"Hearing [Stereolab's] Dots and Loops in high school was totally transformative for me - I had never heard anything like it before and it perked the little producer in me right up."
A master of mood and atmosphere. Singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Charlotte Day Wilson presents her second studio album, a debut on her label home of XL Recordings, in partnership with her own label imprint Stone Woman Music.
Titled Cyan Blue, the Toronto-born artist's latest offering takes inspiration from the colour cyan itself. A shade somewhere between green and blue, an in-between space which Charlotte felt creatively tapped into, reflecting the latest evolution of her music as well as recurring in different aspects of her life (eye colour, the seas and skies). Evoking a soulful essence reminiscent of traditional soul and velveteen R&B influences, the music itself mirrors a continuum of colours, Charlotte's self-produced melodies drawing from various elements of genres which have long influenced her warm vocals and acclaimed production skills.
Arresting and poignant lyrics addressing romance, growth, strength, glimpses of vulnerability and changing feels. The arrival of Cyan Blue marks an exciting new chapter for an outstanding artist.
Marvin Gaye, Stereolab, the Fugees' and more. We take a deeper dive into the music which has inspired Charlotte Day Wilson's expansive soundscape and impeccable production.
Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On
Gotta be one of the best records of all time. The lyrical content and context of the political landscape at the time. The way his voice so painfully expresses the emotion behind his words. The fact that he self-produced it. The musical motifs and overall impeccable feel of the music. This record changed the game for R&B.
Nina Simone - Wild Is The Wind
For me, Nina's voice is one of the best of all time, but her piano playing doesn't always get as much praise. My favourite piano players are the ones who are also singers - there is a unique style to the way vocalists accompany themselves on the piano, as almost an extension of their voice. This album showcases my favourite Nina piano playing, as well as obviously her powerhouse singing and songwriting.
Carole King - Tapestry
This is one of my other favourite piano players. Carole King's iconic songwriting is so intrinsically tied to the way she writes on the piano. Simple and structured but always moving and always adorned with her unique feel. My aunt used to play these songs around the house all the time and I never really appreciated how good they were until I was an adult.
Dusty Springfield - Dusty in Memphis
Her voice just does it for me. The songs are amazing, so nuanced and full of life and feel. To learn that she was dealing with being closeted just added so much depth to the experience of these songs for me. Pretty sure Carole King wrote some of the hits on this one.
Stereolab - Dots and Loops
This album exposed me to what would become my favourite modular production ever. Hearing Dots and Loops in high school was totally transformative for me - I had never heard anything like it before and it perked the little producer in me right up. The songs are journeys in modal and modular exploration that make odd time signatures, odd melodies and odd sonics sound completely sensible.
Fugees - The Score
Hearing Lauryn Hill out-rap and out-sing everyone on this record, accompanied by the dark & warm richness of the beats was also a transformative experience for me. Something about the mood of this record is so specifically night time.