By Zach Collier
With so much music in the Provo music scene, it’s easy to get sucked in and start listening to music in a bubble. It’s always great to see what awaits you in the broader world of sonic textures, and to find new recommendations that can inspire you to make music differently than you did before.
Charlotte Chipembere has the kind of voice that made us say “yes” literally three seconds into her new song “Tunnel Vision.” Literal chills. But her talent goes far beyond her great vocals. She’s also a 10/10 lyricist.
“Brown on brown skin – monochrome / you’re a dog, just wanna bone / and I should go home” deserves to be in the hall of fame of opening lines. In a mere three statements, Charlotte introduces setting, action, and characters; laugh out loud wordplay; and the central conflict of the narrative. It’s masterful.
Taking things a step further, the production on this track is next level. The panned and filtered faux-barks after “dog” in the first verse were a nice touch. So was the iMessage sound after “phone” in the second verse. And the first drop at 21 seconds was completely unexpected, introducing a hip-hop vibe and an off-kilter flow before hitting listeners with the real drop: a piano arpeggiated chorus that gives JVKE’s “Golden Hour” a run for its money.
There are so many twists and turns here. It’s masterfully arranged – right up there with Dijon’s “The Dress” and push baby’s “Thor.” I know I’m name dropping a lot of songs here, but the fact that “Tunnel Vision” draws so many parallels to absolute bangers while still remaining entirely its own unique thing is a testament to how good it is.
If Charlotte Chipembere doesn’t become the next pop R&B sensation, we should all quit now. There is no hope for this world.
If you like what you hear, make sure to follow Charlotte Chipembere on Instagram. You can hear “Tunnel Vision” below.