In a twist on the old saying here, Charlie Simpson presents the calm after the storm. In the aftermath of the London riots, and the devastating fires at the Sony warehouse, Charlie Simpson and his team have been working non-stop to keep this campaign running on time. So here it is, “Young Pilgrim”, his debut album as a solo artist.
I realize that rising to fame through a teenage boy band singing about school crushes, flying over France and women with three breasts, isn’t the best way to pitch yourself as a serious solo artist. But his smooth transition into post hardcore band Fightstar has helped him etch his way into the business as a talented young songwriter.
This album certainly doesn’t disappoint me, as I originally thought it would. Charlie says himself he’s very much influenced by the likes of Pet Sounds and The Eagles, and those influences definitely have their say on this album. The tracks are so much deeper than they appear in my opinion. There’s not one bit of syncopation as you listen to this album, it flows perfectly. If it was to be compared to any modern music I can remember Leeds Fest last year. It was a Sunday night, I was sat in a field with my friends and the last rays of sunshine were saturating the sky around us. Mumford and Sons were on stage and the tent was packed out, it was even hard to find somewhere near the screens outside, but no-one cared, they were having fun and completely absorbed in this music. The feeling I had then is exactly how this album makes me feel when I listen to it. The songs are acoustically focused and summery, and so, so easy to listen to. This is an album I’ll definitely be listening to with the windows down in my car on a fresh summer night.
Songs like opening track “Down Down Down”, “All At Once” and “Suburbs” are upbeat and lyrically deep, but one of my favourites, surprisingly is a slower one called “Sundown”. The lyrics are the result of six months holed up in a studio, and you can see so much has gone into them. Charlie has poured everything out onto pen and paper and translated them perfectly through his vocals and instruments.
With this album I reckon he’s going to catch the attention of many who haven’t bothered with him before, or taken him seriously as a solo singer-songwriter.
I say give this guy a chance, take a risk and get the album. And even if you’re still unsure about him, you can always double-check and go see him on his upcoming UK tour in October. It’s artists like this who deserve the support of music lovers all over.
Young Pilgrim is release August 15th.
