Superlove – Charli XCX

Since penning summer smash ‘I Love It’, Charli XCX has been the most in-demand co-writer around, boasting songwriting credits with Britney, Rita Ora, Sky Ferreira and Marina Diamandis. This week however, she previews ‘Superlove’ the first single from her much anticipated solo album.

For the album she has teamed up with the likes of William Orbit, Greg Kurstin and Dimitri Tikovoi. The production hones that distinctive Charli XCX sound, in ‘Superlove’ we hear upbeat jangling guitars  combine with glowing electric sonics.

‘Superlove’ sees a step away from her previous LP which had flavours of punkier, darker verses, and is very much in the same vein as the brighter, dancier ‘I Love It’ . Verse melodies are hooky, uplifting. and lyrically brilliant. The pre-chorus has a very cool chromatic descending melody, combined with some excellent use of acronyms (we love a good R.I.P/S.O.S spelt out in a pop song).

In comparison to the verse, the chorus is OH SO FAST. We can’t figure out if it runs away a little too quickly, we are left wanting more, perhaps a bit of space between lines to process it all. But Charli XCX somehow pulls it off, spitting out the rapid-fire lyrics rhythmically with panache and attitude.