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Conchis Explores Resilience and Raw Emotion in Debut Album 'Chapters'

  • Melodrift Team
  • Oct 28, 2024
  • 2 min read

Updated: Nov 1, 2024

Five years in the making, Finnish artist Conchis releases her long-awaited debut album, Chapters, a rich exploration of human psychology through eleven tracks that navigate themes of loss, yearning, and resilience. The album includes previously released singles “Cray Cray” and “Trouble,” as well as a new focus track, “Floods.” Chapters, carries an unmistakable rawness that is amplified by Conchis’ battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) during its creation. Working within the constraints of her illness, Conchis limited herself to five vocal takes per song, a method that paradoxically enhanced the record’s emotional transparency and vulnerability. This adaptive approach infuses each track with a sense of honesty that underscores her journey of artistic perseverance.


Conchis, whose name is inspired by the enigmatic character from John Fowles’ *The Magus*, weaves literary and mystical influences into, Chapters, mirroring the suspenseful twists of the novel and drawing on the symbolism of the tarot's Magician card. Throughout the album, she incorporates elemental sounds—earth, water, air, and fire—that deepen the narrative textures. The result is a blend of light and darkness, soft harmonies juxtaposed with jagged edges, a sonic approach that aligns with the album’s dual themes of beauty and hardship. Her art resonates with listeners who are drawn to the introspective and often haunting portrayal of psychological and emotional complexities.


Chapters, opens with “Trees Grow Higher,” a track that meditates on the pressure to grow and achieve in a fast-paced world. The symbolic “tree” suggests tranquility and resilience, a contrast to the rush of modern life. This calm opening quickly gives way to the charged atmosphere of “Floods,” an environmental lament where intense beats and experimental samples evoke natural disasters. On “Floods,” Conchis explores humanity’s impact on the planet, likening our destructive tendencies to a war march against nature. “She Was Born” follows with a deeply personal tribute to Conchis’ late mother, the stripped-back vocals and dreamlike instrumentation allowing space for vulnerability and a sense of enduring connection.


The album delves into Conchis' personal struggles with tracks like “Stories” and “Just Not There,” where she confronts her challenges with ME/CFS and the existential doubts brought on by burnout. “The World Is Flat” and “People (Chapters)” reflect on societal issues, the former addressing online echo chambers, while the latter critiques the endless pursuit of happiness. Chapters, ends on a contemplative note with “Calm Your Mind,” a soothing track that unexpectedly foreshadowed Conchis’ battle with illness. This song, filled with meditative beats and avant-garde synths, mirrors her journey toward peace amidst struggle, encapsulating, Chapters, as a vulnerable, artistically daring testament to the resilience of both spirit and song.


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