Clairo’s newest album Charm presents a refreshing take on pop with a charming nod to 70s nostalgia. Released on 12th July, Charlotte Foulkes has her take on this album that might be giving our Brat-green summer some earthy, forest hues.
Recorded directly onto tape, the warm analogue sound makes me reminisce about times I’ve never experienced. The first two singles released set her up for a confident story of independence, far less heartbreaking than previous releases.
It is certainly another pivot for the versatile Claire Cottril of humble bedroom-pop lofi origins, though not as dramatic of a pivot from Immunity (2019) to Sling (2021) whereby she developed a deep-rooted folk sound with Jack Antonoff. This one builds on Sling, but adds back in some soft-rock and grooves, alongside the 70s lean towards Carole King, but with a side of Wings (the band!)
Her dulcet voice glides over the warm percussion and glimmering melodies. Every choice of instrument: a flute, a synth, some chimes, a cymbal crash, a giggle or a hum, sounds so purposeful, leaving enough space for each sound to swell and grow.
The album opens with the first two singles, therefore setting it up on a familiar tone - Nomad, a ballad about being alone, ‘touch-starved and shameless’ but preferring that than her previous relationship. Sexy to Someone, the feel-good 'song of the summer' for the single girls, with endearing flute lines and layered vocals, and a beat that just makes you want to bop!
The album continues with 9 more songs - what a treat! Second Nature is a steady one with cheerful ‘da dum’s about getting lost in closeness with someone, and letting that flow ‘like the sap from a cedar’.
Juna and Sexy to Someone really bring some timid sensuality to the record – ‘you make me wanna go buy a new dress, you make me wanna slip off a new dress’, she seems to be describing all the subtle, charming moments of desire.
"Charm already feels like a timeless record, brilliantly produced, and the impressive evolution from a bedroom-pop icon"
She brings in an eclectic range of influences in select songs, Terrapin opens like an old soul song with the snare hits- unsurprising as Charm was produced by a big name on the soul scene, Leon Michels. Whereas Echo seems stereolab-inspired: woozy, eerie, synthy and transient - amazing on a train journey, where I’m writing this.
Charm’s final offering is Pier 4, a song I was lucky enough to see live a week before the release. Sung amongst Daniel Caesar and Nicolas Jaar intimately and acoustically, it really struck a chord with me and has led to Pier 4 becoming my favourite song on this record. She details the struggle of negotiating closeness, and the ‘cost of being loved’.
Sling (2021) dealt with topics of breakup, grief and mental health, whereas this seems like a far matured departure, coming to terms with distance, and experiencing new things. This record owns a lot more warmth and texture than the previous. It feels like an air of resolution and acceptance, especially on songs like Thank You, thanking her ex for their time, regardless of how it ended.
Charm already feels like a timeless record, brilliantly produced, and the impressive evolution from a bedroom-pop icon. It sends the listener on a journey of emotions - excitement, longing, confidence, and bittersweet sadness. This potentially could become my favourite album of 2024, I’m eager to listen to it on vinyl to hear the extent to this full-bodied and warm sound.
Stream/Buy Charm now!
Charlotte Foulkes
Edited by Alice Beard
Images courtesy of Clairo on Facebook
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