On her latest outing ‘Low Standards’, Charlotte Grayson follows on the heels of the brilliantly candid ‘Get Outta My Yard’. This new track leans into its own contradictions, pairing self-aware lyrics with a breezy arrangement that tiptoes between country charm and indie-pop sparkle.
Grayson’s songwriting has always been marked by its conversational tone and wit, and ‘Low Standards’ continues in that tradition. The lyrics are a knowing nod to romantic misadventures, delivered with the kind of shrugging honesty that’s equal parts confessional and comedic. It’s the sort of track you can’t help but smile at, even if you’ve been there yourself (and who hasn’t?).
The Shame Areas provide a gentle backdrop here, dialling down the distortion in favour of nuance. There’s a soft shimmer in the verses and plenty of breathing room and tender guitar inflections that let Charlotte’s voice do the talking. When the chorus hits, the sound opens up without overwhelming, like a well-timed swell rather than a tidal wave. It’s thoughtful, measured, and perfectly matched to the song’s emotional arc.
What’s particularly moving about ‘Low Standards’ is that, while it’s easy on the ears, it doesn’t shy away from emotional depth. Grayson knows how to laugh at her own heartbreaks without trivialising them, and that’s no small feat. There’s grace in the storytelling- a sense that mistakes were made, sure, but also that growth happened because of them.
As Charlotte shifts back into her solo acoustic mode, this track serves as a fitting farewell to the full-band dynamic she’s explored in recent years. It’s warm and completely on her terms. If this is the end of the road for The Shame Areas, it’s a send-off done right.
In the end, ‘Low Standards’ is a testament to Grayson’s knack for turning life’s messier chapters into something melodic and memorable. And if this is what she’s calling a B-side to her stripped-back future, we’re in for something special.
