Charli XCX - “Crash” Album Review
The British Hyperpop star released her expected fifth full-length album “Crash” filled with collaborations, synths, and colorful melodies.
Starting off the album, XCX delivers a safe tune with the self-titled track “Crash”, a sweet and short pop song with the British singer’s signature automated vocals and groovy guitars. “New Shapes” is an enjoyable electronic pop song, with a safe melody, typical of XCX, joined by Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek.
Followed by the first single for the album “Good Ones”, Charli XCX delivered one of her best singles in years, as she redefined her sound with the help of the catchy guitar and falsettos in the chorus. Singing about self-sabotage and letting the good ones go, Charli crafted a song many people not only can relate to but also can dance to.
Rina Sawayama makes an appearance in the song “Beg For You” with an electronic tune, where Sawayama’s deep voice mixes beautifully with Charli XCX’s tone. The elements in this song, from the pre-chorus to the drop, are very similar to electronic songs released in the early 2000s, making this song sound timeless.
The last single released, “Baby” is a more sensual track, with the help of the lyrics and the instrumentation, both heavily inspired by 80s pop and its Pop Divas, like Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. This song has this vintage aspect to it, as well as a modern and contemporary twist.
The song “Yuck” is an example of a beautifully executed electro-pop song, with synths, a solid vocal performance, catchy pre-chorus, and chorus. Inspired by the likes of Britney Spears and SZA, this song also has elements from R&B. XCX sings about being mad at yourself for falling in love too often and over the wrong person.
“Used To Know Me” is an example of a pop song that is close to perfection, with elements of electronic music and hyper pop, Charli’s vocals blend beautifully with the beats and synths. This song has the potential to become a classic electro-pop song. Singing about changing, and telling someone “you used to know me but now you don't,” the British singer did an homage to her old sound.
The hyper pop singer closed the album with “Twice,” a bubbly and sweet pop tune. This last track is a safe way to end the album, singing about anxieties and letting go of doubts, the signature Charli XCX song did not stand out but managed to be a very good addition to the overall cohesiveness of the album.
Charli XCX delivered one of her best albums to date. What differentiates this one from her previous ones is how radio-friendly this one is, sticking to more pop-friendly sounds and collaborating with popular artists like Sawayama and Polachek.
The British singer managed to give an homage to older pop sounds while remaining cohesive with her sounds, lyrics, and aesthetics. XCX is one of the few pop artists who deliver completely different projects and is not afraid to experiment with different genres and sounds.
Rating: 9/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Song: “Constant Repeat, Good Ones, Used To Know Me”
Reviewer’s Least Favorite Song: “Move Me”
Fernanda Lopez is a first-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email lfl5339@psu.edu
