1RomanceEB Chapter 105 Ahh ...
Chapter 105 Ahh ...
After the audition began, Yang Du did not enjoy the songs like the others, but instead observed these well-known music critics in the industry with great interest.
As he had anticipated, most people's expressions were not very good; more accurately, they were disappointed.
Some people were leaning back on the sofa, looking like they were resting with their eyes closed, while others had their lips slightly downturned, their emotions almost written all over their faces.
Admittedly, track 1 "The Pain That Breathes" is a high-quality sad love song, and Tao Cheng's emotional handling is also impeccably delicate. But in essence, he is still circling in the comfort zone of Tao Cheng's first album.
For music critics who are already prone to nitpicking, what they expect is for Yang Du, the rising star producer, to come up with something different, rather than a safe and reliable urban love song.
Yang Du silently counted down for them in his heart.
Wait a little longer.
Sure enough, when the prelude to "Bubble" started, Yang Du noticed a tall, thin, and stern music critic—whom he later learned was Wei Guozhong, the editor-in-chief of "Music Weekly"—suddenly adjust his posture.
Then came "The Cage".
The expressions on everyone's faces began to become quite interesting; some looked surprised and uncertain, while others frowned in thought...
Later, Yang Du never saw disappointment on their faces again; instead, he gradually immersed himself in the world of music.
Then, they were conquered.
After the audition ended, Tao Cheng smiled and went on stage again. This time, she introduced the production team one by one, and everyone enjoyed the applause and cheers.
Recording engineer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer, musician...
Of course, there's also Yang Du, the sole album producer.
"Swallowtail Butterfly" is finished!
Yang Du naturally has absolute confidence in the quality of the album "Swallowtail Butterfly", after all, the five main tracks have already been tested by the market in another parallel universe.
But when he finally saw the studio album, which he had personally crafted from concept to arrangement, finally released and received applause at the high-profile listening session that evening, he still felt a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.
How can I describe this feeling?
Just like a student who learns they've been admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University, the feeling and sensation when they actually receive the acceptance letter from the postman is ultimately different.
"It's a success!"
As soon as Yang Du stepped off the stage, he was given a bear hug by Fang Lei.
He punched Yang Du hard on the back twice before letting go: "Honestly, Yang Du, I'm starting to regret it. No matter what, no matter the cost, I had to sign you. Letting you run your own independent label was Jinshi's biggest loss."
That's what he said, but the middle-aged man still smiled so hard that his back teeth were showing.
"Haha, Director Fang, it's very pleasant to work together now."
As the applause subsided, the main course began.
At Jinshi, the senior management were each performing their duties: the publicity specialists were collecting feedback forms and summarizing the initial opinions of music critics; Fang Lei was having a low-key conversation with a senior executive at Tencent Music…
These are things Yang Du doesn't need to get involved in. He has his own battlefield, just like Tao Cheng, surrounded by a group of music critics.
Being surrounded by music critics who actively discuss the arrangement details, emotional processing, album concept, and structure is itself a form of silent evaluation.
In the music industry, if a listening session is mediocre, music critics usually exchange a few polite words and leave, and if a third of the guests stay at the banquet, that's considered a favor.
But tonight, these music critics showed no sign of immediately moving to the reception banquet. Instead, they enthusiastically discussed things with Yang Du and Tao Cheng.
"Regarding the transition between 'Cage' and 'Swallowtail Butterfly,' did you first determine the album structure and then fill it with tracks, or did you have the tracks first and then design this structure?" a music critic asked.
"The music came first, then the structure was designed," Yang Du said. "Once the concept of breaking out of the cocoon and becoming a butterfly was determined, the main tracks were basically born."
"So, was 'The Pain That Breathes' intentionally placed on track 1?"
"Haha, it's obvious."
Not far away, Qianlier was standing with another well-known music critic and vinyl record expert on Weibo.
"What do you think?" Qianlier asked.
"A perfect transformation, and we're no longer on the same track as Sun Qingning and Tang You."
Qianli Er nodded. Yes, it's hard to say for Tang You right now, since her second album is still in production. But Sun Qingning from Century is really left far behind.
……
For Tao Cheng's fans, this night was unusually long.
It's not that anything bad happened, but rather that nothing happened at all, and that's what's most agonizing.
Just like office workers waiting for a typhoon to come so they can have a holiday, they're afraid it won't come, but they're also afraid it will cause trouble.
The messages in the group started refreshing at a visible speed from 7 o'clock. At first, they were relatively restrained, and most of them were expressions of envy for the five lucky fans, including "It's a navel orange".
But as time went on, this restraint turned into anxiety.
It's already 8:30, why haven't we heard anything yet?
[It's a navel orange! It's a navel orange! It's a navel orange!]
Don't tag her anymore, she handed over her phone, she definitely won't see this.
Nine o'clock, still no news.
I'm so anxious...
[Um... just saying... maybe...]
Stop! Don't say things like that.
Just as fans were filled with anxiety and uncertainty, the missing person finally returned, and Xue Yuanchun posted three messages in a row.
【Aaaaaah—!!!】
[Swallowtail Butterfly is amazing, it's so beautiful!]
I'm still at the reception banquet; it feels like a dream.
These three messages immediately brought even those who usually stay hidden to the surface.
Oh, my goodness, you're finally back! How are you?
Xue Yuanchun typed quickly: "Okay, very good, excellent!"
[I'll kill you! Stop using memes at a time like this.]
[Please explain clearly what makes it "good"! I'm getting impatient.]
"It's hard to say. We signed a confidentiality agreement, and the specific track titles and content can't be revealed. But—" Xue Yuanchun saw Yang Du walking in this direction, "Swallowtail Butterfly is absolutely worth it, even better than the first album. It has at least five singles of the same quality as Bubble!"
[Really? Five songs!!!]
Holy crap, Yang Du is awesome!
Five singles on par with "Bubble"?! Wouldn't that make the album a smash hit?!
[Someone said last time that if the album could release another song on par with "Bubble," then we could see her as a future pop star, ahhhhhh!!!]
At this moment, Xue Yuanchun sent several more photos to the group chat, which were photos of her with Tao Cheng and Yang Du at the banquet.
Tao Cheng was radiant and beautiful, and Yang Du made a peace sign with his fingers.
"Not only did Orange give me an autograph, but she also hugged me. Yang Du also gave me an autograph. Waaah, I'm so lucky."
The moment the photo was posted, the atmosphere in the group chat changed drastically. The excitement vanished instantly, replaced by a wave of sour grapes.
[Aaaaaah!!! I'm so jealous, I'm so jealous! Let's get this over on, sisters!]
[We're all die-hard fans who support the album and buy it. Attending the listening session is one thing, but now there's even taking photos and hugging! I'm going to fight you!]
[Seriously, good-looking people look better than someone making a peace sign.]
Seemingly to appease everyone, Xue Yuanchun dropped another bombshell: "Just now, Orange announced that the second single, 'Cage,' will be released at midnight tonight!!!"