In its earliest stages, Eason Chan’s 2006 album What’s Going On…? was slated to be one of the Hong Kong singer’s Mandarin-language releases, but label priorities and awards schedules led to it being recorded in Cantonese. This 2007 release is largely a Mandarin revamp of What’s Going On…?, with arrangements tweaked and lyrics swapped out—although the differences between 認了吧 (Admit It) and its companion album further show the breadth of Chan’s style and charisma. The most newsworthy song on 認了吧 (Admit It) is its second track, “淘汰 (Ousted)”, which finds him teaming up with King of Mandopop Jay Chou, who composed and wrote its lyrics. A plush ballad that frames Chan’s voice in strings and electronics, “淘汰 (Ousted)” calls back to Chou’s complex, thoughtful catalogue while also allowing Chan to put his stamp on the track. “快樂男生 (Happy Boy)”, which was written and produced by C.Y. Kong, is strident funk-pop with flashes of starlit psychedelia, a firm vocal anchoring the song’s syncopations and shimmies. 認了吧 (Admit It) is a bit less rock-centric than its predecessor, taking stylistic liberties with certain songs’ building blocks. The What’s Going On…? cut “心深傷透 (Deeply Hurt)” was feisty, wounded pop-punk; on 認了吧 (Admit It) it’s been rechristened “愛是一本書 (Love Is A Book)” and given a chilled-out makeover, with strings borrowed from classic soul and a beat that’s as laidback as its companion cut is pugilistic. Another punky What’s Going On…? selection, “最後的嬉皮士 (The Last Hippie)”, gets an insouciant rework—the ferocious guitars and breakneck drums are exchanged for the brightly hued brass and brushed percussion of a jazz band. Now known as “第一個雅皮士 (The First Yuppie)”, the track puts the attitudinal shift of the peace-and-love generation on full display in a way that’s so charming, it’s hard to tell if Chan is engaging in sincere appreciation of his elders or tweaking their self-regard. Either way, Chan’s talent and magnetism carry the day.