Longing and “Sad Girl” Influence in Charlotte Bumgarner’s Debut - ‘Honey Touch’

words by Sofia Andrade // photos by Larson Rogers

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It’s no secret that “sad girl rock” has taken over indie music scenes internationally. From Phoebe Bridgers to Soccer Mommy, and Lucy Dacus to Emily Yacina, the genre’s commitment to raw lyricism and emotive musicality has left an entire generation of bleeding hearts transfixed. 

Listening to the music of Charlotte Bumgarner — a singer-songwriter, feminist activist, and established member of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s DIY music scene — it’s clear she hopes to soon join the ranks of these indie icons. Her latest Dec. 11 track, ‘Honey Touch’ — which premiered here on Pure Nowhere — proves that she is ready to do just that. 

Marking Bumgarner’s debut on Kansas City’s Manor Records, the track opens up into an immersive soundscape built upon a lush fabric of synths and a lightly-strummed acoustic guitar. “Honey touch / Sweetest taste / Oh, a sugar rush,” Bumgarner sings, her voice coming out light and airy as it’s held up by sparkling harmonies. Some light electric guitars drop in and out of the track, adding texture to the song’s clean glow while simultaneously pulling out the lightness in Bumgarner’s voice — creating a sound reminiscent of established indie bands, namely The 1975.

‘Honey Touch’ is ethereal in the truest sense of the word. It exists in the more-perfect universe of synths and shining keyboards, while at the same time, remaining grounded in the real world of acoustic guitars and the sound of fingers sliding on a fretboard — which can be heard softly under Bumgarner’s voice. ‘Honey Touch’ is a song that’s equally at place cascading from your headphones as you lay in your bed staring up at the ceiling, as it is at the end of a melancholic indie movie. 

‘Honey Touch’ is a song that’s equally at place cascading from your headphones as you lay in your bed staring up at the ceiling, as it is at the end of a melancholic indie movie. 

Like it’s “sad girl” forerunners, Bumgarner’s ‘Honey Touch’ positions itself squarely in the realm of indie-pop longing as she sings, “I can never say no to you / I can never let go of you / Or this feeling in my chest.” However, by the end of the track, Bumgarner’s longing quickly transforms into the listener’s own. Throughout the track — which comes in at just shy of two minutes — the synths on which Bumgarner rests her melody become increasingly complex, building on top of each other until they’re almost imperceptible. The background guides listeners along with a perceived sense of fullness — one which almost brings comfort and complacency. That is to say, they invite listeners to rely on them, until suddenly they’re gone, and the song is over. Bumgarner leaves listeners aching for more of that peace which ‘Honey Touch’ brings. 

Luckily, ‘Honey Touch’ is only the first of the three-track series that Bumgarner has planned for her introduction to Manor Records, which will be followed by a debut album. We can’t wait to hear what follows this beautiful release, making Charlotte Bumgarner a must-add to all of your future playlists and coming of age soundtracks.