Clairo Is Ready to Charm You
Clairo already charmed her fans with lush singles “Sexy To Someone” and “Nomad,” but few listening experiences surpass the enchantment of hearing Charm in its entirety.
Twenty-five-year-old singer / songwriter Claire Cottrill, best known as Clairo, is often heralded as a storyteller of relatable human experiences and an examiner of subtle romantic undertones. In Charm, Cottrill explores budding relationships’ whimsy, vulnerability and rush through concise, intentional language. Charm musically builds on Cottrill’s 2021 album Sling, a laid-back, ballad-centric body of work showcasing subtle retro influence and a distinct lyrical voice. Charm maintains Sling’s introspective themes and warm arrangements while incorporating intricate, hooky melodies reminiscent of her 2019 album Immunity.
Throughout Charm, however, it’s clear that Cottrill has taken a confident jaunt into the sound and artistry that feels most like her. Cottrill and her co-producer Leon Michels utilize a ‘70s-tinged feel starring soulful piano trills, intricate woodwind arrangements and mixing that mirrors a scratchy, well-loved artifact picked up at the local thrift. This fresh yet familiar sound, paired with Cottrill’s modern relatability, gives Charm a classic and elegant quality.
Charm opens with “Nomad,” which explores the feat of simply wanting to be wanted. Cottrill begins by stating that she’d do anything to leave her current situation. She sings:
“I’d run the risk of losing everything / Sell all my things, become nomadic”
As the track progresses, however, her perspective shifts. The choruses internally battle whether Cottrill should face her relationship’s reality or linger in the dream for just a little longer. She sings:
“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”
“Nomad” sonically blends warm keyboard padding, intricate guitar picking and pillowy, doubled vocals. The choruses’ soft and soaring quality mimics the expansiveness of self-reflection.
Charm’s debut single “Sexy To Someone” follows. Cottrill precisely describes the relatable human desire of being “sexy to somebody.” She admits this level of mild adoration could help her out and give her “a reason to get out of the house.”
Each chorus sounds like an explosion of light. The track’s warm sound tastefully mixes influences of renowned ‘70s singer / songwriters Carole King and Todd Rundgren. Cottrill’s feelings of playfulness and longing are neatly presented in this infectious package that keeps listeners coming back for more.
“Second Nature” begins with Cottrill’s soft vocal “da-dum,” punchy piano chords and her laugh buried within the track. A lovestruck Cottrill begins:
“It’s when you’re close enough to touch / I’ve forgotten the point / My train of thought destroyed”
Glorious harmonies and fantastical instrumental swells support her descriptions of easy, instinctual love. In each chorus, Cottrill encapsulates feelings of awe and giddiness through concise, poetic language. She softly sings:
“And once you get in my ear / I see kismet sinking in / It’s second nature”
“Slow Dance” furthers Charm’s wistful perspective. A waltz-esque feel paired with flickering piano parts and succinct percussion supports Cottrill as she ponders intimacy’s permanency and what it means to say goodbye. Subtle, ethereal harmonies make the track’s sharp refrain even more infectious, which wonders:
“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?”
Dissonant, falling chords and a Wings-esque piano groove open “Thank You,” which acknowledges the undeniable importance of a fleeting lover. Cottrill recognizes that the song’s subject, despite not being a romantic match, greatly contributed to her current sense of self. Through soft and silky vocal delivery, she sings:
“Sometimes I wonder if you were the one / When you opened the door, cracked me wide open”
Interestingly, “Thank You” doesn’t merely reflect the impact others have on our lives. With striking honesty, Cottrill takes full accountability for closing herself off from past romantic partners. She admits, “But I don’t invest the way I’d prefer / Someone to in me.” Regardless, Cottrill takes each chorus as an opportunity to repeatedly thank this person for investing time into their relationship. Her gratitude is paired with whimsical woodwinds and a delightfully danceable beat.
A jazzy piano riff trickles down the spine of “Terrapin” and plays its starring role. The track, featuring subtle bass lines and airy background vocals, sounds like a Sunday morning. Cottrill’s lyrics are simple, just like the pleasures she writes of. Most of all, she speaks for the importance of appreciating the small things and embracing life’s fullness:
“It’s a simple thing, we’re all afraid and shy away / Now I find / I guess I don’t shy”
Charm’s highlight “Juna” begins with vibrant oohs and dissonant, sparkly synths. Cottrill is smitten once again. In verse one, she explains her hesitancies toward intimacy and rushing into romance. She later realizes that resisting her affection is impossible. Through every beat, Cottrill lets her guard down a bit more. She earnestly sings:
“I don’t even try / I don’t have to think / With you, there’s no pretending / You know me / You know me”
The person she sings about has swept her off her feet. Because of this, she feels inclined to do lovey-dovey things, like “go dancing” and “try on feminine.” The track itself sounds romantic, hazy and utterly swayable. It perfectly mirrors emotions discovered within a honeymoon phase.
“Add Up My Love” catapults the album’s energy. Cottrill’s smooth voice and sharp lyrics are joined by energetic drum beats, a driving guitar riff and full, resonant piano chords. As fans at home probably dance and sway to the choruses, the lyrics set in. In them, Cottrill questions her expression of affection and if past partners appreciated her for it.
“Echo,” while in cohesion with the rest of Charm, is sonically distinct. Buzzing, eerie synths create a haunting and suspenseful atmosphere for Cottrill to explore the love she intends to share with another. Much of this track mirrors the dissonant and dreamlike mysticism of the dream-pop group Broadcast. Cottrill’s vocals pop through the track’s hazy atmosphere and hook ears from the very first word.
Charm closes with “Glory of the Snow” and “Pier 4,” which seem to be continuations of one another. “Glory of the Snow” once again features Cottrill’s signature retro flair, whimsical piano trills and candid self-awareness. She sings:
“I pull on the string that blinds me / To memories of the way I loved you / I push on the door, the one I’ve ignored / The one that leads me to you”
“Pier 4,” while sonically reminiscent of Sling’s “Blouse,” offers a fresh perspective. On this acoustic and yearning-infused track, Cottrill knowledgeably reflects on love’s fleeting and cyclical nature:
“And if you’re walking home alone / You’ll find a reason, you’ll just chalk it up / To being different, being young / And wonder why no one knew you at all”
With gentle harmonies and tasteful acoustic picking, Charm comes to a hypnotizing close and beckons to be played again. From a listener’s perspective, it’s impossible to resist starting up “Nomad” and falling in love with Cottrill’s tales of adoration, loss and self-reflection all over again.
