Some silences aren’t about stagnation; they’re about shifting tracks.
For Lin Yikong, these past four years without releasing a personal album have not been about taking a break or escaping; rather, they represent a slow yet steady journey through life.
The brand new album The Next Station will officially meet everyone in December. This isn’t a rushed return simply to update us on recent happenings; instead, it’s an album that acknowledges change, embraces contradictions, and even accommodates a sense of being lost. Rather than hastily defining Who am I right now?, Lin Yikong chooses to confront the truth first—life doesn’t have a direct route.
Life is like a train, and every stop is not unnecessary.
Lin Yikong candidly admits that due to this change being so genuine, he finds it challenging to establish a fixed identity for himself.
Thus, Next Stop in Life becomes the core concept of The Next Station. It’s not about predicting the future, but rather reflecting on every stop we’ve made—those imperfect, inconsistent, and even contradictory moments are all traces of a person’s genuine existence. Life isn’t a straightforward path; it’s more like a train that constantly stops and sets off again.
When the creator begins to doubt themselves.
In these past four years, Lin Yikong has gone through a rare period of blankness. There was a year when he didn’t release any work. It wasn’t due to a lack of inspiration but rather a deeper sense of being lost.
I just finished reading “Philosophy”., writing songs for others and winning awards should theoretically bring joy. However, when I try to write for myself instead, it’s like hitting a bottleneck. After an artist has released ten albums, the most obvious emotional themes have already been explored repeatedly. Finding a way to avoid redundancy and artificiality while honestly confronting one’s inner feelings becomes increasingly challenging.
During that time, he clearly felt like he was just going in circles.
Behind the Scenes : The First Step You Take for Yourself
The real turning point comes from Behind the Scenes. It’s a piece that embodies a sense of stage presence and momentum, and it’s also a conversation with oneself—stop overthinking, and stop doubting the present.
Now is our moment.
When he was willing to take the first step instead of waiting for a perfect moment, things started to unfold naturally: music projects, First Take, becoming a father—life’s train was set into motion once again.
Which song resonates the most with the current version of yourself?
He himself finds it difficult to answer this question. Because life at this moment is not a single state.
Bohemian (No) Rhapsody represents a passion and perseverance—seeking light in the darkness; The People I Think of When I’m Untitled belongs to those moments of sitting down to have a conversation with oneself—reflecting on the people who have helped and influenced us on our journey through life.
It’s not just one song, but multiple tracks that together shape the essence of this moment.
The highs and lows are simply scenes along the journey.
High Mountains and Low Valleys has been a companion for countless people during tough times. Years later, looking back, Lin Yikong has developed a more grounded understanding of Rise and fall.
In life, new challenges and surprises are bound to arise, and it’s precisely because of uncertainty that we need to cherish the people and experiences we’ve had. Even in loss, there is a gift. It is these experiences that help us stand strong again when we fall into the depths once more.
Confidence no longer comes from outcomes, but from accumulation.
To describe the current Lin Yikong compared to his debut or High Mountains and Low Valleys era, he would confidently say: it’s all about confidence.
This confidence isn’t about showing off; it’s born from accumulation. It’s shaped by the songs you’ve written, the paths you’ve walked, and the lows you’ve endured.
At the same time, he places greater importance on mental health—understanding how to manage stress and accepting his own imperfections.
At 40, it’s not just about You Only Live Once.
As he steps into his forties, Lin Yik Wong takes a reserved stance on the trendy YOLO (You Only Live Once) philosophy.
Precisely because You Only Live Once, you have no idea how the days ahead will unfold, which is why you should be even more prepared and have a solid plan in place.
He doesn’t believe in betting everything on Seize the youth.; instead, he believes that life is a long journey.
Don’t wait until you’re old to enjoy life; instead, take good care of your body and keep doing what you love, extending your passions for as long as possible.
As long as I want, I can keep doing it.
The proudest yet most guilty decision.
Looking back over forty years of life, the thing I am most satisfied with and the thing I regret the most are surprisingly the same choice—returning to Hong Kong to pursue my dream of music.
Because of this decision, he has caused his parents years of worry. Even today, he still hopes to prove them right through hard work and achievements, showing them that all those worries were not in vain.
The next stop is still ahead.
The Next StationIt’s not just about the unknown, but about continuously moving forward.
For the audience, it’s a moment to ponder the next stage of life; for Lin Yikong, however, it’s as simple as can be—what’s the next song? What’s the next album?
The train is still on its journey, and the trip is far from over.
This stop is just our first pause.
