On her third album, 25-year-old singer-songwriter Clairo leans into the world she started building on ‘Sling’, using it as a warm, inviting base to explore her longing from When Clairo released her debut album ‘Immunity’ in 2019 , she was on the cusp of turning 21 and still figuring out who she was and what she wanted. That record captured a push-and-pull between wanting to be independent and needing the comfort of another person; it also saw her taking early steps into exploring her sexuality. When she sang of desire on ‘Bags’, there was a nervousness and uncertainty that ran through the song.
“ Can you see me? I’m waiting for the right time ,” she told a potential partner. “ I can’t read you, but if you want, the pleasure’s all mine .” Five years later and two albums on, Claire Cottrill is diving deeper into desire, more confident and in full control.
‘Charm’ doesn’t just embrace the feeling of wanting something (or someone); it completely owns it. “ It’s just a little thing I can’t live without ,” Clairo sings in ‘Sexy To Someone’ , in which she makes plain that it’s all well and good being the desirer, but she wants to be desired, too. She explores that craving in every element of the album, from the ’70s singer-songwriter-indebted sounds she weaves together to the words she softly sings over the top.
Her delivery is often so hushed it’s as if she’s whispering right into your ear, whether it’s secrets, confessions or j.
