Song of the week
Aubrey Suwito feat. Dayang Nurfaizah
Awan Yang Terpilu
THIS is by no means a new song. Originally performed by Ning Baizura, it won Song Of The Year at the 2005 Anugerah Industri Muzik. This version is recorded live during the Aubrey Suwito & Friends with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra concert in May. The renowned composer offers a fresh take on the wellloved tune (incidentally composed by his wife Lin Li Zhen). Aubrey’s arrangement, with the help of the MPO, cleverly evokes the sounds of Mother Nature, a theme found in the song’s lyrics. Powerhouse vocalist Dayang Nurfaizah’s delivery effectively captures the bumps and bruises encountered on the road towards pursuing one’s dreams.
– Kenneth Chaw
Taylor Swift Reputation Universal
IF you’d stop thinking about her reputation, you’d actually appreciate the musicality of Taylor Swift’s “reputation”.
Sure, she named the album that so there will be blog posts and essays deciphering the lyrics – was that about Kanye? Calvin? – but listen to the music, and you’ll discover pure pop magic.
On 2014’s 1989, Swift showed she could deliver great pop songs. On Reputation, her sixth album and second pop effort, she has mastered it.
The production level has been enhanced, with little nuanced sounds throughout the album – including use of the vocoder – giving the tracks additional appeal.
A good number of the 15 songs are bass heavy and beat-laden, while Swift tells the story of her life in the last two years – going from tabloid drama to falling in love.
She’s striking on the exceptional End Game, veering into contemporary R&B territory. Co-stars include rap hitmaker Future and Ed Sheeran, who is sing-rapping in the style he performed before you fell in love with Thinking Out Loud.
Like the singles ...Ready for It? and Look What
You Made
Me Do, other tracks on the