Clairo finds her sound with new single, “Sexy to Someone”

After three long years, Claire Cottrill is back in the game. Cottrill, better known as Clairo, first captured the hearts of our generation with “Pretty Girl”; for years she was the angel of bedroom pop, cementing her place in the genre with her debut album, “Immunity.” The singer’s sophomore album, “Sling,” switched things up, displaying a maturity in sound and lyrical themes that hadn't been seen from the artist before. Now, it seems she’s hit a sweet spot.

Clairo via Lucas Creighton.

“Sexy to Someone” combines the best parts of Cottrill’s first two records: you can find elements of Immunity’s more electronic lo-fi beats, along with Sling’s whimsical production and organic instrumentals–there’s something for every Clairo fan. The artist’s updated Spotify bio notes that her new music is “interwoven with tendrils of ‘70s soul and lush R&B,” and that observation definitely rings true; the song brings Carole King to mind upon first listen.

The song’s chorus features some of Clairo’s most relatable lyrics, in my opinion: “Sexy to somebody, it would help me out / Oh, I need a reason to get out of the house.” We’ve all been there: wanting to be found desirable by someone simply to have something happening in life, looking for a crush/validation just to break the monotony of everyday life. “I want to be sexy to someone,” she laments on the bridge, asking in the background, “Is it too much to ask? / Then what’s holding you back?” Then, desperately, “It’s not too much to ask.” A universal train of thought, I’d say.

Cottrill tells Zane Lowe “Sexy to Someone” is a good example of the upcoming album’s palette and recording process; she also says that living alone in upstate New York helped her learn more about her personal style and direction, acknowledging that the song is “a product of spending weeks and weeks and weeks by myself.” From what we’ve seen so far, it seems the era of “Charm” marks Clairo finally settling into her own sound. After all, third time’s the charm (I had to!).

“Sexy to Someone” is out now on all platforms; “Charm” will be released on July 12th.