Distant Danger

REVIEWS

Nuela Charles - Distant Danger

With her six-track Distant Danger EP, Edmonton's Nuela Charles is onto something. Born Manuela Wüthrich, the recording artist blends a mix of pop, soul and rock into something that's entirely its own thing. Whereas 2016 sophomore project The Grand Hustle took things big, Distant Danger offers a more mature and seasoned approach to things.
 
"Troublemaker" is a big, bold, pop-minded danceable song that feels perfect for Grey's Anatomy, "Danger" opts for pop rock movements, as does the clappable, danceable "Do It Right," which uses Charles's smooth vocal timbre and effortless flow to good effect.
 
"Sugar" slows things down, riding a piano and brass backdrop for a smoky relevant on past love, and "Forecast" foretells a fearless and fiery future around destiny and perseverance. While not groundbreaking, Distant Danger delivers on ensuring that Nuela Charles continues to grow and evolve as a singer and songwriter. (Independent)

7/10 - By Ryan B. Patrick

Published Oct 19, 2018

RELEASE RADAR 

Canadian soul queen Nuela Charles is back with her third EP, which is just as unabashedly honest as it is catchy.

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Nuela Charles

Distant Danger

Nuela Charles Music

Nuela Charles has been gracing the depths of the pop-soul plane of Canadian music since her debut album Aware in 2012 and second album The Grand Hustle in 2016. Her latest effort Distant Danger adds an appreciative R&B groove to the already soulful Charles. Distant Danger is like being driven on a night out in neon-lit alleys, cigarette smoke skies, in old Chevrolets.

With plenty of newly felt production and arrangements, lead single “Troublemaker” leads the charge with pops and punches. Sass, empowerment, and respect command attention. “Sugar” is evidence of the evolving Charles and her range, and always with tinges of posthumous Aretha Franklin. “Do It Right” will have any crowd bumpin’ and groovin’ and “Danger” adds to the aptly named album. While the album may be a step-up for Charles in terms of dynamic and production, Distant Danger falls as more than just an album with pop-structures exhausted already, but it serves as a stepping stone to Nuela Charles talent and future as a successful musician.

Ryan Hook

Nuela Charles Strikes Again With New EP Distant Danger

On her new EP Distant Danger, Canada based vocalist Nuela Charles strikes again with five seductive tracks that will make jazz fans swoon and pop fans think twice about brushing off Charles and her talent. After being nominated for a 2018 JUNO Award for Contemporary Album of the Year with her 2016 record The Grand Hustle, Charles consistently releases songs that resonate deeply.

Opening with “Troublemaker,” Charles reminds us that not only does she have a killer voice, but that she can write music that can please almost anyone. With a charming sound, she truly takes us away and allows her audience to escape into the sounds of her unforgettable music. Tracks such as “Forecast,” bring hip hop and R&B vibes that Charles executes perfectly. With her silky voice sitting on top of bumping beats, “Forecast,” is one of Distant Danger’s best tunes.

While Charles’ songs are mostly up-tempo bangers that will get you dancing, when the EP is almost at a close, she throws in a ballad titled “Sugar,” with just a piano, her vocals, and a light saxophone playing softly in the background, “Sugar” becomes an understated track that shows Charles bringing in an emotion that we’ve never heard from her before. Its haunting vibe is just the change of pace Distant Danger needs before it starts to become slightly monotonous with all the lighter tracks.
Cuts such as “March On,” take on a somber tone as well, though it makes for a great song that will move you.

Another piano centered ballad, we are glad that Charles felt the need to show off this side of her songwriting and vocal ability as it makes us only love her more. While she hasn’t made much of a splash outside of Canada, we hope that Distant Danger is the work that finally breaks her free and introduces her to the rest of the world.

GRAND HUSTLE - PRESS

Premiere: Nuela Charles Finds Strength In Weakness In The Video For “Crumbling Down”

Courage takes many forms. It takes bravery to stand up for what’s right, to heal from heartbreak, to push through a rough time, a personal goal, or just another day.