Indie darling Clairo’s third studio album “Charm,” which came out July 12, is a warm, soul-infused, mature take on the complexities of young adulthood.

On her first independent release, Clairo expands and improves upon the sounds of her moodier second album “Sling,” which came out in 2021.

“Charm is a collection of warm, 70’s-inspired grooves that move lithely between jazz, psychedelic folk and soul,” says the album’s official description.

Sonically, this description is appropriate, considering “Charm” was recorded entirely on analog tape.

The success of “Charm” lies in the exchange of now overused pop music producer, Jack Antonoff, for Leon Michels as co-producer. Michels’ experience with soul group El Michels Affair and funk group Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings lends “Charm” its signature sound.

It also hones Clairo’s artistry and prevents her from sounding like another Taylor Swift or Lana Del Rey.

Sonically, “Charm” is a far cry from the synthy, sweet bedroom pop Clairo made as a teenager. It is still her bedroom she invites us into, just in a new place, decorated with richer colors, infused with experience and newfound self-knowledge.

The 38-minute-long record begins with the album’s two lead singles, “Nomad” and “Sexy to Someone,” two songs with seemingly contrasting themes until you listen closely.

The wistful opening track “Nomad” begins with crooning, western-inspired guitar, leading into Clairo singing about wanting to be alone to avoid disappointment, but desiring to be wanted at the same time.

“I’d rather be alone than a stranger / You’d come visit me late at night,” she sings, her silky vocals harmonizing beautifully with the backing vocal track.

“Sexy to Someone” more explicitly asks for attention, but ultimately gets to a similar point as “Nomad.” Clairo will let herself and others enjoy admiration only from afar, “Nothing more, nothing less.”

With nearly 30.5 million plays on Spotify, “Sexy to Someone” is already a summer hit. Its simple yet grooving beat is accentuated by a jazzy trumpet, french horn, piano and clarinet instrumentation, and Clairo’s relatable lyricism.

“Sexy to somebody, it would help me out,” she sings in the chorus. “Oh, I need a reason to get out of the house / And it’s just a little thing I can’t live without.”

Truly, what is the point of leaving the house if you are not going to be someone’s mysterious stranger stuck in their head for the rest of the day?

Not all songs on “Charm” are that aloof, though. Clairo leans into tenderness and intimacy on the album’s seventh track, “Juna.”

The funk-inspired track is addressed to a new crush and leaning into those heart-racing feelings after a long time.

It is easy to conflate Clairo’s whispering vocals with melancholy, but in “Juna,” they are light and flirty. If this song’s purpose is to compel the listener to fall in love, it succeeds.

I  was endeared to it after watching a TikTok of Clairo dancing enigmatically and mouthing the sensual second verse, with the caption “I heard you like this one.”

“(You make me wanna) go dancing / (You make me wanna) try on feminine,” Clairo tells the object of her affection. “(You make me wanna) go buy a new dress / (You make me wanna) slip off a new dress.”

“Terrapin,” the preceding track to “Juna,” is similar sonically, and the two blend into each other very well. Its repeating rhythmic melody is earworm-worthy.

Part of Clairo’s exploration of young adulthood is romantic feelings, both heart-racing and heart-wrenching. The latter is illustrated in “Add Up My Love,” a song where Clairo taunts her ex after the end of a relationship, but also herself for her unresolved feelings.

“If I could wait for a time / To be mad about it, mad about it / I’d choose a day when you’re on your way / And I can say it all to your face,” she sings with a voice comparably stronger than the rest of the songs on “Charm.” 

Of course, romance is not a part of every young adult’s life, nor is it ever the only thing.

The closing track, “Pier 4,” which admittedly feels like an abrupt ending, demonstrates the overarching theme of “Charm” and young adulthood: self-discovery.

The stripped-down guitar ballad revisits the themes of “Nomad,” but feels hardened, as if Clairo is letting go of her desire to be wanted and leaning solely into solitude.

“And if you’re walking home alone / you’ll find a reason, you’ll just chalk it up / to being different, being young / and wonder why no one knew you at all,” she sings, describing the moment of realization that you have grown.

The title “Charm” is taken from the saying “The third time’s the charm.” Indeed, this is Clairo’s most cohesive album yet, down to the visually pleasing album cover dominated by warm, muted neutrals and greens, and its zany, wiggly cover font.

The album speaks volumes as the first she has produced independent of a record label, with more control over production and instrumentation and, concurrently, more maturity.