Charli XCX
True Romance
IAMSOUND
Street: 04.16
Charli XCX = Gwen Stefani + Marina Diamandis + Santigold
Charli XCX, that pop visionary with an indie cult status, has recently made a serious run for platinum with Icona Pop’s “I Love It,” which she co-wrote. With True Romance, the 20-year-old Brit delivers on the promise of her early singles (ca. 2011), three of which ended up on the album, and expands her style with the help of numerous contemporary producers, including Ariel Rechtshaid, who’s present on most tracks here. Beyond the singles, she explores a variety of electronic styles—that thing called cloud-rap on the Gold Panda-sampled “You (Ha Ha Ha),” big room on the Blood Diamonds produced “Grins,” post-Internet rap (thanks, Brooke Candy) on “Cloud Aura.” With the newer songs, the album lacks unity, but each track is filled with a great appreciation of both Y2K and contemporary pop. Put this in your shitty headphones while you get ready to go out and everything will be alright. –Christian Schultz