TAIPEI, July 27 – Shawn Shangrong, the prodigious talent of the avant-garde music scene, has shattered expectations with his latest album release, ‘DOCASA.’ Departing from his previous image as a “warm and gentle vocalist,” Shawn has unveiled a completely different and eccentric style that has left everyone astounded. The album, which includes the highly anticipated lead single ‘Slow Lane,’ is now available for digital streaming. ‘Slow Lane,’ the album’s flagship track, serves as Shawn Shangrong’s sincere confession, narrating his personal journey in the music industry since his formation of the band “noovy” nearly a decade ago.
The song has also been chosen as the ending theme for the popular reality show ‘Hi! Business Is Open 2.’ According to Shawn, the track symbolizes the members’ growth and progress throughout the program, where they gradually become familiar and excel. He earnestly encourages viewers not to skip the ending credits and to appreciate the song. Known for his engaging interactions with fans on Instagram, Shawn has become a master of wit. Unexpectedly, his recent Q&A sessions sparked a frenzy of marriage proposals, earning him the title of “most desirable male singer.”
Amusingly, he laments, “After working so hard on my album for two years, everyone just wants to marry me!” Undeterred, Shawn continues to humorously respond to fans’ unexpected proposals. As the lead vocalist of the band “noovy,” Shawn Shangrong gained immense popularity, having embarked on over 250 live tours across cities in Japan within two years. His clear vocals and candid personality endeared him to a large fan base. Now, on the cusp of his 10th year in the industry, Shawn has released his highly anticipated debut album, ‘DOCASA.’
The album showcases his authentic self, blending influences from his idol group days with his growth and experiences in recent years. Through his music, Shawn expresses his ambitions and inner explorations. Notably, Shawn Shangrong’s artistic transformation extends beyond his musical style. His overall appearance has undergone a striking metamorphosis, drawing inspiration from the globally popular sci-fi series ‘Stranger Things.’ Embracing a retro avant-garde aesthetic, he adorns himself with captivating hair color and undergoes a complete visual makeover, presenting a matured and revitalized image.
The album cover, shot by the talented fashion photographer Alien Wang, captures Shawn’s enigmatic persona as he navigates through the urban landscape, enveloping the album in a psychedelic ambiance. It symbolizes the audience’s voyeuristic glimpses into his inner world through his music. The music video for the album is part of an interconnected “music film universe,” with each MV subtly linked to the others. In the previous MV for ‘Love You When I’m High,’ versatile idol Zhang Yi portrayed a mysterious character, engaging in a suspenseful dynamic with Shawn Shangrong.
In the ‘Slow Lane’ MV, Zhang Yi’s role is finally unveiled as Shawn’s overbearing and controlling mother, “Madame Rose.” The MV depicts their intense mother-son conflict, with Shawn portraying a rebellious musician dressed as a driver. The video’s conclusion revisits a scene from the ‘Love You When I’m High’ MV, featuring Zhang Yi as a talk show host, leaving viewers intrigued about the unfolding storyline. Furthermore, Shawn Shangrong remains bemused by the recent social media phenomenon that has dubbed him the “most desirable male singer.” He admits to being perplexed as to how the everyday Q&A sessions with fans led to this outcome.
During a recent “mid-year expectations” Q&A session, fans flooded him with marriage proposals instead of music-related queries. Amused by the unexpected attention, he remarks, “Happiness came too suddenly, catching me off guard!” Shawn Shangrong’s groundbreaking debut album ‘DOCASA’ is now available for digital streaming, with the music video for the lead single ‘Slow Lane’ already captivating audiences online.
