Items12The creator’s order
  1. 1Fantasy (范特西) - Jay ChouFantasy (范特西) - Jay ChouReleased in September 2001, Jay Chou's second studio album revolutionised modern Mandopop by fusing classical piano counterpoint, American hip-hop, R&B and traditional Chinese instrumentation. Partnering with lyricist Vincent Fang, Chou created vivid sonic tapestries on tracks like Love Before the…0
  2. 2Sing and Play (唱遊) - Faye WongSing and Play (唱遊) - Faye WongFaye Wong had already worked with members of Cocteau Twins when she made this 1998 album, and it shows her at her most free: dreamy, Celtic-tinged pop, folk and soaring ballads, all carried by her airy, effortless voice. Eyes on Me, the theme for Final Fantasy VIII, is the famous track, and Give Up…0
  3. 3Goodbye & Hello - Tanya ChuaGoodbye & Hello - Tanya ChuaSingaporean singer-songwriter Tanya Chua wrote and shaped this 2007 album herself, and it won her the Golden Melody Award for Best Mandarin Female Singer. The sound is understated folk-pop with warm acoustic guitars and bittersweet melodies about modern relationships. Darwin is the track to start…0
  4. 4I'm OK - David TaoI'm OK - David TaoDavid Tao is often credited with bringing R&B into Mandarin pop, and his 1999 second album widens the palette to rock guitar, soul and gospel-style backing vocals. His layered harmonies and careful production stand out. Find Myself and Ordinary Friends are the tracks to start with. Choose it if you…0
  5. 5Bad Boy - aMEIBad Boy - aMEIaMEI's 1997 second album was one of the biggest-selling Mandopop records of its time, and it shows both sides of her: the bright Latin-pop dance of the title track and big ballads that show off her powerful, flexible voice. Listen to the Sea is the ballad that became a standard. Choose it for…0
  6. 6Spring · Daylight (春·日光) - sodagreenSpring · Daylight (春·日光) - sodagreenThe first instalment of sodagreen's four-season project, inspired by Vivaldi, this 2009 album is bright, pastoral folk-pop with acoustic guitars, strings and Wu Tsing-fong's high, distinctive voice. The lyrics are poetic and full of natural imagery. Choose it if you like literate indie-folk and…0
  7. 7No Penn, No Gain - Penny TaiNo Penn, No Gain - Penny TaiPenny Tai, from Johor in Malaysia, writes her own songs, and this album shows her range, moving from light bossa nova and acoustic pop to crunchier rock and piano ballads. Her conversational singing and candid lyrics make the album feel personal. Choose it if you like versatile singer-songwriters…0
  8. 8A Fabulous Adventure (華麗的冒險) - Cheer ChenA Fabulous Adventure (華麗的冒險) - Cheer ChenCheer Chen is one of Taiwan's most admired singer-songwriters, and this 2005 album pairs her soft, understated voice with fuller indie-rock arrangements. Travel with Meaning, a song asking what the point of travelling is, became one of her best-loved songs. Choose it for reflective songwriting…0
  9. 9Orange Moon (橙月) - Khalil FongOrange Moon (橙月) - Khalil FongKhalil Fong, who grew up partly in Hawaii before moving to Hong Kong, brought classic soul and Stevie Wonder-influenced writing into Mandarin pop. This album is warm and romantic, with electric bass, horns and electric piano under his smooth, agile voice. Choose it if you like neo-soul and want…0
  10. 10The Inner Me (心理學) - Lala HsuThe Inner Me (心理學) - Lala HsuTaiwanese singer-songwriter Lala Hsu made this album a personal exploration of emotion and the mind, as its Chinese title, Psychology, suggests. Ambient, electronic and orchestral touches frame songs that move from fragile, quiet passages to big climaxes. Choose it if you like introspective,…0