1. 蓮 (LIT) - an anthem more than something i would listen to that often but i do get in that dramatic mood sometimes. if this video don't tell you he is a rich libra, nothing will btw.
2. 玉 (JADE) - why does this go hard as hell but is also a body roller. this is superior. to what? lots of things. beautiful, amazing, timeless, legendary. this is 1000% my type of shit and there's not much else i can say just read that back again.
3. 鷹 (EAGLE) - this is the general mood of this album, which is fantastic. i'd say i like this more than lit but less than jade. if people still said swag, that is what this track drips with. the casual kind.
4. 水 (H20) - time for the vocals to shine! this is honestly so lovely. the melodies are transcendental dare i say. he really embodied the element of water with this sound and his singing. i mean, there are also sound effects but they're just an extra. the purposeful glitching. this is another great example of the blend of sounds i think he was aiming for. some will get mad at me for comparing but honestly this is the kind of song i saw exo getting one day if they kept down the path that ex'act carved out for them, if that makes sense. it's SO GOOD. his vocals are you kidding?
5. 飛 (FLY) - okay so he popped off with bars all of a sudden for no reason? not sure what more to say about this one, well done sir!
6. 靈 (SOUL) - with an intro like that, it's an instant like from me. i'm so happy this album exists. i want to cry. i thought this was the outro and it would fit so beautifully, but there's MORE! bless. i guess this was the end of the first installment though? i love a delayed gratification type of deal but i am too late to experience that so let's continue...

7. 沸 (CHANGSHA) - okay rap god zhang yixing. we don't deserve this album. i take it this is about his hometown but i didn't look up lyrics too consistently.

8. 妈 (MAMA) - okay this one is still on theme and genre but stands out a little. the title and some of English lyrics makes me think this one is particularly special to lay.

9. 蹦 (BOOM) - okay spoiler but this has been on my playlist for awhile now. if you don't twerk to this are you even alive? do you hate fun? in fact, i got up to dance during this song. why don't you take a break to break it down to this song? thank me later (and also say thank you, sir zhang).

10. 唤 (CALL MY NAME) - this one is a little different too. who hurt you, yixing? or who did you hurt? libras... it's sad? but a little body roll-y. typical.

11. 夜 (LATE NIGHT) - oh i bet this is nasty..also it's beautiful. i'm going to bring libras into this a lot but i do feel like this album speaks to me in these ways, what can i say. this is actually a little unique in such a lovely way. the background beats remind me of sun and moon by nct 127, giving me that ethereal feeling and i think i hear some machinery sounds in it too, which i can really appreciate. what an interesting blend, and it just works so well.

12. 愿 - ending in an all chinese song. as you should, sir. it felt just right to close it out.

<aside> 💡 final thoughts: lay has come a long way and that feels like an understatement. i'm so proud of him, though. he is a force to be reckoned with, i remember feeling frustrated that he wasn't getting his due and attention and praise. and to see this magnitude of a glow up is truly special. now buy sm this mood though, dark r&b and hip hop with traditional chinese musical elements is truly everything. completely up my alley. easily one of my favorite albums of 2020. i have to admit i like part one more than part two if you want to break it down like that. but as you may already know from these reviews, i really appreciate a consistent theme and lay is so meticulous about his work that it doesn't surprise me. it's long been said this has been a huge and important project for him. and he killed it!

</aside>