Chongqing - On July 27, the ten-episode music documentary Western China's Melody, co-created by the Western China International Communication Organization (WCICO) and renowned Danish DJ and music producer HEDEGAARD, was released globally. Concurrently, HEDEGAARD’s new electronic album KINΔ, inspired by the folk music of Western China, is also available on major domestic and international music platforms, including NetEase Cloud Music, QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. Infused with HEDEGAARD’s signature electronic beats, these ancient Chinese folk melodies have been revitalized and are now ready to captivate the world.
Image: KIN Album Art
The Chinese-Danish production team of Western China's Melody traveled across ten provinces and cities in Western China, including Chongqing, Xizang, Gansu, Guizhou, and Yunnan. HEDEGAARD seamlessly integrated the raw, authentic sounds collected during his journey—the soul-stirring Adou High-Pitched Singing of the Yi people, the Ningxia mouth harp echoing through over four millennia, and the Chongqing Tujia Luo'er Tunes filled with the passion of labor—into his signature electronic music. He brought these precious audio recordings back to Denmark, inviting musicians from various countries to learn and adapt them together. The result is KINΔ, a cross-cultural musical masterpiece that brilliantly fuses traditional Chinese ethnic music with contemporary pop electronics.
"KINΔ": One Name, Three Layers of Meaning
HEDEGAARD named the album born from this journey through China KINΔ, a title built around three interconnected meanings. Visually, KINΔ resembles “Kina”, the Danish word for China, reflecting the country that inspired the album through travels across ten provinces, local collaborations, and field recordings.
Secondly, “Kin” means family or one’s people in English. It represents the realization that, despite cultural differences, we are far more alike than different. Throughout the journey, music became a common language, creating genuine connections with the musicians, friends, and communities he met along the way.
Finally, the Δ (delta) symbol replaces the letter A. In mathematics and science, delta is widely used to represent change and development. Here, it symbolizes growth, evolution, and transformation, reflecting how the journey changed him as both an artist and a person. Immersing himself in China’s musical traditions did not just inspire new music, it expanded his perspective on culture, creativity, and human connection.
One journey, ten tracks. Every piece is a musical letter to China, and a reminder that music has the power to bring people together across languages, borders, and cultures.”
Listen: Resonance Across Mountains and Seas
Every song on the album shines with unique ingenuity through the collision of folk music and electronic beats.
The Wulong, Chongqing track On Top of the World, adapted from the Han people's Boatmen's Chant, features a passionate clash between the roaring chants and the delivery of rapper CANCUN?. Facing the treacherous and magnificent karst landscape, the Eastern and Western singers connect heart-to-heart. Amidst the piercing roars of the work chants, CANCUN? sings out a spirit of defiance that matches the unyielding spirit of Chongqing people fighting against nature and striving to build a better home.
Image: On Top Of The World Cover Art
The Xizang track Monolith, adapted from Tibetan Layi Love Songs, draws on the steadfast imagery from ancient Chinese poetry: "You be the boulder, I'll be the reed." Woven into the electronic tapestry by HEDEGAARD and German musician MOGUAI, the Layi singing of Tibetan musicians Gesang Ciren and Nima Luosang intertwines beautifully with the tender vocals of American singer Brandon Beal, chanting a romantic fable of a love that turn broken hearts into pure gold.
Image: Monolith Cover Art
In the Guizhou track Dancing with My Destiny, adapted from the Dong Grand Song, British singer Karen Harding's passionate yet melancholic voice laments the fleeting nature of childhood while expressing the children's hope for the future. The beautiful children's voices of the cloud-kissed Dong village choir weave through the track, singing in the Dong language with hope: "When we grow up, we want to be great singers," vowing to strive upward and honor their youth.
Image: Dancing With My Destiny Cover Art
The Xichang track Homebound, adapted from Yi ethnic music, showcases Yi singer Qumo Youga's exploration of modern styles. His powerful traditional Adou High-Pitched Singing blends perfectly with modern elements like electronic beats and acoustic guitar. This magical fusion transports listeners as if they are simultaneously standing in a bustling urban live house and a serene, beautiful forest in Western Sichuan.
Image: Homebound Cover Art
The ten tracks on the album are diverse in style. They not only highlight local ethnic musical characteristics but also attempt to incorporate the region's unique geographical landscapes. Through the lens of international pop electronic music, the album beautifully presents the fusion of Eastern and Western musical aesthetics.
The complete tracklist of ten adapted songs in KINΔ goes as follows:
Lhasa, Xizang: Monolith (Documentary Theme: Love)
Shizhu, Chongqing: Drumroll (Documentary Theme: Labor)
Congjiang, Guizhou: Dancing with My Destiny (Documentary Theme: Childhood)
Wulong, Chongqing: On Top of the World (Documentary Theme: Nature)
Yinchuan, Ningxia: Say My Name (Documentary Theme: History)
Xichang, Sichuan: Homebound (Documentary Theme: Modernization)
Lanzhou, Gansu: Control (Documentary Theme: Heritage)
Chongzuo, Guangxi: KIN (Documentary Theme: Rituals)
Delingha, Qinghai: Dust to Dust (Documentary Theme: Time)
Xishuangbanna, Yunnan: Monument (Documentary Theme: Family)
These ten meticulously crafted fusion masterpieces are like ten musical letters crossing national borders, delivering this affectionate exchange between Eastern and Western civilizations across mountains and seas directly to the ears of global listeners.
Listen to KINΔ on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/32vyjIQOl0Wcq6hMtR7Qlg
Listen to KINΔ on QQ Music: https://c6.y.qq.com/base/fcgi-bin/u?__=Q6wBfWGgHlVZ
Listen to KINΔ on Netease Cloud Music: http://music.163.com/album/382024370/?userid=365294260