Clairo’s “Charm” | first impressions
I started a folder in my Notes app a few years back to document my first impression of full album listen-throughs. I’m still trying to figure out what inspires me to pick the albums I give my first impression reviews on. They aren’t always artists that I stan or that are trending at the moment. Sometimes, it’s a single that sticks with me like gum to the bottom of my black Adidas Sambas. In the case of Clairo, her single, “Sexy to Someone”, did, in fact, put me on my hands and knees, begging for the full album.
If you don’t know Clairo (born Claire Cottrill), she’s an Atlanta-native indie singer/songwriter who captivated me back in 2019 with her single, “Flaming Hot Cheetos.” The song was like nothing I had heard: an essence of bubblegum pop that felt aimed at the chronically online. Subtly sad, sweet, nostalgic, and poetic, but not cryptic. I chewed on this song enough that it made its way to #2 on my Spotify Top Songs of 2019 playlist (Juice WRLD’s “All Girls Are the Same” beat her out for #1).
Since then, I have thrown my ears, like a knee-jerk reaction, into anything she creates. Her 3rd studio album, Charm, dropped last Friday, 7/12. I couldn’t help myself to not make notes on my first listen-through impression, so much so that I hadn’t even brushed my teeth before hitting play.
This is my first impression listen-through of Charm! I have done NO editing to this. These are my raw, authentic initial thoughts, surely packed with grammatical errors. Quite honestly, I haven’t read any other reviews because I didn’t want that to sway my feelings - it’s easy to fall victim to this when you’re a people-pleaser!
Charm: first impression, 7/12
Nomad: wow such a beautiful opening song. I feel like she’s actually about to take me on a journey through the magic forest. The guitar picking gives it sparkle. It feels ethereal and faerie-like. It feels independent.
Sexy to Someone: SEXY. I fell in love with this single when she dropped it a few months ago. Throw on some headphones, and you can’t NOT get main character syndrome. It’s instantly memorable. One of my favorite songs this year.
Second Nature: I think the theme of the album is finding a fiercely subtle (and sexy) stance with newfound independence. She feels grown-up. Not forcing it down anyone’s throat - just being. The tempo/time signature change(?) seems to tap on Fiona Apple with the weight of piano.
Slow Dance: she understands the placement of vocal harmonies so well. Around 0:33 you hear it so effortlessly as if it HAS to happen there. It’s always a treat. The way she layers her vocals is magic. At this point on the album, I can tell this is one that deserves to be on vinyl. The woodwinds are so angelic 🥲
Thank You: It’s up-tempo and still so poetic. Aww “thank you for your time” is such a sweet way to say “fuck you” lol
Terrapin: POV: you’re cooking a fresh pasta dinner and smoking a cig in a city apartment windowsill with a glass of white and being romantic.
Juna: the dissonant piano!! I want to twirl around my loft in a big coquettish skirt and pretend I’m carefree as Holly Golightly.
Add Up My Love: reminiscent of “sexy to someone.” Finding myself completely unable to stop bobbing my head.
Echo: this feels very different from the album in a good way. The synth gleans a spooky & vintage vibe…inspired by The Doors in a way…I LOVE this
Glory of the Snow: the transition into this felt a little abrupt. It’s boppy, but not my favorite. She needed a song like this to transition into the last song.
Pier 4: another abrupt transition if you’re listening all the way through. Historically, the last song on an album is my favorite. I love how stripped down this is. Her voice is slow like honey. In a GOOD way, this feels effortless. A great track to end on and tie the whole album together.
Xo, Rebs
(I do not own the rights to any photography shown in this post.)
