The 37th Golden Melody Awards concluded in Taipei with a remarkable ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements in the Mandarin pop music world. Jolin Tsai, a prominent figure in pop music, clinched the night's top honor, Album of the Year, for her acclaimed work "Pleasure." This victory was complemented by her win for Best Mandarin Female Singer, solidifying her status as a leading entertainer in Asia. The awards, often likened to the Grammys for Mandopop, celebrated a diverse range of musical talent across Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and Indigenous languages.
Chang Chen-yue was another significant winner, dominating the performance and creative categories. His album, "Walk with Feelings," was honored as Best Mandarin Album, and he also received accolades for Best Mandarin Male Singer and Best Composer. The Song of the Year award was presented to "Singing with Happiness" (Happy Version), the theme song from "The Sunshine Girls Choir," performed by A-Lin with compositions by Li Fangrui and lyrics by Lin Xiaoqian.
Further recognizing linguistic diversity, Ricky Hsiao's "Be a Kind and Soft-Hearted Person" secured Best Taiwanese Album, with Hsiao also named Best Taiwanese Male Singer. PiA Wu Bei-ya received Best Taiwanese Female Singer for "First Experience of Divorce." In the Hakka music segment, Huang Yu-han's "Ngai" won Best Hakka Album, and Sarah Chen Yi-nuo was celebrated as Best Hakka Singer for "Slow Flower Journal." Indigenous language music was also honored, with Outlet Drift's "Masonolay i Cepo'" earning Best Indigenous Language Album and Suming Rupi recognized as Best Indigenous Language Singer for "Mikerid Guiding the Way."
Group categories highlighted both established and rising acts. Sunset Rollercoaster, a beloved Taiwanese indie band consisting of Tseng Kuo-hung, Lo Tsun-lung, Chen Hung-li, Wang Shao-hsuan, and Huang Hao-ting, received Best Musical Group for their album "Quit Quietly." Girl group Genblue, with members XXIN, Yuanyuan, AYEON, Lili, Ayako, and Nico, were named Best Vocal Group for "Mirror," signaling their emergence in the music scene. Chen Xianjing was recognized as Best Newcomer for "If Every Day Could Be Happy Happy Who Would Want to Be Sad," introducing a fresh voice to Taiwan's vibrant music landscape.
The technical aspects of music production were also celebrated. Jolin Tsai's "Pleasure" further garnered the Best Vocal Recording Album award, underscoring its overall production excellence. ØZI and The Crane were awarded Best Single Producer for "Final Final Final," while Jude and Chui Chin-hung received Best Arranger for "Leaving the Silver Wilderness." The Jury Award went to Chen Xiao-xia's "Old Wings." Special Contribution Awards were bestowed upon two legends, Lin Huang-kun and the late Tu Ying, honoring their profound and lasting impact on the music industry.
The ceremony underscored the rich tapestry of musical talent and innovation prevalent in the Mandopop domain. Artists like Jolin Tsai and Chang Chen-yue, through their exceptional albums and performances, exemplified the high standards of creativity and artistry. The awards celebrated not only individual triumphs but also the collective spirit of music, honoring creators, technicians, and legendary figures who have shaped the industry's past, present, and future. From mainstream pop to indie and traditional genres, the Golden Melody Awards continue to be a vital platform for recognizing musical excellence and fostering new talent.