Paul Frazer Clarke & Charlie Grant serve up a smooth & soulful jam on "The Chalk Outline"
The way this EP has rolled out has truly been a masterclass in building momentum towards a cohesive piece that we’ve been attached to since the very beginning. On his latest single, “The Chalk Outline", this artist has continued that streak beautifully. As the fourth track from Paul Frazer Clarke's Five Coordinates EP, this collaboration with Scottish songwriter Charlie Grant is one of the smoothest, most effortlessly enjoyable songs in the whole project so far, and honestly, we've loved reviewing every step of this rollout leading up to the final track arriving in October.
Clarke, a Perth based composer and producer with over 35 years of experience in the industry, continues to show off his gift for pairing his production instincts with a rotating cast of vocalists. It’s these choices that keep every single from this EP feeling fresh and distinct. Here though, you’re about to experience real guitars, drums, and bass that carry the track with a polished warmth that leans songwriting first. Let us also say, it is incredibly catchy. There's a real sonic sweet spot this song lives in, sitting somewhere between John Mayer's guitar sensibilities and the more reflective, mature material Sting has been putting out lately. Though the track never feels like it's simply chasing those comparisons. It carves out its own flair undeniably!
For us, the drums were a real standout throughout, hitting hard enough to create a satisfying groove that anchors the whole track. That rhythmic backbone gives the song a lot of its movement and it pairs beautifully with the more melodic guitar elements layered on top.
Charlie Grant's vocals are exceptional, smooth, and grounded. There's real vulnerability in the delivery. He knows when to open his voice up during the slightly more intense moments, but at the same time, it’s almost as if he’s using his voice as another instrument in the mix. It definitely matches the song's overall easy and chill energy.
That's really the best way to describe "The Chalk Outline" as a whole, it feels like summer in the most relaxed sense, the kind of song built for a slow drive or a quiet evening rather than anything flashy or overproduced.
As we head toward the fifth and final chapter of Five Coordinates this October, "The Chalk Outline" only raises our excitement for how Clarke wraps up this project. This is a lovely, smooth jam, and another strong reminder of just how well he continues to bring out the best in each artist he collaborates with. October can’t come soon enough, but for now, go ahead and click those links to listen in, follow along, and to catch up with what you might have missed.
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