Singer 2025 winner pairs new vinyl with 14 original paintings

Chen Chusheng has released the vinyl edition of his album 'Wasteland of Wonders' featuring 14 original paintings by contemporary artist Li Erpeng. The physical package integrates the artwork directly into the record's design, offering listeners a visual companion to the audio tracks.

The collaboration began when Chen commissioned Li to create the series. Li, based in Hong Kong, developed the canvases alongside the music. Some images respond to specific songs, while others emerge from narratives and scenes that developed during the creative process. Li described his role as translating the world built by the music onto canvas.

Chen stated that he views music as more than just sound. He said, 'I've always felt that music is more than something we hear.' The singer expressed hope that listeners could see the emotions, fractures, and growth within the album through the visual elements. He called Li an artist he greatly admires and thanked him for making the record into 'a work of art I want to keep forever.'

Li added that he wants fans to see life, growth, and hope in the images when they receive the physical LP. Winners Gallery represents Li for this specific collaboration. The artist is known for creating collector pieces modeled on legendary figures, including athletes. His recent work pairs painting with elaborate sculptural frames, treating the portrait and structure as a single artwork.

The vinyl edition achieved strong commercial performance shortly after launch. On June 9, the day pre-orders opened, QQ Music awarded the release its 'Double Diamond' sales certification. This milestone marked the immediate success of the physical format for the album.

Chen first rose to national fame in 2007 after winning Hunan TV's 'Super Boy.' He returned to the broadcaster to win 'Singer 2025,' the channel's premier singing contest. His career momentum continued in April 2026 with a stadium concert in Nanchang. The event drew approximately 50,000 fans, setting a personal attendance record for Chen.

Beijing Radio & Television reported that all 50,000 tickets sold out within 24 minutes. A report from Nanchang's state-assets authority attributed close to RMB1 billion, or $149 million, in local consumer spending to the show. Li is also preparing for a move into film, currently doing preparatory work on a CG-animated world for a project in pre-production.