彭俐客 - 沉沦 (Falling)

彭俐客 – “沉沦 (Falling)

“沉沦 (Falling)” is the latest single from Shanghai-based artist 彭俐客. Released back in October, the track sounds like a calm yet emotionally-mature look at loneliness, regret, and how love can sometimes be the most complicated, and frustrating, thing imaginable. Mixing a touch of modern C-Pop with light electronic-inspired sounds, the song is steady and reflective, which is perfectly fitting heavy lyrical songwriting.

Lyrically, “沉沦” sounds like a personal confession put into a song. The opening verse uses imagery of a rainy city filled with bright/neon lights. Each line showcases how someone can still feel disconnected. While the lyrics are in Chinese, translated to English, there are telling, and dark, lyrics like “This city never speaks” and “Amid the crowd, I’m a walking corpse.” Throughout the song, the chorus repeats the simple, yet heavy, phrase: “One more drink — let me sink.” Ouch. However, every line works to perfectly capture how we can use distraction to avoid the pain of thoughts, old mistakes, or even just simply being honest with ourselves.

Following suite, the second verse continues this theme by further describing the feeling lonely in a crowded room. Furthermore, the bridge adds a personal touch, with the line “This glass of wine — my confession,” making the song feel like a tipsy realization. Overall, the lyrics are clear, yet emotional, and the perfect cocktail of personal songwriting.

Sounds wise, the production is subtle. There is a range of electronic layers, subtle beats, and a steady vocal that keeps the focus on the lyrics. The mix sounds smooth throughout. Important to note, the artist was upfront about the use of AI in the production. And, while AI tools were used, there still is a unique human touch, which is perhaps most evident in the storytelling.

All in all, “沉沦 (Falling)” is an easy listen for its thoughtful creation. While it’s in Chinese, the sound makes it a special listen for an international audience - go give it a shot if you haven't listened to Chinese lyrics before. And, if you’re a fan, then there is good news as it’s also a preview of a larger project that is promised to dive further into these thought-provoking ideas and themes. However, even just on its own, the track showcases an intentional artist project that is part of a greater strategic vision.