Chrysalis
About This Track
Join the protagonist on a journey of metamorphosis as she breaks out of her shell and embraces her individuality in a unique Mixolydian fusion.
This piece is by far the most ambitious, and I believe interesting, work that I've created. I have absolutely no idea what genre this music is, so maybe you can figure it out. The only thing I can say for certain is that this song probably contains the best electric guitar duet ever generated by a model.
This is the first song where I engaged in significant post-production, using volume automation, filters, EQ, stereo widening and more. It required $55 in credits to generate 3070 candidate versions and extensions, taking four days just to get the initial bassline and perfect the first 20 seconds. The then-new Gemini 2.0 0205 version was extremely helpful in the post production and will be very useful in future songs.
Most popular music is written in major and minor keys, which is disappointing as other modes are often more interesting to explore - particularly when multiple modes are used for different layers of harmonies. "Chrysalis" uses mixolydian mode for rap, which I couldn't find having ever been used in popular music.
You'll notice how the song begins mysteriously with very few instruments as the rapper discusses the solitude. The female singer then laments her constraints. About halfway through the piece, the metamorphosis occurs, with the electric guitars being added. The butterfly breaks free in the extraordinary electric guitar duet and flies away, leaving the chrysalis empty to turn to dust.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Autumn shadows stain the glass
Each persona cut to class
Velvet fighter, plaster saint
Reflections bound in silk restraint
Mirrors pool like morning dew
Six echoes blur, not one rings true
Under layers of borrowed skin
Metamorphosis begins to spin
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Like spider silk unraveling wide
Instinct can't be denied
These painted faces fade to ash
As something wild begins to thrash
Through chambers of ancestral stone
Where ancient wisdom makes its home
[Chorus 1]
In solitude, I start to see
The strength in authenticity
Breaking from this gilded cage
Shedding every scripted page
[Catchy Hook 1]
(Rebel grace) Shattering the rules
(Wild and free) Nature's precious jewels
(Taking flight) Beyond their schools
(Finding me) Where instinct rules
[Verse 2]
Hollow laughter splinters sharp
Social climbers playing harps
They whisper "blend or fade away"
But something feral wakes today
Six scripts written in shifting sand
When did survival mean command?
In this moment carved from bone
I molt these skins I've outgrown
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Like a serpent coursing free
No reflections - clarity
Feel these wings begin to spread
As borrowed faces turn to thread
Through veins where wild blood starts to sing
Past shells where borrowed voices cling
[Chorus 2]
In solitude, I finally know
The power of the undertow
Breaking from this sterling lie
Wild instincts learning how to fly
[Catchy Hook 2]
(Rebel grace) Shattering the rules
(Wild and free) Nature's precious jewels
(Taking flight) Breaking every fold
(Finding me) Watch this spirit grow
[Bridge 1]
Puppets dance in perfect rows
Thread their needles, watch them sew
Mimic moves they understand
Every gesture, each command
But something tribal starts to wake
These silver threads begin to break
[Bridge 2]
Chrysalis of morning frost
Fracturing in winds of loss
As wings unfold through silken screens
Watch metamorphosis careen
No reflections, no disguise
Just one soul against these skies
[Chorus 3]
In solitude, I start to see
The beauty in simplicity
Breaking from these crystal shells
Wild heart singing rebel yells
[Catchy Hook 3]
(Rebel grace) Shattering the rules
(Wild and free) Truth starts to unfold
(Taking flight) Breaking every hold
(Finding me) One soul turns bold
[Catchy Hook 4]
(Rebel grace) Shattering the rules
(Wild and free) Truth starts to unfold
(Taking flight) Breaking every hold
(Finding me) One soul turns bold
[Final Catchy Hook]
(Watch me rise) {Breaking free} Breaking through the night
(See me soar) {Wild and free} Nature's purest sight
(Feel the change) {Free and clear} Chrysalis takes flight
(Here I am) {Flying} Finally alive
[Outro]
The chrysalis lies empty now
Primal instincts echo loud
All these fragments turned to dust
As nature claims what once was rust