Through her first ever solo project, “COLLATERAL DAMAGE”, released on October 16th under Blue Élan Records, US artist Charlotte Dickson gives us an unrivaled piece of art that addresses the complexities and messiness of human interaction. This is a ten track record covering topics ranging from betrayals and detachment to anxiety and dependency. Below is the exploration of this incredible ten track record.
The album begins with “Stuck in my Head”, which begins with an unsettlingly quiet beginning that features a single electric guitar playing a sad, repetitive tune until the sound of a very slow drum beat becomes present, much like a heart rate. Lyrically, the song deals with the subject matter of haunting thoughts and the difficulty in getting rid of one’s past that stays long even after the end of a particular relationship. We all know this one, hoping to hear from an ex but, after this particular stage, we kick ourselves enough to understand that we are not meant for each other. The kicker is this; it seems that as soon as we think we are healing, we have a backslide where we call this ex or they call us and then, all the work we put in, dissolves and they get stuck in our head once again. The vocal performance of Dickson in this song exudes emotional agony from the first line itself, switching from an agonized whisper to a sharp snarl accompanied by an increasing intensity of the song through heavy bass lines and alt rock guitar sounds.
In the second song, “What Once Was Mine,” the opening notes of the song feature a dark strum of a bass guitar backed by ambient string pads. More painful than a sudden leaving is the pain felt from the realization that the person you love has been emotionally absent all along. It is the heart wrenching realization that while you have been busy creating a world together, they have been busy creating an escape route from you. Charlotte nails that kind of heartbreaking betrayal on the head with such sharp accuracy, by using real-life quotations and painful details woven right into the lyrics. It’s not just using flowery metaphors but taking the heartache to its raw truth in terms of conversations, lies, and most importantly, the chilling truth that you know that the person has long since been gone even though he hasn’t left yet. Listening to the exact words said gives you a mirror in which you see yourself when you had the painful realization of being in love with nothing but a shadow. Musically, the song draws upon the use of clean guitar and drum kit to create a climax in the song that is almost stadium-ready in terms of emotion. Dickson features a breathy, controlled mid-range voice that cracks a bit when singing at the high notes.
“Nervous”introduces a new energy flow, beginning with a nervous, jarring electric guitar line and a snap rimshot rhythm section that creates an instant sense of extreme tension. The track can be seen in two ways. First is a portrayal of the nerve-wracking experience of being in a broken dynamic relationship where one feels extremely nervous and is always walking on eggshells due to the sheer emotional dominance of the person involved. But, it can also be the flutter that we have in our stomach or the way our heart starts palpitating because someone we have a crush on or loves is close to us or even nearby. As far as musicality goes, the song belongs in the alternative pop-rock genre, with distortion in the rhythm guitars and a rhythm section that is pounding like a fast-paced heartbeat. Dickson’s vocals have an incredible edge to them; her breathless voice changes seamlessly from sultry speaking tones to explosive choruses.
“HATE ME,” however, goes to a different side, beginning with a powerful and soft synthesizer swell underpinning a sinister-sounding electric guitar riff before a live set of drums is laid down with the first beat. Lyrically, this song touches upon the psyche of the lack of self love. Our character, tells us that she doesn’t recognize herself when she looks in the mirror and begins to hate herself. She isn’t glorifying self hate but admits that it’s a coping mechanism she uses that to question why she doesn’t stand up or like things that she used to like. Vocally, Dickson delivers a harsh sound by employing low, chesty belting along with sarcastic phrasing. Instrumentally, this song makes use of a brooding bass line and harsh guitar solos to deliver an empowering message to anyone who has been made to play the role of the scapegoat.
Having allowed themselves to enter a vulnerable area, “Flowers” has starts with the very delicate finger-picking of acoustic guitar sounds which have an effect of intimacy, like sitting next to the performer in a silent room. In the course of the song, the main topic will revolve around empty gestures, insincere apologies, and how even physical objects of affection can’t mend the emotional neglect of the foundation of something built. In terms of music, the song has an incredible dynamics range including soft sounds of cello and brush drums, which gradually grow into a full wall of sounds in the final chorus.
“Louder” begins with a melody that is very glacial and dark with a steady thumping beat that forces you to pay attention. The character talks about how the voices in her head is getting louder because of a particular situation she’s in because, our environment and emotional state, contribute to our state of mind and clearly the character isn’t doing well emotionally. Musically, the track has a powerful and energetic vibe, thanks to the heavy bass riffs and hard-hitting cymbal crashes that make it stadium rock. This is one of the best vocal performances that Dickson gives on the entire album, as she belts out her lines in a very empowering manner.
The mood changes to a more relaxed one with “Happy for Now”, whose start is marked by the tranquil, wide-range playing of guitar melodies, followed by the slow, marching beat of drums that mark this bittersweet march. Theo song explores themes of betrayal and emotional imbalance once the truth about a partner’s “best friend” is discovered, creating conflict between the need for love, hate and ultimately, revenge. The song touches upon the rather complex and contradictory feeling of seeing your ex-having found someone new who makes him happy while you are only recovering from the aftermath of your breakup. This is done through a blend of cinematic and , ambient electric guitar sound, and the weeping sound of a slide guitar. Dickson’s performance shows her wide vocal and the falsetto was everything!
“2ATTACHED” jumps right into an up-tempo, rhythmic groove driven by a quick drum beat and a syncopated bass line that injects a fun alt-pop vibe into the song. In terms of lyrics, it highlights the dark obsession and fear of being unable to retain personal freedom when in a codependent relationship where the love for another person is choking out your individuality. Our character isn’t oblivious to her fatal flaw of being too attached to this person and seems to have a resolve of breaking free. Musically, it incorporates indie-rock instrumentals with alt-pop hooks, combining powerful vocal hooks and sharp guitar lines. The singing style from Dickson comes off as fast and conversational, matching the frantic mental state of obsessive thoughts.
In the build-up to the end of the album, “Casualty” kicks off with the chilling and delayed electric guitar intro that rings out slowly within a seemingly empty sonic landscape and followed by a pounding, slow tempo drum beat. It conveys the sheer beauty of the journey of a romance that starts off with the beautiful simplicity of a fairytale, only to disintegrate slowly and painfully due to the unbearable burden of repressed emotions and feelings. The place of refuge and solace becomes a place of treachery where everything gets marred by the weight of silence and unexpressed grievances.
Alongside that disintegration, “Nervous” delves into the very real issue of how struggles with mental well-being can affect relationships and connections with others. Through this heart-breaking ballad, Charlotte is able to show the audience how internal anxiety and silent inner battles can change the story of a relationship from one of sweet comfort to one of suspicion and agony. Through her exploration of the fine line between loving and battling oneself, she shows what it means to struggle with watching one’s love being caught up in that struggle and thus creates a song that feels so raw and real. It is the thematic statement of the whole album and deals with the after effects of collateral damage where one gets caught up in the storm created by someone else’s emotional chaos. Our character stands up to her bully, letting him know that he’s damaged her and she’s a casualty of his wickedness. Musically, the recording is big, brooding, and theatrical with dramatic electric guitar builds and pounding rhythm. Dickson’s vocals are simply devastating; going from a broken cry to the sublime heights of a performance that will leave you awe-struck.
The album ends with “How It All Ends”, which starts with a dark thumping beat and fading electric guitar sequence and the faint sound of amp feedback, symbolizing the last embers of the fire. From the lyrical point of view, it represents the closure to the character in the song and somehow to the albums well , as the singer reflects on the past experience and finds acceptance and wisdom, as well as the strength to get back into the light after a difficult journey. Musically, it is an outstanding work of music, characterized by the reduced amount of instrumental arrangements, where the beauty of the acoustic and string arrangements comes out.
It’s not like her songs are written just for the sake of illustrating the agony of a broken heart; rather, they are composed in such a way that makes every single individual feel completely understood and empathized with. Using her powerful lyrics along with the cinematic story-telling, Charlotte provides the space where people find sanctuary, catharsis, and solace in knowing that they are not carrying their burdens alone. As Charlotte puts it quite eloquently, “COLLATERAL DAMAGE is a compilation of all the songs I’ve ever written as the only evidence for me that no matter how undesired the destruction may be, there is always some story to tell. Even though the deepest wounds come as a result of wars that one does not have to fight, there is always some kind of beauty in creation.”
With her powerful debut album, “Collateral Damage,” Charlotte Dickson is more than entering a new era; she’s taking control of it through a masterwork that displays herself at the pinnacle of her creative abilities. Much more than just a compilation of tunes, this sound project plunges into the dark side of the consequences of emotional damage, describing with such subtlety the tragedy of finding yourself entangled in the whirlpool of circumstances you have absolutely no control over. Avoiding all obvious clichés associated with break-ups, Charlotte presents the true state of human nature with an impressive degree of maturity and wisdom. She cuts the complex network of modern relationships to their very core, turning naked vulnerability into immortal anthems. Every line of her song stays with you after it ends as a painful reminder that what Charlotte Dickson is creating isn’t just a set of tunes to forget about; rather, it is her unique legacy and her place in the sun. This philosophy can be felt in every single note of this album. This is a truly surprising masterpiece, an absolutely phenomenal album that is sure to leave its indelible stamp on the soul and will remain one of those played frequently for many years to come. Well done on your debut, Charlotte; what a wonderful creation that you have created; it is such an honor to watch you at work, and I look forward to working together with you once again!
Stream the “COLLATERAL DAMAGE” album on Spotify
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