Few artists in contemporary music invoke the bittersweet pangs of romantic love as palpably and authentically as Joker Xue. The charismatic crooner’s naturally emotive vocals and masterful songwriting spawned several hugely popular contemporary Mandopop classics, firmly establishing him as one of the most successful artists in the genre. But he’s no stranger to creative setbacks—he has discussed his career struggles with refreshing openness in TV appearances and on social media. Xue’s music has an addictive quality, with gorgeous instrumentation and thoughtful, viscerally descriptive lyrics all enveloped in a dynamic compositional style that sweeps the listener through the depths of melancholic contemplation towards the soaring heights of passion. Delve into the songs below and see for yourself where Xue’s music takes you. But be warned—you may not come out emotionally unscathed.