Montell Fish releases new single ‘What’s It Take to Be a Star?’ from upcoming album CHARLOTTE

Montell Fish has released his latest single “What’s It Take to Be a Star?” from his upcoming album CHARLOTTE – listen HERE. CHARLOTTE is set to release via Virgin Music Group on Friday September 27th. Pre-save the album HERE. The North American tour in promotion of CHARLOTTE – with support from Kacy Hill and Clip – just kicked off this past Wednesday, September 11th at Royale in Boston, MA. All tickets can be found HERE for purchase.

One of the big questions Fish deals with on CHARLOTTE is what is he destined for? Over big, ’80s-sounding guitar riffs, he answers unequivocally: “I know I’m a star.” On the track of the same name, Fish’s confessional style moves away from the intimacy of a singer-songwriter recording in their bedroom to a sound that would suit an arena.

“What’s It Take to Be a Star?” was one of the first and only moments from the record I can think of where Jake (Portrait) changed the progression from what I originally had. And it felt good, like a clashing of our roots. I’ve always loved Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s production, choice of drums, chords and melodies and this felt like it could live in their universe in a weird way,” Fish had to say about the new single and working with Portrait on the project.

On Friday, September 27th, Fish will release his newest album CHARLOTTE, a raw collection of songs that explore the highs and lows of love, ambition, and self-actualization. Pre-save the album HERE. It probes deep into themes of memory, attachment, loss, and growth, and the psychology behind all of these human experiences. While Montell wrote the record, the continuation of the trilogy that began with Jamie (2022), Fish read about psychology, memory, and childhood; the ideas of Freud and Jung provided thoughtful stimulation as he crafted songs that explore growth and attachment—romantic and otherwise. Through lyrics relating to love, power, failure, and success – all universal to the human experience– Montell uses these themes to highlight the same feelings and situations he’s experienced since the formulation of Jamie, in regards to his own struggle with leaving his faith, and learning to lose and move on from those who were a part of that old audience, team and online fan base.

Recorded between Paris and New York, CHARLOTTE began life in the home of the acclaimed fashion designer Matthew Williams and is the first project of Montell’s that includes a co-collaborator (Jacob Portrait). CHARLOTTE is Montell’s most fully realized project yet, the sound of a generational talent stepping into his power. The album includes collaborations with Clams Casino, Alex G, and Daniel Caesar.

Last week on Friday, September 6th, Fish hosted a CHARLOTTE album listening party for over a thousand fans and industry VIPs at ESSX on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The audience was treated to the first ever live performance of hit singles “Who Did You Touch?” and “SCREAM MY NAME”.

CHARLOTTE Tracklist 

1. Amor

2. Who Did You Touch?

3. Do You Remember?

4. You Changed on Me

5. SCREAM MY NAME

6. Is it a Crime?

7. God or The Devil?

8. What’s It Take to Be a Star?

9. It’s Gonna’ Cost You

10. Heaven

The CHARLOTTE tour, which kicked off this past Wednesday in Boston, MA at Royale, will see Montell playing his biggest venues to date, performing for his legion of fans across the country. Kacy Hill and Clip will be joining the tour for select dates.