Trisomie 21
Chapter IV

“Chapter IV” is a 1986 album by the French group Trisomie 21, which is difficult, but not impossible, to find today. From the start, the band makes their musical attitude clear (or rather, unclear) with their name, as trisomy 21 is more commonly known as “Down Syndrome.” It's immediately apparent, also thanks to the cover depicting Cronus devouring his children in the famous and terrible painting by Goya, that this is not a particularly cheerful album, yet neither as desperate and violent as one might think. Here, New Wave becomes an apathetic and gloomy Dark Wave, deeply rooted in Joy Division, cornerstones of a musical tradition that has never truly managed to surpass them.

The underlying melancholy and sadness remain unchanged throughout the album, thanks to a melodic and synthetic sound, in full 80s style, accompanied by a rather monotonous voice echoing in the darkness, although not as low and deep as Curtis's. The album alternates between more suspended and slow tracks and slightly more rhythmic pieces, without ever reaching the synth-pop of New Order, even though in some passages the two groups might be compared for sound and tempo. Personally, I find Trisomie 21 quite close to Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD, of “Enola Gay” fame, to put it plainly), yet under the effect of powerful sedatives and tightly bound to the dark side. The lyrics, usually brief, simple, and somewhat naive, poetically describe, with lunar imagery, extinguished and cold relationships between lovers, revealing a desperate and cerebral romanticism, far from the passion or joy of a mutual relationship.

The opening track is “The Last Song”, one of the band's most famous and original singles (along with “Breaking Down”), perfectly summing up the features not only of Chapter IV but of their entire discography; it’s likely their peak. Also excellent is “Memories”, which highlights the debt to Joy Division, and “Night Fly” reminiscent of New Order's style. Noteworthy are “Is Anybody Home?” parts 2 and 3 (part 1 is on the previous album), which revisit the melodies of “The Last Song”.

The album is honest and enjoyable, though unfortunately lacks originality: fundamentally, Trisomie 21 limit themselves to tastefully blending elements already present in the musical scene, renouncing true experimentation. It should be noted that, being a lesser-known group, as often happened in the '80s, they might be remembered just for two or three singles. The T21 have left us a good album that, with time, could become a dark pearl to be rediscovered.