Clairo has us under her spell in enchanting new album ‘Charm’
Words by Julia Norton
You know what they say…third time’s a charm. This couldn’t be more true about Clairo’s newest album the artist cleverly titled Charm. Indie darling Claire Cotrill has come a long way from her mellow bedroom pop that took the internet by storm in 2019, with her debut album Immunity raising the artist to new heights. Clairo knows how to gracefully assemble a cohesive album, with all of the tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another while also solidifying themselves as thoughtful pieces of art on their own. With none of her albums carrying the same aesthetic but having that distinct Clairo sound, Charm sees Claire explore her emotional intelligence, desires, and the hesitation to let love be all consuming with a smooth, gentle symphony across the orchestra family to accompany her words.
Clairo’s music encapsulates the tender experience of gentle femininity. Her soft spokenness and detail oriented imagery through lyricism captures the little moments that are only noticed by those who are naturally observant. “Slow Dance” has some of the best imagery, painting a moonlit evening that ends in Clairo’s love interest eventually departing their romantic moment and searching for connection elsewhere. Midway through the album is standout “Juna”, a sweet track that delves into the intimacy of being known. The brass instrumentals create a liveliness amongst the song’s down to earth message, making it dreamy and deeply romantic. Some of the most stellar instrumentals in Clairo’s discography are found in Charm due to her collaboration with producer Leon Michels, including the hypnotic track “Echo”. This song focuses more on the feelings evoked by the sound rather than the lyrics alone, and carries a groovy, psychedelic rock vibe.
Several songs on the album detail the internal struggle of wanting to pour yourself into love, while also being fearful of experiencing heartbreak. “Sexy To Someone” was the first single released ahead of the album, and is a catchy tune essentially about the desire to be desired. In the chorus, Claire sings “Sexy to somebody, it would help me out / Oh, I need a reason to get out of the house / And it’s just a little thing I can’t live without”. Clairo’s mixed feelings about reaching out and pulling away from the potential of love is portrayed at different stages amongst the tracklist, with “Sexy To Someone” possessing the lust that is seen in movies and television, but is not easily achieved in reality. After several listens, “Second Nature” has grown to be one of my favorites from Charm, as it perfectly captures the pure bliss of finding ease in loving someone. Claire knows that she is meant to be with her partner as she sings “And once you get in my ear / I see kismet sinking in / It’s second nature”, and her faint laugh in the background adds to the playfulness of the track.
Simply put, this album is lovely. Charm exemplifies Clairo’s strengths in music production and songwriting, and Claire continues to be a voice for queer women searching for wholesome, tender moments even after emotional turbulence. The album’s message tells us that there is safety in hiding our emotions, but in doing so, we could miss out on a connection that is meant to be. As an easy listen, Charm is the perfect album to keep on repeat during a day off walking around your favorite places, sitting in a cafe creating your own art, or spinning on a record player during an evening at home. Clairo’s third album Charm is out now, and be sure to check out the rest of her discography on all streaming platforms.
