There’s something intentional about the way Charlotte Day Wilson constructs a song. It’s not rushed or overdone. Instead, the Toronto artist leaves space where most producers would pack things in, letting individual elements breathe before they meet. On her new seven-track EP Patchwork, that approach feels more deliberate than ever.
Wilson’s been working in this alt-R&B space for years now, collaborating with Daniel Caesar, D Mile, and Babyface, earning Grammy and Juno nominations along the way. Her 2021 debut album ALPHA earned widespread critical acclaim. Patchwork continues that trajectory but leans harder into experimentation, pulling from jazz, ’80s pop-soul, and occasionally fever-dream instrumental choices that don’t always announce themselves clearly.
The EP opens with “High Road,” where Wilson reflects on choosing forward momentum over old patterns. Piano lines stay organic, percussion feels loose, and the vocal performance sits right in the center. “I’ve seen the sun from the sorrow,” she sings, framing the track less as celebration and more as acknowledgment. It’s only later in the song that the rhythm shifts upward, moving from declaration into something funkier and more optimistic.
“Patchwork,” the title track, starts with brass that sounds like it’s pulling itself together from opposite ends of the room. Wilson’s melody sits on top, chant-like and minimal, creating a sense of trying to convince herself in real time. The arrangement doesn’t overcrowd itself. Instead, it builds pockets of space that make you lean in.
The most experimental moment comes with “Lean,” featuring Saya Gray. It’s faster than the rest of the project, though Wilson’s vocal delivery stays tempered. Synths flutter and textures expand, pushing the track into pop-forward soul territory without losing its experimental edge. Around the 2:16 mark, the song fully opens up with layered toplines and contrasting rhythms that feel almost call-and-response. It’s playful but still controlled, showing what happens when Wilson lets groove take the lead.
“Quiet” stands as the other highlight on the project, though it takes a different approach entirely than “Lean.”
What makes Patchwork work is that it feels raw and imperfect rather than restricted. Wilson’s previous EPs, CDW and Stone Woman, earned widespread acclaim for their power and poise. This one gives Wilson space to explore different cadences without overthinking it. The harmonies are soulful, the vocal performances expressive, and the production choices trust the listener to follow along without hand-holding.
The 32-year-old Toronto vocalist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has built a catalog that balances technical skill with emotional clarity. Patchwork is a collection of songs that trust fragmented pieces can form something whole if you give them room to connect. Sometimes the best work comes from knowing when not to force it.
