{"id":123414,"date":"2024-08-13T14:19:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T18:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/panm360.com\/?post_type=records&p=123414"},"modified":"2024-08-13T14:20:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T18:20:12","slug":"clairo-charm","status":"publish","type":"records","link":"https:\/\/panm360.com\/en\/records\/clairo-charm\/","title":{"rendered":"Clairo – Charm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Claire Cottrill, better known as indie songwriter Clairo, is a long-standing figure in the dreamy world of bedroom pop. While her most recent album Charm <\/em>does differ from her early, more lo-fi releases such as Immunity <\/em>and \u201cFlaming Hot Cheetos,\u201d the album does not feel like a major progression from her last release, but rather an ever so slightly matured, more intricate continuation of her sophomore album Sling.<\/em> While Sling <\/em>felt cool and modern, a product of Jack Antonoff\u2019s sharp production style, Charm <\/em>has a certain depth to it that creates a more intimate listening experience. Produced by Cottrill and Leon Michels, the album\u2019s soundscape is made up of vintage instruments: mellotrons, vibraphones, woodwinds, saxophones, etc., and leans into a warm, retro sound similar to that of an Andy Shauf record. The analog band gives the record a soft rock, early \u201870s feel, but it\u2019s Cottrill\u2019s soft and understated vocals that are the most necessary component in creating th iconic Clairo sound. As if she were singing to herself around the house, Cottrill hums non-lyrical melodies, such as the intro to \u201cSecond Nature,\u201d the hook of \u201cEcho,\u201d or the outro of \u201cJuna.\u201d It’s this aloofness, reminiscent of Vashti Bunyan\u2019s dreamy singing style, that allows the album to maintain a glowy bedroom feel.\u00a0
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Charm<\/em> supposedly represents a new confidence from Cottrill. She discusses themes she has not previously touched on, such as sexuality and romantic intimacy; also, Cottrill looks directly at the camera in the album cover, compared to her downward gaze on every one of her other covers. The first single from the record, \u201cSexy to Someone,\u201d is a fun, feel-good pop song that suggests that Cottrill will embrace her own voice throughout the entirety of the record, in contrast to her previous work. However, this is not necessarily true.
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I think the music video for \u201cJuna\u201d best sums up the overall energy of the album, which is a subtle, withdrawn indifference from Cottrill. The video shows Cottrill attending a bright, busy wrestling event, where she sits to the side averting her gaze, looking bored. At times the album feels as if the beautiful instrumental arrangements are at the forefront, while Cottrill\u2019s distant singing is an afterthought; as if everyone were putting effort into their performance except for her. Then again, maybe this is the charm of her music – pun intended. Maybe it is her soft and withdrawn singing style that draws the audience in for a more intentional listen to what she has to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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