Chapters is the debut album five years in the making from Finnish multi-disciplinary artist Conchis.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Marko Rantanen
The story behind the making of Chapters is something of an epic. Suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during its creation, Conchis was forced to adapt, including by limiting the number of vocal takes for each of the album’s eleven tracks. The result is a raw and immediate exploration of psychology, loss, yearning, consumption and desperation.
There’s a touch of magic about it all, not least due to the references to John Fowles’ novel The Magus. Conchis draws on that, as well as tarot and the idea of mystical elements, to pull together the album’s narrative.
Its story starts with the moody, philosophical Trees Grow Higher. After a slow-building instrumental intro we get our first taste of Conchis’ inimitable vocals. They are instantly mesmerising in the verse before taking on a searching, soulful quality in a soaring chorus.
New single Floods provides some early contrast thanks to its jagged electronica. She Was Born is a vulnerable moment that reflects on the loss of Conchis’ mother. Previously released single Cray Cray rounds off the early listening were percussive severity and a reflection on the complexities of life’s choices. It’s a highlight.
The album’s middle gives us to the relentless rhythm of Stories, the industrial melancholy of Just Not There and The World Is Flat. The latter provides a provocative reflection on society’s shouting match through a chilled, sultry meditation.
People (Chapters) explores modern life through a suitably cyclical arrangement while Something So Shameful hits hard in an eerie exploration of toxic shame. Single Trouble is a visceral highlight before Calm Your Mind closes the album with an introspective meditation on Conchis’ chronic illness.
Conchis has a truly immersive sound and the effort that has gone into creating her debut has really paid off. It’s a beautiful, thoughtful wonder.
Chapters was produced and mixed by Jonas Verwijnen, and mastered by Peter Maher. It includes musical contributions from Joonas Hakava (bass) and Austin Finamore (cello). The album is out now via Kieku Records and you can listen to it below.
