Clairo Gives Progress Report On “Very Different” Fourth Album

Clairo is inspired, and it's a beautiful thing. The pop artist is in the thick of making her fourth album, the follow-up to 2024's Charm. In TikTok posts, she vlogged about the music she's working on, while currently on a recording trip, the third of the recording process so far. Across three videos she talked about the importance of documenting inspired moments, considering that there's usually years of waiting for a spark to catch. They're all lovely snippets that will have you feeling hopeful about the creative drudge.

"I'm feeling really good about the music. I'm feeling really good about where I am and the things I'm striving for. I feel like this is one of the first times I've been — I'm back in that place where I'm having big dreams and trying to accomplish them," she says. "It's nice to have proof that I'm this inspired." Gorgeous!

She explains that "it's been years that I've been waiting for a break, waiting to land on something that I feel passionate about. It's finally starting to happen. I think it's worth documenting. This has always happened to me with an album and it's always the best part."

Clairo doesn't give details about what this new era sounds like, but she does say it has her a bit scared: "That's a good sign to me that I'm doing something at least a little bit different." She adds, "You always romanticize the part where you didn't know what you were doing after you realize what the point is."

She closes the five-minute video out by saying: "I like people talking about this. I like people talking about the painstaking process it is to land on something you're proud of and the feeling of wanting to share the depressive episodes you go through when you don't have it. Music is the only thing that matters to me and that can be super frustrating and isolating. To feel inspired again makes me so emotional."

The other two videos are a bit shorter, but no less profound. In another she talks about how "music is in a great place and people are doing exactly what they want." And in a third clip, she responds to the question posed "Are you worried people are going to be overly critical?" A little bit, she confessed. She discusses that she appreciates criticism and being pushed, but that it's also crushing when you've worked on something you love for years and the first response is negative. Fair!

"It doesn't get easier making an album," she said. "I don't think an album would completely define me. People didn't like Sling and I know that. And, fair. That's fine. I love it. I made it at that time in my life and i love it. It's different but to me so badass that was the follow-up to my debut album in the grand scheme of things. Of course I care, but ultimately you stop caring after time has passed. I could make me sad if I let it but I can't. I'm trying to learn how to not let it get there. I have to be proud." Preach! I need the Clairo edition of The Artist's Way.

Watch them all below.