Charli XCX - True Romance

Now that her songwriting has earned her a #1 single (albeit for someone else), you'd have thought that at least a little public interest would've found its way to Charlotte Aitchison's doorstep. Alas, True Romance peaked at the tragic #85 in her home country, and the singles could only dream of those lofty heights. Still, it's not entirely surprising that with one Tumblr-ready emoji-loving eye-catching British pop sensation winding down her widely cynical and frankly shite album campaign, we may have grown a little tired of the whole lo-fi, grungey Americana thing in pop music. Remember when people cared about Lana del Rey? Even she can't score a hit without a generic remix nowadays.

Nonetheless, Charli XCX stands out as a fine example of quality over ubiquity. She arguably could go fully down the I Love It route and storm to the top of the chart every 6 months or so, but has instead worked with about 20 different producers of varying fame and genre to produce something fairly eccentric. True Romance - although rather boringly billed as "very raw, very honest, and very true" - is something of a complex listen.

Fan favourite 'Nuclear Seasons' begins the affair with its dark wave romanticism outpouring across our faces, and the fallout (pun intended) from a tumultuous relationship. "I worry you're all alone", she stammers, but she is resolute; her vocal trickery is almost playful in its nonchalance. Indeed, on the fantastic 'You (Ha Ha Ha)' she uses humour as a front for dealing with betrayal. Over Gold Panda's gorgeous You she's given the rather tricky task of adding something engaging, and whether it's the simple "ha"s or the mock-rap she pulls off in the bridge, she succeeds. She drops her lilting voice for some robotic mumbles on 'Take My Hand', a rather middle-of-the-road EDM by-product that's not likely to enrapture anyone soon. Danger and intrigue are the themes dealt with on 'Stay Away', where XCX finds herself asking "I knew you were no angel/ but God, what did I do?" The sound effects and samples all remind me a little bit of a Donkey Kong game and I'm sure that was intentional.

It's a common pitfall for most vaguely 'cool' singers to lose a large chunk of vulnerability and authenticity when it comes to singing about heartache, but 'Set Me Free' is quite accomplished in dispelling that myth. Sounding something like Gwen Stefani fronting Pixies for Where Is My Mind? (a horrifying prospect, I know, but hear it out), it's lyrically all very melodramatic (devouring souls, crawling veins, can't breathe, etc.) and yet fascinating. The intro to Nuclear Seasons is then taken for a test drive on 'Grins' and it crashes, spectacularly. A blurry, hazy mess with no direction, sounding like Lana del Rey thrown, drunk, into a ravine; it's a surprising no-show from Blood Diamonds, whose Phone Sex collaboration with Grimes was inspired. At least there's some clarity in the message of 'So Far Away': "I can't believe all those things that you said/ you broke my heart and you fucked with my head, again". Over a simple but luscious chillwave backing, she's monotonous and emotionally cold, but it works as a controlled "fuck you." It's certainly less embarrassing than the impulsive, crass 'Cloud Aura' featuring a whimper of a guest verse from Brooke Candy:

Let you put your feet up while I was cooking you breakfast
Thought I found my ride or die, but now I just regret shit

Christ. At least Aitchison is on form.

For all of the laying bare of lovers past, there's then the sweet and blushing 'What I Like', and aside from the "this shit is kinda gangsta, I think I'm into you" line it's a small ray of sunshine. 'Black Roses' follows and it's a dancier, softer side to the album that, whilst not the strongest-written, lightens the mood and lets us see her proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. For now, she tips her head to Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark on the excellent single 'You're the One', co-produced by fellow I Love It alumni Patrik Berger, and she's again eager to put across her newfound confidence and happiness. 'How Can I' serves as a further element of doubt and contains some of her better lyrics, but fails to grab me yet. Mixtape favourite 'Lock You Up' is then given a bit of a polish and slowed down a little to round things off.

There are definite problems here but considering the lack of a real concept and the inclusion of 12 cowriters and producers you'd be foolish to expect something constructed mechanically and carefully. Much like the style she wears and uses in her music videos, it's quite a pick'n'mix selection, and it's almost as though she's testing the water. At her best, Aitchison has stellar potential, and has crafted brilliant pop songs. Here's to more.

Rating: 7.5/10
Highlights: Nuclear Seasons; You (Ha Ha Ha); What I Like; Set Me Free; You're the One
Avoid: Cloud Aura; Grins

Artwork Watch: Since joining Tumblr I have been confused as to what the fuck "soft grunge" is and I'm fairly sure this is it, guys.
For fans of: Grimes; Robyn; Little Boots
Up next: James Blake