Pop star Jay Chou is about to release his 16th studio album, Children of the Sun, on March 25 across digital platforms worldwide.

The announcement follows the surprise release of the first teaser, which immediately sparked excitement among fans, who have been actively decoding visual clues and speculating about the new music.

Marking his first full-length album in over three years, the project brings together 12 new songs, along with a special bonus track, Christmas Star, for a total of 13 tracks.

The album's title track, Children of the Sun, will be accompanied by a nearly seven-minute cinematic music video, featuring a blend of striking visuals, animation and postproduction. The video will have its global premiere in theaters on March 24.

The title song, Children of the Sun, carries a personal story. The phrase was originally coined by legendary singer Jacky Cheung, who gave Chou the nickname during his 2023 concerts in Hong Kong.

Despite persistent rain in the days leading up to the shows, the weather would clear just before each performance. Cheung later sent Chou a handwritten note along with mangoes labeled "Children of the Sun", recognizing his seemingly lucky streak. Chou later shared that the gesture "brought sunshine to his heart", and jokingly said he would "claim the title". The phrase has now become the name of his new album, symbolizing positivity, energy and creative vitality.

A series of daily teasers will be unveiled from March 18 to March 23, offering a glimpse into the album's audio and visual world. Each track has been conceived as a distinct artistic expression, with Jay exploring new vocal textures and styles to capture different shades of "sunlight" — from warmth and introspection to intensity and movement.

"Just because my last album was in 2022 doesn't mean I spent three or four years writing this one," Chou said.

"I slowed down my pace of life and let the music come naturally — writing when inspiration came, recording when I had time, and filming when possible. Ironically, the most productive period was after my tour ended."

He added, "If I didn't tour, play basketball, or wait for lyrics from Vincent Fang, maybe I could finish an album in a month."

Now, with the project complete, he summed it up simply: "The best part is... it's finally here."