Clairo: Charm Vinyl LP

Why you'll love it

Charm debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, Clairo's first top 10 album, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Metacritic gave it 82.

This edition

Co-produced by Leon Michels
Self-issued on Clairo Records

About the album

Claire Cottrill's talents were never in question, but on her third album she stretches out considerably and delivers a work of formidable maturity. For Charm, Clairo teamed up with producer Leon Michels, a member of go-to neo-soul ensemble the Dap-Kings, known for his work with El Michels Affair, and together they dig further into the 70s-inspired sound she explored on 2021's Sling.

The arrangements are rich with Wurlitzer, mellotron, piano and organ, with Nick Movshon, Homer Steinweiss, Marco Benevento and Dave Guy among the players. "Slow Dance" features fluttering flute and clarinet, "Terrapin" is adorned with piano embellishments, and "Sexy to Someone" and "Juna" ride strong grooves. The warm, golden production makes her voice feel like an intimate whisper in your ear.

Rolling Stone called it a summer stunner, and the "Terrapin" video, directed by Ayo Edebiri, cast "Weird Al" Yankovic as Clairo. Any album that can pull off that bit of casting has nothing left to prove.

Also at Kops: more Clairo on vinyl · browse Singer-Songwriter