Charli Herbert – “Watching Me Dance”
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London-based indie artist Charli Herbert has just released “Watching Me Dance,” a song that poignantly captures unreciprocated longing.
There’s a dark and gritty vibe to “Watching Me Dance,” its outset providing slightly overdriven guitar chords atop a slow, but steady rhythm section. The standout element of the arrangement, however, is a ghostly slide guitar that bleeds into the ambience, echoing the emptiness of wondering whether the person you love feels the same in return.
Herbert’s voice fits comfortably alongside artists like Eleni Drake, Matilda Mann, and Hope Sandoval, carrying the same raw, dreamy emotional weight. Listeners might be surprised to learn that the vocal performance on “Watching Me Dance” was captured in a single take. Attempts to overdub the track ultimately fell short of matching the emotion preserved in that first recording.
From the brooding, Mazzy Star-like haze of the verses to the Karen O-esque upper register in the refrains, the track moves with a striking sense of ebb and flow. Subtle vocal layers are woven into the chorus, adding depth without disturbing its fragile balance. “Watching Me Dance” feels destined for those late-night playlists reserved for quietly crying in your car.
Charli Herbert’s new single “Watching Me Dance” was created in collaboration with Frank Colucci, and the pair’s undeniable chemistry in the studio leaves plenty of room for anticipation around future releases. In the meantime, you can stream the track now on all platforms and connect with the artist here: Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok
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