The almighty, undisputed Queen of C-Pop, Jolin Tsai—who goes by the artist name JOLIN—has released her new album, Pleasure.
The Taiwanese singer-songwriter, producer, and actor has styled her new album — her first full-length studio release in six years — around the concept of the seven deadly sins.
It’s a collection of seductive, honest dark-pop tracks that preceded its own reputation: the lead single “Pleasure” racked up half a million streams on Spotify within just a day and a half of its release, making it the highest debut ever for a Mandarin-language female artist.
Pleasure has been a long time coming, first taking shape as an idea drawn from JOLIN's personal journals and inspirations like Dante and modern psychology.
As JOLIN puts it, “every flaw becomes fertile ground — pleasure isn’t about indulgence, it’s about truth.”
Recorded at her home studio, JOLIN took on more of the writing, producing, mixing, and arranging than ever before, meaning that Pleasure has more of her direct creative input than any album she’s released before.
Pleasure features a bilingual mix of English and Mandarin across 13 tracks of edgy, gloomy, dance-infused electronic pop. The album is JOLIN's response to the persistent suppression of women’s emotions, wants, and desires — all wrapped in a glitzy, darkly pulsing package. It’s nothing entirely new from one of Asia’s most influential pop voices, but it’s always welcome nonetheless.
The album is full of contrasts, with standout track “Pleasure” — the lead single — setting the tone. It pulses and throbs like a late-night club scene, all visceral energy and driving beats, woven together with Jolin’s almost-whispered vocals.
Also notable is the lighter sound of “Safari.” While no less seductive than the other tracks, it leans more toward bubbly pop and is joined in the realm of sweeter sounds by “Inside Out,” which features a particularly fizzy chorus.
The woefully under-played, criminally short “Woman’s Work” brings the darker tone back to the album, before it switches back to the sweeter mood with “Pillow” which sees Jolin also rapidly switch back from English and Mandarin lyrics as she sings a love song to someone who is a great source of comfort in her life.
The album’s second-biggest hit, “DIY,” is similar to “Pleasure” in that it would be absolutely at home being blasted out of some club speakers, being enjoyed by people who know how to move and don’t care who sees.
A particular surprise was the final track, “Bloody Mary,” a powerhouse banger that sees JOLIN at her most explicit. This is a track made by someone who has some words for people, and JOLIN isn’t interested in pulling punches.
Overall, Pleasure marks a strong comeback for JOLIN, with several tracks that deserve to be massive hits — and hopefully, she’ll bring just as much of herself to the next release.
