Mayday returns with their sixth outing -為愛而生- after a 2-year hiatus. In this album, they have chosen to 回归单纯, while staying true to their soft rock roots. No hip-hop, no R&B, no chinked-out music, 五月天不跟风.
For a band, arrangement (编曲) is critical, and Mayday delivers be it in the heavier rock numbers, or the acoustic ballads. They even experimented with the banjo~! It’s amazing how their music can be so simple, and yet so beautiful.
There is one thing I must do when I get a Mayday album – devour the lyrics booklet and revel in 阿信’s lyrical genius. And as always, 阿信 does not disappoint. His lyrics covers diverse themes, including solitude (in 米老鼠), poverty in South America (in 摩托車日记), screwed-up confessions (in 忘词), and of course, love.
為愛而生 - As usual, Mayday opts for an edgier rock anthem as their first single. The melody isn’t exactly catchy, but the use of strings lifts the song, giving it an epic feel reminiscent of 盛夏光年. The lyrics are a little dark, and embody the spirit of “love is everything”. (更多伤痕 / 更多牺牲 / 就让爱更动人 / 就让爱更永恒)
天使 – 小品 that allows you to settle after getting charged up with 為愛而生. Soothing melody, with lyrics to match. Leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. (像孩子依赖著肩膀 / 像眼泪依赖著脸庞 / 你就像天使一样 / 给我依赖给我力量 / 像诗人依赖著月亮 / 像海豚依赖海洋)
我又初戀了 - A mid-tempo number, with catchy and infectious melody. Buoyant, playful, and the mass K-friendly sequel to 恋爱ing.
香水 - Signature Mayday ballad, albeit a little too heavy in arrangement and too many repetitions of 深深 for my taste. Nevertheless, outstanding (cheem!) lyrics, and the only rap you’d hear in this album.
摩托車日记 - A socially conscious track that concerns itself with poverty in South America. Touching, inspirational, with nice guitar rifts and a memorable chorus.
最重要的小事 - Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics, lyrics. (世界纷纷扰扰喧喧闹闹 / 什么是真实 / 为你跌跌撞撞傻傻笑笑 / 买一杯果汁 / 就算庸庸碌碌匆匆忙忙 / 活过一辈子 / 也要分分秒秒年年日日 / 全心守护你)
快樂很偉大 – Borrows from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, in particular the “Ode to Joy”, which most people should be familiar with. As the title suggests, it is a happy and uplifting track, typical Mayday inspirational fare.
忘词 – Very un-Mayday. I was quite surprised to see that it’s Ashin’s composition. More like something he would write for 梁靜茹. A gentle ballad, with heartwarming lyrics.
寵上天 – 甜蜜小品, with a rowdy atmosphere. Great for coaxing girlfriends.
米老鼠 – Deceptively innocent title, but this is actually one of the more melancholic tracks in this album. Tells a story of solitude, with Mickey Mouse as the protagonist’s only friend.
一千個世纪 – Another typical Mayday ballad, with an interesting evolution theme. (当时地球还年轻 / 我们诞生荒凉大海里 / 演化到了寒武纪 / 我们长出脊椎和勇气 / 某天我们开始踩出脚印 / 学会双手拥抱学会爱情 // 当时你我都野性 / 我们学会用火和穴居/ 后来帝国正崛起 / 我们战乱之中更相依)
My favourite Mayday album so far (with the exception of their 知足最真杰作选). It would have been perfect if they had included 盛夏光年, but oh well, one can't ask too much. Recommended without reservation.Recommended tracks: 為愛而生, 天使, 摩托車日记, 米老鼠
