The Dreamer

The Dreamer

Album ∙ Mandopop ∙ 2024

Khalil Fong

“I reached a point in my life where many things came to a halt and I had a lot of time to reflect on the past, present and future,” Khalil Fong tells Apple Music about the genesis of his 2024 album The Dreamer. “The title represents the idea that, despite facing illness and challenges, I’m still here, full of creative ideas and dreams.” Although plans for the LP—his first since 2016’s JTW西遊記—were initially drawn up in 2020, the soulful singer was sidelined by personal health issues and the worldwide pandemic. The project he embarked on once his health improved is one he describes as a memoir of that period. “I wanted to turn my weakness into strength and create an album I could be proud of,” he says.

The result is set of pop songs in a joyful kaleidoscope of styles, with funk and retro-R&B sharing space with ballads, spoken-word tracks and a peppering of traditional Chinese elements. The long production odyssey hasn’t dampened Fong’s characteristic sense of humour, which pops up throughout—from the nonsense Shanghainese phrase resembling Japanese that lies at the heart of the opening track to the myth-busting reggae-flavoured number “Not A Farmer”. A DIY production process underscores the album’s personal nature. “In my condition, I found it easier to record at the dining-room table with a handheld mic,” he says. “Nine out of 10 songs were produced and arranged entirely this way, making the album completely home-made.”

Below, Fong gives Apple Music a peek at the dreams behind the tracks on the album.

“XZMHXDXH”

“This playful track revolves around a humorous phrase in Shanghainese dialect and is musically reminiscent of ’70s jazz funk in the style of Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder. The talk box, brass, Moog bass, Fender Rhodes and piano all play a role in expanding and adding humour to a simple motif. It’s just a bundle of fun.”

“江湖中人” [“In Jianghu”]

“This is a delightful mash-up of traditional Chinese rap or spoken word, Chinese instruments, percussion, flute and synths combined with orchestral and choir elements. I imagined an unlikely group of people converging in an old teahouse, all playing a part in this song as if it were a scene from a quirky musical.”

“GF”

“I have my illness to thank for giving me the opportunity to write this song. It was the third song I created—and since I faced vocal limitations, I came up with a spoken-word urban opera. Twenty years ago, I would never have imagined doing a track like this, but it’s now one of my mother’s favourite songs, as well as mine. It’s a true story about how I finally found the time to watch a classic film trilogy.”

“Tango”

“I wrote this track after rewatching the film Scent of a Woman. The inspiration came from the infamous tango scene between Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar. After watching the film, I spent a few weeks listening to various tango albums and also watched a documentary called Midsummer Night’s Tango, which helped me capture the authentic essence of this music style. The result is a slightly jazz-infused, R&B-esque tango.”

“才二十三” [“Twenty Three”]

“There are two sides to this song. One is very personal, carrying a lot of weight and meaning, as it reflects various challenges, including the passing of my father in 2023. The other side of the song describes the human life cycle from birth to when we move on to another dimension or realm, for those who believe in that. I wanted the song to feel both small and immense, depending on the listener’s perspective. I hoped it would deeply touch listeners—and from the feedback I’ve received, it seems I’ve managed to do that.”

“谁知爱是什么” [“Who Knows What Love Is”]

“A Chinese-style melody accompanied by playful, slightly poetic lyrics over a felt piano with a minimal, mellow soul and jazz arrangement. It creates a soothing lullaby that poses a question many are still trying to figure out.”

“Not A Farmer”

“I never thought I would have a reggae track on one of my albums, but it turns out I was wrong. It’s not traditional reggae but you might call it ‘future soul reggae’. It features sneaky horns, cheeky synths, comical electric guitar lines and quirky robot vocals. The best thing about this song is that it’s based on a true story.”

“那沙漠里的水” [“Water in the Desert”]

“This throwback R&B track has one foot in the past and one in the present. I kept the clean, simple R&B arrangement style of the late ’90s to early 2000s but used an energetic synth bass to complement the vocal and give it a slightly modern touch. Sonically reminiscent of Boyz II Men and Stevie Wonder, I thought comparing the search for true love to finding an oasis in the desert was a picturesque and romantic analogy.”

“回留” [“Returning”]

“This is a melancholy piano ballad recorded in the living room of my relative’s home, where they had a lovely, rare Steinway grand piano. Although it was a bit weathered, it was perfect for this track. The lyrics were penned by long-time collaborator Luke Tsui, who also wrote the lyrics for ‘三人游’ [‘Three Tour’]. Once again, he delivers perfectly moody, sentimental lyrics.”

“没啥好说” [“Nothing to Say”]

“A large portion of this song was written ages ago. I got stuck on a section and put it in the demo bin until I could figure out how to complete it. Finally, inspiration struck. And I think this is probably one of my personal favourites among the songs I’ve written. A friend of mine described it as sounding like a Beatles ballad on steroids. The song addresses the challenges and the necessity—or lack—of communication that can make or break a relationship. I’ve heard many stories about how people describe their personal growth in relation to past relationships and how it gave them insight into their own personalities and self-realisation.”