CHARLOTTE WESSELS – The Obsession (2024)
Charismatic Dutch singer-songwriter CHARLOTTE WESSELS (ex-DELAIN) presents her highly anticipated first full-length solo album, ”The Obsession”, set to be released on September 20, 2024. Featuring guest appearances by Simone Simons of Epica and Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy, it blends catchy elements with progressive and heavier soundscapes, marking the most significant step in WESSELS’ solo career.
Themes of fear, obsessive thoughts, and escapism run rampant on the album, presenting dark and heavy on songs like “The Exorcism”, “The Crying Room” and “Ode To The West Wind” (feat. Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy). In addition, there are songs that offer a more upbeat approach to the subject – like “Dopamine” (feat. Simone Simons of Epica) which deals with SSRI-induced numbness, or “Praise” – which sings the gospel of needing external validation in order to feel anything.
The reimagining of fan-favourite “Soft Revolution (2024 version)” won’t leave a dry eye in the room, while “Soulstice” and “Serpentine” present an unprecedented dark sensuality.
”The Obsession” sees much of a return to that symphonic metal sound that Wessels was so well known for, although given she’s also joined by former DELAIN bandmates Timo Somers (guitars), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass) and Joey Marin de Boer (drums), that may well have been expected.
There’s definitely more crunch in the riffs, though: ”Dopamine” hits harder than anything their collective former project managed and there’s a sparkling cameo from EPICA vocalist Simone Simons to boot, while lead single ”The Exorcism” is significantly darker too, a foreboding introduction giving way to a sinister track that weaves and bobs around some thunderous guitars, pummelling drums and Wessels‘ anguished vocals, seemingly exploring uncleans for the first time.
”The Obsession” is definitely the album Charlotte needed to release right now. It is nostalgic and it rocks, and there are hints of the genre-bending from her first two records. It has a meatier, more in-your-face sound, and the complete package is impressive.
Fans will love it and new listeners will be attracted to it.
Highly Recommended
01 – Chasing Sunsets
02 – Dopamine (feat. Simone Simons)
03 – The Exorcism
04 – Soulstice
05 – The Crying Room
06 – Ode To The West Wind (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)
07 – Serpentine
08 – Praise
09 – All You Are
10 – Vigor And Valor
11 – Breathe;
12 – Soft Revolution (2024 Version)
Charlotte Wessels (vocals)
Timo Somers (guitars, additional arrangements)
Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass)
Joey Marin de Boer (drums)
Sophia Vernikov (piano/Hammond)
Pre order:
napalmrecordsamerica.com/charlotte-wessels-the-obsession-digisleeve-cd.html
