Yeah I think there’s a ton of variety here it’s just more unified sonically than something like Charli.
I have a feeling "Enemy" is going to be the "Thoughts" of this album cycle for me. Meaning the one that grows into one of my favorites slowly over more and more time with it
I think my favs are "forever," "detonate," & "c2.0." Though, "i finally understand" & "pink diamond" are also in the mix. And, "anthems"? And, "claws"? Oh great, that's like 2/3 of the album, uh,
i like i finally understand even more in context of the album. it works as a nice little setup for the final stretch.
Something I notice lately that bothers me (and I’m bringing it up here cus I saw comments like that about this album) is how people now think an artist needs to fully reinvent themselves for every album. But to me there’s something to be said for continuing to work with a sound you started and pushing it forward. This album doesn’t sound exactly like Charli to me, which didn’t sound exactly like Pop 2. They all inform each other but they accomplish different things. And this kind of style is having a moment now too and it would just be weird for her to abandon it so quick. I just feel like different is considered better nowadays but it shouldn’t always be the case. This is my long way of saying I loved this. Haven’t really followed the process but it’s a great end result.
Halfway through and I’m really enjoying it so far. Enemy is great and I’m very happy there aren’t any features.
Just finished the album... WOW that hit different...! Everything felt strong and concise all the way through.
Lol this is so fucking good. "Pink diamond" is as wild as I'd hoped. The chorus of "7 years" is amazing. There are no misses here. Imagine "anthems" playing in the club. Wow.
This album is fantastic, and I haven't connected with her music this instantly and deeply since True Romance. I'm not caught up, so I don't know if the track by track breakdowns have been posted, but I recommend reading them as it shows how much she simply gets it. Early favorites are : - Pink Diamond (giving me Kat DeLuna meets Code Orange) - Detonate (in all its UK Garage realness) - Party 4 U (still making me wish for an unrealistic collab with Enter Shikari or another one with Yasutaka Nakata) - I Finally Understand (which features a new sound for her that could be developed even more further down the line) Many listens later, I'm going to pick Party 4 U as my absolute favorite, and already Top 5 in her discography. It's like Track10 in the structure, and in how it keeps building up with the use of a repetitive vocal line. However, instead of ending with a climax, it stays minimalistic. And the outro with the crowd just makes me tear up. Charli fucking XCX damn, she did it again.
Just to add something. While I still like Charli, I do appreciate much more the restraint and the tightness of this project, even if the context forced these aspects. I'm glad it has no features, so we're invited to read into her own mind only. It makes the whole thing feel more personal and intimate than she ever has.