Song: Famous
Artist: Charli XCX
Album: Sucker
Charli's 2014 was like watching a friend get famous. Well... okay that's a little overboard, but I've been following the young British singer for a while, championing her major label debut while few were paying attention, and then watching her become hook girl for the biggest song of the Summer, getting a hit of her own, and then releasing her fantastically bratty third album Sucker, which is non-stop amazing. Proud tears.
While a seeming lyrical setback from True Romance, Sucker is an intentionally juvenile record taking it's cues from 80s-era guitar-driven pop-punk a-la Kim Wilde. She even covers the Flying Lizard's version of "Money (That's What I Want)" as a bonus track. The album is filled with upbeat, thrashy, pop tracks that nod to that bygone era while still keeping things modern. "London Queen," "Breaking Up," and the title track really exemplify her aim with the record.
Repeated listens to Sucker reveal each track to be rather essential, from the catchy bombast of "Break the Rules" and the laid-back vibe of "Gold Coins," as well as the New Wavish upcoming single "Doing It" (which is adding Rita Ora for the single/video version) and the Weezer-biting "Hanging Around" that yes... includes writing and guitar work by Rivers Cuomo. Fans of "Boom Clap" will find the big Summer single (originally from The Fault in Our Stars Soundtrack) and the similar "Caught in the Middle," also fantastic. This girl can really write a hook. [related, check out Aeroplane's excellent remix of "Boom Clap."]
Charli had mentioned she got a lot of pressure from her label to repeat the sound (and success) of her biggest hit she's written, Icona Pop's "I Love It," and while she rejected the assignment, I feel she does it (and tops it) with the brash, uber-catchy "Famous," my hands-down favorite track on the record. I hope it becomes a single.
This is a high-profile pop record that's actually filled with youthful exuberance, and one even aging pop fans can bop to. Dig dig dig.
Enjoy.
Famous
Breaking Up
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