Helsinki-based artist Conchis enthralls on her debut album, Chapters — presenting an artful pop sound with textural, electronic sophistication. Samples within take inspiration from earth, water, fire, and air; the John Fowles novel The Magus influenced the album title, and the novel pairs with The Magician tarot card symbolism to make an imprint on this heady, thematic success.
“Trees Grow Higher” compels as the opening track, weaving pit-pattering percussion and ghostly synths amidst vocal introspection. A sense of seeking, and becoming enlightened, persists in the lyrical prowess — swelling into soaring vocal captivation within a title-touting embrace, fondly reminiscent of Japanese Breakfast in its aesthetic. The subsequent track, “Floods,” is another standout — conjuring a chilly art-pop appeal with shades of The Knife. Trickling ambient effects arrive into the gripping “let it…” sequence, where various vocal layers coalesce with wintry entrancement.
Chapters consistently impresses in its quality songwriting and atmospheric constructions, with “Just Not There” particularly exemplary of Conchis’ knack for riveting structural builds. Quaint synth buzzing and spacious vocals build into a layered beauty of whirring electronic and shoegaze-touched nostalgia, making for an eclectic and captivating listening experience, which is precisely what Chapters is throughout its 11 tracks.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
