How I'm Feeling Now - Charli XCX: Review
Review By Lavender:
I'm no stranger to dishing out tons of praise towards Charli, I have given out great reviews to her music like clockwork over the years and after a handful of killer singles I was anticipating this would be no different. Now that the record is here it was not exactly what I expected, instead of a set of bangers to dance to in your living room the album is just as much an exploration of the emotional state that being in quarantine has left so many in. Aside from a few songs that are a little bit too sleepy for their own good the record accomplishes this really well and is a unique spur of the moment sounding pop record that will surely sound unlike anything else this year.
The two singles that kicked off this album cycle were what made me thing that a set of bangers was coming. Forever is a single I enjoyed a lot and still do here, the song is a beautiful and touching expression of love over a lo-fi but incredibly busy instrumental. Despite some of the instrumental quirks the song is insanely catchy from start to finish and the mix is super impressive. The second single Claws is one of the best songs I've heard all year with Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs on production and he lends an absolutely killer futuristic pop instrumental to the track. The track has a sugary earworm hook that is about as good it gets for this avenue of hyper pop music and I can't imagine hearing another pop song I like as much as this in 2020. The record kicks off with another absolute rager in the song Pink Diamond a spacey club banger with robotic vocals and a pulsating beat that explodes numerous times into wild blaring synths. The track sounds like it could fit in with the tracks on Vroom Vroom which is high praise for this no nonsense opener. The record has two other bangers to offer starting with c2.0 a re-working of a track I enjoyed on Charli's record last year Click. This updated version of it features a wilder instrumental courtesy of A.G. Cook that gives Charli the go ahead to make a much more experimental version of the song. The whirlwind of pitched up Charli and Kim Petras vocals are excellent and Charli's verse on the song is filled with swagger and sets up the second half of the track perfectly. anthems is another highlight with stream of consciousness lyrics that somehow fit perfectly into this absolute banger. The chorus of the track is amazing and fits so well with the sentiment behind the song that just makes it a huge highlight for me.
The third single i finally understand has grown on me since it was released as the albums more lowkey third single. The track takes on Charli's quarantine health in a way that is understated but pairs well with the songs driving beat. The song is better within the context of the record paired with some other effective songs that put her emotions on display in a unique way. 7 years is a great love song with a catchy and charming hook that Charli absolutely nails. The instrumental is a little bit more conventional but it brings it right when it nerds to on the hook, Charli is the star of the show on this one and she absolutely nails it. enemy has some of the records most dynamic lyricism over a set of keys that just echo off into space in a really satisfying way. The hook is wordy but Charli pulls it off well and the shimmering breakdown that serves as the songs bridge is another great moment. The closing track visions is a triumphant and anthemic conclusion to the record with soaring synths and angelic vocals from Charli. The song is half beautiful and half banger but totally effective and a great way to wrap up the record.
detonate was a track that didn't particularly wow me the track is pretty understated and the jittery beat is a little bit mellow compared to the great beats across the rest of the album. The hook is a little bit sweet but I'm not getting nearly as much out of this song as some of the others. party 4 u is a song all about throwing a party just so one specific person will come which I think is a pretty compelling idea. The thing I don't agree with all that much is this being the longest track on the record because it takes absolutely forever for the beat to get going. After some excess keys come in the track gets a lot better and the last minute of the track is great but getting there can be a slog.
how i'm feeling now is a short thematically cohesive record that truly explores the idea of being a quarantine album. From emotional reflection on Charli's feelings to the intimate details of what she misses about the party life the record trades out studio polish and eye catching features for spur of the moment sonic and thematic cohesion that does a damn good job of making this a compelling and cohesive listen. While not perfect I find myself enjoying this record a lot and I think at the very least it will be one of the more unique listens in pop music this year. 8/10
Album cover review by Tyler Judson:
Strong image and direction. It reminds me of the grungy styles of infamous fashion photographer Terry Richardson with the polish of Ellen Von Unworth. Since the album was made in the quarantine I think that it's very strong in the rough around the edges style. Color palette is limited and it's a nice change from the hyper crisp, futuristic imagery from her previous album Charli. The placement of the test ia also smart and doesn't take away from the simplistic image which would have been easy to do since the composition is so simple. 7/10
For more experimental pop music check out my review of Rina Sawayama's Sawayama here
