Charli XCX’s “Nuclear Seasons”

I found out about Charli XCX completely by accident because of a mistake made by the Knocks/Popshop Radio.

I was listening to the Popshop Radio 12 mix by The Knocks and thought “Man, this really sounds like Feist if she went all electro” at the end. I went over to the Popshop site to see the track listing on the mix and at the very end, I saw “Nuclear Seasons” by Charli XCX.

Googled Charli XCX and found out her site offers that exact song as a free download. “SCORE!” I exclaimed in my head (because I already exclaim too many things out loud in front of other people – not that it mattered at that moment because I was alone at the time). Anyway, I plug in my info and download the song. Click the play triangle on iTunes and am surprised to realize it sounds nothing at all like the Feist-sound-a-like I heard earlier. In fact, Charli XCX sounds like Marina and the Diamonds but with more 80s-inspired, Madonna twinkly synths and boom-boom-ahhhhhs. I can’t remember exactly which 80s band/singer’s darker notes this reminds me of, but I’ll post that in when I do remember.

Maybe I was going about it the wrong way? the darker synths weren’t a female 80s pop star’s style but more Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence”? DEFINITELY! It feels/sounds right.

ANYWAY…

Is this a NEW new wave? Neo-new wave? neu new wave? Awwwww… Just looked it up: I can’t patent “neu wave” or “Neu new wave” because 1) there’s a company called Neu Wave. I think it’s for acne medication, 2) there’s a band called “Neu!” (The exclamation is actually in their name. I don’t know if I’m excited about them just yet. I’ll have to listen to them first.), and 3) I’m pretty sure I’ve heard people talk about “new new wave” before or so. Damn

Newtro? as in New+retro? Neutro? Neutron. hahahaha

Look, if Hipster Runoff can coin “Chillwave,” why can’t I coin some sort of term for this style? Watch, Hipster Runoff probably already has.

ANYWAY…….

I haven’t listened to any other Charli XCX songs yet, but I’m excited to because I really like her sound – as convolutedly as I’ve described it.

Happy listening!

P.S. This also technically gets filed as “Music to Bone to” because I would TOTALLY have sex to this song. So sensual with its 80s retro stylings.