| Muse | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Jolin Tsai |
| Cover: | Muse (Jolin Tsai album).jpg |
| Recorded: | 2012 |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Prev Title: | Ultimate |
| Prev Year: | 2012 |
| Next Title: | Myself World Tour |
| Next Year: | 2013 |
Muse is the twelfth studio album by Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai, released on September 14, 2012, by Warner and Mars.[1] The album combines pop music with elements of pop art, incorporating a musical style that spans both mainstream and independent genres.[2] It was co-produced by Michael Lin, Peggy Hsu, JJ Lin, and Tanya Chua.[3]
The album received widespread critical acclaim, with critics praising it as a benchmark in pop music,[4] highlighting its depth and replay value.[5] The album sold over 95,000 copies in Taiwan, ranking as the third best-selling album of 2012 in Taiwan, and it also claimed the top spot for the highest annual sales by a female artist that year.[6]
Muse was nominated for four awards at the 24th Golden Melody Awards. The album itself was nominated for Best Mandarin Album, while the song "The Great Artist" and its music video received nominations for Song of the Year and Best Music Video, respectively. Tsai was also nominated for Best Female Mandarin Singer for the album.[7] Ultimately, "The Great Artist" won the award for Song of the Year.[8]
On August 13, 2010, Tsai released her eleventh studio album, Myself. The album sold over 65,000 copies in Taiwan, ranking as the fourth best-selling album of 2010 in Taiwan, while also securing the top spot for the highest annual sales by a female artist that year.[9] On December 24, 2010, Tsai launched her third world tour, Myself World Tour, at Taipei Arena in Taipei, Taiwan.[10]
On February 22, 2012, Sam Chen, General Manager of Warner Greater China, revealed on Sina Weibo that Tsai's new album was scheduled for release in the summer of the same year and was in the process of song selection.[11] By June 12, 2012, media outlets reported that Tsai had completed recording half of the songs for the new album.[12] On June 25, 2012, further media reports indicated that the album was expected to be released in August 2012. Tsai's manager, Tom Wang, shared that Tsai was taking great care with the album, which had taken the most time to record. He mentioned that several songs were reworked multiple times, and Tsai had infused a great deal of her own creative ideas into the music, music videos, and photography.[13]
On July 10, 2012, Tsai herself confirmed that the album was expected to be released around her birthday on September 15, 2012.[14] By July 23, 2012, it was reported that Tsai had completed the recording of the new album.[15]
The lead single, "The Great Artist", encourages women to maintain a courageous attitude and trust that true love will eventually be found.[16] The lyrics, written from a female perspective, also depict the fickleness of male partners. The song differs from Tsai's previous dance tracks, incorporating multiple emotional shifts and a more complex rap section. Tsai explained, "The song is quite special, with a strong rhythmic beat and an electronic style. The melody is something I had never attempted before, with more of a rapping style. It also carries my own attitude. The lyrics, written by Matthew Yen, are quite bold, urging women to be independent and have their own ideas. When singing this song, I immersed myself in the persona of a strong woman."[17]
"Wandering Poet" presents a contrasting view, describing the emotional highs and lows of a self-centered romantic poet. Peggy Hsu, the song's producer, commented, "The arrangement is like a narrative, with a classical feel, and includes key changes and shifts in tempo and rhythm. It's quite complex, but Jolin's vocal delivery and tone make it a song that everyone can understand as the loneliness of a poet."[18] "Dr. Jolin" was inspired by the "2012 apocalypse" theory and encourages people to face their true selves while humorously embracing the reality of the world.[19] "Mosaic" explores the theme of women losing their sense of self in love, trying to conform to the expectations of their male partners. "Spying on You Behind the Fence" pairs a distinctive rhythm with playful lyrics. The song uses "fence" as a metaphor for the distance in love, describing how those who have found happiness in love may still harbor doubts due to their pessimistic tendencies.[20]
"Fantasy" was inspired by the emotional lives of the LGBTQ+ community. Tsai stated, "I hope to dedicate this song to everyone who experiences genuine love, as in the world of love, everyone is equal."[21] "I" was a deeply personal song that Tsai felt represented her inner self. Tanya Chua, who co-wrote the song, shared, "When I met Jolin, she told me she wanted to sing a song that was completely her own, a reflection of her true self. It's a heartfelt, non-romantic ballad that faces the vulnerability behind the glamorous stage persona. I was moved by her willingness to share her vulnerability, and I asked Xiao Han to write the lyrics. Through 'I', we hope to let listeners step into Jolin's world and feel that, just like all of us, beneath the shiny exterior, the world—and even ourselves—might still love the 'real' us."
"Beast" is a song written by Tsai herself. She explained, "In my life, I experience both happy and frustrating moments. There are love stories and playful things that provide inspiration when writing songs."[22] "Friday the 13th" was inspired by a humorous conversation with friends. The lyrics encourage single people to enjoy Valentine's Day regardless of their relationship status.[23] "Color Photos" reminded Tsai of the photo albums compiled by her fans, filled with cherished memories. She said, "Each photo carries a variety of emotions. Even though many of the photos may have started to yellow or fade, the memories remain as vivid and beautiful as ever." "Someone" was inspired by Tsai's admiration for Tizzy Bac's live performances. She expressed her desire to explore new vocal possibilities through the song, which was written by Chen Hui-ting.
The album title "Muse" refers to the nine Greek goddesses of inspiration in literature, science, and arts, collectively known as the Muses in Greek mythology. The term is often used to refer to a person who inspires artists, musicians, or writers. Tsai explained, "The meaning behind Muse is inspiration. To me, art is not just something that is complex and hard to understand. It is about what is around you in life. Some people express their inner feelings through paintings, while I express mine through singing and performance. I wanted to bring this concept into my own performances."[24]
On July 23, 2012, Tsai released the first set of promotional photos for the album, which were photographed by Guillaume Millet. The costumes for the photos were designed by Chen Shao-yen, who explained, "The inspiration came from the French cabaret performers of the 1930s. The divas of that time often performed in androgynous yet sensual attire, exuding a charming glamour. This fits Jolin's personal style and the music of this album perfectly." The photoshoot took place in Paris, and cost approximately NT$8 million.[25]
The second set of promotional photos was taken at the Musée des Arts Forains, one of the filming locations for the movie Midnight in Paris (2011). The costumes for this shoot were also designed by Chen Shao-yen. After listening to the album's lead single "The Great Artist", Chen said, "The image of Jolin's graceful dancing came to mind, but the lyrics cleverly describe a fickle lover as a 'great artist.' The song encourages women to face love with a sexy, yet brave and androgynous attitude, which inspired the design of tailored pantsuits that also highlight the body's curves."
The photos taken in France were included in the pre-order edition of the album, titled "Muse of Dream Edition". Another pre-order version, the "Muse of Love Edition", featured a cover and photo book with costumes designed by Tomas Chan.[26] On the cover of the single "The Great Artist", Tsai wore a traditional headdress from the ethnic minorities of Yunnan Province in China, a collector's item reportedly passed down from the collector's ancestors, who acquired it during travels in the 18th or 19th century.[27]
The standard album cover and photo book were photographed by Tong Meng, with packaging design by Aaron Nieh.[28] A later edition of the album, the "Special Limited Edition", featured photos by Liang Su, with packaging once again designed by Aaron Nieh.[29]
On August 22, 2012, Warner announced that pre-orders for the album would begin, with two pre-order versions available: the Muse of Dream Edition" and the "Muse of Love Edition". The album was set for official release on September 14, 2012.[30] On September 13, 2012, Tsai held an album launch press conference at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Three days later, on September 16, 2012, she hosted an album autograph session in Taichung.[31] On September 26, 2012, Tsai held a press conference in Taipei, where she revealed that the album had topped the sales charts in Taiwan during its first week of release, including major retail outlets such as Books.com.tw, Eslite Bookstore, and Five Music.[32] On September 29, 2012, Tsai held another album autograph session in Taipei.[33]
On October 6, 2012, Tsai held the Muse Concert in Tainan,[34] followed by an album autograph session in Kaohsiung on October 7, 2012.[35] Later, on October 20, 2012, she held an album autograph session in London.[36] On October 26, 2012, Tsai released a special edition of the album, the "Special Limited Edition", which included five additional music videos and live performances from the Muse Concert.[37]
In 2012, the album ranked 8th on Books.com.tw's,[38] 2nd on G-Music's,[39] and 2nd on Five Music's year-end sales charts.[40] As of December 31, 2012, the album had sold over 95,000 copies in Taiwan, ranking 3rd on the year-end album sales chart and earning Tsai the title of Taiwan's best-selling female artist of the year. In 2013, the album ranked 8th on G-Music' year-end sales chart.[41]
On September 30, 2012, Tsai performed the song "The Great Artist" at the 2012 CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.[42] On September 13, 2012, Tsai appeared on the Chinese variety show Happy Camp on Hunan TV, where she performed "The Great Artist" and "Mosaic".[43] On November 5, 2012, she participated in the recording of Hunan TV's Your Face Sounds Familiar, performing "Fantasy" and "Dr. Jolin".[44] On December 31, 2012, she took part in Hunan TV's New Year's Eve Concert, where she performed "Beast" and "The Great Artist".[45] On January 19, 2013, Tsai performed "The Great Artist", "Fantasy", and "Dr. Jolin" at the 8th KKBox Music Awards.[46]
On January 30, 2013, she performed "The Great Artist", "Beast", "Fantasy", and "Dr. Jolin" at the Taiwan Music Night held in Paris.[47] On April 18, 2013, Tsai performed "The Great Artist" and "Dr. Jolin" at the 17th China Music Awards.[48] On May 17, 2013, she participated in the 3rd Global Chinese Golden Chart North America Concert in Vancouver, where she performed "The Great Artist" and "Dr. Jolin".[49] On June 2, 2013, Tsai performed "The Great Artist" and "Dr. Jolin" at the 2013 Hito Music Awards.[50] On July 6, she took part in the 24th Golden Melody Awards, where she performed "The Great Artist".[51] Subsequently, Tsai continued to participate in various events, performing songs from the album at these engagements.
On August 15, 2012, Tsai released the single "The Great Artist". On August 22, 2012, the music video for the song was released, directed by Muh Chen. The music video is set against the backdrop of a "futuristic salon", with Chen explaining, "In the 17th and 18th centuries, salons were social gatherings in France where the bourgeoisie and aristocrats discussed literature and the arts. The hostesses of these salons were typically intelligent, graceful, and highly cultured noblewomen. The feminist undertones of this concept align perfectly with the lyrics of 'The Great Artist'." The music video was filmed over 38 hours in Kaohsiung and Taipei, and featured five different outfits designed by three fashion designers, with a production budget of NT$8 million.
On August 23, 2012, Tsai held a promotional event for the music video at Taipei's Taipei Circle. The music video went on to become one of the most viewed Taiwanese music videos on YouTube, ranking 9th on the platform's annual Taiwan's Most Popular Videos list for 2012.[52] It also became the first female artist's music video to receive a perfect score on the music video platform, YinYueTai.[53] On January 2, 2013, the songs "The Great Artist", "Wandering Poet", and "Dr. Jolin" respectively ranked 2nd, 10th, and 24th on the Hit FM Top 100 Singles chart for 2012.[54]
On September 11, 2012, Tsai released the music video for her song "Wandering Poet", directed by JP Huang, featuring actress Ariel Lin and actor Austin Lin. The music video tells the story of a woman who falls in love with a romantic poet, whose artist-like personality initially seems to offer her happiness, only for her to later realize that what she has is a replica of love. Tsai shared that while preparing for the song, she was inspired by the character of the female lead in the movie Black Swan (2011). She explained, "Every woman may have two versions of herself when it comes to love—one that is external, and one that is internal. Many women are not good at expressing their emotions and tend to bottle them up. The 'Jolin' in the song reflects the black swan who suppresses herself, while the 'Ariel Lin' in the music video portrays the white swan, who courageously expresses her pursuit of love."[55]
On September 24, Tsai released the music video for "Dr. Jolin", directed by Marlboro Lai. In the video, Tsai plays a doctor in a "future world", where gender roles have been reversed, promoting a message of gender equality. On October 3, 2012, Tsai unveiled the music video for "Mosaic", directed by Chen Hung-i, which employed a black-and-white color scheme to highlight the song's lyrical atmosphere.[56] On October 15, 2012, the music video for "Spying on You Behind the Fence" was released, directed by Jude Chen.[57] The video opens with a black cat, which mirrors the cautious attitude of women in love as described in the song. The European-style settings and voyeuristic perspective add to the sense of intrigue.
On October 25, 2012, Tsai released the music video for "Fantasy", directed by Bill Chia. Set against the backdrop of the "Garden of Eden", the music video was filmed at the Taipei Expo Park's Future Pavilion. It conveys the concept that love is universal and should be accessible to all, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Tsai expressed, "In our lives, there are many relationships like this happening around us, whether it's between same-sex or opposite-sex couples. Love is equal, and the idea of the Garden of Eden in the video fits perfectly with the lyrics of 'Fantasy'."[58] On December 10, 2012, she released the music video for "I", directed by Fu Tien-yu. In this video, Tsai appears on stage, shedding her complex makeup and hairstyles to reveal her natural self.[59]
On February 22, 2013, Tsai released the music videos for "Color Photos" and "Friday the 13th", both directed by Jude Chen. The former featured actors Johnny Yang and Phoebe Lin. On March 13, 2013, she released the music video for "Beast", directed by Bill Chia, which explores the tug-of-war between consciousness and the subconscious.[60]
PlayMusic's critic Wei Ting described Muse as "a model for pop albums, with a clear theme, a balance of upbeat and slow tracks, and well-executed packaging. It not only satisfies existing fans but also attracts new markets." PlayMusic's critic Hui Lan gave the album a rating of 4/5, praising the album's standout qualities: "The arrangement and mixing of the dance tracks are particularly impressive, complemented by the singer's sweet, captivating voice, clear articulation, and powerful vocal delivery, demonstrating the level of vocal skill expected from a top-tier artist. While slow songs test a singer's technical abilities, Jolin excels equally in fast-paced songs."
Freshmusic magazine awarded the album a 7.5/10 rating, stating, "I admire Jolin for her effort to incorporate a new kind of musical artistry. She has managed to offer something distinct from her previous work, creating more space for varied expression. Although her performance isn't perfect, Jolin is gradually revealing a new, more refined image that breaks away from her past overly commercial and sometimes kitschy style, signaling the beginning of a new phase of artistic transformation."
Tencent Entertainment rated the album 7/10, noting, "While Muse still maintains a pop foundation, its overall musical atmosphere is markedly different from the tone of Jolin Tsai's previous albums. Credit must go to Jolin's production team for their pragmatic approach, completely overhauling the production team and collaborating mostly with independent or niche musicians."
Music critic Michael McCarthy described the album as a "pure pop goodness, bathed in rich kaleidoscopic color, the sort of pop that has the depth to reward repeated listens."[61] Critic Jamie Lee commented, "In terms of production quality and breakthrough, Muse is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year. We are grateful that Jolin Tsai continues to push boundaries and innovate in the Mandopop scene, constantly setting new standards."[62]
On September 17, 2012, Tsai was nominated for Best Asian Act at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards for the album.[63] On January 3, 2013, she won the Yahoo Asia Buzz Awards for Top 10 Most Popular Female Singers of the Year.[64] On January 19, 2013, Tsai was recognized as one of the Top 10 Singers at the 8th KKBox Music Awards. On April 9, 2013, the album was awarded Best Mandarin Album at the 3rd Global Chinese Golden Chart Awards, while the song "The Great Artist" was recognized as one of the Top 20 Songs of the Year. Tsai also received the Best Female Singer.[65]
On April 13, 2013, Tsai won Best Hong Kong/Taiwan Female Artist at the 1st V Chart Awards.[66] On April 18, 2013, the album was awarded Best Hong Kong/Taiwan Album at the 17th China Music Awards, and Tsai won Most Popular Asian Singer.[67] On April 26, 2013, the song "The Great Artist" won Best Mandarin Song at the 2012 Music Radio China Top Chart Awards, while Tsai received Most Popular Hong Kong/Taiwan Female Singer.[68]
On May 10, 2013, "The Great Artist" was recognized one of the Top 20 Mandarin Songs at the 13th Global Chinese Music Awards, and Tsai ranked among the Top 5 Female Singers.[69] On May 22, 2013, the 24th Golden Melody Awards announced its nominees, with the album receiving a nomination for Best Mandarin Album, and "The Great Artist" and its music video being nominated for Song of the Year and Best Music Video, respectively. Tsai was also nominated for Best Female Mandarin Singer.
On June 2, 2013, "The Great Artist" won Top 10 Mandarin Songs of the Year at the Hito Music Awards, while Tsai received Best Female Singer, Global Media Recommended Female Singer, and Global Chinese Outstanding Artist awards.[70] On July 6, 2013, "The Great Artist" won Song of the Year at the 24th Golden Melody Awards. On September 3, 2013, Tsai was recognized one of the Top 10 Stars at the 4th Top 10 Stars Awards.[71] On November 22, 2013, "Mosaic" won Top 10 Songs at the 18th Singapore Hit Awards, and Tsai was awarded Most Popular Female Singer.[72]
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | September 14, 2012 | Standard | Mars | |
| October 26, 2012 | Special limited | |||
| China | September 14, 2012 | CD | GSM | |
| October 26, 2012 | CD+2DVD | Special limited | ||
| Taiwan | September 14, 2012 | CD | Warner | |
| October 26, 2012 | CD+2DVD | Special limited |