A Playful Misconception, A Childhood's Dream

I didn’t think it was too long ago since Heroes of Earth but apparently it is – more than 1.5 years ago.

So this new album, Change My Ways, is Leehom’s announcement that he is moving away from his self-popularised chinked-out music style. And like Christina Aguilera’s Back To Basics offering, although this doesn’t go that far back, but it still has that retro feel to it, specifically back into the 90s.

How is this album different from previous? It’s very easy going, not much of the hip and the hop. All the songs are very soothing, toned down, simple yet effective. It certainly shows versatility as Leehom diversifies away from his chinked-out style and can still produce good music.

My favourite track right now is the last song, Wee Hours of Saturday. From the title to its delivery. A show-off of his vocals in its most tender ways, a slow, mellow and soothing melody to accompany it. He mixed his own voice as backups perfectly.

So, some may say Leehom is losing his touch? Perhaps a mere misconception. While everyone else is still trying to replicate the sounds of Chinese elements fused with Western music, Leehom is the first to step away from what has worked so well for him in the past few albums. I think it’s a risk that will pay off. I welcome his change.