Words by George Gray

2026 has been a busy year for Charlotte Dos Santos, but as the Brazilian-Norwegian singer joins our interview, she brings an effortless calm. Her latest couplet of singles, ‘Roses’ and ‘How Come’ arrive two years on from the acclaimed EP ‘Neve Azul’, her first since becoming a mother. This summer she collaborated with Blood Orange and now she looks ahead to homecoming tour dates in Norway with a new album on the horizon.

Yet, as we begin our conversation, the extent of her schedule doesn’t show in the slightest, her warm smile and down to earth disposition relax the tone. “It definitely feels like a new chapter” Charlotte opens, and within that, one accomplishment stands tall, becoming a mother. From baby bubble to adding another creative string to her bow, it’s been a process entwined with her last few creative years.

“I’m definitely writing differently than I used to. I think I’m maybe spending more time thinking about the consequences of what I'm going to say because I have a daughter now.” Listen to any of Charlotte’s releases and you’ll already feel the emotion pour through, but as we talk now it’s clear that her musical future is entwined with that of her daughter.

A parent always strives for the best for their child, and as Charlotte puts herself this new chapter is more “intentional,” with her daughter and family clearly a powerful inspiration, “I want it to be something that she can take from and for me to be proud of.” A full circle moment for the singer, whose own parents played a key role in inspiring her creativity, raising her in a house full of diverse music. A gift she now passes on to the next generation.

“We have a lot of different music influences at home. We have lots of salsa, lots of bachata. We have Brazilian music, hip-hop and soul. So I think actually most likely she's going to grow up in an even louder household than I did.” Joy seems key to Charlotte’s process as much at home as in the studio, a backbone from which she layers texture and personal touch into her music.

Releasing recent single ‘Roses’ on her own imprint ‘True Node’, Charlotte has always carved out her own path, letting personal passion shine through. At a young age, growing up in Norway with a lack of Soul and Jazz musicians around her felt at times “isolating,” Charlotte reveals, but now as she’s grown into her career, she thrives in collaboration.

“Especially now, I think I'm at a time in my life where I would love to collaborate more. I think when there’s the right collaboration, it’s really fun” she summarises well. The right collaboration is something she’s certainly not a stranger with either. Despite its palpable personal touch, ‘Roses’ is a seamless collaboration with Sven Wunder, who co-wrote and produced the track, “his whole soundscape is amazing,” Charlotte admires.

Then there’s ‘Life’, a collaboration with Dev Hynes under his Blood Orange moniker, and a standout track from his latest album, ‘Essex Honey’. Which despite happening remotely, still became an empowering experience for Charlotte. “He's such a beautiful soul and just artistically you know, he's so free in his expression, and he allowed me to do the same,” she reminisces on the work.

With every question, the emotion that Charlotte pours into her work became more tangible, the mystery behind each song more spell-binding. So as we delved further into her new music I turned to a quote of her own about new release, ‘Roses’, a track, she says, about “a haunting love that still lingers.” For many an artist love has been an eternal muse, and for Charlotte that’s where its power seems to lie.

“I think my philosophy is like the whole purpose of life is just to love. Like we're here to love, we're here to experience,” she opens. “But I don't know, I feel like we all kind of go through life and have this one person that, maybe sticks with you or somehow returns to your thoughts, even if you know there’s nothing there. I think it’s always been like that.”

Love may be a constant in music, but as Charlotte looks down the barrel of her upcoming album, set to be released ten years on from her debut EP, I wondered how much of her own style had changed in that decade. Her answer was at first straight, “I think I have more restrictions now because Cleo was so full of samples,” but quickly delved back into the poetic. “But I still love playing with textures of older things and kind of making collages, I feel very much like that's in my soul.”

Charlotte herself says it’s been a process of “growth”, but with this new chapter it feels as though she’s bringing a curation of her past, present and future, sculpting a vision that feels whole. Challenges to musicians may be harder than ever, but as Charlotte puts, “just don't, don't let that joy be killed.” A powerful message, from an ever-artistically powerful musician.