Charlotte Lansman, Water Review

Charlotte Lansman is a London based Bristolian singer that takes influence from jazz, soul, and blues to create a unique sound. Lansman’s powerful contralto tones, poetic lyrics, and crafty songwriting skills have gained much notice in the UK music scene. With an American father and a British mother from County Durham and secondary schooling in Wales, Charlotte’s upbringing was surrounded by song – from Country music (Garth Brooks) to 60s & 70s Rock (The Eagles, The Beetles, Lou Reed), Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones, to Tracy Chapman and Nina Simone, to Nirvana and RHCP. Lansman is now releasing her single, “Water.” The song’s lyrics are about journeying through the void left when a relationship ends suddenly, and the strength and freedom that can be gained from that ending.

Bottom Line: “Water” has a sexy backbeat and a crisp guitar that sets up the feel for Lansman’s unique vocal sound. Her contralto singing is beautiful; her phrasing is relaxed, and as the melody climes in register, her voice still maintains a rich chocolatey sound. The lyrics are rich with meaning. Lansman explains, “‘Water’ describes someone finding themselves in a position where they feel destitute – abandoned, alone, suspended in a moment at the end of an emotional roller coaster of a relationship destined to go south then able to find strength and peace by escaping within. Out of the chaos without, and into strength and peace within. Inspired in part by a past relationship, and in part by quarantine in London! Finding freedom in the daily hour for exercise – in nature. Finding space to breathe.” The instrumentation of the song has many textures and builds through the form. “Water” is Lansman’s debut single, but her vocal style is one of maturity and passion. The bridge has quite trumpet fills that fit with Lansman’s lush vocals. With a voice with a timbre that is this unique, Lansman is sure to continue to gain fans and build a beautiful collection of songs; she is one to watch. That’s the short of it!