Charlie Vaughan – Catch Me If You Can, Marianne! (2023)
If The Beach Boys were to have a child with The Beatles, the chances are it would be Charlie Vaughan. Blessed with natural storytelling skills, the UK-based artist can keep you captivated like Sherezade mingled with Paul McCartney. If you think you have heard the name Charlie Vaughan before, it might be because he was a member of the foursome Weird Milk. Drawing influence from vintage power-pop, Weird Milk travelled across the UK sharing their retro sound; in 2022, Vaughan took the step to a solo project but kept the joviality of old-school power-pop to his name. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Catch Me If You Can, Marianne!’.
In 2022, Vaughan released his debut single ‘I Want You’ to rave reviews and critical acclaim. As he continued releasing singles, he began setting the stage for a particular “Charlie Vaughan sound” – distinctively old-school jangle-pop but with a smattering of indie-pop shimmering through the tune. Following ‘The Director’ and ‘In June’, ‘Catch Me If You Can, Marianne!’ leans toward The Beach Boys but simultaneously traipses various flavours of pop in the single.
Proving that acoustic singles can be as vivacious as any rock song, Vaughan incorporates a piano, percussion, acoustic guitar, drums and saxophone in ‘Catch Me If You Can, Marianne!’. While all instruments weave together in a kaleidoscopic haze of sound, a sense of simplicity wavers within the melody giving it a calming effect. The subtle guitar clicks in as a piano ebbs and flows in the sonic river. Drums twinkle in the background with a saxophone slipping in and out with its rich, bold sound. Interestingly, it is Vaughan’s soft vocals that seem to bind the elements together despite being relatively subdued.
Taken off his upcoming debut EP, ‘Catch Me If You Can, Marianne!’ is more than a sophisticated melody to touch your heart; it is an exciting tale whispered through the track. Retelling a story his grandfather shared, although somewhat embellished, ‘Catch Me If You Can, Marianne!’ follows the adventures of “a jet-setting Don Draper, out-foxing authorities whilst travelling through exotic lands, all whilst entangling himself further with a new romance.” Perhaps the plot of an amazing film? At this point, we can merely imagine the journey through Vaughan’s eloquent and elegant song.
For more from Charlie Vaughan, check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
