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.
𝙐𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 – 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠 𝘼𝙝𝙡𝙢
Charles listens to his friends…
Lowness is a common feeling these days, it seems. Okay, it doesn’t “seem”, it IS. But how is this any different from the past? We’ve always had low times. We’re human, after all. Up, down, up, down, up… down. Like a yo-yo that eventually loses its impetus to rise. The difference between the lows of then and the lows of now is that the lows used to be slotted in between the highs, whereas now I don’t see too many people talking about the highs… But the main thing I’ve noticed is how this general lowness seems to cover the full age spectrum from young to “how are you still going??”. I don’t know of this ever happening before. And it ain’t good. So, what are we to do? You could try to distract yourself with brief nonsense… You could maybe analyse what’s wrong and attempt to put it right… You could see a therapist… These are all fair ways of sorting the matter. But sometimes it’s just a case of riding it out. Where there isn’t a great deal one can really do, but wait for things to get better. I suppose I’m more talking about sadness rather than lowness. While you wait for time to pass, you might as well use this overflowing emotion and get something out of it…
I have spoken several times about music being a healer. It is so much more than a distraction. It can weave itself into our genes and become a part of us. We all feel, but none so much as an artist. Artists tend to feel everything in overdrive. Something good is something great. Something bad is something horrific. Something happy is something exciting. Something sad is something mortifying. Passion and emotion are turned up to eleven. A “normal” person (not an artist) can put on some music in a vague attempt to distract or soothe. It ends up as background sound or something to hum to. An artist can place the needle within the groove and find something rather different. It is far from background sound. The artist is not hearing it, but listening to it. The music is absorbed into the bloodstream, and the artist’s soul has a partner with which to dance, feel and cry. There is such beauty in sadness, but it must be properly honed in order to be beautiful. Otherwise it’s just depressing. Basically, music stops things from simply being a bit shit.
But although I have mentioned this thing about music being a healer many times before, this time it’s a bit different. Because I’m not talking about music in general; I’m talking about specific songs. Now you’re waiting for me to tell you which magic songs those are. It’s not quite like that, however, because these special songs are different for everyone. If you’ve lived a little life of music, then you’ll know that there are just a few very important songs for you. This isn’t necessarily your favourite songs. For example, the song that joins ME in the hardest moments, I have not heard in years. It’s not even a brilliant song. But it helps me. It moves me. It moves WITH me. It has been a close friend of decades, but a friend I don’t “see” often. And that song IS…… Nah, you’re not interested in knowing that, so let’s move on. But you see, songs are genuinely like friends to me. You know how your closest friends can not only make you feel better, but can mourn and weep with you? Well, that’s what these few SPECIAL songs are for me: my friends. Sad, innit. Think about it, though. That song is not ever going to be too busy to help, you can summon it in seconds, and it will never let you down. It’s the perfect friend! “I’ll be there for you, cos you’re there for me too” – Friends. And I am, always there for it, but it never seems to need anything from me, except my ears.
It seems as though Patrik Ahlm – who may or may not have appeared here once or twice before – has similar feelings about certain songs by certain artists. Patrik Ahlm, the sweetest Swede, has put this idea to music in his latest release, ‘Until The Tears Have Dried’. It’s such an excellent, clever observation, that until the tears have dried, we have “the one song we can fall back on”. Oh sorry, this is the bit where I’m supposed to tell you all about the artist… Well, you all know him well, or rather, his music. For he’s a jolly good fellow, “and so say all of us”/“which nobody can deny” (depending on whether you’re familiar with the British or the American version). But he is, a jolly good fellow. Very lovely, very caring and very kind. But more importantly to us, he’s the fabbest music man. I say “music man” loosely because he does it all; the writing, the arranging, the producing, the playing, the programming, the singing, the mixing and the mastering. To me, that’s a music man. But I’m not impressed by the list, I’m impressed by the quality. I must admit I didn’t adore his last single (rare for me); but the good news is, I was evidently in the minority. ‘Sandstorm’ was possibly his biggest hit of the last year, certainly in terms of the New Artist Spotlight Top 20 chart. So what does it matter what EYE think…? This new song of his, though, I feel like he is right back on track with what he does best. Smooth, slick pop with a heck of a lot of heart.
Back to the song. Verse one mentions Bowie. Verse two mentions Janis Joplin. Chorus one blows us away. Verse three mentions R.E.M.. Chorus two hits even harder. The bridge reinforces the song’s passionate point. Chorus three has you singing along, sure of the fact that your voice is as good as that of John Legend. Fade to completion. Yes, an actual fade. Come on, it’s 2026: isn’t it about time we brought back the fade-out?! I’m rather bored of those sudden stops at the end of most songs in the last couple of decades. That abrupt halt so often emphasising the cheapness of a production; as if the loop has naturally stopped at the end of the bar, and therefore there is no more. Fading out is so much more musical, anthemic, sophisticated, and gives the whole piece a grand, lasting quality. Lord, I can’t remember the last time EYE used a fade-out. Must do it. Anyway: Bowie, Joplin, R.E.M…. These mentions are brief, yet key moments in the song. They are simply examples of what COULD BE the artists behind those songs that mean so much to you. They wouldn’t be MY choices, but they might well be YOURS. And I’m sure they veer more towards Patrik’s choices. Again, these have little to do with “favourite” songs, but instead the ones that hold you in times of trouble.
I have had this ultimate honour a few times, where people have told me that when they’re in a certain mood, nothing but a certain song of mine fits better. And what’s even more surprising is that it’s not always the same song. The first time someone told me this, I was absolutely bowled over. I simply couldn’t believe that a song I had written (‘If You Would’, unreleased) could have this effect on anyone. And I have a strong feeling that ‘Until The Tears Have Dried’ could become that very special song for several. Not just because of the words, but also everything else it has to offer. The luring synths pulsing through one’s veins? The close, personal nature of Patrik’s dry voice? The sporadic heart-jolting percussion that catches you off guard? The heart-melting melodies that make your tears hot? The exquisitely placed polite piano that drifts above like clouds of safety? Or maybe it’s simply the anticipation of that chorus with its loud, rich, airy harmonies that have you on your knees as you pound the carpet with your fists, and your tears and drool get together to form a soggy puddle – the carpet darkens but you continue to sing along…? Whatever it is, this is more than a song. It is an important part of someone’s life. Patrik Ahlm is more than a man. He is an artist.
If you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear which song is YOUR friend. Mine is… Nah, you’re not interested.
If you’re planning to cry into the carpet, make sure to initially remove all traces of eyeliner and mascara, or that song will be an ex-friend.
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