Indie artist Clairo’s sophomore album Sling is a moody, mellow soundscape about growth and forthcoming responsibility.
Clairo, also known as Clair Cottrill, released the album in July of 2021 to critical acclaim. The album features upbeat standouts like “Amoeba”, an experimental track with fun, absurdist lyrics, along with introspective ones like “Blouse”, which covers the complicated feelings that come with being sexualized and ignored.
The work is cohesive, with a calming mix of guitar and piano serving as a throughline in the instrumentation. These pair perfectly with Clairo’s soft, wispy vocals gently layered over the tracks. Sling is also a very experimental album. In “Amoeba”, Clairo uses sounds like clanging pots and pans or electronic beeps to curate the track’s quirky vibe.
For me this work is pure sonic comfort, and it comes at no surprise that it is inspired by Clairo’s relationship to her sweet dog Joanie. Clairo always finds a way to dig into my subconscious and articulate the things I’ve got swimming around in there. She is the soundtrack to my young adulthood, with her rocking ballads and emotional lyrics. My favorites from this album include “Blouse”, “Harbor”, and “Just for Today”.