The 22-year-old singer recounts the feeling of losing yourself for the sake of emotional connection despite knowingly being objectified

Noted for her indie-pop, daydreamy, acoustic guitar-filled melodies, Claire Cottrill — professionally known as Clairo — has released the lead single from her sophomore album Sling.

The first verse paints an image of domestic contentment, describing two people sitting quietly at their kitchen table with the lyrics, “Napkins on laps, strands pulled back / I hang the scarf and my mom’s anorak”. A fleeting moment, masked by a combination of Clairo’s soft voice and muffled guitar before the chorus provides listeners with the true meaning.

Co-produced by Jack Antonoff, with backing vocals provided by Lorde, Blouse depicts the heartbreaking feelings of inadequacy, longing for any semblance of validation that doesn’t stem solely from physical intimacy.

With lyrics like, “Why do I tell you how I feel / When you’re just looking down the blouse?” there’s a sense of vulnerability as Clairo realises that the person sitting across from her appears to only be interested in her physically, making any form of communication redundant. The song progresses into a hauntingly beautiful orchestral ensemble, quietly pleading for connection while she repeats, “If touch could make them hear, then touch me now.”

Although lyrically simplistic, Blouse manages to encapsulate so much emotion. This marks a strong foreshadowing of what’s to come off her highly anticipated album after 2019’s debut Immunity. If the songs are even of a similar calibre to Blouse, it’ll definitely be a hit.  

Clairo’s second album Sling will be released on 16th July.