In Light serves as the follow-up to Cunningham’s 2023 album Frame, which concluded its cycle with a series of reworks by Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, Anohni). That fruitful collaboration paved the way for a new partnership when Abrahams connected Cunningham with Luke Smith (Keaton Henson, Depeche Mode, Foals). The connection proved instant. “We were very aligned as people and shared some fundamental musical philosophies,” Cunningham recalls. This alignment became the foundation for an album that delves deeper into Cunningham’s personal and creative consciousness than ever before. Known for his indie-folk-inspired singer-songwriter music that envelops emotions and moods in intimate, breathtakingly beautiful soundscapes, Cunningham has built a massive following over the years, amassing more than half a billion streams. But with In Light, he wanted to push boundaries. Inspired—and unsettled—by the rapid development of artificial intelligence, he sought to capture the essence of raw human creativity. “Whilst there are some positives, in the case of truthful human artistic expression, AI’s influence feels undoubtedly detrimental. In the face of that, it’s more necessary than ever to capture realness—whatever it is that makes us human—the thing that computers/AI can’t truthfully replicate,” Cunningham reflects. This commitment to authenticity led him to embrace honesty, vulnerability, and imperfection during the recording process, ensuring his critical, conscious mind wouldn’t obstruct the subconscious flow of creativity. The result is a collection of ten tracks, recorded over five weeks in Tottenham, North London. These songs—captured as single takes with minimal editing—immerse the listener in a profound stream of consciousness. Cunningham explores personal truths and reflects on the world’s complexities, from the unsettling grip of big data (“Your attention is currency, undivided / Pay your fee” – Shape of Tomorrow) to the hope that genuine human connection still offers. As he sings in This I Know, “The best is yet to be / I believe.” The album’s title, In Light, reflects Cunningham’s optimism, shining through even in darker moments. “We’re here right now / Let’s be here again tomorrow,” he urges in New Symmetry, concluding with the poignant affirmation, “I am leaving a light on.” The album is available now at www.charliecunningham.com on CD and on limited edition coloured splatter 12” vinyl. Charlie Cunningham – In Light album artwork | 
