Fuzao

English names

Translated names used in English-language sources are Restless, Exasperation, Anxiety and Impatience. The term was widely used in relation to the cultural anxiety of the period.

Composition

As she was approaching the end of her recording contract with Cinepoly, Wong took more artistic risks with this highly experimental album. It contains mainly her own compositions, with an aesthetic inspired by the Cocteau Twins, who contributed two original songs to the album, "Fracture" (分裂) and "Spoilsport" (掃興). Wong had previously covered their work on Random Thoughts in 1994, and established a remote working relationship with them – even laying down vocals for a special duet version of "Serpentskirt" on the Asian release of the group's 1996 album Milk And Kisses, as her voice blended well with Elizabeth Fraser's ethereal soprano.

Reception

Paying less attention to the demands of the mainstream market, the album's sales were lower than for Wong's preceding albums. However, Restless was received favorably by critics, and is considered her boldest and most artistically coherent effort to date. A Buddhist herself, Wong weaves in teachings of transience and disengagement that can also be found in some of her other albums.

After the release, Wong became the second Chinese artist (after Gong Li) and the first Chinese singer to be featured on the cover of Time magazine, under the headline "The Divas Of Pop".

Packaging

The Hong Kong edition, including the back panel, shows three photos of Faye Wong in the pose of the three wise monkeys.

In 2008, Universal Music re-released the album in a paper ECO Pack as part of its Asian series of 20th Century Masters.

Track listing

All written by Faye Wong, unless otherwise.

1. "Wúcháng" (无常), "Sporadic" or "Unusual" — 2:35
2. "Fúzào" (浮躁), "Restless" or "Anxiety" — 2:58
3. "Xiǎngxiàng" (想像), "Visualize" or "Imagine" — 3:36
4. "Fēnliè" (分裂), "Fracture" or "Divide", composed by Cocteau Twins, lyrics by Lin Xi — 4:00
5. "Bùān" (不安), "Uneasy" or "Unstable", instrumental — 2:10
6. "Where" (哪兒 Nǎr) — 3:50
7. "Duòluò" (堕落), "Decadence" or "Degenerate" — 3:40
8. "Sǎoxìng" (扫兴), "Spoilsport" or "Disappointment", composed by Cocteau Twins, lyrics by Wyman Wong — 4:08
9. "Mòrì" (末日), "Doomsday" or "Judgment Day" — 4:00
10. "Yesanpo" (野三坡 Yěsānpō), literally "Wild Three Hills" — 3:52