Charli XCX - Sucker [Album Review]

The ferocious Charli XCX is back with her third studio album, Sucker, and after multiple delays it proves to be worth the wait. Relatively unknown up until recently - when her and Iggy Azalea's smash hit 'Fancy' braced itself for world domination - Charlotte Aitchison a.k.a. Charli XCX has crash landed onto the airwaves in recent months. The english singer-songwriter sound is a mix of power pop and punk pop with the singer taking influence from the 70s, 80s and 90s in both her musical and personal styling. Sucker has the vibrant energy, the acidic attitude and strong electric sound that Charli XCX is becoming know for. The album is unapologetic and rightly so. For a track-by-track review, read below: 

‘Sucker’ – Suck on this. A striking heart beat opens the first track, which is a heart-stopping punk pop fusion. Dripping with sass and possessing a throwback chorus, 'Sucker' is the track where the English singer literally tells everyone to go fuck themselves. The initial image the album conjures is of the carefree, rebellious youth who doesn’t care about telling the world to screw itself. It’s refreshing to hear something so abrasive and sweet-to-the-ear at the same time. It’s sugar pop punk at its best. In at #2 is ‘Break The Rules’, which is a brazen, outlandish and fun-loving and unruly song, with a heavy bass that compliments the rebellious nature of the track. Charli’s ‘I don’t wanna go to school/ I just want to break the rules’ is no doubt an anthem teens across the nation and worldwide can easily sing and thrash along to.

In at #3 is ‘London Queen’ which kicks it back with more funky guitar beats and a sound which isn't dissimilar to that of The Clash’s ‘London Calling’. Charli’s infectious vocals demand attention and her personality shines through this addictive piece of ear candy. ‘Breaking Up’ is up next, and it cranks up the attitude. This is a suitable alternative to the break-up anthem for those who are not quite content with other pop stars' offerings. Track listing #5 is 'Gold Coins', whose psychedelic digital beats clatter against the heavy guitar rhythms. Charli's starts off with subdued vocals that eventually culminate themselves for a full blast off at the chorus, whilst broken-up guitar solos add to the solid sounds. 

‘Boom Clap’ is in at #6, fusing full drum and synth beats with an undeniably catchy chorus that proved widely successful for Charli XCX. The track also served as the first single for The Fault in Our Stars' soundtrack. The song depicts a giddy romance, with Charli singing 'Boom Clap/ the sound of my heart/ the beat goes on and on and on on on on'. It's easy to get behind this one. Next up, Charli teams up with Rita Ora (who seems to be doing the rounds on everyone's album) to make ‘Doing It’ - although we're not really sure if it is doing anything at all. The track is a bit generic and there is nothing particularly outstanding or ear-catching about it, despite it's solid production and glossy finish. It just doesn't seem to spark much personality or soul. 

In at #8 is ‘Body Of My Own’ where the songstress belts out lyrics at a super lightning speed, and with a particularly frenetic beat to match. The result is a drug-induced haze where ‘Body Of My Own’ is pure pleasure. ‘Famous’ – Wanna feel ‘So Outrageous/ Just Like we’re famous’? Well then Charli’s got you covered on this whimsical feel-good party track. ‘Hanging Around’ is track #10, although there's not really much to hear here, we get the vibe it's more of a filler track. Up next is ‘So Over You’, where the sounds (and Charli’s chorus vocals) are a little reminiscent of Britney here, and it strangely works; ‘My tears, they cried/ Like a waterfall in the light/ My rose don’t bloom, since you left me blue’. This is another alternative break up song, but one which possibly works more than ‘Breaking Up’ (available on European versions of the album).

In at #12 is ‘Die Tonight’, which sounds like one of those tracks you sing at the end of a concert with your friends to play out the end of the night. Charli sings triumphantly that she could die tonight and still be perfectly content, ‘Cause I’ve got the magic in my veins/ And I’m going hard with all my friends’. Euphoric beats and a simple guitar strumming paired with understated vocals from Charli XCX make this a memorable addition as #12 on European Sucker additions (and #11 on North America versions). #13 ‘Caught In The Middle’ is far too similar to previous pop offerings - you can probably skip this one. ‘Need Ur Luv’ is a sweet and airy closing track which finishes the album off nicely. If you have the European version, you'll also have track #15, which is 'Red Balloon', where Charli once again stretches her vocals chords and shows how fast she can sing out verses over a slick production sound featuring plenty of gimmicks and attitude. Definite feel-good vibe. 

Overall, Sucker has it's highlights and although some songs are frankly forgettable, it's strong tracks reaffirm that the singer is headed in the right direction, and the throwback style is definitely her forte. The rebellious and head-strong nature of the album is best emulated by Charli XCX, whose brash and unique vocal style make her one of the more memorable voices in the music industry, whilst the mix of pop punk and power-pop stand her apart from her bubblegum peers. A nod to misfits and youths, Sucker is electrically charged and inspirational to the rebel in all of us, with its cool production and mix of volatile language and retro sounds. 

4 stars.