What Can I Say is the stunning new single from rising Leeds-based talent Charlie Aky, marking his first release of fresh material in over a year. Having treated fans to delicate, reworked piano versions of his earlier songs over the past 12 months, this track signals the start of an exciting new chapter—one that blends raw emotion, powerful vocals, and a confident sonic shift.
Charlie’s path to music wasn’t straightforward. A latecomer to the industry, he once put aside his love for music and dance in his teenage years, bowing to peer pressure to fit in. “Back then, I thought fitting in was more important than being myself,” he reflects. Instead of pursuing the arts, he took the sensible route into an electrician’s apprenticeship. But the further he drifted from his creative roots, the more he struggled with his mental health.
The turning point came during the COVID-19 lockdown. “Everything changed when I rediscovered an old guitar tucked away in my room—it reignited my love for music and reminded me of who I really was,” he recalls. What began as posting covers on Instagram and TikTok soon evolved into songwriting inspired by the likes of Dermot Kennedy, Wild Rivers, and Billy Joel, alongside early influences such as Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes. By 2023, he made the leap to pursue music full-time.
His growing fanbase quickly embraced his heartfelt lyrics and emotional honesty. That same authenticity drives What Can I Say, which sees Charlie reuniting with producer Jim White, the creative partner behind earlier singles Better After All, No One To Call, and 8 out of 10. “I wrote this song about the feeling that someone is losing interest in you out of nowhere,” Charlie explains. “It’s that confusion, that trying to piece together what went wrong. I wanted it to hit hard—with powerful vocals and lyrics that really stay with you.”
As he unveils the first in a series of new releases, Charlie’s message is clear—he’s no longer hiding who he is. And he’s inviting listeners to join him on the journey.
With a sound that boasts the radio edge of Alex Warren, heart and soul of Demot Kennedy and an image that is as poster-ready as Shawn Mendes, his music video for What Can I Say is a compelling watch.
“This is my first ever music video, and I couldn't be more excited to share it with you—it’s a massive step for me! I love what we’ve created and would love to know what you think too...”
