I’ve Been Charmed by Clairo

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s get into it. I’ve been charmed by Clairo since 2019, and honestly, I’m not even mad about it.  So let’s talk about  her song, “Bags.” It’s one of those tracks that instantly just hits you in the chest, and you don’t even know why. It’s so simple, yet it’s so, so good. And I think I tweet out “Bags by Clairo” at least three times a month.

I even remember the first time I heard her music, it was 2019, and I was watching some random YouTube video when the couple in the video mentioned that one of their favorite artists was Clairo. Naturally, I Googled her right away and stumbled upon “Flaming Hot Cheetos,” and was mesmorized by the title of the track, “what an odd name for a song” I thought. From the moment that first note hit, it was love to my ears at first listen. I was hooked… I was charmed. Clairo’s sound instantly clicked with me, and she’s been one of my favorites ever since.

Let’s talk about the song “Bags” itself. From the moment the first chord strums, it’s clear this isn’t your average indie track. “Bags” isn’t just a song. It’s an experience. It sneaks up on you, quiet at first, but then it wraps itself around you in a way that’s hard to describe. It’s one of those tunes that you put on repeat, and suddenly, you’re listening to it three, four, ten times in a row because you just can’t get enough. And the more you listen to it, the better it gets. Every time you catch a new layer, a new feeling, and it all just clicks.

Clairo’s voice? Wow. So effortless. It’s soft, but it carries so much weight. Every word feels like she’s letting you in on a secret, and that vulnerability? It hits so hard, especially in a line like, “And I’m so tired of being here,” which just feels like the embodiment of everything that’s been quietly weighing you down. It’s not just a lyric; it’s a mood. It’s a vibe. It’s relatable in ways I didn’t even realize I needed until it came into my life.

And the production? OHHHH MY GOD. Don’t even get me started. It’s like this perfect little balance of simplicity and depth. There’s nothing flashy about it, but that’s what makes it stand out. It’s like Clairo knew exactly how much to leave space, how much to hold back so that every note lands with purpose. You can tell she’s not trying to impress anyone. It’s all about feeling, you can really resonate with her and her words.  The way that the  feeling is conveyed? It’s masterful, I feel as if I am Ms. Cottrill.

“Bags” is a song that stays with me. I’ll be humming it in the shower, in the car, when I’m lying awake in bed at 2 AM, it has me wondering how something so simple could make you feel so much. There’s a reason this track has become one of my all-time favorites. It’s not just good, it’s great. It’s that kind of song you feel in your bones, like it becomes a part of your own soundtrack. And for me, it’s been a part of my life since the first time I listened to it (February 4th, 2020 at 4:42 AM), and every time I go back to it, it’s like hearing it for the first time again. It doesn’t lose its power. It’s luster, everything, if there was a perfect song it is this one.

So yeah, “Bags” is that good. If you haven’t heard it yet, PLEASE do yourself a favor and press play. But don’t just listen to it once, no no, you have to let it marinate. Listen to it three, four, five times at least. Trust me, it’ll grab you. Clairo is not here to just make music. She’s here to make you feel something. And maybe you too will be Charmed by Clairo