Sling
The origins of Clairo (born Claire Cottrill) hold their own modern mythos: 2017’s lo-fi bedroom pop track “Pretty Girl” went viral, and a major-label record deal with Fader/Republic followed. Then came her debut LP, *Immunity*, and its sardonic indie pop punctuated by jazzy instrumentation, soft-rock harmonies, and diaristic revelations. On her sophomore album, *Sling*, produced by Jack Antonoff in a remote and rural part of upstate New York, Clairo has mined deeper into her well of self-possessed folk. The outdoors seems to have grounded her; even moments of ornate orchestration are stripped down to their emotional core, like in the fluttery horns and xylophone of “Wade,” the herd of violins on “Just for Today” and “Management,” or their psychic opposite—the heartbreaking piano ballad intro on “Harbor,” and the campfire stopper “Reaper.” Standout first single “Blouse” features backing vocals from Lorde, and borrows a familiarly devastating chord progression (think Big Star’s “Thirteen”). Everywhere you turn on *Sling*, there are careful, restrained, and wise observations on the human condition.
On her second album, reluctant Gen Z ambassador Clairo turns back the clock, embracing classic touchstones of 1970s folk.
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter's new album offers tenderness that she long withheld from herself
Claire Cottrill finds healing and hope in domesticity, as she muses on mental health and burgeoning responsibility
The rising singer/songwriter tries out a new producer and new sound on her sophomore album.
Claire Cottrill has expanded her sound with grace and subtlety on her second album, 'Sling.'
Clairo takes careful aim on her second album 'Sling', navigating adulthood, industry fame, and being a dog mom, with Laurel Canyon aplomb.
Taking another turn in what to this point has been a shape-shifting young career, Clairo leaves behind any trace of the pop and electronic luster present on her major-label debut, the Rostam-produced Immunity, as well as the quirky bedroom pop of her teens on the follow-up, Sling.
If those sharing Clairo's understated viral hit "Pretty Girl" in 2017 could time travel to our heat-warped present, it's entirely possible t...
Lead single ‘Blouse’ — one of the tracks on Sling featuring backing vocals from none other than Lorde — might be full of harmonious vocals over gentle strings, but the lyrics, inspired by workplace sexualisation, are from the mind of someone who’s not taking any shit.
In 2019, fresh off the release of her debut album Immunity, Claire Cottrill—known professionally as Clairo—had gone from recording music in her dorm room to playing stadiums as one of the biggest names in indie pop in less than two years.
In her digital cover feature of Rolling Stone, Clairo talks about songs as if they are like little ghosts. She’s thinking of the friendly, Phoebe
Lavish arrangements and assorted musings converge on Claire Cottrill’s intimate second album
Big production has sanded down the rougher edges for Clairo, but she still bridges the gap between Teen Vogue and Pitchfork like no-one else
Clairo’s ‘Sling’ channels the pleasant air of ‘70s AM folk, but it veers perilously close to easy-listening ennui. Read our review.
Sling by Clairo album review by Sam Boatright. The Jack Antonoff produced full-length is out today via Republic Records/Fader Label