A Chat with Charlie Aky (15.04.26)
For Charlie Aky, what began as covers on TikTok and Instagram quickly turned into a rediscovery of his musical identity, passion for music, and a desire to write original, honest melodies. Aky shared, “I started writing from a place of truth. I was done pretending… It helped me find my voice, not just musically but as a person.” We speak to the rising UK-based artist about his new single, ‘Perfume Regret’, what music means to him, future plans and much more.
OSR: Cliche, but what drew you to music? What made you decide to pursue a career as a musician?
Charlie Aky: I started performing when I was about five, going to stage school and singing in different productions. But around 13, I stopped because of peer pressure and other things. During lockdown, I fell back in love with music and decided to take it seriously. Artists like Ed Sheeran, Billy Joel and Shawn Mendes really inspired me. I started teaching myself guitar, busking, and from then on, I knew music was what I wanted to pursue as a career.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Charlie Aky: I know it sounds cliché, but it means everything. By that I mean it’s in every part of my life. I’m constantly listening to music, whether I’m happy or sad. I love writing music, its freedom and expression, and it’s amazing to create like that.
OSR: You recently released your single ‘Perfume Regret’ – a song you mention was inspired by “a small, quiet moment, when a familiar perfume gently brought back memories of an ex.” Do you think there is power in allowing yourself to sit with a wave of nostalgia rather than trying to push that feeling away? Why or why not?
Charlie Aky: Yeah, I think there definitely is. It’s important not to stay in that space for too long, but those small moments of nostalgia can be really powerful. They can give you perspective on where you are now, where you’ve come from, and the experiences that have shaped you.
OSR: Unlike many pop songs, ‘Perfume Regret’ doesn’t seek or offer closure; it refuses to resolve the narrative. In your own life, have you ever felt more at peace by accepting an unresolved situation rather than forcing a resolved ending?
Charlie Aky: Yeah, I can think of a few. There are definitely moments in life, especially with breakups or certain situations, where there isn’t really much you can do about it. Sometimes it’s easier to just accept things as they are and find peace in that, rather than trying to force a conclusion that maybe isn’t there to be found.
OSR: What does the track mean to you, and what do you hope people take from it?
Charlie Aky: To me, this track is about those moments where a memory can just hit you out of nowhere and pull you straight back into a feeling you thought you were over. It’s that mix of love, confusion, and frustration when you can’t tell if it’s still about the person or just the memory of them. I wrote it from a really honest place, about being stuck in that in-between space and trying to make sense of it.
I think what I hope people take from it is that it’s okay to feel that way sometimes. You don’t always need clear answers or closure straight away; sometimes, you just have to sit with it, and over time, it becomes easier to understand and move through.
OSR: You also released a music video for ‘Perfume Regret’. What can you tell us about the video and the experience of making it? Were there any problems, or was everything smooth sailing?
Charlie Aky: Honestly, it’s not the most dramatic story because it all went pretty smoothly. We wanted the video to be one continuous shot, so we only did two takes from two different angles. The second take just felt right, so we went with that one. Sorry, I can’t say there were loads of problems or loads of takes, but it was actually that simple. 🙂
OSR: As with the video, was recording the single itself smooth sailing, or did you face any challenges?
Charlie Aky: This song is quite challenging for me to sing. The rhythm and melody can be quite challenging. With every track, I like to make sure I push myself. So yes, there were a few problems, especially to get it to the standard I like to be and the amazing team around me likes to hold me accountable for, but we got there in the end, and I’m really happy with the end result!
OSR: If you could speak with a younger version of yourself regarding the past relationship, what is one thing you want them to know?
Charlie Aky: I think I’d tell a younger version of myself to actually enjoy the process a bit more, even the difficult parts. At the time, it can feel heavy, but looking back, that “grind” and everything you go through is actually the most important part. That’s where you grow the most, and where a lot of the music and meaning come from.
OSR: Performances can be transformative things. Which gig, to date, is the most memorable, and why that show?
Charlie Aky: In December, I did two nights supporting The Dunwells, who are an amazing duo I’d actually grown up seeing perform quite a lot locally. So it was a really special moment for me. The crowd was fantastic, and it honestly felt like a bit of a full-circle moment getting to share the stage with them.
OSR: What can we expect from you in the future?
Charlie Aky: We’ve spent the last 18 months writing and really taking our time to get the songs right behind the scenes, so the focus now is very much on live shows. We’re in the process of building the live set at the moment, so the next chapter is all about performing and bringing the music to life on stage. Alongside that, there’ll be plenty more releases coming too, so it’s a mix of new music and lots of live shows!
OSR: Do you have any message for our readers?
Charlie Aky: I’m currently on a school tour performing and talking to children about growing up, peer pressure, mental health, healthy relationships, and what I leave them with at the end of my talk is: “a problem shared is a problem halved”, so let’s end on that.
Many thanks to Charlie Aky for speaking with us. Find out more about Charlie Aky on his Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Jeremy Williams PR.
