Chinese singer Zhang Yao's most outstanding quality is her sweet voice, which works magic with the songs in her debut album, Seven Days.
The CD's only, but major, shortcoming is her timid choice of music. It mostly features Canto-pop style songs performed in Putonghua. They are too common to leave an impression on listeners - not good for a singer who is starting out.
But Seven Days remains a pleasant album with a few catchy melodies that will earn Zhang many fans. Florescence and Innocence of Love are moving love ballads while some tracks, such as Wind Baby and Simple Girl, are upbeat and create a party mood.
Two of my personal favourites are Gold Fish - a sad song about a lonely girl wandering in her room like a fish swimming aimlessly in a tank - and Do You Know, an innovative take on a traditional folk number.
Despite a lack of distinctive style, Zhang proves that she is a good singer capable of hitting the right note - a skill that many young Canto-pop singers have yet to master.