Chapters, the debut album from Finnish multi-disciplinary artist Conchis, is a profound journey through the depths of human psychology, showcasing an eclectic and intense sonic landscape. The eleven-track record, five years in the making, delves deeply into themes of loss, desperation, and personal transformation, underscored by Conchis' struggle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) during its creation. With constraints such as a strict five-take limit per vocal track due to her health, Conchis has turned limitation into strength, infusing her work with rawness and vulnerability. The album is named after John Fowles’ character in The Magus, a fitting symbol for the mystical and psychological layers woven throughout the songs.
Opening with “Trees Grow Higher,” Chapters, sets a meditative yet reflective tone. Conchis uses the metaphor of a slowly growing tree as an antithesis to fast-paced modern life, enhanced by ticking beats that mimic the passage of time. The album’s current focus track, “Floods,” erupts with Fever Ray-esque intensity, pairing Conchis' fervent vocals with jarring production to evoke the severity of climate change. This track's marching rhythm and chaotic samples mirror the environmental destruction Conchis laments, reflecting a haunting vision of humanity’s impact on the planet. Her voice rises and falls over the experimental beats, emphasizing the urgency of her message.
Emotion runs even deeper in tracks like “She Was Born,” which Conchis dedicated to her late mother. With minimal production, this piece relies on Conchis’ tender, stripped-back vocal delivery to express loss and remembrance. It’s a testament to her skill as a storyteller, showing how personal grief can transform into universal empathy. In “Stories,” she turns introspective, exploring a moment when her illness brought her to bargain with a higher power for relief. The song's layered electronic waves build from desperation to a flickering hope, capturing a potent mix of despair and resilience that defines much of, Chapters.
As, Chapters, progresses, Conchis continues to unearth personal and societal truths. “The World Is Flat” critiques the echo chamber of modern discourse, while “People (Chapters)” reflects the cyclical struggles of daily life. The album closes with “Calm Your Mind,” an unexpectedly soothing track that paradoxically foretold Conchis’ health struggles even before they occurred. Avant-garde synths and heartbeat-like percussion give it a contemplative, almost prophetic aura, serving as a fitting close to the album’s introspective journey. With, Chapters, Conchis has crafted an album as complex as it is vulnerable, giving listeners an intimate look at both her world and their own.
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