Chris Explores Vulnerability in 'La vita nuova'

The singer and producer Chris has released a new EP titled 'La vita nuova,' accompanied by a short film. The project is described as a subtle exploration of grace, interiority, and the illusion of effortlessness, attributes that mark Chris as a star.

The EP focuses on the psychic effort involved in maintaining balance, with its cover art evoking a pensive mood. Chris calls it a project about vulnerability, but it also touches on grace and the appearance of effortless performance.

'La vita nuova' is shorter and more melancholic than previous work, featuring slower tempos and subtle, aquatic-sounding production. Themes of sadness and the struggle to face the world are evident in songs like "People, I've been sad."

Chris's songwriting remains spare, using multiple languages to convey emotion. The track "La vita nuova" features a duet with Caroline Polachek, exploring mutual passion in Italian verses and lamenting unreturned love in the English chorus.

Other tracks, such as "Mountains," reflect on lapsed connections and the process of writing about past relationships. "Je disparais dans tes bras" potentially addresses the self-serving lover or the flattening gaze of fame.

The accompanying short film, set in Paris's Palais Garnier, is a supernatural drama. Directed by Colin Solal Cardo, it follows Chris through various performances, culminating in a vampire ball duet with Polachek, symbolizing the union of sacred and profane.

This artistic vision unfolds within the lavish 19th-century Parisian theater, recalling Chris's youth when she defied norms by staging her own plays. The film, with its dramatic flair, serves as a space for unruly emotions that may not survive in the real world.