‘70s and ‘80s warmth and spirit come through when you hear Charlie Kogen unveil “Not Wastin’ Time,” now streaming everywhere. You’ll find the Los Angeles native, a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, building on the momentum of standout tracks Comfort in the Pain and Life of the Party (of one), once again showcasing his ability to fuse personal storytelling with genre-crossing production and a retro touch.
You’ll notice Kogen’s pedigree: a National YoungArts award recipient and Kennedy Center performer who continues to carve out a lane of his own by blending the timeless feel of artists like Michael McDonald, Todd Rundgren, and TOTO with a distinctly modern perspective. He describes the new single as “yacht rock for Gen Z.”
You’ll hear the theme plainly in his words: “This track is about craving instant gratification even when we know it’s not always the healthiest choice,” Kogen says. Growing up in Los Angeles, Kogen trained in classical piano before expanding into jazz, rock, and salsa, influences that continue to shape his eclectic approach and give the single its warm, cinematic feel.
If you follow his work beyond solo releases, you’ll see he also scores film projects and collaborates widely, weaving cinematic elements into his compositions. With “Not Wastin’ Time,” Kogen affirms his place as an artist pushing boundaries while keeping one foot firmly rooted in timeless sounds. The single is out now across Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
Listen to Not Wastin’ Time here: https://song.link/i/1832198254