Oswald Slain drops new single “Jaguar”

Coming out of the creative sanctuary of his home studio in Bristol, Oswald Slain is the musical project of Charlie Fitzgerald, a songwriter whose work finds its character in the relationship between youthful recklessness, the realities of growing older and the lessons that come with experience. Drawing on a distinctly British sense of grit while looking towards the timeless swagger of classic rock and Americana, Charlie has developed a sound that balances reflection with a playful, often humorous style of storytelling.

There’s a candid tone running through his songwriting but never at the expense of personality, with the turbulent aspects of life providing plenty of material for songs that can be thought-provoking and entertaining in equal measure. Oswald Slain operates in a space shaped by the influence of Neil Young, The Band and Bruce Springsteen, bringing the spirit of those classic records into a more energetic, rough-edged setting. Driving rhythms and fuzzy guitars provide the setting, giving the songs a physical energy that sits alongside their more reflective lyrical themes.

It’s a combination that carries into the live setting, where charismatic full band performances move between humour, heartbreak and an infectious sense of celebration. One moment might find an audience laughing, the next dancing, with the emotional shifts reflecting the same contrasts that make Charlie’s songwriting compelling. Since releasing his debut EP, KISS ME ON THE MOUTH, last year, Oswald Slain has steadily built an audience and attracted attention from a range of influential outlets. That early momentum was followed by the arrival of debut album BUCKY in October 2025, released on vinyl just six months after the EP.

Full band appearances at Shambala, The Great Estate, Kendal Calling and Wilderness Festival brought Oswald Slain’s music to festival audiences, while March this year saw Charlie take the project across the Atlantic for three performances in Manhattan’s Lower East Side as part of New York’s New Colossus Festival. An unexpected invitation followed three months later, when Oswald Slain was asked to headline Germany’s U&D Festival with just four days’ notice. Stepping onto the main stage under such short preparation, the performance marked another significant moment in the project’s developing live story.

Now, with the brand new single titled “Jaguar,” Oswald Slain begins the next chapter of that journey, presenting the first taste of a forthcoming second studio album while introducing a subtle shift in pace and perspective. Recorded with Stew Jackson of Massive Attack and mastered by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering, whose credits include PJ Harvey, XTC and Big Special, “Jaguar” trades some of the project’s more impactful energy for a slower, more intricate sound.

Penned during a period when Charlie found himself in a situation that was making him unhappy, the song explores the difficult space between knowing something needs to change and finding the courage to make that decision. Leaving felt almost as painful as staying and by not rushing towards an answer, the writing process became an exercise in patience. Its central idea is reflected in the track’s measured character, finding beauty in remaining still when everything around you seems to demand constant movement. Brought in by the steady patter of drums, the track flows with layers of hazy guitar tones as Charlie’s smooth vocal leads enter to stitch memorable melodic threads into the immersive musical fabric.

With airy piano chords, slick lead guitar flickers and delicate ebb and flow, “Jaguar” delivers an engaging musical moment that’s catchy, mesmeric and thoroughly original all at once. As the first indication of what lies ahead, the single suggests a project continuing to develop while keeping sight of the honesty and personality that brought it here. As Oswald Slain moves towards their highly anticipated sophomore album, we can’t wait to see what this exciting act has in store next on their unique musical adventure.

Commenting on the single, Charlie Fitzgerald shares, “We’re always looking for the next thing and missing the point, our dopamine receptors are cooked and if it doesn’t catch you in the first five seconds, it probably never will. The mechanics in this song are simpler, the pace is slower, it’s less in your face and you have to look if you want to find it. I wrote Jaguar when I felt trapped in a situation that was fundamentally making me a bit miserable but breaking out of it was too painful. This song was an opportunity to slow down, sit in it for a bit, let it cook and see what happens.”

Listen to Jaguar below