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Rating: 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.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 So Low, So High (03:58)
Well we’re two feet down
Well we’re two feet high
We can create, I say
So why destroy our time?
Think I lost my girl
But I’m running off
Spending most my time
Forgetting at all costs
Found her ‘neath my sound
Found her love distant
Strange you feel so low
Then you feel so high
Strange you feel so low
Then you feel so high
Then you feel so high
Then you feel so high
Then you feel so high
Then you feel so high
02 You Don't Know Her Name (03:52)
Take a ride and cut on through
The things that lead you from this place
Barely making sense it's true
Will disappear when you can trace
Ah
You don't know her name
But anyway
Disengage again
I feel the same
Can't remember much it seems
Did most things I could in sleep
Piece together everything
Broadcast from the outside in
Ah
You don't know her name
But anyway
Disengage again
I feel the same
You don't know her name
03 Elouise (05:23)
you can read my mind
meet you there sometime
wasted but so fine
just focus on the sky
thoughts are going blind
love ain't suicide
the things you always knew
become so clear to you
elouise complete the signs
never realised that this one here's for you
elouise don't change your mind
so you can read my mind
but it takes you time
to lead them from the lies
cos hypocrites can't look me
in the eyes
they won't make you change your mind
some people they are born
and they are kind
cursed upon the starting line
some people they are born
and they are kind
elouise don't change your mind
07 To the Sky (04:16)
My memory
Feels like it's playing with me
These things I know
Yeah I know
The sun will end with you
Need help to cut on through
Can only feel this way
When silence comes
I can sing it to the sky
There's a risk it won't reply
If I could change it, man, I would
And I won't screw it up this time
Been here before
It won't happen no more
These things I know
Yeah I know
They get into your mind
I guess you know the signs
Can only feel this way
When silence comes
[4x]
I can sing it to the sky
There's a risk it won't reply
If I could change it, man, I would
And I won't screw it up this time
09 Lost My Soul (03:50)
Yeah, the summer count can come
Brings you sounds you thought were gone
And you can try to search around
And you can try to cut it down
I found it all but I lost my soul
Everything you hold can come
The words, they seem to roll as one
And you can try to search around
And you can try to cut it down
You never really knew for sure
That breeze can come before you fall
I found it all but I lost my soul
I found it all but I lost my soul
I found it all but I lost my soul
I found it all but I lost my soul
I found it all but I lost my soul
I found it all but I lost my soul
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