Rynn Lim: Dearest Bride
Rynn 林宇中 is a Malaysian singer under Ocean Butterflies, which makes him one of JJ Lin’s junior. I’ve always loved his voice, his songs, his lyrics. The simplicity in his melodies is like fresh air in this pop music industry where there is so much mixing, so much synthesizing. As for his lyrics, they are innovative and different from the usual. Examples from the past include 貓頭鷹 (Owl) and 蒼蠅的眼淚 (Tears of a Housefly); things most lyricists wouldn’t attempt to use.
After reviewing To Anyone, it was 3am, going 4. I couldn’t sleep, so looking for a way to put my life back on track. I was listening to 浪花兄弟 (The Drifters) when I remembered I had Rynn’s album.
I heard the single, 路過的新娘 (The bride who passed by) when JJ announced the release of its music video on his Twitter. I fell in love with the song immediately because it was so 林宇中. His songs have a relaxing vibe to it, nothing to heavy, something which I find is distinct in him only.
Album: 新娘 (Dearest Bride)
Artiste: Rynn 林宇中
Released date: September 17, 2010
Company: OBM, Avex (TW)
#o1) 路過的新娘 (The bride who passed by)
Yes, I fell in love with this ballad the first time I heard it. I feel that there is a particularly heart-wrenching tone to the song, whether the tune itself or the lyrics. Rynn always surprises me with what inspires the content of his lyrics. In this case, it was a bride which wasn’t his.
I like the lyrics, especially the chorus. The first part and the second part matches; as in he used 這條路不去教堂 in the first part and matches it with 怎會有未來可講 in the second part. They both meant the same thing, that they don’t end up together, but is described differently. One is more abstract than the other.
#o2) 優雅的分手 (Elegant break-up)
I like the piano introduction, before it opens into a typical Lin Yuzhong’s ballad. This song reminds me of one of his earlier works. It’s not one of my favourite songs in the album; this gets boring and it doesn’t grow on me. Granted, it is a ballad, but I tend to appreciate it more in the middle of the night with no one else but music and me.
#o3) 活到一百歲 (Living till a hundred years old)
This is one of my favourite songs, but for a different reason. The title first got my attention because I thought in reply, “Why would anyone want to live till a hundred years old?” Then the song tells me why. The lyrics are so true, so beautiful. Like I said previously, Lin Yuzhong’s lyrics never fail to amaze me. I feel that he’s one of those people in his own element, like Vincent Fang.
Anyway, the chorus tells you why. He’d rather had someone to talk to, than to live till a hundred years old alone. My thoughts exactly too. You could say the song struck a chord in my heart.
#o4) 不轉木馬 (The carousel that doesn’t turn)
I thought of Faye Wong’s song when I glanced through the titles of the album. The tune opens with a guitar as well, but of course it deviates afterwards and the lyrics talked about different stuffs. This was the song which I went, “Ah, this is so Lin Yuzhong.”
I mentioned his songs have a relaxing vibe, despite them being cheerful songs or sad songs. Of course, I think using the guitar as the main accompaniment plays a huge part in creating the tone of the song. I also think his voice sets the tone of the song too. This song is heart-wrenching and soothing at the same time. There were times when I hear it at night when I’m alone in the room and felt tears on my eyes.
#o5) 嗚呼 (Woo-hoo)
So here goes. In his album, there has to be a song which is so 跳 tone. I usually don’t prefer these songs which moves away from his usual ballads. There is something different about this. He sings it in a lazy voice, which makes it very appropriate for the melody, I guess. Still, it wouldn’t be a song on my repeat list and at times, I would choose to skip it altogether when iTunes shuffled to this.
#o6) 怎麼活怎麼好 (Live like you’d like)
Despite it being a playful and cheery song, I totally have no feel for it. No, that doesn’t say a lot. I don’t believe in limiting a singer to a particular genre, but this song doesn’t get to me much.
#o7) 七天追到你 (Getting you in seven days)
My favourite song out of the entire album mainly because of the tune and the lyrics. The song opens with a playful whistle, before the guitar enters. It is this kind of relaxing atmosphere I like from his songs. The lyrical story is simple, he likes a girl and he’s going to get her in seven days.
The hook of the song is in the chorus, where a word repeats itself and he uses it in the next sentence as well. Well, I got hooked. I think for any guy who believes in love at first sight, it’s a good enough song for him to use to woo the girl of his dreams.
#o8) 案發現場 (Crime scene)
Despite the heavy and dreary feeling one gets from the title, the song is actually a mid-tempo R&B song, which opens with a low and slow rap. The lyrics is fun and playful, although I don’t think I should described it that way since it talks about the cheating part in a relationship. It’s different nonetheless, special even.
I like how he equates cheating to a crime scene and how he used words related to crime in the lyrics. It’s a very clever piece of writing, in my opinion.
#o9) 輕輕 (Lightly)
My mum’s favourite song off the entire album because it gives off a slight zhong guo feng feeling, not only in the melody but also the lyrics. He repeats the word 輕 (light) and it is used 48 times throughout the song. It’s what Vincent Fang calls repetitive usage in his book. Repeating something helps people to remember, and leaves a stronger impression of the song.
You can find the relaxing vibe Lin Yuzhong possessed, which I talked about in this entire review in this song as well. Apart from that, the song is also heartbreaking.
#1o) 叫阮的名 (Call my name)
This is a Hokkien song, meaning it’s sung in the dialect. I have limited Hokkien knowledge, and I seldom enjoy songs of this dialect (because honestly, the titular song in 愛, the drama that’s showing on Channel 8, 7pm scares me a lot).
The song opened with children singing. Lin Yuzhong had done it previously in his other song, 捉迷藏 (Hide and Seek), as well. While I have no idea what he’s singing, I like the feeling it gives me.
Overall: There are people who’d give it a 2.5 out of 5 because half of the songs were already released previously with his Best album. I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 as an album itself since I’ve not heard the songs before.
While I like most of the songs, the only ones which appeared on my constant repeat list are 七天追到你, 案發現場 and 路過的新娘; and 七天追到你 is currently on my iTunes Top 25 Most Played list. I guess that says a lot about how much I like the song. Well, it’s only that one song.
