Chow was born and grew up in Hong Kong. She played classical piano from a young age, and learned to play guitar as a teenager. She studied music production and engineering at Berklee College of Music. Her Wherever it May be Be EP was made start from finish in her bedroom in Boston before moving to Los Angeles. She has toured with Still Woozy and Ravyn Lanae, and Raveena. Her tours with Jeremy Zucker and Cavetown were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her sophomore EP "time machine" is to be released in spring of 2021 with Nettwerk Records.
Chow records, and produces all of her own tracks. Complex featured her as one of the "Best New Artists of the Month" in July 2019, describing her sound as "more A24 than Marvel."
Fractals
cehryl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the ride is surreal
my hands on the wheel
but I don't have control
the illusions though
from the edge of my seat
I'm ready to reach out
still the circuit goes
there's rust on the steel
it's part of the deal
but they won't let me go
am I far too close
till my memory retreats
and the distance repeats itself
The lyrics to cehryl's song Fractals depict a feeling of being powerless and trapped in a situation that seems surreal. The singer appears to be in a vehicle, driving along a circuit that they have no control over. Despite having their hands on the wheel, they are unable to steer the vehicle and are simply along for the ride. The illusion of control is shattered, and they are forced to confront their lack of agency.
Furthermore, the singer is acutely aware of the rust on the steel and the imperfections in the circuit. These imperfections are a constant reminder that they are not in control of the situation and that they are at the mercy of the circuit. Despite feeling trapped and powerless, the singer is ready to reach out and escape their situation. However, they are unable to do so, and their memory retreats, leaving them back at the beginning of the circuit, trapped once more.
Overall, Fractals is a poignant exploration of the human experience of powerlessness and the illusion of control. The lyrics are accompanied by a dreamy, melancholic melody, adding to the sense of surrealness and helplessness.
Line by Line Meaning
so the circuit goes
Life always moves forward, and we must follow the flow of time.
the ride is surreal
Life is strange and full of unexpected things that we may not fully understand.
my hands on the wheel
Although we may not have full control over our lives, we can still guide ourselves to some extent.
but I don't have control
Ultimately, we cannot control everything that happens in our lives, and we must learn to accept that fact.
the illusions though
Despite the uncertainties of life, we may still have hopes and dreams that keep us going.
from the edge of my seat
We may be on the edge of our seats, anxiously awaiting what is to come next.
I'm ready to reach out
We are willing to take risks and reach for what we want in life, even if it is uncertain or scary.
still the circuit goes
Life goes on, regardless of what happens or how we feel about it.
there's rust on the steel
Life may be imperfect and difficult at times, but we must still keep going and persevere through tough times.
it's part of the deal
Struggles and hardships are a natural part of life, and we must accept them as such.
but they won't let me go
Sometimes, we may feel trapped or constrained by our circumstances, but we must continue to push forward.
am I far too close
We may feel overwhelmed or suffocated by life at times, but we must continue to try and find a way forward.
till my memory retreats
Memories fade over time, but the impact of our experiences can stay with us for a long time.
and the distance repeats itself
Life will continue to move forward, and we will continue to face new challenges and obstacles along the way.
Contributed by Chloe N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.