Get Lost In Claud’s World With “Super Monster”
Sam Plascencia & Jenny Sorto
As the first album released on Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records, Super Monster proves Claud’s delicate lyricism and genuine empathy. The 21-year old artist from the suburbs of Chicago strikes us with enamoured tracks that recognize the ups and downs of love. They reflect on their history of relationships, ultimately letting us into the world of Claud.
The story of Super Monster began as Claud looked back at the dozens of songs they had made in the past few years. Eventually landing on the 13 tracks that make up the album, Claud’s debut is inspired by a mixture of dating experiences. With lovesick, catchy singles like “Gold” and “Cuff Your Jeans”, Claud gave us a preview of the story they were creating within their debut album.
We highlight some of our beloved tracks off Super Monster below!
The opening track on the album, “Overnight” encapsulates the feeling of being on cloud 9. Claud sings about daydreaming of a person they just met. The line “everything feels better when you jump in” captures perfectly what it's like to be in a whirlwind romance. The song is indie-pop perfection, showcasing Claud’s dreamy melodies and soft vocals.
Meanwhile “In or In Between” shows another side to Claud with a quicker R&B beat and a more lustful mood. The lyrics “please can you tell me what you mean, can you spell it out for me'' express the urgent need for clarity on someone’s feelings. Wanting to get close to someone but being unsure of where they stand is a painfully relatable feeling that Claud is able to relay.
“Guard Down” illustrates the distance between two lovers in different cities, including the absent small details of intimacy such as their room and running your hands through their necklace. Towards the end of this track, the beat instantly changes and we’re found transported into the nostalgia that is “nothing like a New York summer”. Claud repeats this phrase while giving us pure sentiment in their soft voice. It seems as though they have let their guard down and comfortably opened up to face the genuine longing for someone.
The slow and steady introduction to “This Town” immediately draws us in. As a way to escape the unfortunate reality of life, sometimes all we want to do is run away. Claud makes this universal feeling known by gently singing “I don't wanna live in this town, I'll be on the next train out”. It’s an instant yearn for change in our daily routine and reminders of the past. Reminiscing how things were once while walking down certain streets is what Claud sadly reminds us of in this track.
“That’s Mr. Bitch To You” feat. Melanie Faye is a spotlight for Claud to confront those who doubt them. The track is a jab at anyone diminishing their success as Claud sings, “I've worked my ass off every day and tried my best to get to where I am and where I'll stay”. The emo-rock inspiration found in parts of the song has us imagining moshing along to the chorus. Faye’s guitar solo polishes off the anthemic quality of the track that will no doubt get stuck in your head.
“Falling With The Rain” feat. Shelly is the final track on Super Monster. Shelly, is a band consisting of Claud, Claire Cottrill, Josh Mehling, and Noa Frances Getzug. The thirteenth track wraps up every raw emotion found in the album admirably. The title itself makes us realize how sometimes we feel like we’re “hanging on by a thread” when we’re caught up in the madness of falling in and out of love. As a way to take some time for ourselves to freely let things go, Claud shows how they “think it's time to leave, blowing with suburban trees”.
Super Monster is a rollercoaster, going through the tumultuous turns of young love and self-discovery. The album cover is a self-portrait that represents Claud as a superhero mascot. The mystifying aura surrounding the monstrous character ties in with the underlying message behind the record. Claud says that as someone who is often misunderstood, they took advantage of the freeing nature that comes with a “Super Monster”. Claud impresses with their debut album and crafts a true coming-of-age masterpiece that creates a world of its own.
Listen here!
