Close Up (2nd Version) (CD+DVD) DVD Region All

After a series of albums by usual producer Shu Man that focused on connecting individual tracks with contrived but effective interludes, Close Up returns to a simple, 11-track line-up that builds on a simple "fast track-ballad-ballad-fast track" order. It opens energetically with ad tune "Bursting with Joy" (Track 1), Joey's first collaboration with "hip-pop" producer Hanjin Chan. Despite a gratuitous cameo by Hanjin, his team delivers a fun track that gets Close Up to a good start.

Also working for the first time with singer/songwriter/producer Eric Kwok, Joey finds her biggest hit of the year with the soothing and karaoke-friendly ballad "A Gorgeous Encounter" (Track 2). By no means a creative breakthrough for Joey or Eric Kwok, it's still pleasant to hear Joey deliver a break-up ballad that is nowhere as tragic as those she usually delivers. Eric Kwok's second contribution, "Undressing" (Track 8), is obviously written as a side track and fits in well with the generally pleasant tone of the album.

Equally successful is her first collaboration with Pong Nan, who delivers a solid ballad with "One Lover One Lesson" (Track 3), despite some unnecessary producing touches such as strange electronic chirps in the verses. Not so successful, however, is Ivana Wong's contribution "Damaged Spirit" (Track 6). While it's overall well-written and elegantly produced, the song is clearly written for Ivana herself. As a result, Joey's delivery is comparatively flat, and in Close Up, "Damaged Spirit" merely works as a serviceable side track, and a wasted opportunity.

The most solid effort comes from Carl Wong, who delivers two distinctly different tracks with "Delight" (Track 7) and "The Yellow Door" (Track 11). The former is a Canto-pop take on New Order-style 80s pop that is not much of a surprise but adds considerable energy to the album, while the latter is a simple but sweet ballad about a girl and her vivid imagination that brings Close Up to a solid close.

The best track on the album is "If the Bathrobe Has Too Little Fabric" (Track 9). Written by newcomer Wong Chi Yuan (with lyrics by Wong Chong Hoi), "Bathrobe" is arranged in the vein of "Long Live Chocolate" (also produced by Shu Man). However, just like "Chocolate", "Bathrobe" isn't quite the smooth R&B track it was written to be. Nevertheless, Joey delivers the song with just the right blend of seduction and innocence, with help from the tame but suggestive lyrics by Wong. In fact, "Bathrobe" almost makes one wish that Joey would leave the karaoke-friendly pop genre for a full-on R&B album. Joey may be one of the most consistent pop artists in terms of album quality (with Close Up being no exception). Maybe after the dust settles on her recent controversies, she can find new challenges more often and leave the monotony of Canto-pop behind. One can only hope.

by Kevin Ma