Charm

Original ratings: 81
New Rating: 83

I liked this project upon my initial listen, but found myself not really coming back to it that often outside of the single Sexy to Someone. I think a large reason for that is that the week this project released many were smothered with an overwhelming amount of great music and I found myself a bit lost in other projects. Returning to this, I would say my enjoyment stayed about the same as my initial listen, but with certain tracks just standing out a little more and my drawbacks from the others being a little more clear to me.

To begin with, this project is very sweet and light with a lot of piano sections and drum fills. Less like a cheesecake and more like an angel's food cake. I do however appreciate moments on songs like Terrapin and the previously mentioned Sexy to Someone where the percussion does carry a bit more of a punch to it. The main thing that stops me from being completely enthralled in this project is few moments where the tracks sound great in the moment, but don't leave a striking memory for me in the form of Slow Dance or Glory of the Snow. The only moment where I really had a complaint sonically would just be on the instrumental for Echo where the ringing noise throughout the track does start to wear on me a little bit, However, other great moments on tracks like Nomad, Juna, or Add Up My Love more than make up for it.

Overall, really solid project that I am hoping to spend even more time with in the future. Something about Clairo's soft and smooth vocal delivery really is like magic for the ears and leaves me wanting more.