Charles Costa (the artist formerly known as King Charles) releases new single & video "Emilie" + announces new London show
HEADLINE SHOW @ LONDON’S THE GRACE - JUNE 12TH
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Following the success of his highly-praised self-titled new album earlier this year, renowned artist Charles Costa continues the support for his recent LP with the release of its standout offering, ‘Emilie’, and the announcement of a new live show in the capital this summer.
“Emilie” is a wistful, dreamlike reflection on the quiet devastation caused by societal pressure and expectations, telling a love story marked by longing, disappointment, and lost potential. Though its sound shimmers with light, airy textures and a sense of dreamy escape, beneath the surface lies a powerful undercurrent of emotional rebellion. It captures the bittersweet act of spitting out pain and celebrating sadness, finding a strange kind of freedom in acknowledging what’s been lost. The result is a track that feels both tender and defiant, with a beautiful contradiction of hope and heartbreak woven into every note.
Speaking about “Emilie”, he said, "This song is a result of society's pressure and expectations on someone and how it squeezed them into a lesser version of themselves. It’s a love story ofc but a sad one of vivid longing and disappointment. It doesn’t sound sad, maybe wistful and dreamy at points but to me it’s about spitting out pain and celebrating sadness."
Of the accompanying video he says, "One of those perfect days in spring on the south coast with a great team. Shooting from dawn till beyond the dusk was a lot of fun, it was a beautiful place to be." WATCH HERE
Charles Costa has also announced an exclusive live show at London’s The Grace for June 12th. Find out more information and where to buy tickets HERE.
Various factors have influenced this rebirth, from suddenly sharing his artist moniker with the actual monarch, to this already deeply personal artist becoming increasingly eager to explore the vulnerabilities of the man behind the music. That introspective desire is powered by his inspirational, ongoing charity endeavours, which recently reached a new peak as he completed the last of his 90 Marathons in 90 Days challenge - a gruelling 4000 kilometre trek along the Pacific Crest Trail which has raised over £167,000 for James' Place, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention for men.
The whole of Charles’ new album was crafted during six weeks of sessions in that studio, located in an arts centre housed in a former US Air Force base in Suffolk. It was created with a tight-knit team, primarily with Charles performing vocals, guitar, cello and keyboards; Jesse Quin making the most of his multi-instrumentalist talents; and Tom Hobden (Gang of Youths, Noah and the Whale) contributing evocative violin. What they’ve unlocked in a tapestry of sounds, touching upon everything from ‘80s electro-pop to hymnal devotion via pastoral folk, with echoes of the likes of Bon Iver and RY X.
Charles considered this to be an opportunity to record his second debut album. And it’s a stance that makes perfect sense within the context of his wider journey. Before breaking through with his original debut, ‘LifeBlood’, Charles suffered a catastrophic skiing accident in Austria. The resulting brain trauma and accompanying psychological issues were managed with heavy-duty medication, primarily to reduce anxiety. Every few years he realises that they make him feel as if he’s not really living, and he attempts to wean himself off them. His most recent attempt was going fine… until in the middle of a holiday in Majorca he crashed into an “an uncontrollable darkness, a terrifying state of fear” that took him back to the same frame of mind as he was in during the aftermath of the original incident.
It was a time in which he started to write the initial ideas for this album. “They come from that moment in Austria, twelve years ago,” he admits. “I’m still trying to pull together pieces of my life and create something.” And running is part of his ongoing strategy to manage those issues. His current endeavour is his second major adventure. He previously completed the Feel Good Jog in support of the youth and community charity Regenerate. It was a schedule of 40 marathons in 40 days which took him from John O’Groats to Land’s End, with impromptu performances each day at locations ranging from stunning lakesides vistas to remote country pubs.
Album tracklist:
‘Heart is Heavy’
‘Thief’
‘Feel Every Minute’
‘I’ve Been There’
‘Can’t Get Away’
‘Emilie’
‘Nothing At The Most’
‘Lifetime’
‘In The Shadows’
‘Aeolian’
‘When The War Was Starting’
‘Any Kinda Way’
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