Freedom (Chinese: 終於了解自由; pinyin: Zhōngyú liǎojiě zìyóu) is the first EP and fourth studio album by Taiwanese singer-songwriter Eric Chou, released by Sony Music Taiwan on January 10, 2019.[1] The deluxe edition of the EP was released as the studio album on December 24, 2019.[2]
| Freedom | ||||
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 Studio album cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 24, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2018–2019 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 23:10 (EP) 37:11 (full album) | |||
| Language | ||||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Eric Chou chronology | ||||
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| Alternate cover | ||||
 EP cover | ||||
| Singles from Freedom | ||||
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The tracks were inspired by Western pop music Chou grew up with when he studied in the United States. The work demonstrates Chou's creative energy, representing music from his debut to the present by further exploring the EDM genre and R&B.[3]
Background and release
editChou participated in the Tencent competition Chao Yin Idols in August 2018. He co-wrote the song "What's Wrong" with Chinese singer and actor Wu Jiacheng, writing the verse and the bridge parts.[4] The song is inspired by Chinese singer Su Yunying's "Fairy" from her debut album Ming Ming.[5] The live version performed by Chou, Wu, and Su, which included the chorus of the song "Fairy" was released digitally on Chinese streaming platforms on the same month.[6]
For the previous album, The Chaos After You, Chou flew to Sweden to collaborate with Swedish producer Freddy Häggstam to incorporate different musical styles in his songs such as EDM.[7] Chou would eventually co-produce the EP with Häggstam.[3] In January 2019, Chou held a listening party for his then upcoming EP, where he also announced his relationship with news anchor Dacie Chao. According to Chou, he did not have the motivation to write songs during his past relationships, but the new relationship gave him a lot of inspiration, noting that love can create love songs that can move people. Chou added that he couldn't write love songs before when he was happy and not in pain, but now he can.[8] The EP was officially released on January 10, 2019, along with the music video of "What's Wrong".[citation needed]
Singles
editIn December 2018, Chou released the single, "Nobody But Me", along with its music video.[9] On February 14, 2019, Chou released the music video for "At Least I Remember" which he first performed at the 15th KKBOX Music Awards the previous month.[10] The music video marked Chou's directorial debut.[11] On April 4, 2019, the music video for the title song "Freedom" which was filmed using Apple's iPhone XS Max, was released.[12]
In August 2019, Chou released his single "Something about LA", and "Forever Beautiful" in support for a breast cancer campaign in October 2019.[13] Both songs appeared on the deluxe version of the EP which became Chou's fourth studio album released on December 24, 2019.
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Eric Chou
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Old Days" | 3:18 |
| 2. | "Nobody but Me" | 4:13 |
| 3. | "What's Wrong" (怎麼了) | 5:21 |
| 4. | "At Least I Remember" (至少我還記得) | 5:04 |
| 5. | "Freedom" (終於了解自由) | 5:16 |
| Total length: | 23:10 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Old Days" | 3:16 |
| 2. | "Room for You" | 3:27 |
| 3. | "What's Wrong" (怎麼了) | 5:21 |
| 4. | "Something about LA" | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Nobody but Me" | 4:14 |
| 6. | "At Least I Remember" (至少我還記得) | 5:04 |
| 7. | "I Don't Mind" | 3:26 |
| 8. | "Forever Beautiful" (一樣美麗) | 4:38 |
| 9. | "Freedom" (終於了解自由) | 5:16 |
| Total length: | 37:11 | |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (RIAS)[14] | Platinum | 10,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | January 10, 2019 | Extended play (EP) |
| |
| December 24, 2019 | Studio album (deluxe) |
References
edit- ^ "周興哲新歌Remix《你好不好》 一夜衝上排行榜！ | ETtoday星光雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". star.ettoday.net (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ Freedom (Deluxe) by Eric Chou, December 24, 2019, retrieved July 16, 2022
- ^ a b 陳怡伶 (March 3, 2019). "周興哲東京吃生蠔咬出珍珠". 我的中時娛樂 - 翻爆 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "周興哲攜蘇運瑩、伍嘉成飆新作！現場觀眾灑淚爆雞皮｜東森新聞". 東森新聞 (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "苏运莹帮唱周兴哲&伍嘉成 共同演绎《怎么了》_歌曲". www.sohu.com. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "怎么了 (Live) - 苏运莹/Eric周兴哲/伍嘉成 - QQ音乐-千万正版音乐海量无损曲库新歌热歌天天畅听的高品质音乐平台！". y.qq.com. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "摘下對周興哲的情歌濾鏡 他還能導、能演、能做EDM！ | ETtoday星光雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". star.ettoday.net (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "周興哲大方認愛女主播，「幸福就是有人陪伴」". Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese). January 8, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "周興哲裸上身床照曝光 女主角只穿一條內褲！ - 娛樂". 中時新聞網 (in Chinese). Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "快訊／周興哲宣布開小巨蛋！ 「5月開唱」日期公佈 | ETtoday星光雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". star.ettoday.net (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "摘下對周興哲的情歌濾鏡 他還能導、能演、能做EDM！ | ETtoday星光雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". star.ettoday.net (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "周興哲〈終於了解自由〉MV上線，演唱會最擔心沒有人魚線". Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese). April 9, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Eric Chou will be 'grown up' in 4th album that will be released by end of 2019". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Singapore album certifications – Eric Chou – Freedom". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Retrieved April 13, 2024.