrough tune "I Am Really Hurt". The same effect is accomplished in the song "Learning", 学会.

("Learning")

For her first Mandarin album, Ivana Wong has teamed up with renowned Taiwan producer, Will Lin, or 林暐哲. With Lin's help, the Mandarin songs manage to retain the fresh feeling of folk rock with the genuine sentiments of a young city woman. Many of the album's songs have smooth, exquisite melodies and the lyrics are meaningful without being commercial. "You Are the One I Love the Most", 你是我最爱的人, is one of the more touching and expressive tracks on the album. Wong's emotive performance creates a three-dimensional, realistic portrayal of heartache.

("You Are the One I Love the Most")

That was "You Are the One I Love the Most", taken from Ivana Wong's first Mandarin album. Wong's singing, performed completely in Mandarin for the first time, continues to delight, proving that Wong is equally likable in Mandarin as she is in Cantonese. "Love and Kiwi", 爱与奇异果, is a Mandarin cover of Miriam Yeung's "He is Here", which adopts a different approach to the original. Both lyrically and in arrangement, the song has a strong feeling of fantasy and romance. The comparison between love and kiwi is interesting, stimulating the sense of taste through sound.

("Love and Kiwi")

Different from mainstream pop music, Ivana Wong's composition has a mysterious, dream-like feel and unique arrangements. She prefers to sing with emotion rather than to rely on technical production, but still manages to avoid slushy sentiment. "Past the Ferris Wheel", 流转摩天轮, highlights Wong's angelic vocals. Complemented with acoustic guitar and solo piano, the clarity and charm of Wong's voice is especially prevalent.

("Past the Ferris Wheel")

Like her previous releases, Ivana Wong's first Mandarin album is produced to the highest standard -- vocals, arrangement and backing are without fault. The only regret of this album is that, rather than releasing entirely new material, Wong has adapted Mandarin lyrics into previous Cantonese releases. Of the 13 tracks, ten are re-releases. Nevertheless, it does not hamper this album in showcasing Wong's musical talent. Let's hope that we hear more from Ivana Wong before too long. To wrap up today's show, we will play out with another song from the album, "Why Aren't You Here?" This is Zhong Qiu from Beijing. Bye for now.