Renowned multi-talent Charles Esten is ready to tug at heartstrings with the upcoming independent debut album, ‘Love Ain’t Pretty,’ set to drop on January 26th. The artist, who is gearing up for a return to the UK and Europe in April, unveils the true complexity of matters of the heart with two more captivating releases from the full-length project, available on all streaming platforms and digital retailers now.
Co-writing all 14 songs on ‘Love Ain’t Pretty,’ Esten demonstrates his lyrical prowess in both tracks. The first, ‘Make You Happy,’ penned by Esten, Gary Burr, and Jon D’Agostino, captures the essence of a stand-up guy navigating the maze of love. With an irresistible mix of honky-tonk, beachy Doo-Wop, and funky Soul, the upbeat track features a bouncy Caribbean beat and Esten’s love-drunk vocals. The playful proposition, soaked in romantic desire, promises nothing more than a simple smile.
On the flip side, the title track, ‘When Love Ain’t Love,’ written by Esten and Jeffrey East, delves into the darker side of love, exploring the gradual unraveling of a relationship. Produced by Marshall Altman, the confessional piece features Esten’s raw vocals cutting through an ’80s Rock atmosphere, with reverb-soaked guitars adding to the disoriented feeling of a world turned upside down. The poignant lyrics depict the harsh realities of a love that has lost its way.
Highlighted as the High Note in Nashville Lifestyle’s The Music Issue, “Love Ain’t Pretty” has garnered attention from GRAMMY.com and Parade, making it one of the most anticipated albums of 2024 according to The Tennessean, STEREOGUM, Men’s Journal, and Taste of Country. A culmination of over a decade of work, Esten’s album explores themes of love, life, and the passage of time, showcasing his storytelling prowess both onscreen and onstage.
To celebrate the album’s release, Esten will perform at Exit/In on January 26th, with limited tickets available for purchase here. Additionally, fans can catch him on his UK and European tour, with dates and tickets listed below and tickets on sale right here.
Charles Esten’s 2024 UK/European Tour Dates:
- Sat., 20 Apr. – Usher Hall | Edinburgh, UK
- Mon., 22 Apr. – Royal Concert Hall | Glasgow, UK
- Wed., 24 Apr. – The Glasshouse | Gateshead, UK
- Fri., 26 Apr. – Palladium | London, UK
- Sat., 27 Apr. – O2 Academy | Bristol, UK
- Mon., 29 Apr. – Lowry Lyric Theatre | Salford, UK
- Tue., 30 Apr. – Town Hall | Birmingham, UK
- Thu., 2 May – Tivoli/Vredenburg – Grote Zaal | Utrecht, Netherlands
- Fri., 3 May – Fabrik | Hamburg, Germany
- Sat., 4 May – Im Wizemann Halle | Stuttgart, Germany
- Mon., 6 May – Circus Krone | Munich, Germany
- Tue., 7 May – Carlswerk Victoria | Cologne, Germany
- Thu., 9 May – DR Studio 2 | Copenhagen, Denmark
- Fri., 10 May – Kulturkirken Jakob | Oslo, Norway
