Cover of the album 'Human' by divo Tùng Dương.

HÀ NỘI Human and human values are the inspiration for Vietnamese divo Tùng Dương's latest album that will be released next week.

Entitled Human, the progressive rock is a concept album unified by the theme dedicated to Earthlings.

“The lyrics of all the songs on the album are affiliated with a common theme – about humans. They are about the journey of humans in this world, since birth, through many ups and downs, before departing this life, and then waiting for the day to be reborn in a new form. It’s the circle of life,” Dương explained at a recent press conference in Hà Nội.

The singer added that the songs were also about mankind’s dreams to conquer the boundless universe, how people live in the era of technology, and how modern machines can dominate mankind.

He revealed that the idea for the album came from a song by Duy Hùng, who forwarded his lyrics to Dương for comment.

“Unexpectedly, the song entitled Trí Tuệ Nhân Tạo (Artificial Intelligence) provided me with a significant idea for my album. Besides, the song also offered me a hint to explore my ability to perform industrial rock and progressive rock,” Dương said.

Following the song by Hùng, Dương has also received a collection of new songs by young singer-songwriter Bùi Caroon, which, according to the singer were “like a rain shower during a drought that satisfied all my high demands”.

“All the songs I have received from these talented songwriters are the finest ‘ingredients’ for another concept album, following my previous releases including Chạy Trốn (Run Away), Những Ô Màu Khối Lập Phương (The Coloured Cubes), Li Ti (Tiny), and Độc Đạo (Only Path).”

Alongside songs by Duy Hùng and Bùi Caroon, Human also features six songs by the HCM City-based Sa Huỳnh, who has worked with Dương on several music projects in recent years.

According to Dương, Human represents a youthful spirit as it features songs by a young generation of creative songwriters. In addition, the production team also consists of talented and young artists including orchestrator Hữu Vượng and conductor Lưu Quang Minh.

‘Human’ concert

To promote the launch of the album, Dương will have a two-night concert on November 28-29 to introduce some of the songs from the album.

Tùng Dương seen at a press conference about his newest album and concert ‘Human’. — Photo courtesy of the artist

In addition, part of the concert will be dedicated to “The Red River Four”, which refers to four big names of modern Vietnamese music -- Phó Đức Phương, Trần Tiến, Dương Thụ and Nguyễn Cường.

“They have made significant contributions to Vietnamese music, and also played an important role in my career since the beginning. Thanks to their songs, audiences have come to know about me and given me special affection,” the singer said.

Since Dương shot to fame by winning the country’s biggest singing competition Morning Star – Rendezvour in 2004, he has won over many music lovers by performing songs composed by “The Four”.

At the upcoming concert, Dương will perform some all-time favourites such as Ôi Quê Tôi (My Homeland), Quê Nhà (Native Land) and Mẹ Tôi (My Mother).

Songs by other young composers such as Lê Minh Sơn, Đỗ Bảo and Nguyễn Vĩnh Tiến, whose melodies have also helped to enhance Dương's reputation, will also be performed. 

The concert will also feature special guests, including indie band Ngọt, emerging singer Bùi Lan Hương, and famous songstress Hà Trần, who is current living in the US.

“A longtime friend of mine, Hà Trần didn’t hesitate to accept my invitation to perform at the concert, despite having to fly back to Việt Nam and go into quarantine for two weeks,” Dương said at the press conference.

The singer said that all the money from album sales on the day of release, which is also the first night of the concert, November 28, will be donated to residents of the central province of Quảng Trị, who have been suffering from heavy losses due to the recent storms.

The concert will take place at the Friendship Palace in Hà Nội. VNS