𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 - this week: Runaway - Shahiem

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly - an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙍𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 - 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙢

Charles loves to love love…

Let’s face it, I can’t hide the fact that I’ve been a tad down in the dumps lately. And because of this, it might have brought down the mood these articles over the past few weeks. I can’t help that, and I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it shows how honest and genuine these things are. But… You (the reader) might be more in the mood for something to bring you out of a similar slump, rather than have something to agree with and nod to. And so, here it is. Love. Love is the solver of all. Love is the only drug worth bothering with. Love changes everything. Love is what changes your mind. Love is what keeps you going. Love is… Ach, I just thought… This is really going to bring down the mood for those of you who haven’t found “the one”… But not to worry. Firstly, it’ll give you something to look forward to. Secondly, there is more to love than your significant other. Or as some of you might say: INsignificant other. There is the love of a parent or two. There is the love of one’s child. There is the love of a grandparent. A sister, perhaps? There is the love of a pet. There is the love of your work and your passions. There is the love of life itself… I feel very sorry for those of you who might have none of those. Those who just bled tears on your lap, please don’t; the label says dry-clean only. Besides, I can’t make everybody happy with my writing…

But for those of you who are still with me, let’s talk love. Proper love. I don’t mean any blood relation or anything like that; I mean REAL love. The one you chose. Or the one who chose you. I suppose it’s bound to be both ways, isn’t it. I’m not talking about the birds and the bees, here. That’s all fun and games, but it’s not LOVE love. LOVE love is unique. It’s special. It’s magical. It’s romantic. Real love IS like it is in Hollywood. It’s just about the only thing about Hollywood that isn’t an untouchable dream. Sure, it is rare, but it ain’t impossible. Of course, your physique (or theirs) might not quite be up to that of Ryan Gosling or Margot Robbie. Your hair might be less Cary Grant, and more Kojak. But hey: Kojak wasn’t unsuccessful! Just keep sucking those lollipops, and you’ll get there. So, let’s ignore the visual perfection of Hollywood, and concentrate more on the soft glow of romance in Hollywood. Casablanca style. I have that magic in my life, and I can’t believe I’m the only one. The thing is, while one twosome might within themselves be perfect, love-wise, it’s the rest of life that can make things just a little bit shitty. You know what I’m talking about, I’m sure. Life just won’t leave them alone to enjoy each other’s company. Metaphorically or not, the vista is ugly. There’s an overwhelming feeling of “gotta get away”. This duo needs to find their sanctuary. Their own little piece of paradise. Sure, it might be an escape, but perhaps (just perhaps) it is more a completion. The rarity of such a couple deserves the perfect setting. Like in Hollywood. So why not?

I’m not talking about the plastic vulgarity of somewhere like Dubai; that’s just man-made money. I mean somewhere small. Somewhere down to earth. Somewhere with beautiful architecture and/or nature. Somewhere with community, but a community with which neither is familiar. Somewhere new yet comfortable for both. Where neither’s past nor people can affect the lives of these two lovers. A permanent retreat. A fresh beginning. The roots of a new family. To an extent, a shelter. Somewhere away from everyone and everything they knew before. Sure, it might be scary, the prospect, but isn’t it exciting? And isn’t it simultaneously calming? Isn’t this what love is? Think of it as a permanent elopement. A place where true love can thrive. Isn’t this just pure beauty? While you want to be tethered together, you don’t want to be tied down to a load of other junk. Why be tied when you can be untied…? I’ve been told I’m a romantic dreamer and that I really should be more “realistic”, but I have also been told constantly to follow my dreams… Make up your mind, people! Perhaps there is some sort of middle ground… But where’s the romance in compromise…? The Small Faces once told me, “All or Nothing”… Well, I choose all. Nothing, sounds rather dull. And meeting halfway is neither thing. So let’s go places. Let’s find that idyllic spot where you and I will find true happiness in love. Let’s run away.

Let me bring you an artist from some place or other (potentially South Africa). He has always been one of the big pop acts of the New Artist Spotlight. Right up there with Shayan Regan (for those who remember his presence). But the thing about THIS pop artist is that he doesn’t release that frequently. He started strong with 10 solo tracks in 2023, then just two solo tracks in 2024 - one of those (Freaking Out) I picked for my Corner. By the way, I say “solo tracks” because he has also done a couple of collabs. But what of this year…? It seemed like I silenced him by reviewing him… Me and my big mouth. This is a massive shahiem because although he doesn’t release that often, when he does, he is brilliant. And I would FAR rather fewer excellent releases than a regular load of meh. Meh be gone! Anyhoo, there’s good news. He’s back! Back with a brand new single called ‘Runaway’. Here’s Shahiem! It's been quite a while since I've reviewed a pure pop song. Everything has been more alternative or rock, or just something else. And that's not my fault. Pop has to be polished. Mediocre sounding pop simply doesn't pop. And mediocrely written pop is a waste of time. Hence why it has become rare. Another reason is that pop in the indie world is starting to be taken over by HAL (A.I.). Quite possibly in the mainstream too, but we will never know.

What I DO know, though, is that ‘Runaway’ is my new favourite pop song. Let’s start with those lyrics. Shahiem agrees with me and my romantic ideals. He wants to run away with his lover. He wants to find that place they can call their own; their home. And he does so with such youthful vim, energy and innocence. Rather unusually, though, for a pop song clocking in at 2 minutes and 45 seconds, the intro is surprisingly long. He only starts singing 36 seconds into the song. And yet every second of those initial 35 seconds is vital; I wouldn’t cut a single one. And within that intro, we move through quite a lot of influences. Although there is an oriental tinge to the initial instrumental melody, it very quickly and suddenly sounds as though Shahiem has “borrowed” Sam Fender’s band for a few bars. Then the melody takes on a more latin syncopation for a brief second, only to settle into the coolest groove, laced with immediacy. As soon as we finally get a taste of Shahiem’s voice, the song transforms into something that truly sounds like an unearthed gem by the artist formerly known as Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. What, you don’t know who that is?? Tut tut. It’s the artist currently known as The Weeknd. Soon enough, there are bits of the best of Justin Bieber and early Bruno Mars; and even smidges of the poppier side of Tame Impala. But with all this said, it doesn’t quite sound like any of these artists. There is something altogether more real. More pure and believable. Sure, Shahiem has evidently been influenced by various artists and productions, but I don’t hear “label”; I hear soul. I hear heart.

However, I DO hear “label” when it comes to the impeccable arrangement, production and sound. Firstly, let’s talk melody. Melody is key in pop. That's what I love about pop. No other genre holds melody in such high esteem. But this main melody... There are so many melodies in this little tune, but the main one... What IS it? It's so familiar, but I just can't put my finger on it. I can't get an era, a gender, a genre. Must be pop. But then again, is it a rocky kind of pop? A dancey kind of pop? And is it from the last few years? Or is it from 20 years ago? Or 50 years ago? The good thing is, I can't think. Maybe it really is original to this song, but it just sounds so classic that I assume it's from something else. As if it simply couldn't have not been around before. Who knows. And who cares. It's great. And what's greater is that this is just one of the many melodies peppered throughout the song. It is just jam-packed with them. Melodic melodies are my thang (as you all know). And they're peculiarly rare. Probably because a melody like that has to have some sort of familiar feeling without actually being a known melody. An original fondness. Shahiem’s use of EQ and reverb is SOOOO well crafted and controlled. All thought-out and considered. A chosen decision. None of this just "happens". That's what a great sound engineer understands and realises. The same goes for balance in terms of arrangement and sound in general. The bass is crafted, both in terms of instrument and frequency. The depth is throbbing, yet confined in a glass jar. The width of the song is a full wingspan in a large locked cage. And the whole thing is thoroughly saturated with the permeation of wood stain. Crisper than Bruno Mars’ shirt collar. WHAT a song. Told you he was back.

I can only assume that Shahiem produces and mixes everything himself, because this is what is stated in the credits with no mention of any others. A side-note NOT aimed at Shahiem: Please, if you use/work with anyone, please credit them on streaming platforms. It’s the very least you can do to thank them. And any of you click-button-prompt-generator types, PLEASE admit it in the credits, and stop lying to listeners and friends.

So, say I’ve had this idea of finding a new spot together. Everything feels right. I ask her if she’d like to run away… She says she's quite happy right where she is. Huh!

The good thing is, that was my significant mother.

Listen to 𝙍𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 on the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 Spotify playlist HERE!

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