"What kind of rubbish is that? And he dares to act like a big shot and offend his sugar daddy?"
"So he's finally showing his true colors! Bottom of the online popularity charts, he's definitely out of the running next round!"
"I heard he went out without permission during the competition, violating the rules. Why hasn't the production team fired him yet?"
"He looks like a poor, scrawny guy, and he wants to be a star?"
These are paid trolls, or rather, manipulated public opinion. He closed the comment section, feeling suffocated. This world seemed to have an invisible hand that could arbitrarily manipulate data and easily distort the truth.
Just then, "Music Veteran" Chen Kai sent a message. Without any pleasantries, he sent an audio file and a document.
"Take a look at this."
Lin Chen clicked on the audio; it was a solo excerpt from "Mountain Inquiry," which he had previously uploaded. But upon closer listening, he could see that the audio had been slightly processed. The reverb was adjusted slightly, and the balance between the vocals and guitar was optimized, making it sound fuller and more spacious than the original, but without altering the quality of his voice or the soul of the song.
The document contained a concise data analysis report, comparing Lin Chen's data on the "Echo" platform and the official competition platform. It clearly pointed out unreasonable gaps and manipulation of the official platform's data, and included some technical speculations.
"Don't be intimidated by the superficial data games," Chen Kai's message followed immediately. "They can manipulate votes, guide public opinion, and even give you the least suitable song. But they can't completely control two things: your genuine performance on stage and the ears and hearts of your true audience."
"For that dance track, you don't need to dance exceptionally well or sing perfectly. What you need to do is understand the core emotion of the song and express it in your own way, even if it's clumsy. Sincerity can sometimes overcome any technical shortcomings. As for the data…"
Chen Kai sent a link to Lin Chen's "Mountain Question", strongly recommended by an independent musician with millions of followers on the "Echo" platform, with the comment: "In an era of rampant industrialized saccharin, hearing such a sincere voice, like a mountain spring, is a blessing for the ears. Looking forward to the full version!" This repost sparked a heated discussion. Many people became curious about "who this contestant named Lin Chen is," and followed the trail to find information about the competition. Some even began to question the official platform's strange popularity rankings.
"Look, real data is built on genuine recognition," Chen Kai concluded. "Focus on your song. Leave the rest to time, and to… those eyes and ears that haven't been completely blinded."
Chen Kai's words were like a ray of light, dispelling the thick fog in Lin Chen's heart. He looked again at the electronic dance music score that had been giving him a headache. If he couldn't conquer it technically, then he would try to understand it. He discovered that the core of the song was actually a catharsis and cry out against the fast-paced urban life, only wrapped in a strong electronic veneer.
He no longer tried to imitate the original singer's cool vocals and dance moves, but instead calmed down and tried to use his own familiar, slightly hoarse, and narrative voice to interpret the confusion and inner restlessness caused by speed. He even boldly suggested adding a folk-style melody, played on his own guitar, to the interlude.
This suggestion was naturally rejected by the music director: "Nonsense! That would ruin the integrity of the song!"