The first piece I will talking about here is my favorite body of work of all time! Pop 2 is the fourth mixtape by English pop artist and songwriter Charli XCX. It was released on December 15, 2017. Pop 2 is a futuristic, auto-tuned, and robotic journey that enlists a wide array of next-level producers [A. G Cook, SOPHIE, umru, EASYFUN] and collaborators [Carly Rae Jepsen, Kim Petras, Tove Lo, Pabllo Vittar]. This mixtape was pivotal for Charli XCX as it helped her to discover a newfound love for songs stacked with guest verses, a stronger sense of confidence, and a sound that is uniquely Charli and helps put her at the forefront of changing pop music. This is evident in multiple music critics and even Charli herself deeming her and this mixtape as the “Future of Pop.” I love all the collaborations Charli has here because they all stem from genuine friendships and respect for one another as artists. Nobody was brought on in hopes of creating the next #1 hit. Rather, Charli has brought along her all her friends to take us on a ride with sharp and unexpected twists and turns. However, one piece is constant throughout this entire mixtape: the use of autotune. Charli is able to use autotune as an artistic tool that enhances her vision and sound. One of the mixtape’s highlights is the action-packed “I Got It,” with verses from freaky rappers Brooke Candy and cupcakKe and Brazilian drag queen, Pabllo Vittar. The song keeps building up a chant of dozens of I got it’s until the song’s booming conclusion. Then, we have “Unlock It” which features German pop princess, Kim Petras, and Korean-American rapper, Jay Park. This bubbly track sounds like it comes from a universe full of rainbows, pink clouds, dreams, and Sailor Moon. The final song, “Track 10,” is surely the most experimental track on the mixtape, and, surprisingly, is a remix of a previously unreleased XCX song. This song is a journey as it features grand production, robotic glitches, and self-realization which make the track sound as if a singing android has come to realization of her own humanity, concluding this forward-thinking mixtape. Other highlights from this mixtape include Charli’s flute-like high notes in “Lucky,” Caroline Polachek screeching like a banshee in “Tears,” and a “Boom Clap” ringtone interlude in “Delicious,” a nod to Charli’s major hit from 2014. Overall, this mixtape is unlike anything I have ever heard and I believe helps push the boundaries of what pop music can be.
☆ Rating: 10/10 ☆
Leo's Music Library 