Perhaps personifying the behaviours of bravery and boldness, the new EP from Charlotte Forman – Hear Me – is a genuine investigation into what it means to be truly authentic. Combining strong elements of jazz and soul, the focus of Hear Me, out November 15th , is an intentional reflection on how it feels to be an artist keen to put the art before anything else.
“I’ve really tried to focus the EP onto the songs rather than anything else” confirms Forman when we catch up “I wanted to release a body of work which talked about my journey from the very start to where I’d like to be at the end. I keep journals and vision boards and so even though I can’t say for definite where I will be with this EP and what comes after it, I’m sure of where I’d like to be”.
Taken over some deeply emotive ideas and themes (“I really am inspired by singers who bring authenticity and their personal experiences to their songs and I’m trying to do the same”), Hear Me is a poppy, soulful, set of songs taking clear inspiration from artists like Adiele and soul singers like Sam Smith. Debut single from the EP “Follow me down to the river”, an upbeat, jazzy, track stands out on an EP where the vocals, rather than any production, are pushed to the front and centre of the art. “I really wanted to make my singing be the main focus across the EP. The front cover of the EP has my faced covered by a flower, and the production pushes my vocals and lyrics to the front of the mix in a combination that really tries to make everything be pushed to the back apart from the stories. I really find personal connection the most important and interesting aspect of songwriting and everything else, like what you wear, or what shape you are, a distraction and totally unimportant”.
Piano driven “Pinch of Salt” with its 1990’s Toni Braxton gentle rn’b flavour, and soaring – unfiltered vocals- reflects a different style for Forman and a different flavour of her diverse EP sound. “I tend to start most songs on a piano, which I enjoy as it helps focus on the song, the melody, and the feel. There’s various transitions the song then passes through as it works into production so it’s interesting to hear where the songs go and where they end”.
Taking to a couple of different venues for the launch of the Hear Me (a currently unannounced show in Stanley and a December slot in Newcastle’s Globe), Forman’s focus is currently moving from the recording process to the performance stage; and a recent Globe show, as well as previous showcases, means she’s ready to go. “To be honest I can’t wait for the EP to be out there and to get on stage and perform the songs. These songs are about where I am now and what I’ve been through to get here. Every day has something to look forward to and I want to take that energy and play the type of music that I enjoy and that I think moves people. We all need each other and we all need good music with strong messages. I just hope I can add to that”. Indeed she can.