August Charles brings soul to the witness box on "Stand On Trial"

Siphoning the spirit of soul within his earthy, grounded vocals, August Charles has spent the last couple of years building industry clout supporting the likes of Nile Rodgers and Emeli Sandé. With buttery smooth tones that manage to convey depth without serration, his music emulates contemporaries like Frank Ocean and BADBADNOTGOOD.

Ahead of releasing his debut EP, Blessed, on Friday, August is offering a surprise single to fans, "Stand on Trial". Collaborating with Congolese-Canadian rapper jev. on the track, he delivers his signature retro R&B swoon over blushing melodies on the vibraphone. With August himself born in Ndola, Zambia, and now based in Yorkshire, the track is a fusion of two creatives with wide pools of influence to draw from and stories to tell.

“Blessed is not just a collection of songs, it’s a deeply personal journey through thoughts, emotions, and experiences in love," August muses on the project. "I'm inviting listeners to connect with me on a profound level, sharing the vulnerability that comes from self-reflection, and the acknowledgment of life's blessings.”

Acting as the EP's opener, "Stand on Trial" presents a man falling victim to his own hubris - a lover left humbled after pursuing short term pleasures over long term sentimentality. As such, it offers the first glimpse into the void of August's precis on love. "I'm going to stand on trial for killing the feeling of love," the track emerges in falcetto, giving rise to August's candid, journalistic musings.

Exploring just one facet of love that Blessed interrogates - alongside familial, unrequited, and self-worth - "Stand on Trial" is an audible vol-au-vent that leaves the listener hankering for more.