Launching into the indie music sphere with a promising talent, Charlie & The Rare Mediums's debut EP "Passage of Time" is bound to seize attention with ingenuity: taking a U-turn from polished radio-ready pop, the American alias has instead openly embraced the warmth of blues and classic rock; the assortment of five songs soon got us to nod our heads to its unmitigated rhythms and unfiltered performances. Here's a deeper look into the said project!
Based in Chicago, a focal point of Rhythm & Blues that immensely molded the vibrant sounds of Rock 'n' Roll, the mentioned alias is a solo endeavor that is impressively full-fledged in its sound. There are the down-to-earth and musical nuances akin to hall-of-fame rockers such as Led Zeppelin, not to sideline how potently this EP channels the spirit of 70s R&B and Soul. This feels very much like a passionate love letter to that era (carrying more weight considering the independent effort), teeming with introspective songwriting and plush harmonies capable of evoking nostalgia and bittersweet emotions.
"I'm Onto You" is a spry blues rock tune with acoustic drums frolicking, as the raw tenacity of the vocals powers the tune; midway, sax melodies pull the listener in alongside guitar rhythms, drums changing time signatures effortlessly, all the while as the singer expresses a broken heart. Smoothly transitioning to “Passage of Time,” buzzing guitars and prominent drums bolster a thoughtful and lush rendition— this tune demands the lights be dimmed down, and that one appreciates its subtle jazz and blues-influenced composition. I Am All These People" gets down to funk, garnished with playful grooves and a solemn, soul-baring performance (opting for a more stripped-back sequence afterward).
Our favorite on this EP has to be the collaboration "Walk a Little Stronger" with Ricky Liontones, where fluent bass and opulently harmonic vocals cruise together on a 70s easy and seductive R&B number. "Getting Lighter" is the final tune with a sense of laidback-ness, nevertheless made remarkable by upbeat drums synergizing with low-key guitars and contemplative vocals (the main chorus emphasizing the buoyancy of the tune, urging listeners to get on their feet).
Listen to Passage of Time on Spotify and Bandcamp, and stay tuned with Charlie and The Rare Mediums on Instagram.
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