By Kourtney Gierke, Contributor

[Coco & Clair Clair; 2024]

Rating: 6/10

Key Tracks: “Aggy,” “Our House,” “Martini”

Following their recent TikTok virality from songs like “Pop Star” and “Pretty,” Coco & Clair Clair released their third album Girl this August. The duo, comprised of Taylor Nave (Coco) and Claire Toothill (Clair Clair), take on their familiar bedroom pop-rap sound with additional dreamy synths and beats, often coined “cloud rap.”

Unlike their previous hits “Pretty” and “Crushcrushcrush,” the lyrics dive into a more personal realm while maintaining their iconic cheeky lines. Girl is an album that simply describes the feelings of being a girl – being in love, having good friends, and of course, “having a couple drinks and forgetting about the world.”

Read more: Album Review: Sabrina Carpenter – Short ‘n Sweet

In an interview with Alternative Press, Clair Clair said, “I’ve always been very anti-love song because I was worried about seeming too corny or babyish, but what can I say? Love was in the air.”

Songs like “Gorgeous International Really Lucky” differ from any of their previous lyrical subjects. While their 2017 hit “Crushcrushcrush” is about liking ugly boys, their new love song is about the exciting and nerve wracking feelings of falling in love and seeming cool enough for their partner.

Coco & Clair Clair also aren’t afraid to be confrontational on this album. Songs like “Everyone But You,” “Bitches Pt. 2” and “Graceland” are lyrically innovative and creative with their disses. “Martini” includes lines like “Why the f*ck is my f*cking name in your mouth? / If our songs are so sh*t then why the free clout?” Despite a new and renovated sound, they stay true to their witty selves.

“My Girl” has similar themes, but explores the friendship and bonding the two have over hating a man, saying “Get that fugly out my eyesight / she hates you, you know I fight”. While a bulk of the album does include disses, they manage to keep them creative and lighthearted lyrics.

Their strongest songs include “Aggy” and “Our House.” “Our House” – a cover from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – reimagines the song with their unique style. “Aggy,” the album’s closer, stands out as a particularly strong piece for the duo. The opening verse is arguably the best rap verse in their discography. The instrumental is hazy, full of reverb and perfectly encapsulates the entire album. Coco & Clair Clair have managed to keep up with their lovable sound while evolving as musicians and creating a thematically beautiful album.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/5sFj47dMyRaQo3sVoElik2?si=GzVxDel2QPi9zhnSALWvcg