In addition to his own profound musical foundation, the author believes that Eric Chou’s team is very smart. Although they started out as a lyrical R&B singer, they did not stop there. They began to explore electronic music as early as the third album, and it also blossomed in “Almost Is Love”. Even half of the singles in the album have the flavor of electronic music, allowing Eric Chou to break through the framework of a lyrical singer and show more musical possibilities.
The opening song “We Haven’t Started” begins with the signature lyricism, presenting a natural and pleasant first section with broken chords of the guitar, followed by the gradual addition of strings and drums, which gradually brighten the song. The same design is used in “Almost Love”, and more highlights are injected into the singing, from the depth of the verse to the continuous switching between true and false voices in the chorus, and even the Bridge has different contexts and atmospheres. The two ace love songs remind the author of “Best Friend” and “Adult” which were written for others, and I feel that Eric Chou’s creations have a strong recognition. The surprise collaboration with Wei Ruxuan, “I LOVE US”, is also a highlight of the album. Even though the arrangement and singing style are relatively restrained, Eric Chou’s voice is very full of emotion . The two of them whispered to each other, giving the song a soft and comfortable listening experience. The medium-tempo romantic piece “The Never-Ending Valentine’s Day” uses the sound of finger-snapping to create a sense of simplicity. The sudden 808 sound effect in the chorus enlivens the song, and the gradually increasing bells and electronic synthesizers create a festive atmosphere. The ending “Time Won’t” also uses a similar arrangement. The clapping sound at the beginning gives people a sense of security, and the chorus pushes the high notes forward, as if rising against the wind, giving the album a powerful ending. However, the saxophone in the finale is a bit rough, which is a bit regrettable.
In addition to Chinese love songs, the diversity of Eric Chou’s music is also reflected in the album. “A Night Walk in Paris” is composed by Chen Junhao, combining flamenco and electronic music to create a dreamlike exotic atmosphere. It is definitely a masterpiece in the album. Then, following “Aim&Shoot”, we welcome “The little things” and “Dreamers”, two singles full of urban rhythms. The production deliberately increases the echo of the vocals to create a sense of space. Among them, “Dreamers” also stirs up more levels of listening with the help of Gummy B. The equally layered “Incomplete People” maximizes the tension in a lyrical rock style. As for “Miss You and I”, I think the song has the potential to become a KTV hit, as its melody and singing style are in the style of mainstream Chinese love songs.
[Almost is Love] shows a new trend in Chinese music. Style is no longer a single choice for singers. This time, Eric Chou wanders between R&B, electronic, rock, and even a little rap. In addition, after writing several hit songs for others in the past four years, his creations seem to be more catchy. The proportion between maintaining the status quo and breaking through is just right, and both new and old audiences can easily absorb it.