Chrysalis (album)

Chrysalis (Désirs contraires for the French version) is the second international studio album by Anggun. The album was released in 2000 by Sony Music.

Album information

Following the success of her international breakthrough album, Snow on the Sahara, in 1998, Anggun returned to prominence with her second international album entitled Chrysalis. The album was released shortly after its French version, Désirs Contraires. As the title suggests, the album shows Anggun's growth—both personally and musically—as prior to the release of the album, she divorced her husband of seven years, Michel de Gae. The divorce presumably inspired Anggun to write songs like "Still Reminds Me" and "Broken Dream," among others, on the album. The album also marked Anggun's artistic development, as a departure from Snow on the Sahara where she only co-wrote one song, on Chrysalis she co-wrote every song with Erick Benzi with exceptions of "Rain," "Tears of Sorrow," and "Non Angelical," (co-written with Cathy Grier and Erick Benzi) and "Comme un privilege" (co-written with Erick Benzi and Nicolas Mingot). Anggun's songwriting varies from heartbroken ("Still Reminds Me," "Broken Dream"), love-longing ("Breathing," "Signs of Destiny"), humanity ("Tears of Sorrow," "How the World...") even spirituality ("A Prayer") and a fan's obsession ("Want You to Want Me").

The music is also a departure from the highly ethnic-influenced Snow on the Sahara to more Euro-pop/electro sounds. This evident is clear on songs like "Rain", "Signs of Destiny," and "Forbidden Love." Meanwhile, her pop/world trademark can also be found on "How The World...". The album also features some acoustic ballads (accompanied with piano only), in songs like "Want You to Want Me" and "Broken Dream."

Another thing, the album has a lot simpler production compared to Snow on the Sahara, as the sounds are mainly based on synth and computer programming. Only two instruments were used: electric guitar and keyboards. Like her debut album, the music on the English version is the same as the French one, but this time around, the lyrics are different (on Chrysalis, Anggun wrote all the lyrics by herself except for four songs and on Désirs Contraires, Erick Benzi took a sole songwriting part). There are two songs in the French version which are not available on the English version ("Marcher sur la mer" and "Brume"). Instead, they are replaced with two original songs in English ("A Prayer" and "Forbidden Love").

The album has sold 1.2 million copies worldwide, repeating the sales of Snow on the Sahara. However, it was only certified in two countries: Italy (Gold) and Indonesia (3x Platinum). It spawned a hit single "Still Reminds Me" which received heavy airplay in Asia and Europe. The second single, "Chrysalis," did not match the success of the first.

This album is regarded to be Anggun's most personal work to date by fans.

Track listing

1. "Still Reminds Me" (Anggun, Erick Benzi) – 3:50
2. "Rain" (Anggun, Grier, Benzi) – 3:46
3. "Breathing" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:48
4. "Chrysalis" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:43
5. "Tears of Sorrow" (Anggun, Grier, Benzi) – 4:16
6. "Want You to Want Me" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:15
7. "How the World" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:52
8. "A Prayer" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:47
9. "Non Angelical" (Anggun, Grier, Benzi) – 3:53
10. "Look Into Yourself" (Anggun, Benzi) – 4:06
11. "Forbidden Love" (Anggun, Benzi) – 4:14
12. "Signs of Destiny" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:57
13. "Comme un Privilege" (Anggun, Benzi, Mingot) – 3:45
14. "Broken Dream" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:15

Indonesia & Malaysia Bonus Track

15. "Yang Ku Tunggu"* (Anggun, Benzi) – 4:06

Japan Bonus Track

15. "Marcher sur la mer" (Anggun, Benzi) – 3:49

• In Malaysian version, the song "Yang 'Ku Tunggu" is spelled as "Yang Aku Tunggu".

Singles

1. "Still Reminds Me"
2. "Chrysalis"
3. "Yang 'Ku Tunggu"
4. "Tears of Sorrow"