"Why don’t we stay for an hour or so? / Don’t say it’s good for nothing, cos we know the back and forth of this idle talk can always / lead to something..."
On the emotionally translucent "Water Tower" from UK singer songwriter Charlie Cunningham, and from his latest album "Frame", Charlie, for the most part lets his piano do the talking for him. The result after a sung prologue of sorts cast against the faintest of droning sounds,
"Why don’t we stay for an hour or so? / Don’t say it’s good for nothing, cos we know the back and forth of this idle talk can always / lead to something / When these moments arrive, they light the night sky / I'm here and I / won't take sides..."
...is a moving descent into stunning piano movements against light brushes on a high hat. Eventually, what sounds like horns tonally vintage, sonic found footage remembrances giving a melancholy depth of field and motion, fell spaces but make no mistake about it, it is Charlie's piano shapes that draw you into something more than melancholia, somber reflections born out of exquisite notes, airy chords and surprising octave shifts with the tension of those sharps in just the right place. While the song moves at a steady cadence, the chords and notes ease back like reticent emotional cues and dare to rush too. The nuances here are all, (ALL) so beautiful.
The artistic lesson of "Water Tower" maybe not that less is more but that when all has been said with honestly, no more is needed. Upon the first listen, I expected Charlie's moving vocal aesthetic to come back in but it never did because it didn't have to. All had been said in a perfect way. Love this song.
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://open.spotify.com/artist/78CiW0UJbHspFaVuVexOK6
https://www.instagram.com/cunninghamcharlie/
https://www.charliecunningham.com/
Having heralded his return with the song ‘Permanent Way’ and a sold out show at London’s Omeara, Charlie Cunningham marks the announcement of a headline European tour in October with the unveiling of a second new track ‘Sink In’.
What Charlie describes as “the slightly ominous guitar part” of ‘Sink In’ inspired a tale of ambiguous persuasion.
‘Sink In’ was produced alongside Sam Scott and Duncan Tootil and features the White Brothers – better known as Hugo, Felix & Will from The Maccabees on keyboards, electric guitar and bass respectively.
As hinted at on ‘Permanent Way’ – (released Feb 12th) currently standing at over 1 million streams and counting – Cunningham has enriched his new material with boosted colours and dynamics while retaining the essence of the man’s achingly personal appeal. 'Sink In’ is dusty driving music mining that rich seam of Flamenco guitar that runs through much of Charlie Cunningham’s music
Cunningham is currently on an extensive tour of the US – full listings included below – ahead of a one off headlining show at Queen Elizabeth Hall at London's Southbank Centre on June 12th.
Charlie Cunningham, singer songwriter, composer, UK, indie pop, folk, orchestral pop, jazz dipped pop, dream pop, "Water Tower" (Official Video), new album "Frame",
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