Funny Face

Gigi Leung has improved in her dynamic vocal; it’s funny how her face doesn’t reveal to us that her voice is quietly powerful as in “Funny Face.” She doesn’t sing especially hard or airy, so her vocal lacks emotion and don’t expect too many wrong notes as “auto-tune” ought to do the job. But, her voice is sweet, soothing and digestible, easy-listening. Many of her slip-ups are covered by background voices, especially where her rhythm is a little funny and when she cuts her notes off.

Some tracks are well composed while others are simply horrible. Too many of them lack a sensible lyrical beat, trying to fit too many characters within one line of the melody; this becomes a sloppy song as in Track 3. The chorus is good, but the verses are just unnecessary in its verbosity. The falsetto parts written in certain tracks are very good and appropriate. In Track 4, Leung does a fantastic performance displaying a high and low range, hitting low notes during the drops of the verses and then rising and clinging to falsetto notes during the chorus. Her vibrato still needs to develop more though.

The production is admirable; lots of thought put into it, and lots of cute parts as in Track 9 with the double beat and serenading guitar. Mostly modern arrangements and some hip-hop segments make this album less traditional and more pop.

Track 1. At the first listen, you don’t really think much of this album; it’s pretty common but the good thing about it is that it’s the most easy-listening track that you can listen to over and over again. It’s also refreshing, so when you’re done with the last track, you’re ready to start over.

Track 8. This is something new and different for Leung, sort of a kickback British rock song. The beginning verses are catchy, bluesy, and jazzy in its key changes. The falsetto is very nice and the scooping guitar is a brilliant contrast to the distorted bass, although the bass is kind of nasty-sounding. The beat of the prechorus and first three notes of the chorus just catch you especially when sung in such a high fluty tone. You’ll enjoy this mysterious, mellow Valen Hsu-like track.

Track 9. Right after the gloominess of Track 8, the producers throw in double beats in separate channels that revamp the mood and keep the album moving. The strings and guitar are just sweet compliments to her vocal that is also very fitting, as the song is a quiet ballad.

Track 10. Leung or Craig David? She does a terrific job staying on beat for this song, and her intonation is very good. Not an easy song to sing, but she does a terrific job. The racing of verse lines and double beats in drops make the song catchy and urban.

Jesse’s Junction:

This is not really an extraordinary album, nor does it have any coherent theme in its music style and melodies, but worthwhile to listen to Leung’s explorative talent.

Best Song: Track 9
Best Vocal: Track 4
Best Production: Tracks 1, 8, 9
Best Composition: Track 8
Radioworthy: Tracks 1, 3, 8, 9

Jesse’s Advice:

Spin her around on your system, and you’ll find yourself satisfied.