Mindy Men Wang 王萌 and Sui Zhen are both quite the anomaly against the backdrop of Melbourne’s music community.
As a traditional Chinese instrumentalist, Wang has made a name for herself in the contemporary Western context due to her experimental jazz stylings, which commonly incorporate traditional Chinese instruments such as the guzheng.
Becky Sui Zhen, on the other hand, has carved out her niche as an avant-garde pop star known for her glossy-synth pop numbers and experimental output.
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So naturally, there was a lot of excitement from bohemian listeners and community radio stations alike when it was announced that the two Melbourne-based innovators would be linking up for a collaborative effort, Origin of You.
Revolving around three major themes: 空 (Kōng), or Emptiness; 疼 (Téng), or Pain; and 气 (Chi), sometimes known as ‘Energy’, Origin of You sees Wang and Sui Zhen explore the feelings of loss, pain and rebirth that both artists experienced in the loss of their respective parents.
Although while marketed as an album inspired by grief, Origin of You delivers quite a harmonious output. It’s as if both Wang and Sui Zhen actually found consolation while exploring the memories and lives of their loved ones.
The music throughout is as challenging as it is rewarding. While some will undoubtedly struggle to find the integrity of the songs on display (largely because they stray as far away from Western song structures as possible), others will find peace, tranquillity and relaxation in Origin of You’s serene and meditative soundscapes.
‘Origin of You’ is out everywhere Friday, November 10, 2023 via Music in Exile. musicinexile.com.au
