Track by Track: Clairo’s “Charm” Glimmers with Honest Emotion
Written by Amani Rizwan
According to Oxford Dictionaries, the term ‘charm’ can be defined as the power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration. And that’s exactly the definition Claire Cottrill, professionally known as Clairo, embodies on her latest album. Her third studio effort has solidified her as one of the most authentic and resonant voices in modern indie rock today. With a play time of just 38 minutes, the record perfectly captures the electricity between two people during the various stages of love. Released on July 12th under Virgin Music, “Charm” is a heartfelt and introspective collection of songs that delves deep into themes of self-discovery, healing, and the nuances of human connection.
Clairo’s third album opens with the poignant track "Nomad," one of the leading singles off the album. The song’s production is characterized by a bass guitar that you can feel in your soul, reflecting its harsh truths. This is thanks to producer Leon Michels, who’s masterfully helped Clairo’s ‘70s soft rock vision come to life. Clairo reckons with and ultimately accepts that she would, “rather be alone than a stranger,” choosing solitude over connections that don’t meet her needs. "Nomad" feels familiar to longtime fans with its speed and production choices reminiscent of Clairo’s earlier work, yet it also introduces the new funkadelic '70s flare that defines the entirety of "Charm."
"Sexy to Someone," the first single released to promote "Charm," is the second track that features an upbeat rhythm and playful, cheeky lyrical structure. Clairo addresses the inherent need to feel desired but does so with a satirical and whimsical approach. Lines like “Sexy to someone, it would help me out / Oh, I need a reason to get out of the house” might suggest a somber tone, but Clairo’s delivery feels more like a cheeky wink to the listener, making the track refreshingly light-hearted.
"Second Nature" is warm and playful, celebrating innate attraction. Clairo’s songwriting prowess shines through as she evokes vivid imagery: "Like sap from a cedar / Rolling down to be near her / It’s second nature." The song’s earthy feel, complemented by the inclusion of a gentle laugh at the beginning, strengthens the album’s identity and brings listeners closer to the dynamics of the relationships that Clairo explores.
In "Slow Dance," Clairo contemplates the fleeting nature of intimacy and closeness with a partner. The song’s instrumentation, featuring flutes and drumming, perfectly encapsulates the tranquil yet ephemeral moments shared with an evasive lover. Reality sinks in as Clairo realizes she’s just one of many people this person entertains, leaving her pondering, "What is it that’s keeping you alone / And leaving after we slow dance?"
Following “Slow Dance” is "Thank You", an undeniably fun and honest track where Clairo comes to terms with the end of a relationship. Like “Sexy to Someone,” this song could have been a tear-jerker, but Clairo’s approach is more retrospective and peaceful. Lyrics like “When you’re lonely, you’ll just do anything / To drink it all up, the feeling, it’s the memory” reflect a healed perspective, making the song invigorating and light-hearted.
"Terrapin" follows and is a simple song about embracing life’s freedom and ease, perfectly placed after the reflective “Thank You.” Its jazzy vibe and Clairo’s gentle hums create a calming atmosphere, with lyrics celebrating the spontaneity and joy of living: "We can go wherever we want / The Plains, the sand, the salt, the dust."
"Juna" dives into another irresistible lover with a seductive and alluring tone. Harmonizing with synth and horns, "Juna" has become a fan favorite, capturing the all-consuming infatuation of the first spark of attraction. Clairo sings about the ease and excitement this person brings: "You make me wanna go dancing / Try on feminine / Buy a new dress / Slip off a new dress."
Photo by Justine Kurland for The New Yorker
The 8th track on the record, “Add Up My Love,” has the infectious energy reminiscent of “Sofia” from Clairo’s debut album, Immunity. The song is about having bounds of love to give and it never being enough. The production’s palpable texture and the marriage of Clairo’s vocals with the instrumentation create a cathartic and healing experience. Despite its simplistic lyrics, the song’s vivacious and euphoric tone makes it a standout: "Add up my love / Honey, was it enough? / Is it ever enough?"
In the last third of the album, Clairo slows things down with "Echo", my personal favorite. It sees Clairo softly pleading for her love to be echoed out into the world. The stripped-back production and lyrics reflect the secretive and casual nature of the relationship she’s singing about: "Our love is meant to be shared / While our love goes nowhere." The sheer vulnerability on this track, combined with the production makes it, in my opinion, one of the more underrated songs on the album.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this record is Clairo’s ability to blend various musical influences into a cohesive and unique sound. "Glory of the Snow” is a prime example of this. This track sees Clairo looking back fondly on a past relationship, finding peace and admiration where chaos once reigned. The track captures the serenity of finally grieving the loss of a connection: "I pull on the strings that bind me / to the memories of you / The way I loved you."
Ending on a profound note, "Pier 4" unpacks the side effects of loving deeply and the vulnerability that comes with baring your soul. The song examines how past heartaches lead to putting up walls: "Opened my hands and I know I’ve shed some / When close is not close enough." It’s a stunning conclusion to an album that, for the most part, is restorative and reparative.
To put it plainly, Clairo manages to capture lightning in a bottle on her third album. There’s everything on this record from psychedelic folk and jazz to soft rock all the way to soul, and it doesn’t always work perfectly. But that’s just half the charm of “Charm”. It’s an imperfectly perfect indie record meant for the dreamers, the romantics, and the yearners — those who want to see and be seen, those who want to be with people who understand them and make this life that bit easier to get through.
“Charm” is available to stream on all music platforms, and available for purchase here.