Music review: Ayal Komod by Chang Chen-Yue

SINGAPORE - Ayal Komod, Taiwanese singersongwriter Chang Chen-Yue's 10th studio effort, is full of breezy, folksy tunes that are perfect for a lazy day at the beach.

This won't throw up any surprises if the 39-year-old aborigine - he is from Taiwan's Amis tribe - was a guitar-strumming acoustic musician.

But Chang used to be known for his rebellious streak, with a reputation for spewing vulgarities, flashing his middle finger and mooning the crowd.

His previous hits were aggressive and in-your-face, including Fart (yes, that's the title) and One Night Stand (self-explanatory).

Evidently, Chang has mellowed. Instead of rapping and headbanging, he croons tenderly on Used Guitar: "I love sunny days best, we can meet by the sea" and Aiyo Wei Ya: "A man has to bear the weight of failures and loneliness".

We miss the young, angst-ridden Chang, but the grown-up version isn't too bad either.

Format: CD, Digital

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