FOLLOW A SOUND, FIND A LANDSCAPE

Between water and wind.

Begin with a lake or a rainy alley, then follow a flute toward grassland or an open-tuned guitar toward a night porch. These ten Mandarin recordings offer different ways to meet longing, closeness and home. Take the path that feels right today.

01

Closer along the water

A lakeside smile, a dream beside lotus flowers, a return under a boat canopy.

  1. Wind from West LakeWind from West LakeBetween willows, boats and a paper umbrella, a hidden smile makes a lakeside walk into a light-hearted approach.Mandarin folk-pop direction · clear female voice · pipa, dizi and fingerpicked guitarMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
  2. Moonlit Lotus Pond, a Dream of HomeMoonlit Lotus Pond, a Dream of HomeA pole parts the moonlit water and a distant song recalls an old village. A dream slowly becomes a wish to return ashore.Mandarin chamber-folk direction · female voice · pipa, dizi, piano and celloMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
  3. A Boat of Spring Rain through JiangnanA Boat of Spring Rain through JiangnanRain on a boat canopy, a light beyond the bridge and an old umbrella leave a waterway for a return and an unhurried conversation.Mandarin Jiangnan chamber-folk direction · Wu-song-coloured female voice · dizi, pipa and warm bowed stringsMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
02

Stay awhile with rain and tides

Silence, longing and an unused ticket each keep their own pauses.

  1. Plum Rain in the Stone AlleyPlum Rain in the Stone AlleyA door opens and two people have no words at first. Rain under the eaves gives years of unspoken thoughts some room.Mandarin classical-ballad direction · female voice · xiao, guqin, piano and celloMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
  2. Rain on Banana LeavesRain on Banana LeavesLight on wet stone, flute under old eaves and uncounted years leave reluctance to part where the southern wind passes.Mandarin southern rain-ballad direction · Yue-opera-coloured female voice · flute, pipa, guzheng and bowed strings · 62 BPMMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
  3. Snow on the Other Side of the SeaSnow on the Other Side of the SeaThe money is saved, but a companion is absent. Tides and northern snow hold an unfinished promise.Mandarin Celtic-coloured ballad direction · tin whistle, fiddle, bouzouki and bodhrán · 76 BPMMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
03

Toward a wider horizon

From a mountain gate and grassland to a porch by the sea: distance can feel close.

  1. Moonlight at the Old Mountain GateMoonlight at the Old Mountain GateBells, a banana leaf and a boat at the crossing bring moonlight close. Tonight, the way home can wait.Mandarin folk direction · delicate female voice · hulusi, dizi, bansuri and tablaMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
  2. Wind from the NorthWind from the NorthYears later, the tent and fire remain but the people have changed. North wind carries departure and return through the same refrain.Mandarin grassland-ballad direction · male voice · morin khuur, wide strings and drums · 74 BPMMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
  3. A Light beyond the MountainA Light beyond the MountainEighteen bends through mist and a basket of rice and brown sugar make the distant light into tangible care.Mandarin mountain-ballad direction · guzheng, yangqin, lusheng and bawu · 76 BPMMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗
  4. The Stars Are Near Tonight · Slack-key EditionThe Stars Are Near Tonight · Slack-key EditionMandarin Qixi words meet a Hawaiian slack-key porch-at-night idea: gentle sway makes room for an ordinary promise of company.Mandarin Hawaiian slack-key direction · warm female voice · open-tuned guitar, lap steel and ipu · 74 BPMMeet this song · choose a listening doorway ↗

Stay awhile, or try another path: Voices after Dark · Someone along the way · Instrumental landscapes · An Esperanto bridge