Charli XCX is in the Driver’s Seat with Latest Album “CRASH”

You may know Charli XCX from her hit single “Boom Clap,” now the British pop star has “Vroom Vroom”ed too far, with her latest album, “CRASH.”

Known for being an icon within the LGBTQ+ community, Charli XCX — who has signed a douche, poppers, and ashes — gave the gays everything they needed with her latest album; straight people will enjoy this too.

Charli carries a distinct sound in her music, separating her from the rest. This modern synth sound has worked well for her, and has only evolved over time. Especially in “CRASH,” Charli takes her old sound fans love but gives it a new modern pop sound, piquing mainstream music listeners’ interest with its repetitive nature.

Charli’s lyrics are emotional. The instrumentals may not give that vibe, but when you deep dive, the lyrics stand out. It is like a metaphor for life: We may present ourselves as happy people, but deep down we are all a mess.

Now, if you only know Charli XCX from “Boom Clap,” this album may scare you when listening to the first song, title track “Crash.”

In what sounds like STOMP music, “Crash,” is a stellar way to open the album. While not her best, this song talks about the emotional crash after a breakup, and helps set the tone for this album about heartbreak.

Especially at the end, there’s that unique Charli XCX sound. The song has a guitar solo with the same STOMP beat behind, then the high-speed chase that follows to the inevitable crash, ending the song. 

Not every song off of an album is going to be amazing. Sometimes there need to be filler songs, but in this mix, there is a standout that takes you off of the road and into outer space. 

“Constant Repeat,” welcomes listeners into space with what sounds like the Space Mountain launch music leading into clearly 80s inspired synth beats.

Not once does the song stray into weird instrumentals distracting from the consistent Space Mountain synth. Charli has a clear vision of what she wants to convey to listeners, and it is evident in this song — listeners are stuck in a “Constant Repeat,” and forced to stay until the song’s abrupt ending.

Staying in space, the trance continues through “Move Me.” A simple instrumental carries this song with some beats and synth, but what is unique is where Charli stops the instrumentals to further emphasize her lyrics.

Many singles were released before the full album. “Good Ones” and “Baby” are my favorite of the four we got. They stray away from Charli’s unique sound, likely an attempt to become a mainstream pop artist. 

While catering to the gays is fun, everyone wants to be the next star, which is why Charli has experimented with her sound on this latest record. With unique and powerful lyricism, Charli is an artist many would want to gatekeep, but her voice deserves to be heard by a broader audience

With the song “Lighting,” the classic Charli XCX sound returns, and with some amazing lyrics, this song has to be one of the best the album has to offer. 

“Lightning” starts off just like a storm; calm and subtle. Then emotions start to rise, and the lightning forms in the clouds just as the rain is about to fall, Charli uses the synthesizer to create an electric feel to her voice. 

The listener gets caught up in the storm of emotions as Charlis sings, “Electrified with love on the line, so different, every touch, every time, connected by invisible wires, don’t you cut me out.”

In this song, after the lighting builds up, the rain starts to fall. Sometimes you do not know why some lyrics stand out, they just do and stick with you forever. 

While Charli is one to keep one in touch with their emotions, we leave the storm and head back into space with “Yuck,” my favorite off the album.

“Yuck” is a mood riser, as this disco-inspired song with modern synth beats makes you just want to get your groove on. What stood out most in this song is Charli’s voice; most times it is stuck behind synth so it does not really stand out, but with “Yuck,” Charli’s voice does not fade into the background like it normally does. 

The chorus “Yuck, lookin’ at me all sucky, Yuck, quit acting like a puppy, Fuck, going all lovey-dovey on me” is so smart it warrants a repeat listen. 

Still in space, a wormhole arises in the form of my second favorite song off of the album, “Used To Know Me.”

This song is a party, it is “Swish Swish” by Katy Perry’s cousin, a fun pop song ready to blare on speakers in clubs at 2 a.m. The song falls on the lyrics as they fade into the high-pop beats making me want to dance while listening. This song is a definitive example of the sound that Charli should stick with; it works really well for her and will get her more listeners. 

Closing out the album is a song telling you not to think twice, and that is iconic. 

Overall, what a stellar album from Charli XCX. A lot of songs in the beginning do not stand out, but the second half of the album has some of her best work on it. Some of the songs are too short, and noticeably lack a bridge.

Charli XCX is a special artist. This album has some moments of the classic Charli that has built her fanbase up, while playing with some experimental sounds. Sometimes everyone needs to “CRASH” before they become the best version of themselves, and this new, recovered Charli will be one to look out for.