With Wendyz ‘Don’t Give A . . .’ we are treated to a more down to earth approach from the Canadian Chinese singer-songwriter, and, this time round, the songs are all in English. The change of labels has clearly opened up a part of her that the more local Hong Kong industry may have held in check. Wendyz teamed up with writer / producer Morton Wilson (Original Shanghai Divas Redefined, Retrochine, Shanghai Tang Lounge Collection) and the result has clearly been freeing for her writing and singing. Album opener ‘I Thought It Was Forever’ is a gospel tinged powerhouse of a ballad that hints at betrayal and redemption, with a cool 6/8 undercurrent from drummer Antony Fernandes topped off by a stunning string arrangement by Allan Lau that features HK Phil Principal Cellist Richard Bamping and a hand-picked quartet at the top of their game. The title track then turns things on their head - an unforgiving angsty pop rocker that gives fair warning to anyone who might get in Ms. Wendy Zheng’s way. It’s an anthem in the making, for students and office parties the world over. Derrick Sepnio joined Wilson on dual guitar duties - proving, once again, that sometimes more definitely is more! The remaining tracks all allude to shifts in mood and perspective on relationships, making this an intimate and quite raw collection, almost a diary of the period of writing and recording as Wendy stepped into a new musical landscape with Schtung Music. ‘Tell A Lie’ is another standout track, with the lyrics echoing what many of us must have felt at that point when a relationship seems almost beyond saving . . . but maybe not? The album also includes ‘Un-Plugged’ versions of the single from early 2014 ‘Miracle Love’, and the title track - both performed with piano live in the studio, and both showing a completely different side of the songs . . . testament to Wendyz depth as a writer and a performer. All recording was done at Schtung Music thru 2014/15 with mixing at Studios 301 in Sydney, Mastered by Leon Zervos.