Super Monster is out now via Saddest Factory Records
As the first artist signed to Phoebe Bridgers‘ new record label in October, Claud‘s next step has been highly-anticipated for months. Now, they’ve unveiled their debut album, Super Monster, and it’s a melancholic and relatable 13-track look into the singer’s experiences with love, heartbreak, and growing up.
At its core, Super Monster is a cohesive project that highlights a fresh new voice in the saturated field of bedroom pop. Sparkling, cozy, hopeful, and relatable, the album is musically and lyrically equivalent to a warm hug and signifies the strong future Claud Mintz will have in the music industry.
The first track on the album, “Overnight” immediately draws you in. Catchy, ethereal, and about falling in love hard and fast, this relatively short first song points to the consistent themes found within the album. Introspectively focusing on feelings of betrayal and anger, “Gold” follows as another examination of the highs and lows of relationships. Despite the hurt lyrics, the instrumental features sweet acoustic guitars and lighthearted beeps, lending to an upbeat track. “Gold” was the first song from the album that was ever released. See the accompanying music video below.
The third track, “Soft Spot,” was unveiled alongside the album announcement in December. Themes of heartbreak and nostalgia highlight Claud’s vulnerability in their lyricism. “In or In-Between” is a quick change of pace with funky guitars and bass that perfectly compliment Claud’s sweet atmospheric vocals. “Cuff Your Jeans” is an upbeat and reflective next track. Layered vocals and dreamy instrumentation make it a standout.
Claud and Nick Hakim collaborate remarkably on the next track, “Ana.” Lyricism around trust and difficult decisions and the harmonious blend of their voices make this track beautifully wistful. Though the chorus can become monotonously repetitive, the next track, “Guard Down,” is still catchy, fun, and a great representation of Claud’s poetic range and powerful instrumentation. “Guard Down” also reminds me of Clairo, who is best friends with Claud!
“This Town” lands halfway through the album and is a standout because of how relatable it is. Claud sings about leaving their town and growing up, a coming-of-age sentiment many have felt. The next track, “Jordan,” is reminiscent of an early 2000s pop song, full of love and hope. “That’s Mr. Bitch to You” is an unapologetically silly track with an incredible guitar solo from Melanie Faye. Both of these tracks would never fail to put a smile on your face.
Claud closes their album with an energetic three tracks. “Pepsi” is sure to be a fan-favorite with its fun and catchy but sad lyrics. “Rocks at Your Window” is quick, barely reaching 2 minutes. What it lacks in length, however, it makes up for in dreamy lyrics and guitars reminiscent of mxmtoon. The album ends with one of its best tracks, “Falling With the Rain.” Majestic guitars, unique vocals, and a catchy chorus guide feelings of transcending beyond hopelessness and bouncing back from hard times. Clocking in at only 37 minutes, Super Monster is an album you need to stream from start to finish. Listen below.
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