Guo Zhikai： The 7-year itch, the charm of Jay Chou’s ＂Magnificent Seat＂ is particularly present
Feature: Picture Channel
Jay Chou releases new album
At 19:30 on September 20, the "2008 Jay Chou World Tour Concert" performed at the Shaanxi Provincial Stadium in Xi’an. Jay Chou showed "Olympic Cheering Exercise" at the concert. China News Agency, Li Haijun, photo
Many people like Jay Chou’s music, and I am no exception to this. However, I must admit that I have not written any articles about Jay Chou since his debut, because in many cases, I cannot see through the inner world behind a talented musician at all. To speak out with just a few words from the outside is disrespectful to Jay Chou and goes against my will.
Jay Chou is awesome, and he has become the best singer in Asia before the age of 30, which makes me feel amazed. Shy, simple, filial, unboastful, and even lazy, he has become the spiritual leader of many fans. In his music world, you can expect and even find the musical elements you like, and he can afford and let go of all 18 martial arts, with a natural and self-contained taste. In the Chinese music world, it can be said that he is the only martial arts, belonging to the "supreme music world". Now, it has gradually become the talk of everyone after dinner.
"Magnus" has not been officially released, and has become the most eye-catching record in the Chinese music world. However, the record was leaked in advance, and it was passed down by fans by word of mouth. The download address of the new song has also been widely circulated. In order to echo the new song "Dragon War Knight", the new cover depicts a world full of strange beasts and monsters competing. In the painting, he tied a ponytail, wore a warrior suit, wielded a long sword, and charged alone. His appearance is quite handsome, and his new love, a red heavy locomotive, also appeared on the back cover. "Magnus" uses the slogan "Magic Jay Music has no boundaries" as the slogan. The Chinese style of the whole record continues to flourish, and the integration of Indian style is ingenious; the lyrics speak louder, the memories of childhood are full of fun, and the life is warm and inspiring. " No matter how good the music is, it is difficult to satisfy the increasingly picky fans. Everyone knows the concept of "difficult to adjust", but who will consider Jay Chou’s difficulties?
Judging from Jay Chou’s past music, the diversity of music styles almost covered up his singing, and any musical elements were carefully integrated into the songs by him, which was actually a very laborious task. All kinds of music elements and orchestrators have to be rearranged and recorded track by track in the recording studio in order to achieve the ideal best sound. There is no other way but to let Jay Chou and the recording engineer fight over and over again. Any song that everyone is familiar with stands out after going through the process. Do you know Jay Chou’s hard work at that moment? And how much do you know about the production model of Chinese pop music at this moment?
I have always compared Jay Chou’s music to the "7-year itch" in love. For example, the first two records "Jay" and "Fantasy" are amazing, and we compare it to the "first love period". These two records make us have to take Jay Chou by surprise, an unprecedented hip-hop style that completely cleans the ears of fans who are used to listening to big love songs. Before this, we did not have an intuitive concept of hip-hop music, and most of the music forms we knew were obtained from black R & B and dance music. Jay Chou’s music style was completely liberalized, using "Tai Chi Push Hand" to turn the original hip-hop music into love songs. The seemingly understated singing has now become a school of its own, giving fans a new feeling. Rhythm and blues (R & B), rap (Rap), Japanese traditional music, Western classical piano, rock, and the perfect improvement of hip-hop music into love songs have completely overwhelmed fans.
The second stage of the release of "Octave Space", "Still Fantasy", and "Qilixiang" is still widely praised, but there are also some discordant voices at work, and the music of the new record itself is remarkable, repeatedly creating music myths, and also allowing Jay Chou’s music career to reach an unprecedented peak. " "Dragon Fist", "East Wind Break", "Thousand Miles Away", "Chrysanthemum Terrace" and other popular songs are enough to be written into the history of Chinese pop music development. At this time, Jay Chou’s personal style is still the same. In addition to being able to form his own music team, many MV works are personally experienced, and he has become a generalist. Nowadays, any singer wants to "have a relationship" with Jay Chou, which is reflected in both music and scandals.
In the form of music, Jay Chou’s musical style has made a qualitative leap compared to the past. From his previous caution, he began to gradually give up his reserve, and still went his own way. The music has both the shadow of his childhood growth and the poetic and picturesque style of his affectionate style. In terms of thinking, basketball, kung fu, first love, cycling, and all cultural factors that can represent fashion have also been integrated into music, which is closely related to today’s young people’s lives. At this time, Jay Chou no longer relies solely on music to please fans. His styling is ever-changing, and the covers of each record are integrated into his mind, such as ninjas, officers, cowboys, magicians, dragon warriors, and so on. In addition, under the condition that the music is to maintain the hip-hop style unchanged, coupled with a large number of Chinese elements (folk music), the combination of Chinese and Western is quite integrated, which can be said to be well-intentioned. In fact, at this time, Jay Chou’s music style began to gradually mature.
It should be said that "Chopin in November", "I’m Busy", "Magnificent Seat" and the previous records, the changes are obvious, and can be regarded as the third stage of Jay Chou’s music career development. From a young man who entered the music scene to gradually becoming the darling of the music scene, Jay Chou’s mentality has undergone great changes, and his attitude towards life has been very different. This is also reflected in music. From the previous muttering to the fresh and discolored transformation in "Daoxiang", Jay Chou’s music is excellent now. It is a man’s dream with his heart. He can sing to his lover as he pleases, or he can play the piano to his mother to express his worries, because from this moment on, he has successfully transformed from a boy to a real man.
I have also listened carefully to Jay Chou’s new record, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. It should be said that it is a very good record. I don’t want to compare it with the previous records, because it is meaningless to do so. I like the youthful taste of "Daoxiang" very much, and I can watch Daoxiang dance with the breeze while playing the piano. What a pleasant thing. The rap metal of "Dragon War Knight", the regular love songs of "What Happiness Is Said", and "Childhood Time Machine" reminiscing about the past of childhood are all very brilliant places in this record. In addition, the creativity is very good, that is, the main constellation card. Now astrology has been favored by many people, and this record has also added to astrology! It can only be said that the praise of the production company does have its own unique features.
In fact, since the second stage, Jay Chou’s music has been wandering on the edge of the knife, and the media’s doubts have never stopped. They even compare their music one by one to find out what they are not satisfied with and accuse them. We certainly hope that he can surprise us in a constant manner, just like a new dress that is always missing in a girl’s wardrobe. In fact, there is a big reason for this sharp criticism. The Chinese music industry has been sluggish in the record market in recent years, coupled with the two-month hiatus of the Olympic Games, all kinds of media people and practitioners hope to have a work that can represent the benchmark of the record market this year. Therefore, it is reasonable to have high hopes for Jay Chou, but if only one Jay Chou wants to save the music industry, then the critics have already regarded him as the high-profile Liu Xiang? Have you seen the scene of Liu Xiang leaving the Olympic arena sadly? Have you seen his shoulders crushed by "1356"? Treat them well! Besides, Jay Chou’s body has no advantage to speak of "!
I have always wondered why so many media are targeting Jay Chou. In recent years, many Chinese music singers have released records, and no matter how many records they can sell, they have always been favored by many media people and praised them. In fact, this is a well-known thing. Don’t you just receive some "benefits" from the record company? There is no sense in shamelessly touting it there with sanctity! Why is everyone unhappy with Jay Chou’s release of records! You say that other people’s music is not good, but if you are awesome, you can make a few songs yourself! What kind of music can get your praise, is it not even clear to yourself, and you are still there to talk nonsense!
Today’s music scene is terminally ill! It is not possible to make achievements by relying on so-and-so. What we lack is not Jay Chou alone, but more musicians with their own characteristics like Jay Chou to contribute to the music scene together. The reason why everyone thinks that Jay Chou’s music is somewhat similar to previous works is actually a misunderstanding, because you have known him for a long time! You have been very familiar with his music style for 7 years! The freshness is long gone! It’s good to be able to maintain it. Are you still looking forward to your first love? What are you thinking?
The main reason why Jay Chou attracts people is that he is an unknown boy. He is too ordinary. He always gives people more surprises inadvertently. Whether it is Tuo Hai in "Initial Text D", or A Jie in "Slam Dunk" or, just like the boy in the next class, he uses his sweat to win everything he wants. Therefore, "I am the master of my territory" and other fresh things full of youthful colors came one after another, and the civilian idol grew up smoothly. There are too many ordinary people on this earth, and their hearts are too fragile. They need a character like Jay Chou around them too much! Not only does it add confidence to them, but it may also weave a beautiful future for them? (Guo Zhikai)
Editor in charge: Wang Jiaolong
