{{Short description|English record producer}} {{BLP sources|date=October 2010}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Use British English|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = Maps | image = Maps001.jpg | caption = Maps performing at the Summer Sundae festival in Leicester, 11 August 2007 | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | birth_name = James Kenneth Chapman | origin = Northampton, England | instrument = | genre = {{hlist|Electronica|indietronica|dream pop|indie pop|electropop|synthpop}} | occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|songwriter|remixer}} | years_active = 2006–present | label = Mute | website = {{official url}} }}

'''James Kenneth Chapman''',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx?detail=writerid&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&keyid=1090591&subid=0 |title=Songwriter/Composer: Chapman James Kenneth |publisher=BMI |accessdate=4 December 2017}}</ref> known professionally as '''Maps''', is an English record producer, songwriter and remixer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/mapsmusic |title=Maps &#124; Free Music, Mixes, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos |publisher=Myspace |date= |accessdate=2013-07-15}}</ref>

== Career == === ''Start Something'' === In 2006, he recorded his ''Start Something'' EP by himself on his 16-track recorder. He released it on his own record label, Last Space Recordings, and it was met with some critical acclaim. The single "Lost My Soul" polled at number 26 in ''NME''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Top 50 singles of 2006.

=== ''We Can Create'' === On 19 May 2007, his debut studio album ''We Can Create'' was released on Mute Records. Since its release, the album has been seen as a critical success even though sales have been fairly modest.{{Citation needed|date=July 2013}} His first North American release, ''To the Sky'' EP, was digitally released on 22 May on the same label.

Maps has toured playing the album's songs with a full live line-up. For the touring of ''We Can Create'', James was supported by four local musicians for live shows. On 17 July, it was announced that ''We Can Create'' had been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. However, it lost out to Klaxons' debut album ''Myths of the Near Future''.

=== ''Turning the Mind'' === On 22 February 2009, James wrote on his MySpace blog about his new upcoming album, saying "I've never been more confident and excited about this new album". In an interview he posted on the same blog, he mentioned the new album's themes as being "mental states" and "chemicals".{{Citation needed|date=July 2013}}

''Turning the Mind'' was released on 28 September 2009 in Europe, and 20 October in North America.

=== ''Vicissitude'' === Maps' third album, titled ''Vicissitude'', was released on Mute on 8 July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author=Heather Phares |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/vicissitude-mw0002540544 |title=Vicissitude - Maps &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=2013-07-08 |accessdate=2013-07-15}}</ref> He has been quoted as saying "It will be darker than 'We Can Create', but more positive and hopeful than 'Turning The Mind'. It'll be different, but it will definitely still be Maps".{{Citation needed|date=July 2013}}

=== ''Realigned'' === A compilation album of remixes, titled ''Realigned'', was released on Mute on 15 August 2014. It is a collection of remixed tracks from all three of Maps' studio albums.

=== ''onDeadWaves'' === In 2016 Chapman collaborated with Mute Records label mate Polly Scattergood, under the name onDeadWaves. They released their self-titled album to positive reviews, and played live shows to promote the album, including some support slots with M83 (band)

=== ''Colours. Reflect. Time. Loss.'' === Chapman released his fourth studio album, ''Colours. Reflect. Time. Loss.'', through Mute Records on 10 May 2019. It is said to be his most ambitious work to date, and has seen him work with orchestral musicians, female vocalists, percussionists and a drummer. Maps returned to the live arena that same year to promote the album with a full live band, for a number of shows in the U.K., including a sold out show at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre in July 2019.

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable" |- !| Year !| Album details |- | 2007 |''We Can Create'' * Released: 14 May 2007 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2009 |''Turning the Mind'' * Released: 28 September 2009 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2013 |''Vicissitude'' * Released: 8 July 2013 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2019 |''Colours. Reflect. Time. Loss.'' * Released: 10 May 2019 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2022 |''Counter Melodies'' * Released: 26 October 2022 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2025 |''Welcome to the Tudor Gate'' * Released: 31 October 2025 * Label: Mute Records |}

===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year !EP details |- | 2006 |''Start Something'' * Released: 13 November 2006 * Label: Last Space Recordings |- | 2007 |''To the Sky'' * Released: 22 May 2007 * Label: Mute Records |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year !Single details |- | 2005 |"Start Something" * Released: 3 October 2005 * Label: Last Space Recordings |- | rowspan=2|2006 |"Lost My Soul" * Released: 6 March 2006 * Label: Unknown |- |"Don't Fear" * Released: 30 October 2006 * Label: Unknown |- | rowspan=3|2007 |"It Will Find You" * Released: 7 May 2007 * Label: Mute Records |- |"You Don't Know Her Name" * Released: 13 August 2007 * Label: Mute Records |- |"To the Sky" * Released: 8 October 2007 * Label: Mute Records |- | rowspan=2|2009 |"Let Go of the Fear" * Released: 11 May 2009 * Label: Mute Records |- |"I Dream of Crystal" * Released: 11 September 2009 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2010 |"Die Happy, Die Smiling" * Released: 25 January 2010 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2013 |"A.M.A." * Released: 24 June 2013 * Label: Mute Records |- | 2013 |"You Will Find a Way" * Released: 14 October 2013 * Label: Mute Records |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://thisismaps.com/}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090514054100/http://www.liberationfrequency.co.uk/New%20Site/2007Site/MAPSInterview.php Interview with James Chapman at Liberation Frequency] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20091228060429/http://www.4ortherecord.com/Mapping-Out-The-Past-Interview-with-James-Chapman.html Interview with James Chapman for www.4ortherecord.com]

{{Maps}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century English musicians Category:English electronic musicians Category:English record producers Category:English male songwriters Category:Living people Category:Mute Records artists Category:Musicians from Northampton Category:English remixers Category:21st-century English male musicians