Clairo: Third times the ‘Charm’
The singer-songwriter builds on her three-peat of beautiful records.
Photo: Lucas Creighton
In the midst of the ‘brat summer’ takeover of the current music scene, Charm offers a well needed, and carefully crafted break for reflection. Following the successes of albums Immunity and Sling, Clairo fails to disappoint with Charm; seamlessly merging elements from both projects together whilst adding new and unique ‘charms’.
With distorted strings, Clairo eases us into her dream-like eleven-track run with Nomad. This opening track sets Charm apart from her previous works by immediately offering a more optimistic and joyful sound as she sets out in pursuit for the chilled indie record of the summer. Ending with the lyrics “It was a dream this time”, Nomad establishes Charm as the idealistic summer daydream soundtrack.
Sexy to Someone was the lead single for the record — and for good reason! Despite having this on repeat since its release in May, I’m yet to tire of it. The track perfectly displays what Clairo does best; catchy but melancholic. We see her signature sounds with her stunning vocals, yet the looping synths provide a striking and refreshing element which is crucial in a genre that can so easily become monotonous.
Throughout the album, Clairo’s vocals are the driving force as they almost act as the key instrument behind the tracks, and this is evident on Second Nature. As the vocals shine, they marry beautifully with the drums that remain understated yet provide the perfect accompaniment to give Second Nature the impactful sound it displays. Adding to the flowing cohesion of the record, the track fades wonderfully into Slow Dance. This track feels like a lullaby as the opening keys play. With an atmosphere of heart-breaking reminiscence, we see Clairo’s best work at reflecting a lump in your throat feeling through sound.
Following a more sombre moment, Clairo offers us the anthem of a ‘healing girl’ summer with the track Thank You. With shining harmonies, honest lyricism about putting your “Pride on the line” packing a punch of relatability and vulnerability, making Charm the third instalment of Clairo’s talent to speak to you through her music. Not only does Thank You hold an impact in its lyricism, the groovier keys steal the show once again; dropping pockets of whimsical joy throughout the record.
Returning to her roots as an icon of the 2018 indie era, Terrapin opens with a Mac Demarco-esque drum beat. Once again proving that her vocals are her most powerful tool, Clairo’s angelic hums transform the track into a cohesive few minutes of escapism. Welcoming us into her thoughts with lyrics pondering on “I guess”, Charm continues to be a reflective and personally moving album.
Juna opens with what feels like an almost hip-hop-influenced beat (such as the likes of Steve Lacy); a key example of the experimentation with new elements on this third record. The dream-esque atmosphere continues to pervade the tracks, as the vocals and keys merge to form a beautiful track all about unapologetically falling in love. It is this joyful tone which allows the pace to pick up on the track Add Up My Love, incorporating similar elements to Sexy to Someone; cementing Charm as a cohesive and well-crafted project.
Stunning synths and drums take hold of Echo as they add a soulful, jazz-influenced element to the song. Alongside the strings, Echo really stood out as a well-crafted track; a definite stand out from the album. This would not go amiss on an indie soundtrack, as the musicality and lyrism paint a vivid image. Yet Clairo does not hold this mysterious sound for long as Glory of the Snow offers a further change of pace with upbeat and catchy instrumentals. These waves of melancholy and groove are what give Charm the perfect balance and relatability.
Injecting her raw vocals into the closing track Pier 4, Clairo ensures she leaves a lasting effect on listeners. The vulnerability of lyrics such as “Close is not close enough” solidify Clairo’s honest writing as one of the most poetic and impactful forces in the indie music genre. Wrapping up with her signature harmonies and peaceful strings, Pier 4 allows Charm to maintain its signature Clairo identity without getting lost in a sea of similar works.
Whilst Clairo’s melancholic anthems have gained much popularity and hold deep impacts for many, the most refreshing part of Charm is the flow between joy and more sombre moments. It is the mix of emotions and musicality on the record that makes Charm even more powerful. Seamlessly avoiding cliché and monotony, Clairo’s Charm is a stunning gem of an album as the young artist continues her special artistry.
Charm is out now. Buy a physical copy via Rough Trade here.
