"Look at this image. SMZB frontman Wu Wei looks thoroughly chilled out on the cover of his new solo album. Kind of makes you want to go join him in Portugal.

After years of fearlessly leading Wuhan’s punk scene — both with SMZB and through his Wuhan Prison bar — Wu Wei recently relocated to Europe. He’s settled down, has started a family, and by the looks of that picture is enjoying life. So has he shed his political skin? Of course not.

  "The Whistle Blowing in the Sky"

There are politically-charged moments here for those looking for them. But beyond this there are also honest, wry reflections on missing home (and eating reganmian, the classic Wuhan noodle dish, on the Atlantic coast), adapting to life in a new country and becoming a father. Wu’s unvarnished vocals won’t be for everyone, but to some ears his delivery, with every jerked syllable, only serves to add more emotional weight to his lyrics. While he hasn’t gone full-on fado, the largely pared back album does reflect Wu’s new surroundings, sometimes intimately: at one point we hear a baby’s cries and gurgles. But even with a sparser sound and a number of stark ballads, The Man on the Atlantic Coast is still characterised by Wu Wei’s punk spirit. The short burst of ‘Obrigado’, for example, isn’t going to win any awards for its lyrical litheness (Wu just repeats the one word throughout), but there’s little denying its energy, with Wu attacking the strings with a folk punk intensity. If you’re not familiar with Wuhan’s punk scene, this isn’t the record to start with. Start here and listen to Nathanel Amar on the subject instead. But if you’re a fan of SMZB or are interested in what happens to an “old punk” attempting a new beginning far from home while remaining concerned at what they’ve left behind, The Man on the Atlantic Coast is worth a listen". (daqui com a colaboração do correspondente do PdC em Pequim)