Young Pilgrim

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).

## **Singles from *Young Pilgrim***

1. "Down Down Down"
Released: 11 April 2011
2. "Parachutes"
Released: 7 August 2011
3. "Cemetery"
Released: 31 October 2011
4. "Farmer & His Gun"
Released: 23 March 2012

***Young Pilgrim*** is the debut studio album by Charlie Simpson, released through the independent label PIAS Recordings on 15 August 2011. It was produced by Danton Supple and recorded at London's Assault & Battery 2 Studios in 2010.

## Background

Simpson published a four-track sampler of the record to his SoundCloud. The lead single and track, "Down Down Down", was released on 11 April 2011.

On 8 August 2011, the week before Simpson's release, Sony DADC's distribution centre in London caught on fire during the London riots, where physical copies of the record were being held. Simpson addressed over Twitter, "For all those who have been asking about the release date of Young Pilgrim, we are working really hard to get this sorted as quickly as possible and will have a full update for you by the end of the day. My thoughts are with all those who work at PIAS at this difficult time. They are an invaluable part of independent music in this country. Very sad day". In a statement given by a worker at Sony, they reported, "There will likely be some impact on deliveries. We cannot determine the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage yet because it's not possible to enter the building". His album was streamed days prior over *NME.com*, on 12 August. Despite 30,000 units being destroyed, the record was still being released as scheduled. It entered the UK Albums Charts at number six.

In celebration of ten years of the album, Simpson held a one-night headline show in 2021. He declared:

>
> I can't believe it's been ten years since I released my first solo album *Young Pilgrim*. That album will always have a special place in my heart, as it's the first time I had ever released music under my own name. It's so lovely to see ten years on how much that record still resonates with my fans. Listening to it now, really takes me back to a happy time.
>
> "Another reason this show is going to be so special is because of the venue choice. I saw Silverchair there in 1998, which was my first ever live gig experience and it blew my mind! Any time I play that venue I feel a real sense of connection to it. I also haven't played a show in nearly two years which is probably the longest I have ever not played a show since first picking up a guitar, so it's going to feel amazing. Though the show will be heavily weighted with songs from Young Pilgrim, it also gives me a chance to test out some of my new songs live for the first time which I'm really excited about, I really can't wait!
>
>
>
>

## Composition

He described *Young Pilgrim* as "a journey. Through life and looking back at certain points of your life". Regarding its sound, he expressed concern, as it departed from the sound of Fightstar. He continued, "I think it is a big leap in sound but a lot of people do it and a lot of people have different projects that sound different. If my solo stuff sounded the same as stuff I'd done before it would have been a bit pointless..." He told *NME*, "It is totally separate to my other musical ventures—it is very stripped down and acoustically focused. I have been writing acoustic stuff for years—ever since I first learnt to play the guitar when I was young". Cited influences included Beach Boy's *Pet Sounds*, and The Eagles.

## Critical response

*Young Pilgrim* received generally favourable reviews. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic commented upon Simpson's sonic switch, describing the record as "unashamedly jumps aboard the nu-folk bandwagon". He continued, "surprisingly effortless transition to the folk-pop scene", and has praised Simpson's versatility in genres. Heather McDaid of *DIY Magazine* also wrote a positive review, stating, "As acoustic albums go, he has captured that easy listening quality alongside his raw vocals and certified himself a successful solo artist". In contrast, Dave Simpson of *The Guardian* remarked, "He sounds much more convincing on Parachutes and All At Once, melancholy Lemonheadsy pop full of regret for broken relationships that almost certainly aren't about the band he once described as "torture"".

## Track listing

All tracks written by Charlie Simpson. All tracks produced by Danton Supple.

## Personnel

* Adam Chetwood — pedal steal guitar
* Audrey Riley — string arrangement, cello
* Charlie Simpson — lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboard, programming, lyrics
* Greg Warren — violin
* Jonny Bridgewood — double bass
* Leo Payne — violin
* Nick Etwell — trumpet
* Nick Foot — harmonica
* Reuben Humphries — drums, percussion
* Sue Dench — viola

## References

1. ↑ "Charlie Simpson's 'Young Pilgrim' – recorded at Assault & Battery 2 by Danton Supple". *Miloco Studios*. 30 August 2011.
2. ↑ "Charlie Simpson". *Twitter*. 9 August 2011.
3. ↑ Gregory, Jason (9 August 2011). "PIAS Issue Statement Over Sony Warehouse Fire".
4. ↑ "Charlie Simpson". *Twitter*. 12 August 2011.
5. ↑ "MUSIC NEWS: Charlie Simpson Announces 'Young Pilgrim' 10th Anniversary Show". 10 March 2021.
6. ↑ Mackay, Connor (2013). "Interview: Charlie Simpson- "I'm in a place now where I'm really happy with what I'm doing"". *Fortitude*.
7. ↑ "Hear Charlie Simpson’s new album 'Young Pilgrim' on NME.COM". *NME*. 12 August 2011.
8. ↑ McAlpine, Fraser (2011). "Charlie Simpson Young Pilgrim Review". *BBC Music*.
9. ↑ Charlie Simpson - *Young Pilgrim*. *AllMusic*.
10. ↑ McDaid, Heather (15 August 2011). "Charlie Simpson - Young Pilgrim". *DIY*.