In conversation: Charlie Aky

For singer-songwriter Charlie Aky,music isn’t just a passion—it’s been a lifeline.

Over the past year, fans of Charlie have been treated to delicate, reimagined piano versions of his earlier releases. But now, with the release of What Can I Say, Charlie marks a new chapter—one filled with raw honesty, emotional growth, and a fresh sonic direction. It’s more than just new music; it’s a reflection of a personal journey that began long before the first chord was struck.

A late bloomer in the music industry, Charlie’s creative journey didn’t always follow a straight path. As a teenager, he found himself suppressing his love for music and dance in an effort to blend in. “Back then, I thought fitting in was more important than being myself,” he reflects. “I slowly stopped doing the things I loved just to be accepted.” That decision led him away from the arts and into an electrician's apprenticeship—what seemed like a sensible, stable route.

But the further Charlie drifted from his creative core, the more he struggled with his mental health. “I was lost. I felt like I had shut off a part of myself to live a version of life that just didn’t feel right.”

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit—and with it, came silence, stillness, and unexpected space to reflect. In the middle of lockdown, something shifted. “Everything changed when I rediscovered an old guitar tucked away in my room,” Charlie says. “It reignited my love for music and reminded me of who I really was.”

What started as casual covers on Instagram and TikTok soon turned into a full-fledged rediscovery of his identity. Inspired by the emotionally rich songwriting of artists like Dermot Kennedy, Wild Rivers, and Billy Joel—and drawing on earlier influences like Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes—Charlie began to carve out his own unique sound. “I started writing from a place of truth. I was done pretending,” he says.

In 2023, he took the leap to pursue music full-time, throwing himself into songwriting, live performances, and personal growth. The response from his growing fan base was immediate and affirming. “Their support gave me the confidence to share my story. It helped me find my voice—not just musically, but as a person.”

Now, with What Can I Say, Charlie returns to collaborate once more with producer Jim White, continuing a partnership that has already brought heartfelt tracks like Better After All, No One To Call, and 8 out of 10 to life. True to form, the new single delves into vulnerability and emotional truth. “I wrote this song about the feeling that someone is losing interest in you out of nowhere. It’s that confusion, that trying to piece together what went wrong,” he shares. “I wanted it to hit hard—with powerful vocals and lyrics that really stay with you.”

Looking back, Charlie sees his teenage years through a clearer lens now. He understands how far he had gone to hide his true self—and how music helped him come back to it. “The pandemic was one of the hardest times for so many people, but for me, it was also the beginning of something important. I found my way back to myself through music.”

As he continues to write and release new material in the months ahead, one thing is certain: Charlie Aky is no longer hiding who he is. And in doing so, he’s inspiring others to do the same.

While we await the release of his new single on August 1st, here is an exclusive cover of Miley Cyrus' Flowers, which he recorded just for us...



I chose to cover Flowers because I love the strong sense of self-empowerment that runs through it. It approaches heartbreak from a fresh angle, rather than dwelling on loss. It celebrates self worth, which really resonates with me. I’m always drawn to songs that flip the narrative from the norm like that.
Musically, I was also drawn to the melody. I love how the long, sustained notes give the vocals room to breathe and build emotion, while the staccato rhythm of the “can love me better” line adds a punchy, playful contrast. That mix makes it such a fun and dynamic song to sing and one that I really connect with.
Charlie Aky