First hitting our pages in October 2022 as part of Jane’s Monthly Favourites round up, Charlotte Grayson recently returned to our blog with her first release in two years.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Howy White Photography

She’s not left it that long to follow it up, dropping a new single, Low Standards, today. The track is the Hartlepool-based artist’s final release to include her old live band, The Shame Areas, and sees the era off in style through a lively folk pop arrangement. Opening stripped-back, the arrangement quickly hits its stride while Charlotte’s vocals draws focus.

“Low Standards is about my terrible taste in men,” she says. “On the plus side, I wouldn’t have released any albums without them. So, you know, it’s not all a waste…”

Her confessional style plays well in the lyrics of the track, underwritten with dry wit and humour. There’s nothing funny about the chorus, though, which hits hard. It’s a real earworm.

With each new release, Charlotte steals our hearts a little more. She’s fast becoming a York Calling favourite.

Low Standards features backing vocals from Crescent’s Millie Jones and was produced by Mark Aubrey. It’s out now via Shy Bairn Records and you can give it a listen below.