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With the release of his brand-new EP Gorgeous, Sick & Tired, London based singer and songwriter Charles is in a league of his own. A masterpiece laced with nostalgic, cinematic production, the EP takes inspiration from '70s funk and disco and is full of witty lyrics and emotive storytelling.
It’s truly rare to meet a person so effortlessly themselves, but Charles has authenticity in abundance. Exuding personality, from the way he moves, the way he talks, the way he dresses and of course his music, it’s apparent that Charles has that ‘thing’ whatever that ‘thing’ is, and it feels like just a matter of time till everybody sees it.
We sat down with the up-and-coming star to discuss the emotional lyrics bursting throughout the EP, the skill of writing feel-good music with such depth, his biggest inspirations and what 2025 has in store for him. If Gorgeous, Sick & Tired is anything to go by we think Charles has an incredibly exciting road ahead.
F Word: Hey Charles, thanks so much for chatting with us, your new EP Gorgeous, Sick & Tired has just come out, how are you feeling?!
Charles: Thanks for having me! I’m feeling relieved, I’ve been planning this release for the best part of a year and half. So, it was a really nice moment to let go of all the built-up tension and release it into the world.
F Word: Despite the project having such a feel-good vibe throughout there’s so much depth to it, can you tell us a bit about the overriding themes?
Charles: The EP sums me up perfectly as a man who still at his grown age struggles to be fully honest with his emotions. When writing the project, I wanted to show a more vulnerable side of myself, but in the same breath it was masked in music you could dance too. Which was unintentional when writing it, but on reflection I think it shows the bigger issue of men like myself who struggle to express emotion. I had been open in my lyrics but hid under catchy hooks, which I can’t work out if that’s really beautiful or deeply tragic lol.
F Word: Is there one lyric you’ve written that holds a special place in your heart?
Charles: Yeah, these lyrics give me a lump in my throat every time they pass my lips. “Everything I thought my life could have been, it’s getting away, further away”.
F Word: Your ability to convey intense emotion in a track that you can still dance to is such a skill! What is your usual process when creating music.
Charles: Ahh thank you! My usual process is I get in the studio with one of my producers (i.e Mathais Boman, Jaye Locke) and we start from scratch making either the bass line or drumbeat. Once we have that locked, I tend to start singing melodies over the top whilst they crack on with building the track. With all of us shouting “Oooo yeah I like that” or “nah that’s shit” at various points we somehow start to build a song. I also don’t write lyrics in song format when writing. I’ll be sat on the train and just jotting down exactly how I feel or what I want to say as a monologue almost. Then when I get in the studio I go back through the texts and start reconstructing it as a song, adding here and there or taking away.
F Word: You’ve become known for your incredible live shows, what are your favourite tracks from the EP to perform?
Charles: This will sound super rogue but it’s the Sick Interlude. We do my signature ‘Charles Sway’ and people lose their minds haha.
F Word: What would be your dream gig?
Charles: Selling out my world arena tour and finishing in my hometown of London at The O2 with all my family and friends.
F Word: And what would be on your rider?
Charles: Heinz Mayonnaise, Tequila and fags. `
F Word: Your musical career has been a real journey, what has been a highlight so far?
Charles: Performing in studio 2 at Abbey Road was really up there, but I think something more recent has been me realising and seeing that I have actual people I don’t know who love me and my music. Calling them fans feels weird but yeah, I guess that’s what I’m trying to say. It’s pretty mad and I hope I never get used that because it’s really special.
F Word: Who do you sight as your biggest inspirations musically?
Charles: Prince, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder - the greats.
F Word: Your personal style is impeccable – talk us through getting ready each day, where do you start?
Charles: A little hack my sis Devon Mckenzie taught me was to snap yourself in the same mirror every time you put an outfit on, so when in times of crisis of what to wear you go through that album in your phone and pick what you want. It has saved me multiple times.
F Word: Where do you find most of your inspiration form a stylistic perspective? It’s apparent from your artwork and videos that visuals are really important to you.
Charles: Good question, I’d like to think that it all comes from myself personally, but there’s definitely starting points that I draw from. Like era’s have a huge part to play in where the inspirations start. '60s, '70s, and '80s fashion, lifestyle and culture are always a good start point.
F Word: What does 2025 hold for Charles?
Charles: Nothing but greatness from here on out. I've been in this game a while and it’s going to be the year that everyone opens their eyes lol .
F Word: Finally, we ask everyone this question – what is your favourite "F" word and why?
Charles: Future - it’s a reminder that no matter where I am in life, I’ll always have the choice to change path, grow or keep going. I guess it gives me hope.
