Blurring the lines between caricature and confessional, Kerry Charles isn’t quite certain where his act ends and reality begins. Sardonic yet sincere, abject but personal and indisputably groovy, Charles’s timeless pop recordings are as enigmatic as their author. Drawing influence from the likes of Prince, Hall and Oates, and Steely Dan, Charles’s obsessively produced tracks land somewhere between laid-back synth-pop, smooth dad rock, and seductive R&B.
The New Jersey-based songwriter and producer pairs his intimate falsetto with a lush palette of synthesizers and the inimitable sax stylings of Max Cudworth to produce a sound that longs for a time of polyester and purple rain. Supported by an outstanding lineup of musicians (including Dustin Kaufman of St. Lucia), Charles and Cudworth spin a sensual yarn that will have you reaching to dim the lights and uncork that second bottle of Malbec.
Pressing play on Charles’ new single “In A Minute” is akin to standing directly under falling confetti, watching bright colors slowly fall around you in a flurry of whimsy. There are touches of soul, modern R&B, nostalgic pop, and all-around infectiousness coursing through the breezy tones and lush melodies of “In A Minute.” Charles doesn’t simply apply the knowledge gained from his influences; he sets up a strict filtration system, allowing only the nuances that touch his soul to infiltrate his own perspective. The results are ethereal as the artist’s vocals seamlessly melt into the playful instrumentation. This is pure pop for the soul, and in a world where pop music is drenched in more sugar than a Sour Patch Kid, the jazzy undertones of “In A Minute” are as refreshing as they come. Get lost in the world of Kerry Charles as the artist puts a unique spin on musical fusion with “In A Minute.”
