Embracing tangible truths and concrete realities, pop singer-songwriter Charlotte Lawrence released her latest soul-stirring indie-pop anthem titled “I Don’t Wanna Dance,” on March 1, marking her first release of the year.
After releasing her self-titled extended play that captivated audiences three years ago, as well as her recent ballad track “Bodybag” and queer anthem “Boys Like You,” Lawrence returns with her first release of the year, “I Don’t Wanna Dance.” The latest track delves into the complexities of emotional dissonance and the struggle of being authentic within a strained relationship.
The song begins with the gentle strumming of acoustic guitars layered with Lawrence’s sweet vocals, where the 23-year-old singer details how she has suppressed her emotions for so long. She sings, “I hold it all in / Try to keep it unspoken / Bite my lips ’til they’re broken,” feeling the need to present a facade that she hopes others won’t notice. The verse reveals how Lawrence has been concealing her true emotions. She maintained this facade in the hope that others remain oblivious to her internal struggles.
The passionate buildup from the pre-chorus into the chorus accompanies Lawrence’s bright vocals and lively drum beats. Here, she candidly expresses how she doesn’t want to be someone’s “baby” in a fight to reject a superficial mindset, asking, “Why am I still standin’ in a crowded room / If it makes me lonely?”
Accompanying the track is a visually compelling music video where Lawrence finds herself in an empty field, digging a metaphorical hole into the ground using only her bare hands. She later decides to buy a shovel at “Fulkerson Hardware.” This purchase both capitalizes on her search for self-discovery and her loss of self-control. She admits, “I’m losin’ control / The paper walls are collapsin’ / Couldn’t stop it from happenin’,” acknowledging that she cares too much. This coincides with her ongoing struggle for authenticity, which is reflected in the lyrics and is depicted throughout the video.
In her music video, Lawrence transcends listeners into a melancholic yet liberating state of mind. Throughout the second half of the track, she shares that she feels whole but admits to being dragged through the mud and back again, singing, “I’m so done with lyin’ all the time / Matter over mind / I don’t recognize me at all.”
While the bridge doesn’t include any actual words, Lawrence’s vocalizations add a layer of intensity amidst this seemingly upbeat indie-pop sound, showcasing a pivotal breaking point for her. As the visuals play out in the music video, the story reaches its climax as Lawrence continues to dig herself into a hole to mirror the emotional depth of the lyrics through the transition from daylight to nightfall. She finds herself lying in the hole she has created for herself — and with no way to reach the surface, signaling that she has come too far.
Lawrence’s most recent single, “I Don’t Wanna Dance,” emerges as a poignant exploration of her journey toward self-awareness, authenticity and the difficult choices one makes to save face. The music video concludes with Lawrence lying in a deep hole with muddy fingertips and arms. Ultimately, the track exposes the raw beauty and lingering courage that comes from letting go.
Keep up with Charlotte Lawrence:
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