Mandopop: Cosmos People - Hello Princess (你以為)

The song "I Hate You" from 2015 was one of my favorite mandopop songs of 2015, and Cosmos People have stayed true to their sound in "Hello Princess" which has the same kind of airy funky sound, music made for feeling all sunny on the inside. Funny observation: they use the cool OP-1 synth too!

• Cosmos People - Hello Princess (你以為)

Mandopop: Momo Wu - I Wanna Be Your Lover, My Lips & Shape Up

Momo Wu has always done very colorful videos, and both "My Lips" and "Shape up" earlier this year was gorgeously and garishly so, but musically slightly so-so. The new "I wanna be your lover" is that too, but it is also musically more rewarding, with a more easily digestible score.

• Momo Wu - I wanna be your lover (我是你的)
• Momo Wu - My Lips (大美麗)
• Momo Wu - Shape up (小蠻腰)

Mandopop: Wang Rong - Shark Shark (鯊魚鯊魚)

With "Shark Shark", chinese Wang Rong establishes her niche = odd and fascinating slash irritating songs and videos that circulate around a repetitive and childish theme. "Chick chick" was probably better, but this falls nicely into the same category of love it/hate it.

• Wang Rolling - Shark Shark (鯊魚鯊魚)

Mandopop: Chopstick Brothers ft Fruit Master - Little Fruit (Xiao Shuiguo/小水果)

After their massive hit "Little Apple", the most popular song in China in 2014, the Chopstick Brothers was bound to try to repeat some of that success. Here it is, and they have obviously tried to tie into what made them popular with the first song with cheesy lyrics, dance moves and a catchy chorus. And actually, it works for me. Yes, they even named the new song Little Fruit, which in chinese is spelled even more the same as "Little Apple" (compare the earlier 小苹果 with the new 小水果...), but they have found a twist to the sound that somehow re-invents the whole idea; the new song actually has a kind of melancholy feel emanating from the chorus and the electronic sounds generated with the help of Fruit master, and a colorful video created by korean film director Woogie Kim.

• Chopstick Brothers ft Fruit Master - Little Fruit (小水果)

Mandopop: Han Lei & Da Bing - Scratch Scratch / Nao Nao (挠挠)

Singer/songwriter Han Lei has partnered up with radio host Da Bing to have a go at trying to make a viral video with their scratching refrain and choreography. I think they may actually have quite a good chance att doing that, as the song is reasonably balanced between being fun and still not too extremely repetitive.

• Han Lei & Da Bing - Scratch Scratch