3/100 Albums in 2023 Challenge
Loving Charli XCX’s 2013 Pop Hip-Hop Noir Album, True Romance 💝
Years before EP “Vroom Vroom,” there was True Romance
Charli XCX True Romance (2013)
Heads up: This album is full of E (explicit) lyrics
I’m a newer listener to Charli XCX. I thought listening to one of her older albums might be enjoyable. It was. I got, as strange as it sounds, echoes of Belinda Carlisle’s 1990s music.
“Take My Hand” begins with layers of asymmetrical rhythms that immediately hooked me. It transitions into peppy Charli. The layering of styles continues in the song’s progression. The complicated arrangement is a fun juxtaposition to simple lyrics and tempo. The outro is slow and haunting.
“I’m in your hand”
Great cover; no video.
“Stay Away” reminds me of 1990s radio pop songs, and I LOVE IT!
“Your love’s so cold, Just like an arrow.”
Once again, audio only. I was disappointed Charli didn’t make more music videos in the 2010s.
“Set Me Free (Feel My Pain)”
A sad song with a rocking rhythm.
“Yeah, you devoured my soul, cause I can taste your lips on my lips.”
In “Cloud Aura (feat Brook Candy),” the banter is awesome. I Love Brook Candy’s solo. The queer and friendship slant makes me incredibly happy, including the Bonnie & Clyde reference.
“What I Like” begins with a techno thrum reminiscent of 1990s rave scenes. It gets poppier as it moves along.
“You’re The One” starts with a grunge noir aesthetic. It transitions into a love ballad and returns to the techno buzz with audible reverb. These two sounds alternate in a choreographed dance of sound. It works.
“You’re the one who’s been stealing stars.”
It’s EDM, hip-hop, pop, grunge, and probably other genres, too. Throughout the album, I was reminded of Paula Abdul, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Yaz, and Belinda Carlisle. I have no idea if those are fair comparisons. What do you think?
The slower songs weren’t my jam, so I didn’t include the videos here. I enjoy Charli most when she’s sassy energetic or sassy angry. I also enjoy her collabs. I knew her Lizzo collab, “Blame It On Your Love,” but not the Brook Candy one, which is one of my new faves.
Aimée Brown Gramblin is practically a superspy because that’s basically what writers are, right? She dabbles in nonfiction articles, emits poetry, and lives her life as a WIP memoirist. She sometimes dabbles in pop culture musings.
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