Released on May 7, 2024, Hotel La Rut (破烂酒店) is the 12th studio album by Joanna Wang (王若琳). It is a conceptual masterpiece consisting of 23 tracks that explore themes of oddity, human character, and whimsical storytelling. 

Album Concept & Inspiration

• Source Material: The title and title track are inspired by a recurring sketch from the Canadian comedy series The Kids in the Hall.
• The “Hotel”: Joanna envisions the album as a rundown hotel where she peeks through windows to observe various guests. Each song represents a different room or character, creating a fragmented yet cohesive narrative.
• Recording: The album was recorded in Portland, Oregon, and at Flóki Studios in Iceland, contributing to its unique, otherworldly atmosphere. 

Musical Style

The album is highly eclectic, blending numerous genres including:

• Prog-Pop & Art Pop: Complex arrangements with a playful, zolo-inspired energy.
• Psych-Rock & Folk: Influences from artists like The Zombies, Pink Floyd, and The Carpenters.
• Variety of Genres: Listeners can find traces of Ska, Country-Pop, Vaudeville, and New Wave throughout the tracks. 

Key Tracks

• Hotel La Rut: The title track sets the stage, featuring lyrics directly referencing the original comedy sketch.
• Tina’s Hausu: A standout track with a haunted-house theme and theatrical delivery.
• Pigeons on Your Balcony: A humorous, quirky take on mundane irritations.
• Ragged Stairs to Heaven / The End: A country-pop inspired closing that acts as the “ending credits” for the album’s cinematic journey.

The album art is really special.

[2024-05-07] 王若琳Hotel La Rut 破烂酒店

A larger album art cover for you !

王若琳Hotel La Rut 破烂酒店 Tracks

1. Hotel La Rut 破烂酒店
2. I believe that all his words are true
3. Pigeons on your balcony
4. Flies!
5. People don’t eat dinner by themselves
6. In a situation like this, what a mafia leaders would say
7. He’s given us the freedom to do what’s right
8. fancied by a celebrity
9. Drunken song
10. The wish I
11. She Had a Habit of Meeting All of the Artists Backstage 她有一个习惯在后台跟艺人见面
12. There she smiles(In a memory)
13. You lost me at the spanking machine
14. Tina’s Hausu 梯纳的鬼怪屋
15. Fell in love with the neighbor’s boy
16. GASP! That plastic bag is watching me!
17. Strange beast
18. The wish II
19. Jump in the water
20. Contraband
21. Shadow at my feet
22. The detective
23. Ragged stairs to heaven/The end

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王若琳 Joanna &王若琳 王若琳 Start From Here 王若琳 Bob Music