ONE PRETTY GIRL’S FIGHT FOR TRUTH — HOW LO-FI MUSIC HELPED CLAIRO DEVELOP IMMUNITY (2019)
Looks can be deceiving. When I first discovered Clairo, aka DJ Baby Benz, I thought she was about 14, maybe 15 years old. In a YouTube video titled “Pretty Girl” I saw a mellow teenager in her bedroom lip-syncing to a self-released song that went viral and made her an Internet sensation. Little did I know, this goofy girl with pony tails would prove to be a resilient artist who didn’t fold in the face of adversity.
First of all, Clairo, now 21, was 19 when she recorded “Pretty Girl” and indeed 14 when she started recording her first songs (I wasn’t that far off with my judgement). She first attracted a small following on SoundCloud and Facebook before scoring a hit on YouTube. Because many people around Clairo kept discouraging her from pursuing a career in music, she did not expect success in any shape or form. Completely relaxed she just went with her gut and this freedom paid off. And then there was a bump in the road.
Everyone always has an opinion. Whether you start reaching for your dreams or you’re already an established artist, people judge whatever they can, which is pretty much everything. When you’re still a kid who hasn’t figured out who she is yet, that’s when criticism hits you the hardest. Clairo took a very heavy blow. With her father being a successful marketing executive she was immediately accused of nepotism and riding on his back to stardom. Since it was a big pile of BS, Clairo quickly dusted herself off and used the experience as fuel for creating her debut album.
Immunity, released in August this year, is a collection of 11 alternative-pop vulnerable songs. Soft, often almost murmured vocals on keyboards and guitars with a hint of sound effects create a low-key atmosphere for raw and personal material. Clairo doesn’t shy away from serious subject matter as she’s been through her share of trials and tribulations. The very first track on the album, “Alewife” is a about her failed suicide attempt. The last song, “I wouldn’t ask you”, tells a story of her hospitalisation from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Here, the feeling of helplessness has been creatively underlined by the voices of a children’s choir. This is not everyday drama, this is the whole world on one person’s shoulders.
Additionally, the album explores the process of understanding your sexuality. Especially singles “Sofia” (Sofia, know that you and I shouldn’t feel like a crime) and “Bags — about “learning to be comfortable in a place of the unknown”. According to Clairo, “there’s no point making a record if it isn’t personal” and Immunity is a testament to this philosophy. There’s also deeper meaning to the title of the album, it represents literal immunity to a disease as well as to anything that makes you weak and sad. Don’t be fooled by the subtlety and whispers, this record proves she’s a strong artist on a mission.
Two days ago Clairo performed “Bags” on The Ellen Show and deservedly got a round of applause. She’s come a long way and there’s no stopping her now. With 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and being named Apple Music’s Up Next Artist it was just a matter of time before artists like Charlie XCX took interest in collaborating with her. Way to go girl! We’re excited for your future.
