By: Lucy Panicacci

Editor-in-Chief

A perfect mix of warm and groovy tunes, Clairo’s third studio album, Charm, can’t help but make you do a little dance as you listen along. Released on Jul. 12, Charm encapsulates the light, joyful feeling of summer. Although only 38 minutes long, Charm brought a fresh vibe to Clairo’s discography with its 70s soft rock inspired instrumentals, standing out from her 2021 album Sling and 2019 record Immunity. 

As with her previous music, Clairo’s hushed lyrics are full of yearning, longing for a gentle, requited love. In the first track, Nomad, she details a feeling of wanting back what once was, singing, “Every time I see someone new / I just think of you.” Unlike her previous albums Sling or Immunity, here Clairo takes a more positive approach to fleeting love throughout Charm, appreciating the moments her and her partner experienced rather than focusing on the lingering heartbreak. In the track Thank You, she recognizes that sometimes relationships are temporary but still shows gratitude for the impact her partner left and their time spent together. Clairo repeats, “‘Cause when I met you, I knew it / I’d thank you for your time.” 

Although hypnotizing and angelic, Clairo’s serene vocals do not serve as the main focus of Charm. Rather, the layered instrumentation defines this album. In the creation of the record, Clairo worked with producer Leon Michels, member of the band The Dap-Kings, to create a distinct soulful and funky feel. In the 11 tracks, Charm features flute, organ, piano riffs, and, of course, Clairo’s hums on Juna, imitating a trumpet. One of my favorite tracks, Second Nature, captures these rich instrumentals with the piano part, vocal percussion, and a grand clarinet solo at the end. Clairo’s inspirations, including Joni Mitchell, Harry Nilsson, and Margo Guryan, had a heavy impact in the making of her backing tracks. Reminiscent of the Beach Boys song Little Pad, Second Nature begins with the sounds of faint laughter, and the ninth track, Echo, takes a not-so-subtle resemblance to the artist Broadcast with its psychedelic synth sound. If I were to give one critique, the instrumentals become repetitive in certain parts; I found that the songs Sexy to Someone and Add Up My Love have nearly the same beginning. 

Within Charm, Clairo continues to do what she does best: expressing the small moments of love. She relishes in the tiny gestures — a brief touch, a gaze, or the sound of their loved one’s voice. Her soft-spoken vocals and upbeat instrumentals mix to create music that evokes joy. I can only feel contagious happiness when she sings in Juna, “You make me wanna go dancing / You make me wanna try on feminine.” I simply cannot pick a favorite song from the album. After each relisten, I find beauty in each track. A breath of fresh air and a summer breeze, Charm is a sweet, vulnerable, and gorgeous sounding record. If you ever feel the need to be charmed and dazzled, give it a listen. 

(Sources: Vulture)