CYCLE 1 is a waltz between CHARLIE’s introspective journey, where self-assurance wishes to overcome self-doubt, and a critically sharp view on her hometown: London. On this debut EP the South-East London artist shows us her musical interpretation of the five elements: AIR, WATER, FIRE, EARTH & SPIRIT.

Throughout this journey CHARLIE’s style craves elements of jazz, neo-soul and most importantly a spiritual maturity that permits her to tackle subjects like self-love through introspective processes, but also through empowering her community via her outlook on socio-political affairs such as gentrification and systemic racism. RISE, DIVE, BUN THE CITY, THIS WRETCHED EARTH and FEATHER are 5 songs that bring to life CHARLIE’S musical wealth in a brilliant debut project.



RISE

The EP’s opener, RISE is a sweet alarm clock that sets the tone for the project. The minimal, imperfect jazz inspired track highlights a more complex style of guitar playing as well as CHARLIE’S growing compositional skills. Within RISE, the South-London artist sought to capture the essence of being awakened in our rooms by natural sunlight. This introduction is just a little taste of the musical flavours and topics that arise from CHARLIE’S debut, CYCLE 1.

DIVE

CHARLIE uses themes of emotional turmoil, introspection and surrender to illustrate the different states of water, and the ability it has to mirror and restore our inner emotional worlds with her second single, DIVE.

Collaborating with Jazz fusion artist, Zamar Nadine and long time collaborator, Likkle Jay of whom mixed and mastered the track, DIVE beautifully translates continuous wave-like motions (representative of emotion) in its use of panned vocals and smooth ethereal production.

DIVE has a relatively simple, 4 chord progression which is played throughout on keys and guitar. Yet, pockets of reverb heavy guitar riffs, textured bassline and building vocals provide a richly layered and illustrious end product and delivers a sonic world that not only comforts the listener in the impermanence of emotional intensity, but also signals the intersectional and non linear reality of introspective healing.

The DIVE visuals (photography and videography) utilise surrealism, depicting CHARLIE as amorphous, and ultimately fluid, like water.


BUN THE CITY

Representing the element of fire, the track that was released in late 2020 serves as the lead single to CYCLE 1. With a nod to reggae music's form and socio-political lyricism, BUN THE CITY dissects the ever present issue of gentrification and how it physically, culturally and emotionally impacts inner city communities.

By fusing metaphorical language and memorable hooks, CHARLIE IS READY delivers socially relevant content whilst pushing for untold stories to be brought to the forefront. Her lyrics contextualise the process of gentrification, and provide a vivid imagery of her community’s first hand experience.
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE / GUAP MAG REVIEW

THIS WRETCHED EARTH FT. THE URBAN NOMAD

Continuing on the theme of socio-political commentary, is THIS WRETCHED EARTH, a joint piece with spoken word artist & poet, The Urban Nomad. To wholly relay its message, CHARLIE intentionally centres its production in hip-hop, a genre founded upon inspiring higher conversation and movement around such topics. Adding elements of modernity, we hear a slight lo-fi influence, which also enhances the feelings of disarray brought up in the lyrics.

This fourth song was born from that place of despondency, writing about the intersections of race and class, impoverishment and the psychological manifestations of such realities. Both artists hold academic interest in these themes, hence the song’s name has been derived from ‘The wretched of the Earth’ (1961) by French Martiniquan psychiatrist and political philosopher, Frantz Fanon, whose book is continually relevant in addressing the manifestations of colonial dehumanisation on an individual and nation based level.


FEATHER

Concluding CYCLE 1, is FEATHER, a transcendental number that encapsulates self affirmation. We hear the soft openings of a harp, played by Emma Yese and a deep inhale, symbolic of life’s essence.

Inspired by Blue Nile-Alice Coltrane, FEATHER places special emphasis on the harp, as the sacred instrument has been used throughout history for the purpose of healing, and corresponds to our heart space.

Initially the first verse is quite bare, to give space to confessional lyricism from CHARLIE, before textures and colours blend together as a more expansive journey unfolds. As piano, drums, greater guitar presence and fuller vocals collide, this marks a shift in which CHARLIE sought to convey: moving from a space of fear and anxiety, to love and affirmation. This is best illustrated in the latter half of the track, characterised by a Khemetic style breakdown.

The embodiment of life and hope is truly felt in FEATHER, with strong intention from the artist. The track lifts and holds the listener, transcending those 3 minutes 35 seconds, and cements the cyclical nature of FEATHER with closing from the harp, but also with the EP at large. CYCLE 1 is specifically based on those patterns: movement, stagnation, fluidity, hurt, acceptance and love, and so the conclusion is one of optimism and beginning again.


BIO

CHARLIE IS READY is an artist from Brockley and began releasing music in 2020.

Her single Labels marked her debut and penchant for social and politically conscious writing. In 2020, she signed to Dancing Family Records and released her single BUN THE CITY which uses the element of fire as a metaphor to represent the destructive impact gentrification poses upon London’s landscape and its inner city communities.

This release caught attention from publications such as Guap Mag and Its Euphony. Since, CHARLIE has been working arduously on her debut EP CYCLE 1 (out May 13th).

As a manner to perfect her writing and artistic stamina the up-and-coming artist has been playing around the London gig circuit in order to draw resonance to her name. Peckham Audio, Avalon Café, POW and Next Door Records has seen CHARLIE IS READY perform and she will be gracing the Fox and Firkin’s mythical stage on April 22nd with a full band in order to bring this celestial and single to life.