With ‘One Drop’ Be Charlotte demonstrate, in one exhilarating track, why they’re on every sane person’s ones to watch list for 2017.
The Scottish three-piece comprised of the captivating Charlotte Brimner (programming, guitar, keys, vocals), James Smith (keyboard, bass) and David Calder (drums) ended 2016 on a high performing at the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh alongside Paolo Nutini, The Charlatans and Frightened Rabbit. Now they are soaring into 2017 with new single ‘One Drop’ (due for release on 20 January via AWAL / Kobalt Label Service), which is an affront to every music genre classification that’s been created.
On ‘One Drop’ Be Charlotte blend hip-hop, beatboxing, electro and indie pop. The result is an infectious track that gets your heart pounding and your feet moving. From the beatboxing start to the fizzing beats, tribal rhythms and dirty guitar riff, the layers build. This creates a unique soundscape that perfectly complements Brimner’s vocal range – in moments beautifully wavering and then stunningly powerful. Personally, I love that she retains her Scottish accent in the spoken parts when many try and Americanise their voice – it just adds to her expressiveness.
But it’s not only a triumph from a genre-busting point of view – the lyrics are as vibrant as the music. Brimner’s words are perfectly placed to convey a sense of being unable to clearly see a way forward from a situation that can’t be changed and must be dealt with – “One drop dilutes an ocean, can’t be reversed. One word controls emotion and this I don’t rehearse. Ripples of who you are, won’t be removed. I’ll write the words to help the story to conclude”.
Next up for Be Charlotte is an appearance on the BBC Introducing Stage at Eurosonic on Friday 13 January 2017, followed by some European tour dates. My advice would be to get your tickets quickly.
We’re less than a month into the new year but, if ‘One Drop’ is anything to go by, I guarantee that Be Charlotte will be topping every sane person’s end of year list too.
Be Charlotte 2017 Tour Dates:
13th January 2017 – Eurosonic – Netherlands
14th January 2017 – Hamburg – Germany
15th January 2017 – MaisonSage – Paris
18th January 2017 – FluxBau -Berlin
15th February 2017 – Madhatters -Inverness
16th February 2017 – PJ Molloys – Dunfermline
17th February 2017 – Garage – Glasgow
18th February 2017 – Electric Circus – Edinburgh
19th February 2017 – Lemon Tree – Aberdeen
3rd March 2017 – Carnival56 event launch – Fat Sams – Dundee
