Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.
𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙊𝙣 𝙈𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣 (𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩. 𝙅𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖 𝙈𝙞𝙖) – 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚
The trail of the lonesome Charles…
This life. This time. This era. We’re all in this together, right? That’s the way of it, no? We help one another in order to be happy and to progress in the best possible way, yes? We all have the same views, thoughts and feelings, and are moving forward towards the same goal? Our governments support and help us in every way possible? Our police protect us? The world is so free of crime that they have little to do but help old ladies across the street? Our friends and family would never let us down? Our chosen lover is with us till the end? God is close at hand, guiding us every step of the way? The weather forecast is accurately predicted by scientists who really know their stuff? When the packet says “whitens teeth in 3 days”, it means “whitens teeth in 3 days”? Google Maps says the bus will be arriving in 12 minutes, so I had better allow around 12 minutes to get to the bus stop? We are one big happy family, smiling through every joyous day so kindly given by the givers of life? No need for looking over one’s shoulder, no need for protection, and no need for worry? Greed is a thing long forgotten, long in the past, as it was deemed simply unnecessary? That leaking sink in the kitchen: the reasonably priced plumber will sort that out in a matter of minutes? In the same way that if someone offers a helping hand, you can rely on said hand, right? I mean, RIGHT??
Oh, I’m sorry. That was the scene of a 50s Hollywood advert. On the whole, this is not entirely accurate. Things are ever so slightly different. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is about the intro above that suggests an error in fact, so let me think… Ah yes. I’ve got it. It was everything. People, things and companies WILL let you down. In one way or another. Eventually. Life can truly be a struggle. Although this has always been the case, it seems to be more apparent these days. And seemingly no one is safe and high above water. The strange thing about these days though, is that we do a lot of pretending. Pretending that things have changed, and that all is not only good, but “in fact” the very best it has ever been. So why then don’t I feel enthused? Why is everything in life so damned difficult? So complicated? So rotten. So reliably unreliable!! And I only really see one way out of this. It’s a cold, hard, harsh way, and I don’t like it a bit. But I think it might be necessary. And that is, to avoid as much of it as possible. I don’t mean to be a dormouse, or a coward, even. I just mean that rather than living the mess and putting up with it, or fighting it with as much resistance as you can manage, how about trying not to involve yourself and take a step back. To shelter and do things your own way. To do it all on your own. It might sound lonely at first, or even reclusive, but for what you lose, you might gain more…
Take for example, a march in Central London that could easily turn nasty at any moment. Don’t go to Central London that day. Simple. Leaking sink? We have YouTube. Best to at least try it yourself first. I am NOT suggesting that if you have a cracked pipe underground, you take a pickaxe to the front drive. And for God’s sake, don’t mess around with electricity! How about the buses and their unusual and seemingly random timing? Well, just simply allow plenty of time. Very easy. When it comes to the weather, the official forecast has got no better in recent years than decades ago. Sure, we now have hourly forecasts rather than daily. And sure, we have more localised forecasts rather than whole regions. And the graphics on our phones are fabulous! Actual moving rain, to remind us which way it goes (it goes down, by the way, just in case you don’t have a weather app). But the thing is, all this technology and glitter is simply more pretending. It does not work. The forecast is just as unreliable as ever. So, look to our ancestors, and carry around an umbrella. What could be simpler? As to toothpaste: wake up! Porcelain-white teeth cannot be bought for £1.49!! Just take care of those toothy-pegs and all will be fine. Any sign of an end to worldwide war? Quite the opposite, it seems. But we can do nothing about it, so best to just get on with your own “simple” life. The politicians? Well, have they ever NOT let you down…? Besides, what might seem like a perfect plan to you, will seem perfectly imperfect to someone else. You just can’t please everyone, because we are NOT all the same (thankfully). Fact of life. While we can’t pick our family (I’m happy with mine, but many are not happy with their own), we can pick our friends. The same goes for lifelong partners. While this is truly tricky (as you never quite know what is around the corner), I will say this: be wise in your picking. Use your own judgement and observation. Be astute. I know. We shouldn’t be being like this, but it is simply to protect oneself. There are however some things that can’t be avoided. Like daylight danger. I don’t mean the sun’s UV rays. That’s simple enough – suntan lotion (complete with umbrella under the arm, of course). I mean if you are just ambling down the street about to do some food shopping, and someone comes at you from behind – and this ain’t no trick or treat. Those days are gone. We only get tricks these days. We can really do nothing about this, other than to be vigilant and aware of our surroundings. The only treat we might get these days is for certain bills to have risen slightly less than last year. Oh, how kind they can be! And as to God? Well, it’s up to you. If he/she/it floats your boat, then I am most pleased. Just don’t expect a miracle. Whether we like it or not, we have to do things ourselves in order to make sure they are done properly. Sure, there will be the odd exception, but that is sadly the genuine reality.
Let’s turn to something altogether more positive. The New Artist Spotlight. Now THERE’S a bundle of trust, care, love and reliability right there. Thank the LORD!! Finally, something to bring us out of our misery. Music! I was, I believe, wise in my picking this week. You will be relieved to hear that I did NOT produce, mix, master, oversee, or have anything to do with the making of this week’s track. Which gives me great pleasure in factually not SEEMING like a self-obsessed git (despite not being one). Sorry Rich Allen, your latest track is wonderful, but I just could not review another one I had had anything to do with – my decision; hat-trick avoided. This week’s pick was so very nearly my pick for last week, and the week before. I really went for it as soon as I heard it. It got me. Yet I chucked it in the heap of definitely-maybes. I have played the song many times over the last 3 weeks, and have since come to the conclusion and embarrassingly slow realisation that it is really rather special. There have been many instant winners lately. The punchers of the gut. But sometimes there are the ones that slay in a slower manner with an undetectable poison. The ones that get under your skin like the best kind of hidden parasite. The kind of song that itches constantly until you play it again. Pressing play relieves the pain. This is now, what All On My Own does to me. And it is all thanks to Jane Marie and Jessica Mia for this natural antihistamine. For there are no chemicals here; only raw ingredients. Raw talent.
I have reviewed the twosome once before, with their song, Just Because. For those who never read it, can’t remember, or simply don’t know, Jane is the songwriter/producer/instrumentalist, while Jessica is the singer. For one reason or another, they simply work perfectly together. But you know what is wonderful (and rather exciting)? They both just keep getting better! Jane’s writing and production have come on leaps and bounds in recent months (listen to Somebody Out There). Young Jessica has matured, grown confident and honed her vocal talents (listen to Overloving). But with All On My Own, we get the perfect amalgam of Jane’s sophisticated pared back orchestral pop and Jessica’s dynamic and passionate yet youthful maturity in voice. It seems to me that November is officially “cool month”. I don’t know what it is about Autumn/Fall that brings out the cool in things. Perhaps it’s the change in climate… Perhaps it’s complete coincidence! Whatever it is though, I like what we’re being given right now. It suits the moment, and will last more than a moment longer. I feel I must warn readers and listeners that this song is deeply sad. Sad in its beautifully simplistic yet open lyrics, complete with beautifully rich music to match.
“Looks like I’m now doing this journey, all on my own” introduces us to the song with an icy breeze. The door is shut, yet still the chill remains. The protagonist has been left. Dropped and replaced. The scene is desolate. Bare, barren, stark and alone. Nothing but a weeping piano to weep with her. This feeling of isolation, loss and confusion. That someone else could make him feel more loved, after all the love she gave him. Her love was not the love he was after, yet he was everything to her, despite never being given love in return. But in her mind, everything is fine… Until it isn’t. Nothing would prepare her for the cruel gift of loneliness. Yet despite her deep sadness, she acts maturely and doesn’t try to win him back. Neither does she want revenge, for she knows how bad this feels, and wouldn’t wish this on another living soul. She’ll just continue this seemingly fruitless journey all on her own. The strings hug her as she traipses this endless hall of piano keys. The dim light draws dimmer as the strings start to support her rather than walk with her. She is carried to a candle at the end, signifying hope. The choir softly suggests to her that hope is necessary for her to continue. She is unmoving. A salty bead runs from cheek to chin; she blows hard on the flame. The choir zaps from vision like the old TVs when you turned them off. From the darkness rises big, bold drums and hot fire. Now supported by the will to give up, the strings are able to bow without the constraint of having to hold her up. But this fire doesn’t last long. Nothing has changed. She is alone, and still, the chill remains.
These two English ladies really do work tremendously well together. Fortunately for us, they haven’t taken this song as an omen. It seems they’re inseparable. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Final witty line? Nah. This time you’re on your own.
Listen to 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙊𝙣 𝙈𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣 on the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 Spotify playlist HERE!
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