Khalil Fong, a Chinese R&B songwriter released his ninth album, The Dreamer, on Oct. 18, 2024. The 10 songs showcase his whimsical and imaginative musical creativity. He explores time, memory, and love with deep emotional details. Fong suffered from a serious illness between 2020 and 2021, which affected his voice. He said in the album’s introduction: “The entire album was created at home. Whenever my health allowed, I would pick up the microphone, regardless of whether it was raining outside or the neighbors were renovating.” The music blogger, Yang Chow, interviewed Fong about this album. The following content is based on their conversation.
The first half of the album builds an electric funk atmosphere, starting with XZMHXDXH, a song inspired by the 1960s-70s Latin pop track Tequila. It then transitions into Man of Jianghu, which uses traditional Chinese instruments such as the xiao and folk percussion to create the bustling imagery of a teahouse. Written from the perspective of a teahouse owner, the song humorously portrays mysterious guests while blending traditional Chinese storytelling with folk instruments and Western orchestral elements. A storyteller narrates tales in rhythmic beats, and the outro, featuring dramatic Western strings, resembles a slow-motion scene in a comedy.
The two songs of GF and Tango blend grand operatic monologues with passionate tango rhythms while retaining the essence of urban pop music. This fusion brings out the drama of the stage.
The latter half of the album strips away the elaborate arrangements, revealing sincere emotions. Twenty-Three reflects on the past through the lens of the present. The lyric “Last time I checked, I was only twenty-three” captures the fleeting nature of time and serves as an emotional anchor to a past moment. The song, through simple lyrics, touches the heart:
“Let go of the past, leave behind the traces,
Don’t forget yourself as you move forward.
Growing up is forever, parting is eternal,
Yet, beyond all distances, I still exist.”
What is Love resembles a lullaby to a baby, introducing the idea of love—an intricate and elusive concept that even scientists fail.
In Revisited, Fong’s weary voice unveils the fragility of confronting life’s uncertainties. The melancholy and tranquility intertwine with the piano’s notes. “I once tried about twenty Pro Tools piano samples, but none convinced me. This piano might be the best answer,” Fong said in the interview. He recorded the piano part of Revisited at his relative’s house in Shanghai. Due to humidity, the piano keys felt uneven, adding an unintended authenticity to the track. His distinctive voice and the dripping piano sound capture fragments of his memory.
The final track, Nothing to Say, signals a release. “The words have been spoken, the beautiful summer has passed, and everything is over.”
Yet, in a tragic twist of reality, on Feb. 21, 2025, Khalil Fong passed away due to illness at the age of 41. In this way, the album’s ending feels like an unintentional farewell.
“Although I was unwell, and it was a difficult time for me, I still had dreams. I still had musical dreams. Beyond music, I had creative ideas I wanted to pursue.”
His dreams, lingering in the connection between his audience and music, inspire everyone to be The Dreamer.
