Maps
We Can Create

Maps is the solo project of James Chapman who constructs the frameworks of this "We can Create" from his bedroom. However, it is not a minimal project, confirmed by the quite complex sound structure and the fact that, live, the young man is accompanied by a real band.

There's optimism in the air: we can create, as the album is titled, with the best track urging not to fear the sunlight, "dont fear... the sun". The references are to a particularly sunny, extroverted dream pop even though always subdued, comme de riguerur. There’s the classic passing homage to MBV but the most evident reference seems to be the Slowdive/Mojave3 lesson. Certainly, we're light years away from the talent of those great Shoegazers, yet the album flows pleasantly.

It starts very well with the simple and captivating "So High, So Low", a kind of ABBA loop spun with folktronica. Then "You Don't Know Her Name" follows with confidence. And "Elouise" is also appreciated, a good pop track among the best episodes of the album. "It Will Find You" is also convincing, a track that could have been played in the best indie discos in London with some success. For a moment, there's the impression that this could really be a debut album with a special gear, but then something happens, the album becomes repetitive. The melodic and arrangement solutions appear exhausted and echo those of the first songs. Listening remains pleasant but the enthusiasm wanes a bit until the mentioned "Dont Fear" which manages by repeating an inspired refrain endlessly to convey that positivity that characterizes the album.

An electronic album of the new millennium, a decent debut that tries to carve out an original path while starting from certain sounds that have recently been much frequented. There's a glimpse of a certain ability to manipulate sounds and hit catchy melodies, but we will have to leave a definitive judgment of the Maps project to future works.

For now, we can be contented with this interesting debut.