In what seems like a rather pivotal moment in Kaloustian‘s career, we find ourselves delving into her latest EP ‘Conclusions of Grandeur’, out now. Back in March – writing about a single from the same record, ‘Used to Breathe’ – we triumphally described the American songstress as “searching for authenticity, reconnecting with her inner self and taking a step towards growth and resilience”. It was clear that Sophia was on some sort of personal reckoning, a journey that required her to take back control and independence. She may have just done that, with ‘Conclusions of Grandeur’ acting as a charming post-mortem of a series of dramatic breakups.
Perhaps becoming too attached was the problem. That’s something for Kaloustian to deal with. On our part, what we can do is enjoy the depth of themes and rich storytelling the EP has to offer. Featuring eight vibrant episodes, the record jumps from understated, atmospheric ballads (the likes of ‘Atmosphere’, ‘the line’, or the title track) and uplifting bittersweet gems, such as the aforementioned ‘Used to Breathe’ and ‘best intentions’. In a way, it’s all an overarching concept, a personal and painful storyline that takes Kaloustian from painful heartbreak to proud acceptance.
I believe we all know what she’s talking about here. Although inherently personal, the songs contain nuggets of truth and love lost that are common to the human experience. Therefore, we anticipate a high degree of relatability for a wide audience out there. As Sophia explains: “This is the sonic encapsulation of my vulnerable emotional processing and lament of very pivotal relationships/involvements with three specific guys in my life, all of which had very grandiose, dramatic endings”.
Recommended! Discover ‘Conclusions of Grandeur’ EP on Spotify:
