‘Sid’ is a much more complex record than one would expect. It’s quite layered, with its aural and lyrical components oscillating from incredibly meaningful to incredibly euphoric. Packed with eight relatable and contemporary offerings, the album draws from the pop and rock Western tradition, always giving priority to vocals and songwriting. Behind such an authentic artistic work, we find musician, singer and creative Dian Sheng. Born in China, Shen has been based in the UK for a number of years, gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a Master’s degree in Music Education from University College London. Those are quite the achievements, but they also serve to signal the heightened musicianship and songwriting prowess that propel the record.
In fact, beyond its seemingly popular compositional allure, ‘Sid’ hides a wealth of philosophy-driven lyricism, as Dian slowly unfurls the depth of human emotions and experience. Drawing from Western themes as well as Eastern references, the LP ends up being a cross-cultural jewel, one that showcases Sheng’s commitment to remaining original yet familiar. Originally released in 2023, ‘Sid’ marked the start of the Chinese hero’s recording career. To note, last year saw the release of a Chinese-language version of the same album.
Taking a deeper look at the elegant and energetic tracks in it, it’s quite apparent how Sheng shares a certain sonic nostalgia, so to speak. The listening experience is quite anthemic at times, and mellower and reflective at others. ‘Right Now’ opens in true rock’n’roll fashion, with an infectious chorus and hooks that will get stuck in your ears for days. Follow-up ‘I Come From Far’ shifts the narrative into gentler guitar-coded indie, with the main riff sharing a certain affinity towards British icons such as London Grammar, among others. ‘Undecided Love’ opens in acoustic fashion: it’s here that we can take a closer look at Sheng’s nuanced, charming vocals, as he confidently unplucks a heartfelt journey into romantic territories.
There are quaint jazz and soul influences in it, a reminder of the wide pool of influences the Chinese artist is drawing from. ‘It Will Be Alright’ scrambles the aural picture a fair bit, embracing a more uplifting and playful funk-pop flair. It’s a triumph of kinetic virtuosity and electronic piano bonanza. ‘Seventeen’ gives way to a hypnotic synth riff, all before uncovering a grittier indie core. ‘This Life’ is one of the most emotional efforts in the album, a striking blend between EDM production and pop simplicity.
‘The Way Before’ delivers a truly wholesome ballad, leaving the spotlight on Dian’s dreamy, luscious melodies. What more could you wish for? It’s a near-perfect pop song. ‘Shining As Your Name’ brings the record to a close, doing so with an elegant grand piano and a stripped-back arrangement. It’s a fitting end to an eclectic album, a lovable send-off that also feels quite melancholic and nostalgic.
Delving deeper into the record, Sheng explains: “Sid is not just my exploration of original music; it is my way of conversing with the world. Through music, I aim to convey the profound emotions and philosophical reflections found in literature, enabling global audiences to connect with the melodies while finding resonance in life and humanity.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Sid’ now: