Forged in the heart of Doncaster’s thriving indie underbelly, The Outcharms return with “Portraits Of Madison”, a razor-sharp reflection on modern life’s endless chase for more — money, validation, perfection — even when your pockets are empty.
Since forming in 2014, The Outcharms have reached some impressive milestones. From racking up 2.3 million Spotify streams, to selling out headline shows at historic venues such as The Leadmill, and Night and Day Cafe. In-between that, they’ve supported, some big names such as The Fratellis, Reverend And The Makers and Louis Tomlinson.
Now the band are back with a new single, that will propel them onto even greater heights. From the first shimmer of guitar, that familiar Smiths-esque jangle pierces through the noise, drenched in melancholy but wrapped around a soaring hook built for festival fields. The rhythm section snaps tight as a drum, while frontman Curtis Cooper, vocal cuts through the haze with both bite and tenderness, carrying the weight of every late-night anxiety about bills, image and survival.
Lyrically, “Portraits Of Madison” nails the paradox of our times: being skint but selling the dream online, trapped in a system that pushes escapism as self-care. Lines like “No love for me, please. Greed is all we need.” hit with a sardonic sting — equal parts protest and resignation.
There’s a cinematic quality to the band’s sound here: guitars shimmer with an almost Northern-soul ache, while the chorus explodes in widescreen technicolour. It’s both deeply personal and instantly relatable — the kind of song that makes you want to throw your arms round your mates in a sticky-floored venue and scream every word back.
After the success of “Games You Play” and a storming UK tour capped by a headline show at Sheffield’s Foundry, “Portraits Of Madison” feels like a defining moment. A snapshot of post-Brexit Britain’s exhausted youth — resilient, romantic and restless — delivered by a band who’ve mastered the art of turning frustration into anthems.
The Outcharms aren’t just documenting the rat race. They’re leading the escape.
Portraits Of Maddison is released on Friday 14th November and can be pre-saved here.
Gigs
29th November Grimsby Docks Academy (w/Healer)
3rd December Barnsley Garrison (w/The Rolling People)
The Outcharms Socials
ThisIsTheMusic 
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