Since 2020, London’s Charlie J Perry has been quietly releasing tracks that signify his special blend of ambient soul, warm instrumentation and soft, cinematic textures under the moniker Common Saints. It’s been an important creative outlet for this acclaimed producer and multi-instrumentalist who has made a name for himself in backstage of the music industry through his work with the likes of Olivia Dean, Jorja Smith, BTS, Maverick Sabre and Lola Young.
This year, Common Saints has treated listeners to Age of Illusions, the fourth EP from this solo project. Off the record, the standout track ‘Stargaze’ has drawn our attention, not only due to its ear-catching soundscape, but also its essential anti-war message. Through his profound lyrics, Perry asks listeners to consider the universality of the human experience, to look up at the sky and understand we all stand beneath a shared celestial canopy. A couple of the most striking lines, “oh, but the Sun comes up to a different war, we bleed the same blood as we did before,” really drive home this point of history repeating itself.
Set against syncopated beats, slinking bass, sparkling keys and delicately threaded guitars, you might be surprised to find such a heavy topic, but in this way, Perry addresses listeners with a warmth and compassion that he hopes will come. As the track progresses, you can feel a growing restlessness in the unrelenting percussion before the frustration spills over at around the 2:05 minute mark and he urges collective action, “come on our world.”
There’s no ignoring the timeliness of this song as the human cost of war mounts and the old order continues to drive division between people who have far more in common than they do differences. ‘Stargaze’ is a reminder that maybe a singular voice won’t change much, but together we can change everything.
You can also listen to ‘Stargaze’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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