Released on August 8, 2018, Modern Tragedy 摩登悲剧 is a self-composed English album by Joanna Wang 王若琳 that marks a significant shift into her signature quirky and cinematic art-pop style.

Album Concept & Style

• Theme: The album functions as a “collection of 19 bittersweet stories,” exploring the “humorous yet tragic” nuances of modern life.
• Genre: It blends indie pop, 60s retro-rock, and synth textures, often compared to the surreal songwriting of bands like They Might Be Giants.
• Visuals: The cover art and booklet were illustrated by American comic artist Brandon Graham, featuring a vibrant, sci-fi world of aliens and robots. 

Key Tracks

1. “Sabrina Don’t Get Married Again!”: The lead single, inspired by a dream, features catchy, repetitive lyrics about a fictional friend who keeps pursuing doomed romances.
2. “Good Girls Don’t Cry”: One of the album’s highlights, showcasing her distinctive “husky and velvety” vocal delivery.
3. “The Motorized Scooter Edo”: A nostalgic track about a schoolgirl’s crush on her music teacher.
4. “The Etiquette of Handing Scissors and Knives”: A prime example of her black humor, using social etiquette as a metaphor for cautious human interaction

Recognition

• Jury Award: The album won the prestigious Jury Award at the 30th Golden Melody Awards in 2019.
• Critical Acclaim: Judges praised her “vivid imagination” and courage to break away from mainstream Mandopop aesthetics.

Sorry but her type of my music not mine. But I like her album art covers 🙂

[2018-08-08] 王若琳 Modern Tragedy 摩登悲剧

A larger album art cover

王若琳 Modern Tragedy 摩登悲剧 Tracks

1. Modern Tragedy Prologue 摩登悲剧序幕
2. Good Girls Don’t Cry 好女孩不哭
3. Sabrina Tape Super Speed 莎宾娜卡带快转
4. I Must’ve Screwed Up Really Bad 我一定是真的搞砸了
5. It’s Raining But You’re Not Here 现在正在下雨，但是你不在
6. If You Say Come On To Me 如果你对我说“来吧”的话
7. Now That Life is Trouble Free ‘cause I’m Finally on T.V. 现在人生无忧无虑了因为我终于上电视了
8. Please Don’t You Know What Time It Is? 拜托! 你难道不知道现在几点吗？
9. The Etiquette of Handing Scissors and Knives 递剪刀与刀子的礼仪
10. The Motorized Scooter Edo 骑着电动滑行车的叶豆老师
11. I Cannot Wait to Fall in Love(Dish Washer)我迫不及待恋爱
12. Summer夏天
13. I Dream We Will Be Together Again 我梦想有一天还会见到你
14. Chief’s Song 酋长之歌
15. He’s Weeping Gently on a Hill 他在山丘上轻轻的哭泣
16. Magical Starry Night Palm Trees Waves Song Picture 夜晚星空棕榈树海浪旋律图片
17. Goodbye 再见
18. Sabrina Don’t Get Married Again! 莎宾娜，不要再结婚了！
19. Modern Tragedy Epilogue 摩登悲剧尾声

Related posts:

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