Johannesburg singer-songwriter Matthew Charles returns with his latest offering ‘Disclaimers’, a soul-stirring new single that unpacks the messiness of betrayal and the emotional contradictions that follow. Inspired by a simple but powerful question, what if people came with warning labels?, the song dives into the raw aftermath of being cheated on, where love still lingers but trust has shattered. “This one comes from a really honest place,” says Matthew. “Disclaimers is about those moments when you still love someone, but you can’t unfeel the betrayal. That weight just overshadows everything else, and all you’re left with is confusion and the wish that they’d been honest from the start.”
Co-written with Helena Bowie and Sophia Joelle, the track draws from the emotional storytelling of artists like Sam Smith while fusing jazzy textures and Motown-style drums into a modern pop structure. “We were really influenced by music from the ’60s through to the ’70s — that golden age of heartfelt songwriting. I wanted to make something that feels timeless, but still hits with today’s emotion,” says Matthew.
From the very first session, the production was anchored in a simple but memorable groove. “We started with a bass and guitar loop — it felt like the heartbeat of the song,” he explains. “The goal was to let the groove carry the emotion without overpowering the lyrics. We finished the instrumental in under an hour, which never happens — it just flowed.”
The recording came to life in studio with co-producer Matthew May and a special addition: South African artist Naomi Grace on backing vocals. “Naomi has this ethereal tone that just brought the whole thing together,” says Matthew. “Our voices blend so naturally. She really elevated the emotional pull of the song.”
Though Disclaimers was born from personal pain, its message is universal. “There are a lot of songs about heartbreak, but not enough about the confusion that comes after. That gray area where you still care, but you’re also drowning in disappointment,” Matthew shares. “It’s such a strange feeling to miss someone and be mad at them at the same time. I hope this song speaks to anyone who’s ever been left wondering, ‘Why didn’t you just tell me who you were?’”
Listen to ‘Disclaimers’ below and read more music news here.
