Imagine driving down to the seaside. Hillocks passing by, meadows all around and the sun setting in the distance. Everything is perfect, except that there is no one to share it with. You’re all alone, absorbing the beauty of the moment, but there is this stabbing pain of loneliness. You just end up sitting and reminiscing the past. The past when everything was so simple and there wasn’t so much to think about. Ah! What I wouldn’t give to go back to those days! Char seems to teleport you right there with this Avant Garde pop album – ‘Simpler Times’.
CHAR is a new pop talent out of London and shes supported by the likes of Kiss FM and BBC. ‘Simpler Times’ is her debut EP and it has already been chosen as a BBC Introducing “Track Of the Week”. Char is the founder of the mental health non-profit organization Mad Millennials and it shows in her music that she’s not afraid to speak out on subjects that are close to her and resonates with the political climate.
The EP starts off with ‘Simpler Times’, a straightforward pop track that bleeds nostalgia. She talks about simpler times when power was about all about winning in the playground. The lyrics are really meaningful and deliver a deep message to the listener. It’s about fighting back and conquering your mind to achieve mental peace. It’s a fairly slow track that focuses on painting a picture of reminiscence, with beautiful pads and the lovely voice of CHAR.
“Simpler times when we were blissfully unaware”
‘Got me feeling’ changes the tone of the EP with a slightly livelier approach. This track has a jazz influence with a lot of brass and sax breakaways. The sax is a wonderful touch and feels like its following your around through the track. This track is more personal and talks about vulnerability and love and how it makes her feel. (“You got me feeling like”)
With the next track, the jazz influence intensifies with an amazing brass intro that feels like the best part of this album. I’m a sucker for Avant Garde experimental production. This track starts off with some really cool sounds that break down into the usual pop style. The percussions are in your face while the rest of the sounds trickle around you with CHAR’s vocals holding it all together.
The EP ends with ‘Control’ that is a little different from the rest of the EP. Im guessing it’s the mood that CHAR is singing in that makes such a difference. It sounds like a livelier track but the lyrics beg to differ. Its probably my favorite track in this album with some really nice production. The vocals and the back ground paint two parallel stories that intertwine at intervals.
Simpler Times is a really good EP and the production quality is just amazing. Refreshing beats and jazz influences make this stand in the pop scene today. The hooks are subtle and at times, I’m unable to identify them. This is what I personally like about the EP, the fact that every part of the every track is exciting and catchy, not just the hook!
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Discovered via http://musosoup.com
Promotional Disclaimer: The content in this post has been sponsored by the artist, label, or PR representative to help promote their work.Promotional Disclaimer: The content in this post has been sponsored by the artist, label, or PR representative to help promote their work.
