“‘Charlie’ is a close talk to a friend that is struggling,” Sam Valdez explains of her latest single. The first release since August’s “Unwind” from the singer-songwriter who hybridises lo-fi indie rock and shoe gaze in her eerie and evocative soundscapes. “It’s wondering what role you have played in it and not knowing the right thing to say or do to break them out of it.” She offers well-meaning attempts at solutions in the track’s chorus: “Just go for a walk, Charlie, gotta stop thinking through, just try and get some sleep, Charlie”. The cocktail of concern and helplessness at play is palpable. “There is frustration and anger but also a lot of love in this song,” Valdez adds.

The single is the latest offering from her upcoming EP “Crush”, for which she’s secured the production chops of Grammy-nominated Gianluca Buccellati (Arlo Parks, The Marias, Biig Piig, Lana Del Rey). The EP covers everything from friendship, and sexuality, to Valdez’s contemplation of life on other planets. “It was a way to get out of my typical thoughts and expectations and fantasise,” she says of making the project.

Head below for a taste of what’s to come on the “Crush” EP, available on October 28th, by listening to “Charlie” right now…