REVIEW: Charlotte Day Wilson Opens the Dance Floor with New Single “Selfish”
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY ROBBY SHEILS ☆
Othello Grey
THE TORONTO SINGER-SONGWRITER RETURNS WITH A NEW SOUND. From swaying ballads on her debut CDW, to tender R&B tracks on her 2024 album Cyan Blue, Charlotte Day Wilson has never shied away from displaying her range. On her new single, “Selfish,” we see Wilson move to the dance floor. The result is a glossy, lean and uptempo track that can hold its own in breakbeat basements.
Wilson’s reserved words on “Selfish” may surprise those familiar with the artist’s renowned songwriting ability, but should not leave anyone disappointed. “Selfish” tells the story of a pining Wilson wanting a romance all to herself. It’s a timeless narrative that has long led songwriters to gravitate towards the poetic and metaphorical, yet Wilson opts to profess straightforward and unapologetic confessions. The choice is brilliantly simple, and reveals a lovesick voice winding in Wilson’s head, frequenting the same helpless confession: ‘I’m selfish for you.’ The intentionally unshowy lyrics also clear space for the instrumental to shine, allowing listeners to appreciate the drifting keyboard chords and addictive drum groove. The combination feels cool and unforced, inducing its listeners to not overthink what is, at its core, an addictively melodic and intentionally minimalist dance track.
Wilson shares that the track was “one of those songs that came together effortlessly,” and credits Producer Saya Gray for striking lightning in a bottle. As Wilson tells, “Saya was sitting at the piano playing some chords and instantly I knew where the song was heading. It was one of those moments we dream of as songwriters where there are no questions just answers.”
As hypnotic as “Selfish” is, the back end of the track prevents the listener from getting too comfortable. In an experimental decision, Wilson chooses to have the drum groove cut out in favor of an isolated vocal note. What follows is an outro constructed of chopped clips of Wilson’s voice at various keys. Her voice is essentially transformed into an instrument on a MIDI controller, able to be tapped at will, and is creatively used to build a wordless melody out of isolated tones. The gutsy production choice provides a metallic atmosphere to the closing moments of “Selfish,” further persuading DJs and dancers to close their eyes and let go.
“Selfish” follows Wilson’s recent 2025 Innovator Award honor at the Billboard Canada Women in Music ceremony. After a first listen (or twenty), it’s difficult to argue that the Canadian singer is undeserving. Keep open eyes and ears for more new music from Charlotte Day Wilson.
