If you have no expectations, you will get what you expect; if you have expectations, "Flying Man" will exceed them, because it also breaks through its own existing framework.
"Flying Man" stems from Leah Dou's recent life experiences. Because of her work, she has to constantly fly back and forth, leaving her mind and body suspended in mid-air, unable to find peace. But instead of dwelling on likes and dislikes, she chooses to experience the present moment. Thus, the airplane becomes a piano, and she uses the limited keys to create and refine demos during takeoffs and landings: using time in the cabin to create and refine demos, then reflecting on the entire experience in her compositions. Therefore, "Flying Man" features a large amount of blue and white tones, occasionally turning gray; airplanes, clouds, the sun, vultures, and songs fill the air with imagery—some continuously moving, some floating, some waiting to prey—all eventually landing. For some, landing is an end; for others, it's a moment of inner peace.
The environment changes with the heart, and one is in control, completely unrestricted by the "happy on sunny days, melancholic on rainy days" mentality. This applies everywhere, and thus, even the solo dance of "Flying Trapeze" is lively and vibrant. The clothing exudes a retro feel, with gold-trimmed 60s and 70s soul music, as well as later Funk and Disco. The album strives to record the sounds of real instruments, giving the songs a grand and expansive feel. Whether it's brass, steel-string guitar, or Hofner bass, the choice of instruments reflects a clear aesthetic vision. Avoiding repetition and never boring, it presents a unique style, full of Leah Dou's characteristic playful experimentation with a touch of edginess, avoiding excessive gaudiness and vulgarity. It's like a well-tailored, brightly colored robe, with restrained elegance, radiant and clear.
The physical version of "Flying Trapeze" continues the album's aesthetic, presented entirely in black and white, released as a square CD case and a 12-inch white vinyl record, simplifying the album to showcase different facets of Leah Dou and visual fragments from the album's creation process. The album's aesthetics are perfectly blended with Leah Dou's playful spirit, evident in the subtle details. The staggered arrangement of the text evokes the turbulence of air currents, creating a tactile experience of inspiration on the kraft paper texture. Each CD also includes a personalized postcard, and the white vinyl record features a personalized poster of Leah Dou and a limited-edition serial number. The texture on the white vinyl corresponds to the lyrics "rippling white waves," resonating beneath the stylus and above the clouds, lingering throughout your every flight.
[Detailed to the Second, Aesthetic Pursuit] Every second of the 43-minute and 43-second flight offers a new perspective. A fresh and unpredictable attempt at Mandarin pop music.
43 minutes and 43 seconds is the flight time. As the "captain," Leah Dou not only had to control the overall flight path but also ensure precision in every minute and second. Just like the album's title track, "Airborne Athlete," a quintessential example of Mandarin pop music, the album is structurally rigorous, with clear sections. The piano and vocals complement each other beautifully, flowing smoothly and melodiously against the emotional foundation of wind instruments and harmonies. Even with such high standards, Leah Dou's personal perspective still reveals a unique and dynamic personality. The line "The lone bird waits quietly / It will eventually return to the sky" written after the chorus serves as a transition between sections and a metaphorical enigma that invites further contemplation, echoing the question "When will the aerobatic man land?"
