Jane Zhang - Reform

And this is Jane Zhang! Wow, I wasn't expecting her new album so fast and I had a real nice surprise especially that Jane is one of my faves of all time!

She welcomes us with a beautiful and strong song 我的模樣. Rockish feeling, something that's never happened on her albums before. Maybe that's the whole change she suggested in the title? The second track 追愛 keeps the rocking but in a little different style. 出境入境 can be described as.. "totally relaxing". Such a pretty song! And a ballad is a must but I've always liked Jane's ballads. 錯就錯 is no different I like it but it somehow touched me. It's very beautiful. 為愛瘋狂 is a simple pop song just the way Jane'd do it. But there goes an upbeat song 大膽 - very catchy! The next one 愛就愛 is a ballad but not a classical one. I guess they call it R'n'B ballad but in fact they have nothing to do with R'n'B. But if you wanted a classical ballad with piano in the back and all the stuff here you have 有時候. 上一章 is pretty hard to describe. Not a ballad, not an upbeat song but something between. And finally titular 改變 which is really pretty piece. U just gotta hear it youself!

It's very recommendable to buy it. The release date is June 1 but that's the Chinese version. The Taiwanese one will be a little later. I have no idea what's the difference between those two versions except for the price. But I'd recommend to wait a while. Knowing Jane's company they'll release second Taiwanese version with DVD and all the cool stuff inside. So I'm going to wait for the second one since I didn't do it with the last album and I regretted it afterwards.

Artist: Jane Zhang 張靚穎
Album: Reform 改变
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop
01. 我的模樣
02. 追愛
03. 出境入境
04. 錯就錯
05. 為愛瘋狂
06. 大膽
07. 愛就愛
08. 有時候
09. 上一章
10. 改變

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Yoga Lin - Perfect Life

And that's what we've all been waiting for (I hope ;p). Yoga Lin's new album. I had a big shock when I saw the tracklist - so big! But it turned out kinda different, I'm gonna talk about it later.

It's a really long tracklist so I'm just gonna mention my 3 favorite tracks - 自然醒, 紀念品 and 不換 which I really recommend. And of course the fabulous Fly My Way but it was known a long time ago. You can type it in YouTube and check it out, I've uploaded the last two.
About the second part - well I thought it's gonna be studio version of any of these, but it turned out to be Senses Around Live Tour. So just lives.
But just to note one thing: if you liked Yoga's last album you definitely will find yourself liking this one.
About the cover: OMGD, he looks like Edison Chen there ;D So at first I was like 'what? Edison's new album? No, wait, it says Yoga... wtf? I'm confused' XD

Artist: Yoga Lin 林宥嘉
Album: Perfect Life 美妙生活
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin/English
Genre: pop/rock
CD1
01.美妙生活
02.自然醒
03.想自由
04.我總是一個人在練習一個人
05.紀念品
06.不換
07.擁有
08.早開的晚霞
09.想念
10.晚安
11.Fly My Way
CD2 - LIVE
01.Song 2
02.Ain't No Sunshine
03.突然想起你
04.春光乍泄
05.作伴
06.飄
07.Carnival
08.我只在乎你
09.老實情歌
10.Everyday
11.The Hindu Times
12.羅密歐與朱麗葉
13.First Of The Gang To Die
14.雨和眼淚
15.Darling
16.How Deep Is Your Love
17.眼色
CD1 only

CD1 + CD2

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PopHolic - Debut Album

PopHolic is a new boyband from Taiwan. That's all I've found about them.
Funny thing, they're called PopHolic but their music isn't something you'd expect from a boyband. I mean that's not a normal "pop" like, say, TopCombine does. It's more of pop-rock. You can actually hear guitars here. And that's a big plus. And they're so cute!
I've tried to make a review but then I realized all the songs are pretty much the same. I mean, not that it's a bad thing. Some of them are more punkish, some are slower but they have one thing in common: sooo sweet! That's what I think about this entire album :D It's this kind of pop-rock for teenagers but I think you'll like it no matter how old you are. It's the kind of music that makes the world colorful and happy.
My feeling are very positive about this position and the whole band ;)

Artist: PopHolic 流行駭客
Album: 同名專輯
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop, rock
01.揀愛
02.戀愛感冒
03.No Money But Happy
04.的機會
05.Let's Go
06.我學會
07.Summer Party
08.HyperSelf
09.Say Hi！
10.無畏

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Khalil Fong - 15

With the beats of the first song I've realized one thing: gosh, I've really missed Khalil's voice! For me he's the King of Chinese RnB. Timberlake of Cpop - yeah, this one is good xD So make sure your speakers or headphones are loud enough to enjoy his voice and let's get started!
Anyways Khalil welcomes us after a long time with a long instrumental beginning and then with his perfect English - a wonderful song titled Gotta Make A Change. With the next song 曇花 comes a little surprise - not anything you've heard from him. Leaving me speechless. Starting from kinda retro/60s rock sound to modern RnB with the same guitar in the back changing the language from Mandarin to English. It was really something! And that's the exact moment when I looked up tino the net and found that this album will be guitar-driven. A big positive smile on my face! So 張永成(&Ghost Style) made me smile even more. Lots of guitar and perfect rap by Ghost Style mixed together all with a Khalil's voice sauce. On the other hand the next song is something more like Khalil. 因為你 is a nice and pretty RnB track with acoustic guitar and typical beats. Next one 情勝策略 is wonderful too. I'm not sure what is it the instrument they're playing in the back but I guess it's some kind of saxophone-like thing. Or something. Anyway just feel the rhythm! Great! Especially the ending which could be a little longer. 無菇朋友 is a little slower, another one with acoustic guitar in the background. So pretty! 自以為(&徐佳瑩) is kinda funny, actually. It starts really great with Khalil's vocal and then, suddenly, the vocal changes to Lala Shu. At first it was a big surprise since I didn't realize it was a duet. I like it a lot! 二人遊 surely is something to have a longer look at. Especially at the amazing guitar. Over isn't an English song but it doesn't matter since it's beautiful. I'm running out of words to praise him, I'm afraid ;D Back to the guitar with Take Me! I can't find word to describe how amazing the chorus sounds. Just wow! Something slower if you want - 好不容易. But surely it isn't just a ballad and you won't fall asleep. Closing the whole masterpiece - Over Reprise, an instrumental ;)

Artist: Khalil Fong 方大同
Album: 15
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin/English
Genre: RnB/soul/retro rock
01. Gotta Make A Change
02. 曇花
03. 張永成 (feat. Ghost Style)
04. 因為你 (第一主打歌 - 各電台媒體No.1歌曲)
05. 情勝策略
06. 無菇朋友
07. 自以為 (徐佳瑩合唱)
08. 二人遊
09. Over
10. Take Me
11. 好不容易 (方大同：「我想要給聽眾一種”想要擁抱的幸福感覺”。」)
12. Over Reprise

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A-Mei Chang - R U Watching?

I'm afraid it's too much to ask for another album as good as Amit but let's hope this one will be good too. Even though the times of the Amit style are gone.
Unfortunately for some people the album starts with a ballad titled 都什麼時候了. What I like about it is her jazzy singing. It's really unique. 一個人對話 is much better in my opinion. RnB ballad I guess you can call it like that. 還有眼淚就好 is completely not my cup of tea. Just a ballad, nothing special. 他們 is another slower song, another one that I don't find that good. Just not original I suppose. With 我最親愛的 I start to wonder "when the hell all the ballads will end?" and you can assume I don't like it but the answer comes with the next track 你在看我嗎 that ends the ballad part. This time it's completely different with a great (and this time original!) background music. But weird on the other hand. With the second part of the album you can finally start to dance. 潛規則 is an upbeat track kinda RnB but not exactly. 來鬧的 is a good track and I say it with all confidence. Some guitars in the back and really good chorus! Definitely my favorite. Actually this song is the reason I decided to write this review till the end coz after the first half I wanted to stop and erase everything I'd wrote and just give up on this album full of ballads I don't like. But I did a quick listening of all the tracks and decided to write about this one. I think it deserves it. Upbeat 渴了is good too. And for the end - High咖. Ending better than the beginning...
All in all I'm disappointed. This surely isn't the next Amit but it's not even half that good. But I guess it's just me, a person who can't stand ballads, but if you like them - give it a try.

Artist: A-Mei Chang 張惠妹
Album: R U Watching? 你在看我嗎
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad
01. 都什麼時候了
02. 一個人對話
03. 還有眼淚就好
04. 他們
05. 我最親愛的
06. 你在看我嗎
07. 潛規則
08. 來鬧的
09. 渴了
10. High咖

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YiDA Huang - Glimmer

Quoting Tami "crying tears of joy" coz YiDA is back! Man, I've srsly missed him. He's been absent for such a long time only giving some signs that he's alive by his tweeter.
He tweeted about his album long time ago but after that there was a long silence and one single which was 微光. A wonderful and strong ballad. Long time of silence and here it is - an EP. Only five tracks but... feels like a lot!
So, the EP, entitled after it's first single starts with mentioned before 微光. Afterwards is Broken Heart with kinda creepy beginning. But then it's a really pretty ballad. But the style of this track is very similar to the first one. Next song is 倒敘 which is hard to describe. Not a ballad but not a upbeat either. Not slow but not fast. I can't find any words to describe it - you gotta hear it. 保留 touched me. I dunno why it's just so beautiful I'm deeply touched. track11 is a weird name for fifth track but let it be. What I like about it is that it's different than the rest of the EP. Not to mention that it's only an instrumental but what an instrumental! Wow.

Artist: YiDA Huang 黃義達
Album: Glimmer EP 微光EP
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: rock/ballad
01. 微光
02. Broken heart
03. 倒敘
04. 保留
05. track11

^credit: maypaycmusic^

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Shawn Yue - Not a Star N.A.S

Frankly, I had no idea Shawn can sing. For me he was just an actor. An awesome looking actor to be precise. When I saw this album I was like "OMGD! Shawn!" and I had to check it out. Especially that it's title kinda makes me laugh xD
The album starts with good rocking. And I mean rocking, not some silly pop-rockish sounds. He really rocks it! An absolute awesomeness. This is when I knew it's gonna be good. But with the second track it changes to some upbeat, dance song. Not that it bothers me, no way since it's a great and entertaining song. Dance continues with 喂！喂 ! So far so good. On the other hand 其實我們很熟 is an acoustic ballad which completely took my heart which happens really rare. And another ballad 默背妳的心碎, this time more classical, you know, with piano and all that stuff. Can be, it's kinda pretty to tell the truth. 男人愛麻煩 is a duet with, here a surprise since it's not a girl, with Hanjin! The song is a pretty acoustic ballad. To keep you awake Shawn gives us a dance track with some rapping. I dunno why it reminds me of Stanley Huang... But it's a very interesting track that Stanley Huang' would like also I guess ;D 你說我太帥 is, I guess, my second fave here. Hard to describe. It's a very happy rock song that makes me think of summertime and, you know, lots of fun. Fantastic song. 有骨氣 is much slower, but not boring. The kind of "ballad" I like. Cuz it's not really a ballad but anyway it's a pretty one. And for the end a remix of second song.
So, all in all, it's a very good album and I enjoyed it a lot!

Artist: Shawn Yue 余文樂
Album: Not a Star N.A.S 不是明星N.A.S
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/rock/dance/ballad
01. 不是明星
02. 給我一杯
03. 喂！喂！
04. 其實我們很熟
05. 默背妳的心碎
06. 男人愛麻煩 (陳奐仁合唱)
07. 快瘋了
08. 你說我太帥
09. 有骨氣
10. 給我一杯 (NIGO® REMIX)

^credit: uwants^

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Jonathan Wong - Out Of Frame

Who's Jonathan Wong? If you still don't know him, you should probably feel ashamed. He's definitely someone who should be known wider. Not only good looking but very talented, sings in few languages (4 as for now ;P) and has kinda unique music. Haven't heard of him? Click on the tags below and find his music!
I especially respect artists who like to experiment with music, mix different kinds of music that on the surface don't mach to each other. Jonathan is one of them amongst Leehom Wang and JJ Lin.
So let's take a look at his new "child".
新巴赫狂想曲 is the exact reflection of it's title "rap-sody". You can hear rap and strings in the back, which is absolutely wonderful. In the second track 你是哪種人 you can hear mix of modern and classical chinese music. That's exactly what I love and gives amazing effect. I like it a lot. Next one is really interesting, something different. An absolute yes. 人啊人 is a mandarin track. Another thing with folk somewhere but in a real soft way. Just some delicate sounds that suggest folk but mixed with something else, plus the guitar in one moment. Epic. Worth attention! Back to Cantonese with the next one. Let's leave folk tunes for modern ones. This one is very interesting too.
The last one is 再生. A simple ballad in two languages.

Artist: Jonathan Wong 王梓軒
Album: Out of Frame 超越格式
Year: 2011
Language: Cantonese/Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad
01.新巴赫狂想曲
02.你是哪種人
03.全城都是黃飛鴻
04.人啊人
05.玩具也流淚
06.再生 (粵語)
07.再生 (國語)

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Aaron Yan - The Next Me

It's time for the youngest of Fahrenheit's members to introduce his solo album.
The album comes in two halves. The first half is a little EP and the second one is live from his birthday concert. And it really feels like the second one is unnecessary. I mean, that's me, coz I don't like live versions but if you do, you might find it interesting.
Anyway, to the music. The first song is really pretty like... Anthony Neely maybe. Sort of his style. I'm sure that Aaron's voice would make any song beautiful coz he really has a remarkable voice. As some of you maybe remember I'm not really fond of ballads but the second track is a beautiful ballad I enjoyed. 一觸即發 is my favorite song, I think. It starts funny coz I thought my Foobar is playing tricks on me but it turned out that's the way it is. It's not fast not slow either. I dunno how to describe, you gotta hear it yourself. 最後一眼 isn't my favorite. It's a duet with Olivia Ong. I don't like it coz it isn't breaking any standards. It fits the scheme of a chinese (or more general - East Asian) ballad perfectly and that's exactly what I don't like. I'm afraid the same goes for the next one. The Truth That You Leave is, unfortunately, only an instrumental track. I really hoped for some English here. But you say you get, the next one - Angel is all in English. A really beautiful song you can easily fall in love with. 甲你攬牢牢 is something I wouldn't expect. Real folk song :D And it sounds so good!!! But the studio version would be so much better. That's exactly why I don't like live records. 如果沒有你 I don't like and 想太多 is, I dunno, has a pretty chorus. Finally some rockish thing from Fahrenheit - 寂寞暴走 which is one of my favorite songs ever ;D Bad quality though. 好久不見 isn't my cup of tea.

I love the cover by the way.

Artist: Aaron Yan 炎亞綸
Album: The Next Me 下一個炎亞綸
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad
Disc 1
01. 下一個我
02. 只看見你
03. 一觸即發
04. 最後一眼 feat. Olivia Ong
05. 忽然之間
06. The Truth That You Leave

Disc 2 - 炎亞綸生日音樂會精華
01. Angel
02. 甲你攬牢牢
03. 如果沒有你
04. 想太多
05. 寂寞暴走
06. 好久不見

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SIGMA - SIGMA

If you wonder what makes SIGMA different from other chinese boybands and you can't find the answer then you're probably right. Coz there's nothing - they're even under the same company as Fahrenheit. Or maybe there's one thing - if some of you know Judy Chou, then you can be happy hearing that he's one of the three members. And if you're thinking that they're little kpopish then you're right again. They worked with some Koreans on this album as I've heard. But anyway they're just another boyband yet it doesn't mean you can let them go just like that. You won't regret. Why would you? And as for me - I liked it. And 我這邊 is my fave.

Artist: SIGMA
Album: SIGMA同名專輯
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/dance

01.SIGMA Hot
02.我得了一種不跳舞就會死的病
03.後男友
04.淚奔
05.世界這麼亂
06.至少我有熱血到
07.讓我一次愛個夠
08.心裡的 OS
09.我這邊
10.就像妳是我

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Anthony Neely - Lesson One

This lovely Taiwanese - American guy is killing me softly with his songs. Why? One simple reason - his album is perfect. Wonderful songs both in English and Mandarin. From beautiful ballads to pop rock songs that can melt your heart. Highly recommendable.
Btw this photo session for the album is amazing - he looks so much better than he realy does lol XD

Artist: Anthony Neely 倪安東
Album: Lesson One 第一課
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin/English
Genre: pop/rock/ballad
01. 第一課 Lesson One
02. Sorry That I Loved You
03. 末日快樂 Happy Armageddon
04. 散場的擁抱 The Last Embrace
05. 不耐煩 Fed Up
06. 幸福事小 The Little Things
07. 纏鬥 Brawl
08. 惡夢 Nightmares
09. 紳士 The Gentleman
10. 藏起來 Hide Away
11. The Blower's Daughter

^credit: lalulalu^

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JJ Lin - She Says

Here it is! Our beloved JJ's highly anticipated album. Actually these songs aren't new (most of them), however he sings them for the first time. Before he had written them for other artists (females) and then he recorded them himself - maybe you can treat it as HIS own point of view at these songs.
Which is your personal fave? Mine is 只對你有感覺 (originally performed by Fahrenheit & Hebe).
This December is killin' me - so many wonderful releases (including the ones from Japan & Korea) - and I really wanna buy them all ^ ^

Artist: JJ Lin 林俊傑
Album: She Says 她說
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad

01 她說 She Says
02 愛笑的眼睛 Smiling Eyes [Vivian Hsu]
03 只對你有感覺 Feel For You [Fahrenheit & Hebe]
04 當你 Whenever [Cyndi Wang]
05 一眼萬年 Forever [S.H.E]
06 保護色 Protective Colors (Featuring 張韶涵) [Angela Chang]
07 握不住的他 The Taste of Love [Xiao Xiao]
08 心牆 Wall [Clarie Kuo]
09 我很想愛他 Loving Her [Twins]
10 一生的愛 Eternal Love [Li Bing Bing]
11 記得 Remember [A-Mei]
12 完美新世界 Perfect World
13 I AM
14 真材實料的我

^credit: maypaycmusic^

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Alan Kuo - No Fear

Any Alan lovers here? Alan wasn't sure about his music career lately but eventually he decided that he has to make music. And that's why we love him!
He comes back with the most incredible album he ever recorded! Full of rocking and strong songs as well as lots of beautiful ballads that can crush your heart. I'm absolutely in love with this album and I know what I want for Xmas~ So I'm gonna buy this little thing that gives me so much joy. I hope you'll support him with me.
And yes, Faith Yang is alive! Oh, gosh, I haven't heard from her for ages! And she + Alan = pure rockish love.
This is just perfect!
What're waiting for? CHECK IT OUT!

Artist: Alan Kuo 柯有綸
Album: No Fear 無畏無懼
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin/English
Genre: rock/ballad
01. 無畏無懼
02. 美麗
03. Lies You Said
04. 我恨你 (Feat.楊乃文)
05. 醒來後
06. 愛你
07. 流浪
08. 再給我多一天
09. 你的謊 (Lies You Said 中文版)
10. 全力以赴

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M.I.C - Rock Star EP

Somehow, I managed to find it! I can't find how to buy it online, though...

CHECK IT OUT! M.I.C is imo the best boyband in China. No doubt about it.

Artist: MIC男团
Album: Rock Star EP
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: dance/r&b/pop

01.Rock Star
02.要命的烦恼
03.漫游记
04. 这次，真的是你不对
05.第几幕的爱
06.要命的烦恼（特别版/Special version）


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Fahrenheit - Super HOT

Quickly: this is it. Fahrenheit continues their style from previous album. Little dance, little ballads, little pop/rock, little pop and... even elements of folk.

I LOVE THE ALBUM. Period.
Way too hot ;D

Artist: Fahrenheit 飛輪海
Album: Super HOT 太熱
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: dance/ballad/pop
01.太热
02.Sexy Girl
03.心疼你的心疼
04.继续爱
05.很安静
06.守护星
07.活得更像我
08.误会
09.泰山程式
10.新生

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Nicky Lee - Hao Jiu

Have you ever had this thing that you adore one's voice but his songs aren't really good? So you just have to stick to those few good songs he has. But you dream that one day will come that you will listen to the whole album and say "that's it. I love it". That's my thing with Nicky. I love Nicky's voice, it's so uniqe. And I love his bio (Korean born, raised in US, now living in China - that's just too perfect!). His previous albums had few good songs. The rest was really boring. But then... 好玖, his new album came. I fell in love. I can't stop listening.
Thank you, Nicky.

Album starts with an awesome cover of Right Here Waiting. I couldn't stop myself from thinking that it's even better from Bryan Adam's version. Then next is 不愛了, which is a beautiful ballad. Just beautiful. 夏天 has a little faster pace and even some guitar. Wonderful. Probably you won't be surprised if I say that 最後的那一天 and 稱謂 are amazing too. And then comes No More Cryin' which can really surprise you. My favorite track here. Hard to say something about this song. It's just too perfect to say I guess. It ain't a ballad, yet it has some balladish feeling. 不一樣 is love. 他不夠愛妳 is the most wonderful way of saying "sorry". Who wouldn't forgive you after that, Nicky? And for the end - my song. Making Love Out of Nothing At All is a song used in Monga movie. I fell in love with this song when I first heard it. It's just... I dunno. So much better than the original. Nicky's voice makes it this way. Also, people were saying they don't like the second part of the song, cuz it spoils the whole feeling. I disagree. The second part, when guitars come is my favorite. Ridiculously amazing.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Artist: Nicky Lee 李玖哲
Album: Hao Jiu 好玖
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: ballad/pop
1. Right Here Waiting
2. 不愛了 (緯來戲劇『意外的人生』片頭曲 / 東森戲劇『松藥局的兒子們』片頭曲)
3. 夏天
4. 最後的那一天 (八大戲劇『殘酷的愛』片頭曲)
5. 稱謂
6. No More Cryin'
7. 不一樣
8. 他不夠愛妳
9. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All (電影『艋舺』蚊子與小凝初吻定情曲)

^credit: lalulalu^

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Kangta - First Digital Single

I always knew that Kangta has some hidden love for China (including Taiwan). Since he's done SCANDAL with Vanness I hoped he will return to do music here. And he did! With his first mandarin digital single (or rather EP).

Truth, it has many ballads, but what to expect from Kangta? I mean, he's Korean, he's releasing in Chinese. It's only natural there will be ballads. Besides he loves ballads. But I really like his voice (I really like HIM :D) so I had no problem with that at all. I'm glad he decided to do something in Mandarin at last.

Many Times and 不习惯 are both slow ballads. It changes with 我们的彩虹 when something little faster comes. And 爱，频率 is a total surprise. Kangta in... dance. The kind of dance you get in some clubs, something more technoish. And I happen to hate techno and love this song. Try to figure out my weirdness ;D And for goodbye - 记得 with hope for more.

Uh, my tracklist was screwed up again. The original tracklist is in different order.

Artist: Kangta 安七炫
Album: First Digital Single 静享七乐
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: ballad/pop
01. 爱，频率
02. 记得
03. 我们的彩虹
04. 不习惯
05. Many Times

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