Charlie

Sometimes, collaborations feel like a natural fusion of artistic styles, an unexpected but welcome surprise. And then there’s Charlie by Lola Young and Lil Yachty—a track that feels like two entirely different songs shoved together and forced to coexist. Spoiler: it does not work.

Lola Young, a talented vocalist in her own right, has a knack for delivering raw, emotionally charged performances. That’s why it’s all the more frustrating that Charlie feels so… flat. The production is a mishmash of moody, minimalist beats that never quite build into anything substantial. Her vocals—normally gripping—sound oddly restrained, as if she’s holding back rather than fully leaning into the track’s energy (or lack thereof).

Then there’s Lil Yachty, whose recent experimental streak has been interesting, to say the least. But here, he doesn’t elevate the track so much as he derails it completely. His verse is a jarring tonal shift, dropping in with an awkward flow that feels completely disconnected from the rest of the song. It’s like they recorded their parts separately, never met up to discuss the vibe, and then just hit “export” on the final mix.

Lyrically, the song tries to walk the line between introspection and detached coolness, but it never fully commits to either. Instead, it ends up sounding like a collection of vague thoughts that don’t add up to much. There’s no real hook, no standout moment—just a meandering, forgettable track that never justifies its own existence.

It’s not that either artist is incapable of making great music. Lola Young has proven her depth and artistry in the past, and Yachty—while divisive—has shown he can push creative boundaries in ways that actually work. But Charlie is neither a bold experiment nor a well-executed collaboration. It’s just… there. And honestly, that might be the worst thing a song can be.

LOLA YOUNG & LIL YACHTY - CHARLIE
RATING - 5.6/10

GENRE - Alt, Indie