𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 - this week: A Perfect Boy - J.H.M, feat. Ed Eagle

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.

𝘼 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙮 - 𝙅.𝙃.𝙈, 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩. 𝙀𝙙 𝙀𝙖𝙜𝙡𝙚

(Prince) Charles keeps it in the family.

I have been in a somewhat distant and sombre mood these past few days. April 9th brought certain feelings and emotions to the surface. It was my mother’s birthday. She is alive and well, but of course I still cannot see her, because of the ongoing circumstances we are all enduring. We chatted on the phone about everything and nothing, as per usual. It was nice. It was fond and cosy. Shortly after the call came to a close, my phone rang again. It was my girlfriend - always a joy and a delight. She too, I have not seen in more than half a year. Her voice was hesitant and more reserved than usual, but still with such softness and care. The imperfect boy that I am, bashed through this sensitivity like a blind trucker on pep pills, no doubt boring her into the ground about Lord knows what, until I eventually ran out of things to say. She then politely asked if I had seen the news. I had not. My heart leapt. All sorts of things rushed through my mind at such speed that I was unable to focus on a single one of them. I asked her to tell me. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh had died at the age of 99 and 5/6ths. The Queen’s crutch, love and confidant was no more.

I did not expect this to affect me so much, but it did. It has been like losing a grandfather. But more importantly, I feel it is like seeing the nation’s foundations crumble. Without this rock of the past and its ways, so vital in an ever-changing world and society, it feels destabilising. As if now, anything goes. The past is relegated to an undigitised text in a leather-bound book, which soon too will turn to dust.

Being very much an irreligious man, I found myself looking to God. Or I should say, looking FOR God. I did not find him. But on my journey, I did pick up my chin, assume the Prince’s perfect posture and compose myself. I turned to my real God. Music. April 9th brought one other thing. A song, by a man and his brother in law. Please welcome J.H.M - otherwise known as Jeff - and his brother in law, our very own Ed Eagle, with their brand new single, A Perfect Boy.

Many of you reading this will be familiar with both of these public figures. Together, they are so worthy. In short, this is an utterly beautiful song, and just what I needed to make my eyes somewhat less shiny. The expertly strummed guitars fill the air with hope and optimism. We look back at the past in fondness, we look forward to the future with anticipation of the good things to come. The mood floats and ripples like a pastel rainbow in a shallow sea. We hear both relatives singing, and their individual tones compliment one another to completion. The bass and drums are understated but present, strong and vital. We even have another unsung hero involved, by the name of Raven Paradox (Mike Bar), who mixed the record to perfection, giving it this godly nature that can only be described by opening one’s ears and allowing the music to envelope the whole of one’s being. In other words, to give in to its beauty and let go of everything else.

It is a simple song consisting only of three chords, but with a melody that lifts the soul. Its hypnotic quality brings the memory of the 1997 chart-topping album, Urban Hymns by The Verve. Although I always felt The Verve’s dream-like splendour was more narcotic than hypnotic. Jeff and Ed bring something more pure. More genuine.

You can see clearly now (the rain has gone - no) that music is my God. Religion CAN bring out the best in people, but it is not for everyone. Whatever brings out the best in you, is your ‘religion’. Our Queen is the head of the Church of England. She has always had this magical effect on most of the nation and indeed even much of the entire world. To make people feel good. This is vital, particularly these days and right now. We need hope and light. We need love and fulfilment. We need to be positive and upbeat. I personally find all this in music, both in the creation and the simple listening pleasure.

A Perfect Boy is exactly what I am talking about. I would love to know what it does for you.

I was delighted to see these two perfect boys keeping it in the family, within our own little (huge) New Artist Spotlight family.

Listen to 𝘼 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙮 on the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 Spotify playlist HERE!

Listen to 𝘼 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙮 on the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 Apple Music playlist HERE!

Follow J.H.M on Instagram HERE!

Follow Ed Eagle on Instagram HERE!

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