North East acoustic/pop singer-songwriter Charlea B has recently unleashed her single, ‘Punchbag’ – and it’s fantastic.
The way the song has been crafted is a testament to Charlea’s songwriting ability – disguising an emotionally-charged call of defiance as an almost country-pop acoustic number – and it’s a track that keeps lodged in your head after the first listen too.
The track begins smoothly with plaintive acoustic chords, soft piano notes and a steady, pulsing blend of bass and beat; it’s a combination which stays consistent throughout the track but it’s all that’s needed and is the perfect backbone to this catchy, emotive piece.
There’s definitely an influence of American singers seeping through Charlea’s powerful yet somehow effortless singing style – hints of Alicia Keys, LeAnn Rimes and even Dolly Parton spring to mind – but it’s blended to create a unique voice of her own. The rousing “I’m not your punchbag no more” line of the chorus is the epic centrepiece of the song that rings in your ears even after the ending notes.
The soaring guitar solo after the second chorus is a nice touch to proceedings, then the song picks up the pace briefly for an inspiring: “You may break me once, you can’t break me twice” refrain before that hooky chorus comes crashing back in to bring things to a conclusion.
A special mention must also go to Jamie ‘Jampott’ Donnelly whose production of the track has provided Charlea’s lyrics with a hypnotic landscape to flow effortlessly throughout the duration of the song.
You can listen to the superb ‘Punchbag’ now at charleab.bandcamp.com/releases.
