LimeWire Music Blog

We are still trying to figure out who Charles is, but for now, we have this Dutch power-pop band ready to infiltrate the ears of teenagers the world over. Vocalist Charlot Henzen, all of 17 years old, writes what she knows: namely, tales of adolescent love and the paradoxical feeling you get only as a teenager, of feeling like Superman while simultaneously being the most sensitive person in the world. Song titles like “Boys, Dump Your Girlfriends” and “What Happened to Your Smile” exemplify the lyrical content, yet the group has written some of the catchiest hooks of the year. The highlight of I Kissed Charles is Henzen, who combines the brashness and attitude of Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson with the tenderness of Taylor Swift. With so much stereotypical, cheesy pop coming out of Europe for years, I Kissed Charles bucks the trend, delivering smart, punchy songs tailor-made to stand up against Jonas Brothers and Paramore.

Jason Newman