Not often do I find myself wholeheartedly obsessed with the essence of an album in its entirety, so much so that I’m streaming each individual track multiple times a day, buying the physical vinyl record and CD copies and endlessly searching for songs that capture the same sound and concepts in Spotify’s “Recommended For You” section. However, every once in awhile, I happen upon an album that leaves me utterly transfixed in every way. Singer and songwriter Clairo’s third studio album entitled “Charm” is that diamond in the rough.
Clairo originally became a breakout artist in 2017 after writing and producing music from her bedroom. She then went on to release her first album in 2019 entitled “Immunity,” followed by her 2021 album “Sling.” Over the years, Clairo has developed a unique musical identity as a pop/indie musician with her tender lyricism and quirky instrumentation and production. As a successor to “Immunity” and “Sling,” Clairo dropped “Charm” on July 12, and I haven’t been listening to music the same since.
Within my first listen of “Charm,” I was already sold on the album. “Charm” emits a palpable warmth exhibited through the abundance of authentic instrumentation and profound lyricism. Although the album is labeled under the genre alternative/indie, it also has undertones of jazz, soul and ‘70s groove. The album’s 11 tracks pensively explore the notorious affairs of the heart narrated by Clairo’s wistfully charismatic vocals, all set to a plush, dreamy sound.
“Charm” explores different facets of love and relationships. Some tracks explore genuine infatuation for a significant other, like track three “Second Nature” in which Clairo sings, “Once you get in my ear / I see kismet sinking in / It’s second nature.” Other tracks like “Add Up My Love” or “Slow Dance” make you want to whimsically frolic through your local forest preserve during golden hour, yet contain deep-seated lyricism that delves into the nuances of self-doubt and discontent within a relationship. Clairo also explores insecurity, solitude and desire for connection in tracks such as “Nomad” and “Pier 4.”
Whatever angle on love and emotional intimacy Clairo tackles with her lyrics across the tracks on “Charm,” she crafts themes that resonate deeply and performs them with a tangible fervor. One thing I adore about this album is that each track contains striking lyricism exploring emotional depth, while also fitting in beautifully with the musical production. Clairo doesn’t allow her poetry to outshine the musicality of each track. In fact, throughout the album, she does an excellent job at creating a cohesive relationship between the lyricism and audio aspects that ultimately bring out the best in one another.
While I love to rave about Clairo’s lyrical choices on the album, what makes “Charm” the infectious, enriching album it is are the quirky musical choices that she attentively sprinkles into every track. One of my personal favorites on this album is track six, “Terrapin,” which is jam-packed with little eccentric tidbits of musical flavor that make the listening experience surreal. The piano is the heavy lifter on this song, flourishing to its heart’s content alongside the synthesizers and drum kit, all set beneath Clairo’s light and silky vocals. This song perfectly encapsulates what I love most about the album. It is warm. It is groovy. It is a “vibe.” Other fun instrumentals make an appearance on various tracks, like the clarinet, flute, mellotron and even a fun inclusion of mouth trumpet on track seven “Juna.” Every single song included on this album has something unique and authentic in the musical production department, which leaves the feeling that you are finding musical Easter eggs on each track.
The musical production and lyricism of Clairo’s tracks provide a multitude of layers to “Charm” which makes for an incredibly stimulating listening experience. If you find yourself more attracted to instrumentalization and production, this album is perfect ear candy. If you are someone who values poetry and introspection, Clairo lays it all out on a silver platter. If you are someone who finds immense delight when both fit together cohesively, this album is beyond perfect for you.
“Charm” is the auditory embodiment of basking in pockets of sunlight, slow dancing in your living room, marinating in limerence and romanticizing the little things. This album is a beautiful reflection of dedication to the craft of making music, and truly a testament to the passion for creating. Consider me “Charm”ed!
