Finishing up a run of tour dates in the US before heading back to UK shores for a well deserved breather, emotive singer-songwriter and musician Charlie Cunningham has unveiled a double take of recorded material, the first since the release of his 2017 debut album, Lines.
‘Permanent Way’ arrived in February, as an impassioned rhythmic mediation of effortless charm, acoustic warmth and nuanced poetic prose. The latest track, ‘Sink In‘ is more reflective, offering a pensive atmosphere to lyrics of an exploratory nature, touching on ideas of self-awareness, a chaotic world order and the hope in reconciling with one’s own humanity – the actualities of feeling emotion (not just a fragment but the bounty of sentiment available to us).
It’s a sign of the artist looking further outwards and interacting with complex themes, the song’s structure reflects this at times, where it veers unbalanced, punctuating moments of startling disruption alongside Cunningham’s otherwise calm, forward-moving form. Perhaps an underlying factor of its divergent feel is due to the featured artists’ playing on the track, the White Brothers (ex-Maccabees bandmates Hugo, Felix & Will on keyboards, electric guitar and bass respectively).
A surprise development from Cunningham but a brave, inspired approach that teases a vibrant, progressive palette to his music in 2019. Capturing an artist so secure in their craft that any experimental ventures seem to fit completely within the scope of their songbook. As he continues to impress on the stage, Cunningham’s enthusiasm to switch things up and explore new textures and attitudes within the music, is surely the sign of an artist geared for the long-term.
The new single ‘Sink In’ is out now – available to Stream/Purchase here.
Charlie Cunningham has confirmed a UK tour for November, visiting:
Saturday 2nd – Redgrave Theatre, Bristol
Sunday 3rd – City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
Monday 4th – Sage Gateshead (Hall 2), Gateshead
Wednesday 6th – RNCM Concert Hall (Hall 2), Manchester
Thursday 7th – Holywell Music Room, Oxford
Friday 8th – The Old Market, Brighton
Photo Credit: Peter Banks
