Making a huge imprint on the 2010's Indie scene with his previous project King Charles, songwriter Charles Costa has pulled back the vail and released his most personal, raw record to date...his debut self-titled solo album.
The opening track 'Heavy Heart' immediately hints at the depth of passion that lies within the record. It begins with an intimate acoustic and humming psychedelic synth, drawing your attention in close to the emotive vocals. Yet, as the track builds and bright backing harmonies you get a sense that something bigger is on the horizon. Indeed, the drums soon kick and Charles' vocals lift off with an expansive delivery. The finale of the track is then laden with big brass melodies and overlapping synth and percussive rhythms; a true album intro!
This is then followed by 'Thief' which leans more into the classic Alt-Pop tones that we've come to associate with Charles' songwriting. Isolated vocal layers intertwine in the intro, drawing you close in before a soft electro rhythm ignites a groove. Yet again, there is an overarching feeling of sentimental hope running through the track as the bubbling synth sounds cast a pleasant glow onto the romantic sentiments. There's a touch of artistic experimentation but at its core it is a heartwarmingly tender Pop tune.
The first single that was released from the album 'Nothing At The Most' is a definite highlight and a beautifully moody and emotive slow-burner. It showcases the resonant depths of Charles's vocals and creates a really gloomy yet iniviting, down beat atmosphere that actually rings of some of Joe Talbot's most intimate vocal moments. However, there is always the hint of home in his subtle melodic flows and as the song grows the cinematic soundscape of drum hits and strings draws this hint of hope out, amplifying it into a grand finale.
The penultimate track 'When The War Was Starting' follows in the same vain, oozing with heart and soul. The lulling strings and piano chords in the intro inject a cinematic quality that then slips into an anthemic ballad. The lead vocals have a soaring sound akin to Hozier while the string sections darts and weaves its way between them, bringing an expressive drama. One final build up towards the end then explodes into a majestic ending filled with a poignant, journey's-ending feeling, like its playing over the soundtrack of your favourite roadtrip movie.
The album as a whole showcases a more delicate approach to songwriting in points and highlights Charles' vocals fantastically. Yet, the moments of expression are joyous and provide a rich tapestry of sonic interest. A wonderful new avenue from one of Art-Pop's most interesting music makers.
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