Initially, my intention was to focus solely on the video, but then I listened to the whole album, and I wanted to add my reflection on it.
There are moments when an album feels like more than just a collection of songs – it becomes a mirror, reflecting parts of ourselves we sometimes struggle to face. Kalandra “A Frame of Mind“, opening with the haunting track “I Am”, is exactly that. This album feels deeply personal, not just for the artists but for anyone willing to sit with its introspective nature.
It wasn’t until my second listen to “I Am” that I truly felt its impact. The more I listened, the more the song started to speak to me. The lyrics, the atmosphere, the music – they seemed to dig deeper into my mind, drawing out memories and emotions I hadn’t expected. I recognized the painful repetition of patterns, the way I’ve often mirrored the actions of my parents or other figures from my childhood. It’s something many of us do unconsciously until we reach a point of awareness. The desire to break away, to finally grow into our own selves as adults, is a journey full of obstacles. And that’s the heart of this song – the struggles we face on the path of self-discovery and healing.
The song doesn’t run away from the emotional weight of these struggles, but instead confronts them head-on, with honesty and vulnerability:
And now I repeat the things that they did to me
They did to me, they did to me, they did to me
I’m getting older. Still look over my shoulder
So I don’t repeat, I won’t repeat, I won’t repeat
After reading through the lyrics, I found myself haunted by their truth. “I Am” is an emotional backstory of life itself, exploring how our experiences shape who we become.
The visual counterpart to this powerful opening is a music video crafted by Martyna Koleniec, a multi-talented filmmaker, puppet maker, and stop-motion artist. Her ability to bring the story to life visually is stunning. The band themselves express how grateful they are for her work:
“We are so incredibly proud of how she’s managed to make our storytelling and vision come to life. We didn’t really have to follow up much as she simply ‘understood’ the task perfectly, which makes us both teary-eyed and ever grateful“.
And it’s true – watching the video, you get a sense that Koleniec didn’t just interpret the song; she lived it, pouring herself into the visuals in a way that aligns perfectly with the music. Her artistry makes the experience even more immersive.
Having now listened to the entire album, it’s hard to remember the last time music touched me so deeply. Each track feels like a journey, not just through the music but through your own mind. The melodies guide you effortlessly, lifting you into a realm where you’re free to explore your thoughts and emotions. There’s a beauty in that – how music can guide you inward, making you reflect on where you are in life, who you’ve become, and what you still need to confront.
As the band describes it, “The album can be described as an introspective journey about life’s experiences and how they shape the way we perceive the world. It explores what we put within the frame of our day-to-day lives, but also what is excluded“. This sentiment rings true throughout the album. It’s an exploration of not just the visible, but the invisible – the thoughts and feelings we push aside, the parts of ourselves we’re sometimes too afraid to confront. And that can destroy our life.
For anyone on a journey of self-growth or self-reflection, this album will speak to you. “A Frame of Mind” is a conversation, a mirror, and a guide. And in a world where we so often lose ourselves in the noise, finding music that brings you back to your own truth is a gift.
Thank you
