Connolly’s Corner

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.

𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙮 – 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡

Charles reinvents the family…

My family is small. Absolutely tiny. No “Family of Two” jokes, please. I mean my full extended family. My father is an only child. My mother is an only child. My “aunt and uncle” are not my aunt and uncle, but cousins of a kind. They too are only children. Ah, it just occurred to me that some non-native speakers (foreigners, as we used to say) might not know the term. An only child is someone who has no brothers or sisters. It doesn’t mean they are merely a child. Anyway, so that least young generation is small. My parents had two children. My aunt and uncle had two children. Those two “children” also had two children each. Not together, of course. And then there’s me and my sister. She has around 14 children, give or take (or so it seems). Actually, she has four. I have zero (so far). So that balances the books nicely. But that’s basically my entire family, save the odd third cousin, twice removed (whom I’ve never met). Most people say they like their huge family. I like my small family. It seems we like what we have. While we have it, anyway…

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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.

𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙤𝙣 – 𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙠𝙖

Charles is off his face…

Drugs are what got me where I am today. Yep. I said it. Now, I haven’t said exactly which drugs, but I will speak further on the matter – that in itself will not surprise you.

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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.

𝘼𝙥𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙥𝙨𝙚 – 𝙀𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙮

Charles rewrites history…

When everyone has quite calmed down from being so progressively and obsessively modern, we might actually get back to reality. Not virtual reality. Reality! You remember. A life of people and tangible things. A time when people actually used their minds rather than commanding a machine to do it for them…? It worked for centuries. It worked very well, in fact. Craft was high. Art was off the charts. Reading was the only way to absorb information. That and a good schooling and upbringing. If we were to go back to the 16th century, we would see people being people. Brilliant people. Hell, we could go back to ancient Rome and you certainly wouldn’t find cavemen. And speaking of cavemen, it used to be an insult to call someone a caveman – for obvious reasons. These days, I think it would be quite a compliment. To be compared to someone who used both their brain and their brawn in order to survive and pass the time. So would a modern individual smile and gracefully nod their head in gratitude of having been called such a thing? No, they would not. Grace is a lost manner. They would take great offence because they would insist this c-word to be archaic and sexist, and that the preferred term these days is “shelterperson”, if it has to be used at all.

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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.

𝘼𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙨 – 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠 𝘼𝙝𝙡𝙢

Charles is starstruck…

What a split world this is. One side versus the other; with seemingly very few in the middle. Anger and hatred up against hatred and anger. One nightmare mirrors the other. Neither is right, but neither is either entirely wrong? Did Google Translate understand that? Did YOU? There is something to be said for both sides of the argument, but both go too far. Emotions get in the way, like petrol to a flame; or Mentos to Coca-Cola. Emotion is what blocks logic and rational thinking. Being impartial is near impossible, because we all have our own history, experience and emotion. And there is one thing we must simply accept: it is impossible to please everyone. So what do we do? Well, WE can do very little. We are, after all, the little people, with no power whatsoever. We can but watch through slitty fingers. But what can THEY do? I’ll tell you! They can calm down, get off their high horses, and compromise! There is horror on both sides, but there is also merit in both sides. It’s this merit we need to bring to the surface. We need to keep the pendulum even, with as little swing as possible; as dull as this sounds. I know that to many of you, this will seem obvious; and yet, it is very rare in reality. That’s why you must believe. Okay: hope, then. We’ve just got to stay positive, or we will drown.

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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.

𝘽𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 – 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙀𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙯𝙖𝙝

Charles rediscovers youth…

Another week has passed. Another week of not hearing from the artist I reviewed that week. It’s astounding how common this is. I think maybe some of you might understand now why I sometimes settle back into reviewing “the same old artists” time and time again. They are most grateful. I do really like to leap into the unknown and review someone that barely anyone has ever heard of. But very often I feel like my efforts were wasted. I’m never asking for heaped praise, flowers, or gold-plated gifts, but simply some sort of acknowledgement that they read it, they liked it and they were appreciative. Sharing the thing is proof that they liked it, but isn’t it kind of NORMAL to thank the person who spent around five hours writing the damned thing…? Anyway! Rant over. I do try not to dwell on these things (certainly not in public), but considering how common this is becoming, I couldn’t help but let my feelings be known. I am NOT a robot. These are NOT written by a machine. Those of you I have reviewed who HAVE messaged me afterwards, you must understand that this is obviously not aimed at you, and that you are in fact the model of respect and manners. And I thank YOU.

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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.

𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 – 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩

Charles celebrates the good times, for there are no bad ones…

Birthdays are a thing. Whether you’re 7 or 70, they simply cannot be ignored. We all have one. In fact it’s one of the few things we all have in common. They all happen once a year, every year, but unlike Christmas, they are all different and are spattered throughout the year. When this day arrives, it is imperative that you do what my Birthday Song says: “It’s your birthday. You can do what you want. No one there to tell you what to do”. In other woyds, it is the one day you are truly allowed to be selfish. A similar sentiment to Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit, It’s My Party (produced by Quincy Jones – not a lot of people know that). Sometimes though, it is not about being selfish. Sometimes a birthday NEEDS to involve others. And sometimes it needs to, because the birthday is shared. Like twins, for example. Twins might choose a different way of spending their birthday, in which case they will either have to part ways for the day, or one of them will be unhappy. And we can’t have that. However, a differing choice is unlikely with twins, as they are so mentally connected. Mentally though – I’m not talking about conjoined twins here. So birthdays for twins will usually work out well. When it comes to organisations and companies, they too can have birthdays. They can and they DO! Every year, as it happens. And it is often these occasions where global happiness is NOT a thing. Too many different people want too many different things. And so there are bound to be unhappy chappies and chappesses. Usually. But some organisations are different. They are different because each individual is not there for the sake of the “job”. Each is there for the sake of the organisation and their love and passion for it. Let’s now ditch the stuffy word “organisation”, and replace it with “society”. Slightly less stuffy, and just a little bit more cultured and less businessy. Can’t stand business – as annoyingly important as it is. When discussing how to celebrate a much-loved society’s birthday, the decision is unanimous. Because they all feel the same. They all have belief, love and fondness for the society and everything it stands for. I am more specifically talking about the New Artist Spotlight and its “staff” celebrating its second anniversary. Happy Birthday NAS, you are now two years old! Let’s talk about that – thank you Rhett and also Link.

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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.

𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 – 𝙎𝙚́𝙖 𝘽𝙮𝙧𝙣𝙚

Charles travels faintly North and vaguely West, to the only Caribbean island in Eire…

I had forgotten what it was like to be on the open sea. Which makes sense, as I’ve never been on the open sea. Admittedly it is not a long trip from Liverpool’s docks to the the Irish coast, but nevertheless it can be rather exciting when you envision the paradise at the other end. Land ahoy! Although technically Ireland, this small island just off the coast of the mainland has its own extraordinary microclimate, its own people and its own way of life. Paddìsyaŕn is truly like a slice of Tahiti in the most unlikely place. Although popular, it is not widely known because of an international government agreement to keep the world’s prying eyes away from it – I am maybe breaking some sort of rule in even mentioning it here, but if we all agree to keep it a secret, mum’s the word.

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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.

𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙙 – 𝙆𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙠𝙞

Charles is sick of regurgitation…

You’d probably think I would be far too exhausted to write an article this week, what with having been crowned (or “coronated”, if you wish) just a few days ago. But I have commitments, and they must be fulfilled. I am not however going to be talking about my Coronation or anything to do with the extended celebration weekend. A glorious time was had by (almost) all, but we must now get back to work – if reluctantly. God Save the King!

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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.

𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘿𝙖𝙮 – 𝘿𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧

Charles walks like an…

Egypt is a funny place, much like no other. Until recently, much of its famed land lay barren and dry. In fact, this land is STILL pretty desolate. Of course, Egypt is not only desert. I think many don’t realise its bustling cities and modern way of life. What do we imagine when we think of Egypt? What’s the absolute number one thing that springs to mind? Well I’ll tell you. It’s Toblerone. A stone version. Thousands of years ago the Egyptians took a bite of the delectable Western chocolate treat and loved it so much, they decided to build a huge shrine in its honour. Quite fascinating, really! I mean, just how on earth did they get their hands on a bar of Toblerone in the middle of Egypt? And wouldn’t it melt in the burning heat of the sun? The answers to these questions will forever remain unknown. There are other such peculiarities as how they built these trianguloid structures… A system of ramps, rollers and pulleys? Simply very strong men? Very strong women? And what about layers that aren’t on the “ground floor”…? They just threw them? Lobbed them up in the air and hoped for the best? These stone slabs weigh roughly 2.5 tonnes each!! For you Europeans, that’s 2,267,960 grams. I could probably just about manage the 960, if I remember to take my vitamin pills. So what’s it all for? Just for the sake of a bar of chocolate? Well, yes. And that is why Toblerone is so popular to this day. Their stone equivalent is now more famous than the chocolate bar itself, so people buy the bars to show their affection and appreciation for the gargantuan feats of engineering. Swings and roundabouts!

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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.

𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙤𝙪𝙩 – 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙡

Charles reeds allowed…

Do you remember when you were 20 or so? I mean, I know some of you are maybe not yet 20, and others of you might be thinking “well, of course I remember; it was only a few years ago”. But let’s face it, for most people who read these articles of mine, age 20 was a while ago. I think I can safely say that. So, DO you remember it? Do you remember the feeling? Do you remember what you were thinking? Do you remember what your big, bold plans were? Did you have plans to change the world? Were you instead rolling around on the floor in a stupor, wondering what all the fuss was about…? Maybe Plan A with a side portion of Plan B? I think a lot of us were ready and poised for great things, no? As if it was all a matter of course. That things would simply fall into place. I personally had my entire early life mapped out. I was going to break out. Not in hives, but by the age of 23 I was going to be a rockstar/popstar. Obviously. I was going to be married at the age of 27, and the rest would simply just happen. At the age of 21 I already had my music degree from a tiny music college in a cruddy part of London (which has since moved to an equally cruddy part of London), and I sort of assumed I would simply “be discovered”. HA!! My naivety was slightly astounding when I look back on it. Worryingly so. These days I am a realist to the point of pessimism. But only because the reality is not so hot. I mean, just look around. I don’t see the vibrant smiles of 1996. The carefree attitude that once ruled London. Things seemed genuinely to fall into place. Breakout was obvious and inevitable…

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