Charlie Kogen
“Not Wastin’ Time”
Sepulveda Pass Records
Singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Kogen unveils his new single, “Not Wastin’ Time,” blending his gift for narrative craft with appealing hints of yacht rock.
Kogen explains, “This song is about needing instant gratification, even if we know it’s not good for us in the long run, whether we’re endlessly swiping on dating apps, scrolling through social media, or always stopping to pick up some green tea mochi at the Japanese market (is it just me? Okay, maybe I have a different problem). Musically, I tried to capture the spirit of some of my favorite artists of the 1970s and 1980s, like Michael McDonald, Todd Rundgren, and TOTO. In other words, with this single, I took a stab at ‘yacht rock for Gen Z.’”
“Not Wastin’ Time” opens on low-slung, lush, throbbing tones topped by Kogen’s easy-to-listen-to vocals, vaguely reminiscent of Christopher Cross, smooth and mellow, yet oh so emotionally evocative. For some reason, the soft glow of the melody summons suggestions of Ambrosia. A deliciously braying sax infuses the tune with quixotic surfaces, adding to the chuffed mood of the song.
Smooth, rich, and warm, highlighted by the vivacious voice of Charlie Kogen, “Not Wastin’ Time” offers flavors of airy SoCal yacht rock.
