(October 4, 2020) At least 50 new songs pass through our doors everyday at SoulTracks, and we typically only write about one or two. So it takes a lot to make us notice a new artist from whom we’ve never heard before. When siblings Jendayi and Gyasi Bonds – better known as the Austin, Texas duo Charlie Belle, hit us up with their new single, “Looking for Magic,” we expected to pass right by it.
But the duo’s hooky songwriting and the utter charm in the accompanying video grabbed us, and wouldn’t let go. So I was grinning ear to ear as I watched them mugging together as they walked through the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia in the vid, lip syncing their new pop-soul gem.
“Looking for Magic” has a bright, sunny feel that belies the uncertainty of the underlying lyrics, which speak of a woman who is not sure that she can truly be herself with her lover:
Everyone’s looking for magic I’m not sure I have it
Cuz I’ve got the cape but it’s not the right fabric
I’m wondering if this is me
Or if this is just what you want me to be
Whether or not the song’s protagonist is sure of herself, we are absolutely sure that Charlie Belle charmed us into our first story on the duo. And we think you’ll be equally enamored. Check them out below.
By Chris Rizik
Charlie Belle – “Looking For Magic”