Charli XCX’s new album, Crash (2022), has created quite a stir for music lovers and especially pop-lovers. The Australian pop-singer has big shoes to fill since her quarantine album How I’m Feeling Now (2020) reached such high heights with her fanbase and critical acclaim. On this record Charli melds together the new wave of hyper-pop with a classic dance-pop expertly, something we’ve come to love from her. While I don’t think this album is for the masses, it is a must-listen to for pop-heads.
The record’s rollout received mixed reviews with fans, who were missing her more club sound, being disappointed with certain singles. Charli featured on an episode of SNL to promote the album where she premiered her second to last single, “Baby”, and many were quick to call this album a flop before it even released. Charli created a little bit of a buzz for herself when she defended her songs on Twitter against her own fanbase in early February. She posted a statement saying she’s taking a break from tweeting and hoping that fans listen to her album with an open heart when it actually releases. Despite the initial skepticism, Charli XCX managed to receive features with some of pop’s biggest names currently, like Rina Sawayama, Caroline Polachek, and Christine and the Queens. While some of her singles were disappointing to me, I must agree that when they were placed in the context of the whole album, I enjoyed them so much more.
Sonically, Charli XCX has created a fun album that is just in time for a spring break or summer listen. Her producers on this record created an electronic tone to her voice to mesh perfectly with her backing synthesized beats. Especially on the track “Lighting,” her crisp vocals create a unique and interesting listening experience that have a certain addictiveness. Although sonically I think this album hits every mark for a 2022 pop album, not every song reaches the high bar Charli has set for herself. “Move Me” has a dragging course with an uninteresting motif of dancing being fun, something I think we are all bored with. The only saving grace for that track is the bridge. Similarly for the song “Twice,” it’s almost unlistenable with its bubblegum pop background and annoying hook that just repeats “don’t think” literally a dozen times per chorus.
Overall, if you are looking for highlights from Charli XCX’s Crash my favorites are: “Good Ones,” “Baby,” “Yuck,” “Used to Know Me,” and “Beg for You.” Pitchfork gave this album an 8.0, but I personally think it’s more deserving of a 6.5 out of 10. If you’re a fan of Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Rina Sawayama, Kim Petras, or Carly Rae Jepsen: this album is a definite listen for you.