Indie Music Album Reviews

Charley Young - Sugar, Werk, Je te veux

6/21/2024

Charley Young

Sugar, Werk, Je te veux
self-released; 2024

By Jamie Funk

Charley Young is an artist with multifaceted talents, seamlessly balancing her time between acting and music as evidenced on her website. Her latest musical offerings, distinctly pop in nature, cater to a youthful audience with a penchant for catchy, mainstream sounds.

“Sugar” is a prime example, centered around polished contemporary production and a hook that’s as familiar as it is infectious, seemingly crafted to capture the widest audience possible. Its straightforward approach to pop is effective, delivering exactly what one might expect from the genre.

“Werk,” on the other hand, ventures slightly off the beaten path with its intriguing use of effects and mixing. The track is an entirely electronic affair, featuring grooves built from spliced vocal samples. While it doesn’t stray into the avant-garde territories of Bjork or Aphex Twin, it maintains a steady 4/4 beat, notable for its lack of lead vocals, which adds a unique touch to its composition.

“Je te veux” brings us back to the quintessential pop realm, with its glossy production tailor-made for the dance floor. The track shines with its nightclub-ready vibe and continues to showcase Young’s prowess in production. Ultimately, Charley Young’s music is a testament to the power of production in modern pop.

You won’t find searing guitar solos or raw human drumming here, but that’s a reflection of the genre’s evolution. The songs are polished, enjoyable, and if you’re in the mood for sleek, well-crafted pop tunes, they’re certainly worth a listen.