Album Review: Z-Chen (張智成) – ‘你愛上的…(In Love With…)’

Album release date: 2011
Genre: R&B/pop/ballad, Cpop
Rating: 4/5                   
Review by: jct

On his 8th studio album, 你愛上的…(In Love With…), singer Z-Chen clearly solidifies his status as R&B 小王子 (Little Prince of R&B). It is evident on this album that he returns sounding more comfortable and crisp vocally and instrumentally. With his strong and soulful vocals, he continues to please listeners/fans with his usual R&B love ballads and at the same time sounding contemporary. 

Tender & Romantic

Although the songs in his last album, 暗戀 (Secret Love), were good, he sounded somewhat lackluster on many of the songs. However, it turns out that spending a considerable time off was a good idea as he returns sounding rejuvenated. The album starts off with the title track, “金玉良言 (Valuable Advice)”, which is a piano love ballad about receiving some love advices as he sings, “If we have the opportunity to reunite/ I want to meet up but it would be too random/ The hurtful words are still ringing near my ears/ Goodbye for us is the most valuable advice I got.”

A real gem though is the mid-tempo R&B track, “Wish You Well” which is about sincerely hoping his ex-lover finds love and happiness as he sings smoothly, “He’s there to accompany you when we’re at a friend’s wedding/ That sweet feeling, I’m really happy for you.”  And he clearly sounds sincere singing those words, and he continues, “My happiness is not important as long as you are happy/ I don’t bother about the past, I still can nod and smile/ My happiness is not important as long as you are happy/ I wish you well with a hug. Do not think about the past/ I wish you well, you’ll understand only after you truly loved someone.”

The album covers a wide range of love topics and most of the songs are R&B/pop love ballads that his fans are used to and had come to enjoy. However, he also explores other genres while still trying to maintain some R&B sounds such as the electronic folk track, “Bring Me Back” and the synthpop dance track, “Toyboy”.  However, not all of the songs are on point. Particularly, “Toyboy”, which sounds somewhat disjointed and his soothing vocals are hindered by the synthesizer. But despite its flaws, the album overall is filled with tender and romantic tracks, which is certainly recommended for those who enjoy R&B/pop love ballads.

Tracklist

1. 金玉良言 (Valuable Advice)
2. 2013 
3. 你愛上的我 (In Love With Me)
4. Wish You Well 
5. 帶我回去 (Bring Me Back)
6. Dream Love 
7. 相逢恨早 (Met Too Soon)
8. 寂寞有罪 (Being Alone is Wrong)
9. ToyBoy 
10. 陪我好不好 (feat. 陈佳薪) (Be With Me feat. Chen Jiaxin)