(Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunity_(Clairo_album))

Background 

Immunity is the debut album released by singer-songwriter Clairo, who originally gained prominence on YouTube for her song, “Pretty Girl”. Released in 2019, it peaked at 51 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and it was no. 22 on Billboards list of Best Albums of 2019 after receiving many positive critical reviews.  

Some of the album is lo-fi, relying on synthesizers, bass, as well as subdued instrumentals while other parts feature simple guitar chords and drum rhythms. There’s this unmistakable California/summery vibe at the core of Immunity that elicits this unique nostalgia.  

The Review 

The album opens with “Alewife”, the name being an homage to Alewife Station, the closest train station to her hometown of Carlisle, MA. It’s an incredibly sad song as Clairo recounts her struggle with mental health as she worked through an episode of depression in 8th grade. She sings: 

You called me seven times
One, two, three, four, on the line
I didn’t mean to scare you
Just had the thoughts in my mind 

At the same time, the song offers a silver lining and an expression of gratitude. More than an acknowledgment of mental illness, the song is a thank-you for the people in our lives that care about us and stick by us through our ups and downs. “Alewife” certainly indicates the rest of the album’s oscillation between melancholy and happiness.  

Another song I really like is “Bags”, which is the first single off the album. A departure from the sadness that “Alewife” emanated, “Bags” is filled with an upbeat yearning that differs from most of the album. Clairo sings: 

Can you see me? I’m waiting for the right time
I can’t read you, but if you want, the pleasure’s all mine
Can you see me using everything to hold back? 

Essentially, it’s a song about pining after someone while not knowing if they feel the same way. This song is great not only because it’s catchy and has some great synth riffs, but also because it’s emotionally vulnerable.  

I wouldn’t necessarily call Clairo’s music “raw” or “visceral”, but it does display a kind of innocent honesty.  

She openly uses female pronouns in her songs about love, unabashedly owning who she is as a person. Because of this, there’s this unmistakable relatability that’s borne from the self-acceptance she develops as Immunity progresses.  

In “Softly”, a song I highly recommend, she sings:  

Touch you softly, I call you up late at night
Know that it isn’t right, but you could be my one and only 

This kind of indicates guilt or wariness of the unknown. However, the outro marks a shift in attitude and pride in herself: 

And I don’t care what they say
Care what they say to me, I’m doing it differently
Baby, I’m doing it differently 

I love this song because not only down it represents growth, it just vibes hard. This jazzy, lo-fi guitar reiterates the same few riffs throughout, working with the thumping bass and drums in the background to keep Clairo’s voice at the forefront of attention.  

Overall, Immunity isn’t groundbreaking in terms of musical composition or vocal ability. Still, it manages to elicit a plethora of emotions from the listener through a combination of relatable lyrics and interesting instrumentals.  

Rating: 7/10