Album Review: Charlotte OC - Colour My Heart EP

Few things in life seem certain, least of all in the ever shifting ether of popular music. But I'm going to go out on a limb and say with some degree of confidence that Charlotte OC is going to be big. Really big. My evidence comes in the form of the 23 year old's phenomenal debut EP Colour My Heart.  the EP has been available for streaming for a little while now but ahead of the official UK release date on the 25th of November, I thought I'd get stuck in and see exactly what it is that makes Charlotte so unique.

I suppose as good a place to start as any is with the title track, 'Colour My Heart'. According to Charlotte, the song was written after a Sunday night spent in Berlin's (and possibly the world's) best club, Berghain. After spending a few hours finding beauty in the darkness, she immediately penned what will surely be considered her breakout track saying of the experience, "It was the most amazing clash of senses. I have thought about that afternoon many times since". Writing 'Colour My Heart' marked the start of a new, more atmospheric direction for the singer mixing in elements of dark pop and gospel. All in all, the track is a spine-tingling and engaging opener to the EP as well it should be given that the track was produced and recorded by Tim Anderson in LA, who's previous collaborates include a whole host of singers, including Solange Knowles.

Follow up 'Hangover' is a more contemporary pop song, in that it's a soul and funk tinged powerhouse of a song. Think something more in the vein of Stevie Nicks or Alicia Keys and you'll be in the right ball park. Of course it's no coincidence that Charlotte is settling quite nicely into such footsteps given that all her life she's been inspired by passionate and strong female singers. Speaking of Alicia Keys, Charlotte says,"...Sat behind a piano, doesn't have to take her clothes off, she became an instant idol for me."

Speaking of key's, third track 'Cut the Rope' is a piano driven powerhouse of a pop song. Charlotte's sultry vocals are backed perfectly by the piano giving up just the right amount of emotion by the time the booming drums kick in, where it becomes a truly scintillating experience. Rounding off the EP is 'Stolen Cars', using a rather beautiful and elegant piano riff to lead through the verse, into a compelling and uplifting chorus.

It's difficult to capture the essence and spirit of an artist in a four track EP, even more so a début one, but Colour My Heart does exactly that. Displaying the emotion, song-writing capability and downright power of Charlotte OC, I find it very hard to believe this can be anything other than the start of something big. As a bonus, take a look/ listen to this live version of 'Colour My Heart'. Jaw-dropping.