Jolin Tsai and Chang Chen-yue win top honors at 37th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei
Celebration took over the Taipei Arena last Saturday, during the 37th Golden Melody Awards ceremony. The event, considered the equivalent of the Grammys for Mandarin pop music, stood out for unforgettable moments and had star Jolin Tsai as the big winner of the night’s main honor.
Since its inception, the Golden Melody Awards have established themselves as the premier recognition of musical quality, encompassing productions in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka and several indigenous languages, reflecting the region’s rich cultural tapestry. Its ability to highlight talent across different dialects reinforces the award’s vital role in valuing Asia’s sonic diversity.
One of the highlights of the party was the awarding of Jolin Tsai’s album “Pleasure”, produced by Warner Music Taiwan, with the coveted title of Album of the Year. This notable achievement came after the artist had already received the award for Best Female Singer in Mandarin, consolidating a double achievement that reinforces her status as one of the most influential figures in Asian music.
In turn, talented singer and composer Chang Chen-yue also had a highly successful night, prevailing in the performance and author categories. His work, “Walk with Feelings”, released by Rock Records, won him the award for Best Album in Mandarin, also adding the titles of Best Male Singer in Mandarin and Best Composer.
The track “Singing with Happiness”, the theme in the happy version of the film “The Sunshine Girls Choir”, was chosen as Song of the Year. The melody was performed by A-Lin, written by Li Fangrui and lyrics by Lin Xiaoqian.
Ricky Hsiao was awarded Best Taiwanese Album for “Be a Kind and Soft-Hearted Person”, by Warner Music Taiwan, and also won the award for Best Taiwanese Male Singer. PiA Wu Bei-ya won the title of Best Taiwanese Female Singer for “First Experience of Divorce”. In the Hakka category, Huang Yu-han’s “Ngai” was named Best Hakka Album, while Sarah Chen Yi-nuo was recognized as Best Hakka Singer for her work on “Slow Flower Journal.” Winners in Indigenous languages included Outlet Drift’s “Masonolay i Cepo'” for Best Indigenous Language Album, and Suming Rupi, who was awarded Best Indigenous Language Singer for “Mikerid Guiding the Way.”
The categories dedicated to groups presented two standout moments. The acclaimed Sunset Rollercoaster, a Taiwanese indie group composed of Tseng Kuo-hung, Lo Tsun-lung, Chen Hung-li, Wang Shao-hsuan and Huang Hao-ting, secured the award for Best Music Group with their album “Quit Quietly”, a consecration celebrated by their fan base. On another note, the female group Genblue was awarded Best Vocal Group for “Mirror”, signaling the emergence of new talents on the Golden Melody scene.
The honor for Best New Artist was given to Chen Xianjing, for his work “Who Wants to be Sad if Every Day Could be Happy Happy”. This achievement marks the introduction of a fresh and expressive voice into Taiwan’s music scene.
The technical awards paid tribute to the professionals who work behind the scenes in music production. Jolin Tsai’s album “Pleasure”, already a winner in other categories, was also recognized as Best Vocal Album, demonstrating the scope of the project’s excellence, from interpretation to execution. ØZI and The Crane received the Best Single Producer award for “Final Final Final”, while Jude and Chui Chin-hung were honored as Best Arranger for their creation on “Leaving the Silver Wilderness”.
Chen Xiao-xia’s album “Old Wings” was awarded the Jury Prize. The Special Contribution Award was given to two music icons: Lin Huang-kun and the late Tu Ying, both celebrated for their careers that paved the way for today’s artists.
Winners of the 37th edition of the Golden Melody Awards: check the complete list
Highlights in vocal categories
- Album of the Year: “Pleasure” – Warner Music Taiwan (Jolin Tsai)
- Song of the Year: “Singing with Happiness” (Happy Version, theme from “The Sunshine Girls’ Choir”) – Zhongyue Entertainment (performed by A-Lin; composed by Li Fangrui; lyrics by Lin Xiaoqian)
- Best Mandarin album: “Walk with Feelings” – Rock Records (Chang Chen-yue)
- Best Taiwanese album: “Be a Kind and Soft-Hearted Person” – Warner Music Taiwan (Ricky Hsiao)
- Best Hakka Album: “Ngai” – Yulang Chuang (Huang Yu-han)
- Best indigenous language album: “Masonolay i Cepo'” – Wind Music (Outlet Drift)
- Best Songwriter: Chang Chen-yue – “Drifter’s…” from the album “Walk with Feelings” – Rock Records
- Best Lyricist: Xiao Han – “Chéngrén zhī Měi” from “Wánzhěng de Dàrén” – Sony Music Taiwan (Peng Jiahui)
- Best Arranger: Jude and Chui Chin-hung – “Leaving the Silver Wilderness” – Asia Music Entertainment (Jude)
- Best Album Producer: Chang Shilei – “Chún Mèimei” – Hesheng Culture Entertainment (Dan Yichun)
- Best Single Producer: ØZI and The Crane – “Final Final Final” (with The Crane, Gummy B) from the album “Swirl” – Warner Music Taiwan (ØZI, The Crane, Gummy B)
- Best male singer in Mandarin: Chang Chen-yue – “Walk with Feelings” – Rock Records
- Best Mandarin Language Singer: Jolin Tsai – “Pleasure” – Warner Music Taiwan
- Best Taiwanese Male Singer: Ricky Hsiao – “Be a Kind and Soft-Hearted Person” – Warner Music Taiwan
- Best Taiwanese singer: PiA Wu Bei-ya – “First Divorce Experience” – Wu Bei-ya Studio
- Best Hakka Singer: Sarah Chen Yi-nuo – “Slow Flower Journal” – Universal Music Taiwan
- Best Singer in Indigenous Language: Suming Rupi – “Mikerid Guiding the Way” – Mida Creative
- Best Music Group: Sunset Rollercoaster (Tseng Kuo-hung, Lo Tsun-lung, Chen Hung-li, Wang Shao-hsuan, Huang Hao-ting) – “Quit Quietly” – Sunset Music Industry
- Best Vocal Group: GENBLUE (XXIN, Yuanyuan, AYEON, Lili, Ayako, Nico) – “Mirror” – Sky Entertainment
- Best Newcomer: Chen Xianjing – “If every day could be happy, who would want to be sad?” – Yanshe Enterprise
Recognitions for instrumental music
- Best Instrumental Album: “Over the Moons” – Zhongzhong Keneng Enterprise (Su Yuhan)
- Best Instrumental Album Producer: Huang Ruifeng and Wu Zhengjun – “Legend: Double Strike – New Vision” – Mading Culture
- Best Instrumental Composer: Su Yuhan – “Pieces Peace” from “Over the Moons” – Zhongzhong Keneng Enterprise
Awarded excellence in technical categories
- Best album art direction: Wu Jianlong, Yali Sanxiao, Tsai Weichun – “Sax Tape” – Sunset Music Industry
- Best Vocal Recording Album: “Pleasure” – Warner Music Taiwan
- Best Instrumental Album: “I Am Here” – Warner Music Taiwan
- Best music video: “Dumplings” by “Wǒ Hěn Bàoqiàn” – Hele Music (dir. Lin Hongrui)
Special honors and jury prize
- Jury Prize: Chen Xiao-xia – “Ancient Wings”
- Special Contribution Award: Tu Ying; Lin Huang-kun
