You Can Be My Wave

It didn't take long for Charli XCX to become restless as the world seemingly shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Deciding to make the most of her time in isolation, Charli endeavoured to make a whole album in the span of six weeks. The process was surprisingly transparent and collaborative with her fans. Charli would often host livestreams where she would receive feedback on snippets of production, test lyrics or melodies, and even receive input on visuals. While how i'm feeling now was a personal, somewhat confessional snapshot for Charli, the album also reflected our collective experiences going through isolating lockdowns. Its frank honesty and pointed response to a specific time may have people thinking that the album is thematically one-dimensional. However, how i'm feeling now is actually a pretty thorough exploration of the concept of connection: connection to music, a partner, social circles, or even strangers sharing an experience on the dance floor.

The first half of the record brilliantly maps the trajectory of Charli's then relationship during this time. forever, with its choppy waves and thundering noise synths, depicts love on the rocks. Despite the tumultuous storm, Charli very soothingly reaffirms her commitment to her relationship. claws is a very cutesy tune in which she details her attraction to her partner. The instrumental, produced by 100 gecs' Dylan Brady, is fittingly playful with the plinky synths, metallic claps, and booming bass. The chorus is fantastic thanks to Charli's infectious melody that gently floats down from her head voice and ends with some satisfying harmonies that drop back into the verse. It's not the most deeply written track of the collection, but it is easily the most fun spot on the record. The good times continue on 7 years, a celebration of their relationship's resilience after bouts of emotional and physical distance. The chorus is a knockout with weighty, dramatic chords, and Charli's very impassioned performance. These tracks demonstrate how quarantining together has allowed them to reconnect in a meaningful way.

The following two tracks, however, the strength in their relationship is once again called into question. On detonate, Charli reveals that she can't trust herself not to sabotage the relationship. Her insecurities play tricks to the extent that she will defensively close herself off and send mixed signals. I like how timid and steeped in shame Charli's delivery is on this track. I also really like the contrast between the gentle harmonic content and the busy, somewhat off-kilter percussion. enemy is another thematically interesting cut that spins the classic Godfather quote. The mix of insecurity and close proximity creates the notion that our partners pose the greatest threat given their intimate knowledge. I love the synthesized guitar chords that are both chorused and echoed, and Charli once again delivers a sticky chorus. This thematic arc attempts to conclude on a more positive note with i finally understand, although I think it is the blandest song on the record, both in terms of writing and production. Charli doesn't say enough to convince me that she is as secure in her relationship as she is proclaiming.

While Charli's relationship is a significant point of inspiration for this album, she does approach other topics resulting in more impressive songs. Album opener, pink diamond, immediately thrusts you into an aggressive, cavernous rave that really gets the endorphins pumping. A little later on, we get the Danny L Harle-produced anthems, whose EDM festival leanings are similarly exhilarating. Both tracks address the unfed desire to engage in nightlife, party with reckless abandon, getting hot and sweaty on the dance floor, etc. c2.0 is another brilliant cut which upon further reflection, feels like a precursor to the BRAT remix album. It revisits Click from Charli's previous record, and drops an updated verse that timely expresses how much we all missed seeing our friends throughout the pandemic. Lastly, there's party 4 u, a minimal, somewhat sultry track where Charli plans this elaborate party solely to spend time with a person of interest. I'm not super infatuated with the song, but I would be remiss not to mention a truly iconic moment where Charli suddenly turns up the heat with a hype, rapid fire verse. Her delivery is powerful and unwavering; one of the best captured performances of her career.

In 2019, I was deeply invested in Charli. It introduced me to the hyperpop genre that was sweet and universally appealing while also embracing forward-thinking digital aesthetics. I loved the record so much that I thought it would be a difficult project to drop. Therefore, colour me surprised to see Charli follow it up in isolation with self-imposed time constraints, and still deliver an album that was just as good as its predecessor. While I don't think how i'm feeling now reaches the same blockbuster heights Charli does, I do think the eleven track, thirty-seven minute album is a tighter listen. Given the record was born out of a pretty significant global event, whose ripples will continue to be felt for many years to come, I don't think this record will lose its relevancy. It will remain a musical time capsule that will take us back to one of the most socially uncertain times in our lifetime.