Adai Song – “The Bloom Project”

Adai Song’s new album, The Bloom Project, is one I’ve been looking forward to talking about. She’s an electropop artist, producer, DJ, and songwriter who’s worked between NYC and Beijing, and this release feels like a natural next step for her. With her background in classical violin and years of experience in the C-pop industry, there’s a lot behind this album, and that experience comes through clearly.

The Bloom Project takes inspiration from “shidaiqu”, a style of Chinese music from 1920s Shanghai that blended folk with Western jazz. What makes this album interesting is how she reshapes those old melodies into something current, mixing in EDM, rap, traditional Chinese instruments, and her own lyrical perspective. There’s a real sense of purpose here, especially when it comes to topics like identity and women’s independence.

Every track brings something unique to the table. “A Lost Singer” reworks a 1930s classic, but instead of longing for someone, it’s about making your own way, “Make Way” flips the idea of the passive rose from the original, turning it into something stronger, more self-assured. “I, I Want” is playful and bold, with a love story that doesn’t beat around the bush. It’s straightforward and confident, and the way she balances her voice with the guest vocal is fun to hear. “Carmen 2025” is another standout, pulling together Chinese percussion with pieces from the original French opera, and it ends up feeling both respectful and rebellious.

Production-wise, there’s a strong team involved here. Engineers and collaborators from Berklee, plus Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated producers, helped bring this together. The mix of live and electronic elements gives the album a lot of texture, but it still feels grounded and consistent across all eight tracks.

If this is your first time hearing Adai Song, this album is a solid way in. And make sure to follow her on social media if you want to stay in the loop with what she’s working on next.