We all knew that when Clairo released a new album it would be full of her trademark heart-wrenching yet mellow beats. “Charm” makes good on that promise and then some. The album is 11 tracks of hopeless romantic genius. Her lyrics are dreamy and vivid, and there’s a fantastic mix of slow, ruminating heartbreak and groovy, romantic confusion. Basically, it’s my ideal summer-into-fall album.
While I’ve been a Clairo fan for a while now, “Charm” is the first album of hers I’ve been compelled to listen to from start to finish. The album is cohesive, with each song offering a unique vision, but tying together seamlessly. “Charm” simultaneously persuades you to go lie in the grass, have a dinner party, and cry in the shower.
“Nomad”
The fact that Clairo BEGINS the album with this song is criminal. Luckily, I’m not in a situationship, because if I was, I simply would not know how to go on after hearing this song. It’s devastating but also a bop-and-a-half. The song has a sort of Laurel Canyon vibe to it which I always love, but nothing will ever make me recover from the chorus: “But I’d rather be alone than a stranger/ You’d come visit me late at night/ I’d rather wake up alone than be reminded/ Of how it was a dream this time.”
“Sexy to Someone”
Some people argue that this song is overplayed and I would agree. While “Sexy to Someone” has some good lines — love the way Clairo says “Honey stickin’ to your hands, sugar on the rim” for instance — personally I think it’s one of the less exciting songs of the album. The song has a simple but effective message about desire and insecurity; it’s just not groundbreaking.
“Second Nature”
The beginning of this song will live in my head rent free for at least the next year. Clairo’s “Da-dum, da-da-da-da-da-dum, da-da-da-da-dum-dum-dum” is sung so satisfyingly and it just makes me feel like I’m on a cute little stroll to grab an iced coffee. It’s about being close to someone and being ditzy in love. It’s sweet and wonderful and mellow.
“Slow Dance”
This song is simply gorgeous. The imagery is so vivid and whimsical with a fantastic drumbeat that carries the whole song. “What is it that’s keeping one foot out/ And the other crawling in bed?/ And what is it that’s keeping you alone/ And leaving after we slow dance?” “Slow Dance” is Clairo at her most poetic.
“Thank You”
This is my personal favorite song on the album. It’s groovy, it’s jazzy, it’s got a cohesive story, and the piano absolutely devours throughout. This song feels like a crisp autumn Thursday when it’s 65 degrees Fahrenheit and all you have on the agenda is to go for a walk with apple cider in hand. “Thank You” is a beautifully written note of gratitude to someone you’ve once loved; it’s bittersweet and nostalgic.
“Terrapin”
It’s a song about a turtle. What more could you want? It’s simple, it’s sweet, it’s got another fantastic piano moment and some more romantic undertones.
“Juna”
This song is so fun with fantastic instrumentals and features Clairo playing the mouth trumpet, cementing her iconic status forever. It’s about being carried away by love and Clairo’s playful lyrics reflect that beautifully, “(You make me wanna) try on feminine/ (You make me wanna) go buy a new dress/ (You make me wanna) slip off a new dress.”
“Add Up My Love”
Once again, Clairo puts an absolutely devastating sentiment to funky-pop-dance masterpiece. I love her, but how can you say “Add up my love/ Honey, was it enough? (ooh)/ Is it ever enough?” in a song that makes me want to start twirling in a tulle dress?
“Echo”
Clairo’s whispering folksy tones make me feel like we’re solving a mystery together and also falling in love. The guitar and drums work so beautifully together and once again Clairo breaks me with this line: “Our love is meant to be shared / While our love goes nowhere.”
“Glory of the Snow”
The instrumentals here remind me a lot of “Amoeba” from “Sling” in the best, most dreamy way. Clairo’s voice is gorgeous and the imagery is wonderful: “I dust the windows, the shutters, the channels/ Where you’d sit, paper and pen/ Sweeping under rugs/ The one I was not gonna/ Gonna dance on again.”
“Pier 4”
So, she decided to end again with heartbreak? This song feels like sitting by a lake at sunset and contemplating everything you’ve ever done wrong in your life — which seems to be Clairo’s intention. The “ohs” are completely heartbreaking, and I will be spending fall break staring wistfully out a window to “Pier 4.”
Clairo’s “Charm” is an utter masterpiece. It’s beautiful, it’s tactile, and it brings you into a dream-like world of love, heartbreak, and coping.
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