There’s a kind of music that feels like walking into your favorite vintage shop on a warm spring afternoon. That reminds you of sipping matcha or iced chai latte at your corner coffee shop table while scribbling in a journal or reading a book. This isn’t just background noise- it’s a feeling. A mood. A whole aesthetic.

You don’t always realize you need it until it’s playing in your headphones, with dreamy vocals that wrap around you like an oversized thrifted sweater. It’s cozy and cool, nostalgic and brand new. It’s music that doesn’t shout to be heard, but whispers, gently, and somehow still echoes in your heart hours later.

That’s exactly where Clairo peaks in.

If you’ve ever vibed out to a song that made you feel like you were in an indie film about your own life, chances are you’ve already heard Clairo-  even if you didn’t realize it. Claire Cottrill, the girl behind the name, started out uploading songs to the internet like any other teen with a laptop and a dream. 

She went viral in 2017 with “Pretty Girl,” an anthem about trying to change yourself for someone else. It was sweet and felt like it was written just for whoever happened to stumble upon it at 2 a.m. on YouTube. No glitz or glam-  just Clairo, a webcam, and a voice full of sincerity. She also released “Flaming Hot Cheetos,” which most of you definitely heard across social media. These moments flipped a switch. Suddenly, she was on everyone’s radar.

Clairo’s music is known as “bedroom pop,” but there’s more to file. Her songs melts together dreamy indie, soul, and soft-spoken honesty in a way that feels gentle and new. She’s not performing with flashy theatrics or powerhouse vocals, but her strength is in how natural and effortless it all feels.

And let’s talk about the songs. “Sofia” is a total fan favorite- a sun-soaked, heart-fluttering love song that made TikTok cry, dance, and scream the lyrics all at once. “Bags” captures that nervous, aching feeling of liking someone who might not feel the same way. It’s painfully relatable, the kind of track that makes you stare out of the car window like you’re in a coming of age movie. Then there’s “Blouse,” a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the discomfort of being seen only for your appearance. And “Joanie,” her soft instrumental lullaby for her dog, feels like flipping through a scrapbook of nostalgic moments. 

What sets Clairo apart is how she’s never trying to be anyone else. In a pop world filled with neon lights and sparkling perfection, Clairo is polaroid film, old vinyls, and sunlight leaking through curtains. She’s vulnerable without being dramatic, stylish without trying too hard, and emotional without ever crossing into cliché.

Her 2019 debut album Immunity was full of layered emotions, produced alongside Rostam (from the rock band Vampire Weekend). But 2021’s Sling took a turn — more folk-inspired, earthy, grounded. It was a deep breath of an album, soft like cashmere, with lyrics that hit deep. Written partly during quarantine, it was more reflective, but still so authentically her.

In 2024, Clairo released Charm– a soft-rock album that feels like her most confident and expansive work yet. Dreamy and warm, it blends the intimate lyricism she’s known for with production that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Tracks like “Echo,” “Second Nature,” and “Nomad” radiate a hazy beauty that lingers long after they end, showcasing her evolution as both a songwriter and producer. Among them, “Juna” has emerged as one of the album’s most popular songs, going viral and captivating listeners with its ethereal sound and emotional pull.

Charm builds on everything Clairo has done before, but takes it further- more assured, more intricate, and even more enchanting. And now, with newer releases like “Juna” continuing to enchant fans, Clairo proves she’s not just a moment, but a movement. Her rise isn’t built on viral stunts, but on a connection, a vibe, a feeling that truly sticks.

Clairo’s music isn’t loud, but it’s powerful. It makes you feel seen without needing to say too much. In a world that’s constantly rushing and performing, she reminds us to sit still, to feel things, to make art just because it’s honest. And that’s the magic. It feels as though she’s singing to you personally.

And maybe that’s what makes her different. She’s not trying to be the next big pop star. She’s just Clairo. And somehow, that’s even better.