Hong Kong pop star still going strong

Eason Chan Yik-shun, 43, is one of Hong Kong's best-selling singers and is known for his dynamic stage presence and versatile voice.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Work on the new album started a year ago and saw a reunion with producer Jerald Chan, who was a singer-songwriter of the Hong Kong pop duo Swing.

The duo, which was founded in 1999 and disbanded in 2002, worked with Eason Chan on Eason Chan's two Cantonese albums - Life Continues..., in 2006 and ...3mm in 2012.

The albums included a wide range of music styles - from funky, fresh dance songs to synth-pop sounds.

Speaking about how he produces an album, Eason Chan says: "Usually, we get a list of songs which are candidates for the new album. And some of the songwriters have worked with me, while some have not.

"This time, when we chose songs, we didn't look at the songwriters' names. It was like a game. We just listened to the music and read the lyrics," he says.

"I really love songs, which present something visual and have a story."

The first four songs released online in early August have become chart-toppers, including a song, called Echinus, written by Taiwan songwriter Ke Da-wei, in which he compares a man over 35 to a sea urchin - sharp edges on the outside but soft inside.

Commenting on the album, Jerald Chan says: "A funny thing happened when we played the songs for the boss of Universal Music Group. After listening to the 10 songs in the new album, he said, 'I didn't see any hit, which can kill'. And I said, 'We are not trend followers but trend setters'."

As Eason Chan says: "This album needs time to digest, especially in this fast-paced modern world. I hope listeners can take it slow, and they will find what they want.