I started writing this a few weeks back when the video first premiered, but alas here it is, late as is so often the case these days! Fortunately, it's not been so delayed as to have been deemed irrelevant - not that that's ever stopped me before.
You should all know by now because I say it so often that I am a mahusive Charli XCX fan! The single, 'You (Ha Ha Ha)', is the first new song to be revealed for her forthcoming, as-of-yet untitled album. The song samples Gold Panda's 'You' which, whilst being a great instrumental in it's own right, gains a new lease of life with the addition of Charli's lyrics. That being said, Charli's 'You' feels a tad repetitive and not as strong as some of her previous singles. I feel like a broken record in that I've said this on my previous few posts - however, both the 'SUPER ULTRA Mixtape' and especially 'Cloud Aura (feat. BROOKE CANDY)' have grown on me immensely, I'll eat my words! I think that for me, having been impressed with the lyrics for her first couple of singles, 'Stay Away' and 'Nuclear Seasons', I am always looking for such standards of brilliance. That being said, it's still a great pop track, and I'm still beyond excited for the album. I genuinely don't recall the last time the prospect of an album release has whet my appetite so much, I seriously can't wait! It will be on repeat for months!
You've probably gathered by now, if you follow this blog that is, that I am a large fan of Charli XCX. The alt. pop singer has been garnering more and more press coverage recently, and now she has released her second mixtape, SUPER ULTRA, prior to the release of her album early next year.
SUPER ULTRA hits the ground with 'Cloud Aura' (feat. Brooke Candy), which I reviewed previously, and stated that I felt it wasn't one of the strongest songs from Charli as of yet, although in hindsight after listening to this mixtape, it actually adds some well needed "oomph" to the sequence of tracks. The mixtape itself feels somewhat trippy, there are more mid-tempo/slow songs here and strange beats, with only 'Heatwave' really getting the listener excited by being a nice dance track. For me, the highlight of the mixtape has to be 'Forgiveness'; it's the nearest thing to a ballad that Charli has given us yet, and it's simple and personal, although as with any Charli XCX song, the temptation to mix it up is always there, as after the first chorus is done and dusted, the atmosphere turns menacing and dark.
On the newsletter email that delivered the free download, Charli stated that the entirety of the mixtape was written during her two days touring in Poland, and that the songs are all about love and are all sad in some manner.
Candy's contribution isn't stunning, but it serves its purpose, name-dropping couple comparisons such as Bonnie and Clyde, Jay - Z and Beyonce, and - annoyingly - a pro Chris Brown reference, that would irk any sane individual with its presence, whether he can claim hit chart dance tunes or not.
Charli's own verse reminds me of Tinie Tempah in its delivery, and as always, the chorus is undeniably catchy. It's not one of the strongest songs that she's given us so far, but it seems to hint at a bit of musical experimentation and genre blending which is always interesting. The track sounds more electro hip hip that Charli's perceived industrial goth poppiness. It is also frustratingly short, but seeing as it's practically a teaser from her upcoming mixtape SUPER ULTRA, which is due next week.
