Album embraces modern sound

Two of the music works from Atypical Airship feature two singers: Hua Dong, leading vocalist of Chinese band Re-TROS (Rebuilding the Rights of Statues) performing in Drown Into Deep Down and singer-songwriter Dou Jingtong performing in Somberton.

"I like their voices very much. The chemistry of their voices and my music is very interesting," says Xiao. "It happened naturally."

The music work, Ain't No Sunshine Moon No Cry, from the new album, features US jazz pianist Aaron Parks, who contributed a solo session.

Xiao rose to fame in 2019 after appearing in the popular reality show, The Big Band, as the guitarist of a participating band, Mandarin. The drummer An Yu is a member of the band, who also formed a conceptual duo with Xiao, known as INNOUT.

"I don't see myself only as a guitarist. Guitar is used in my music only when it is needed. I am expanding my music vision and hopefully people could see more from my music creation and performances," says Xiao.