I don’t often write about C-pop, and tend to listen to it in spurts rather than all the time. But, I’m always up for a good retro summertime track, and Wu Jiacheng’s Wild Island (无名岛) delivers. I first became aware of Jiacheng through 2018’s K-pop/C-pop collaboration/competition show CYZJ, which I highly recommend. I was taken with his fun, upbeat personality and old-fashioned sense of showmanship. He rose to fame as the leader of boy group XNINE, whose small but solid discography incorporated everything from theatrical angst to Seventeen-like funkiness.
Jiacheng’s solo work leans much closer to funk, which is a particular forte of his. Wild Island harnesses the synth-heavy 80’s electropop that is becoming a burgeoning (and very welcome) trend across the globe. It does a particularly good job of it, placing Jiacheng’s rich vocal over a pulsing instrumental that feels incredibly refreshing. The verses move at a clip, even if the overall energy isn’t explosive. They’re wordy but rhythmic, which matches the Chinese language and phrasing well.
But, the true star of Wild Island is its surging chorus. From the production to the melody, it just washes over you like a good synth-pop track should. I can’t say that the song brings anything new to the table, but I don’t think that’s what anyone’s looking for when it comes to music like this. Wild Island is like a comfortable poolside afternoon, embracing the heat of the season while delivering icy synths to cool you down. I think this one’s going to become a staple of my summer playlist for years to come.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The chorus sounds identical to something else, last year? summer? kpop boy group. now its going to drive me nuts, worst of all I don’t think I own the song that comes to mind. ah rahr rahr
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The synth in the chorus strongly echoes Snuper’s Back:Hug, but that was from a couple years ago so I’m not sure if that’s what you mean. It explains why I love the song, though!
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The general vibe also really reminds me of Spark by JBJ95, which I just realized.
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Yes, “Spark” and also “Home” by JBJ95, both.
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No wonder I love this. Spark was one of my absolute favourites of 2019 and the chorus here is just gorgeous. I love these driving synth anthems.
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This is a great summer song. I do enjoy Jiacheng as a performer as he nvokes a sense of nostalgia in me. A Docile Cat is one of my favourites from him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOO2yVECZpc. Mystery is also great, very retro sounding. I greatly appreciate that he goes in funk/electropop directions instead of the tired trap/edm/(or as with most ex-reality tv show contestants in China) ballads.
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Yep, that whole mini is really good, and a refreshing departure from what I’m used to hearing in C-pop.
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This is a true gem, thank you for this ❤
It reminds me of We’ll Dance On from the Flash Flood Darlings
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