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Blouse (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Blouse'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Clairo, released through Fader Label and Republic Records on June 11, 2021 as the lead single from her sophomore studio album, 'Sling'. The song was written by Clairo, produced by Clairo and Jack Antonoff, and features backing vocals from New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde.
Background and composition
Clairo announced the release of "Blouse" on June 10, 2021, with the song scheduled to come out the following day. It is the lead single from 'Sling', Clairo's second album.
Clairo speaks about her experiences on being sexualised in the music industry on the song. Talking to 'Rolling Stone' writer Angie Martoccio, Clairo highlighted the lyric of "Why do I tell you how I feel, when youre too busy looking down my blouse? If touch could make them hear, then touch me now" on the song. Clairo explained that "that line is really important to me, because it just captures so much of what that experience feels like. I was pissed off. I was pissed off that thats a part of this, and that Im just supposed to accept the fact that thats a part of it. I have moments where I wonder if it even matters what I write. I put in so much effort, but is it going to get to a point where Im just overly sexualized again? Youre so desperate for someone to hear you out that you just let them do it."
"Blouse" is a folk ballad that features backing vocals from Lorde. Lorde's backing vocals were recorded on a rainy day in New Zealand, and raindrops can be heard in the background of her vocals. Speaking to Gemma Sanways of 'The Guardian', Clairo said of Lorde's involvement that "we talked a lot about how cool it was in the Laurel Canyon era, where people would secretly do background vocals on each others music like Joni Mitchell with Carole King rather than as a way to benefit the business side of things. Back then it was just like: 'I love your voice: will you lend your talent to my song?'"
Critical reception
For 'Pitchfork', Quinn Moreland wrote that the song "immediately sets itself apart" from her 2019 album 'Immunity'. Of the music, Moreland said that "a hushed acoustic guitar melody is soon joined by gentle orchestral flourishes courtesy of co-producer Jack Antonoff and low-key backing vocals from Lorde". Addressing the line "if touch could make them hear, then touch me now", Moreland stated that the encounter was "a devastating prospect wanting so badly to be genuinely validated that you contemplate compromising part of yourself". The review concluded by saying that "'Blouse' is a quiet yet bold leap forward for Clairo, one that puts a spotlight on her skills as a songwriter with remarkable ease".
Margaret Farrell of 'Flood' compared "Blouse" to Lorde's "Liability", saying that the songs "harness the same urgent closeness". Aside from that, Farrell also noted that "orchestral strings swell around Clairos bruised words", and that "her vocals get slightly louder" towards the end of the song.
Live performances
On June 3, 2021, Clairo announced that she would debut "Blouse" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She performed the song on June 10 in-studio on the Tonight Show.
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.
* Clairo vocals, songwriting, production
* Jack Antonoff production, bass, conductor, electric guitar, Mellotron, slide guitar, strings conductor, mixing, recording engineer
* Lorde background vocals
* Eric Byers cello
* Evan Smith flute, saxophones
* Bobby Hawk violin
* Laura Sisk recording engineer
* John Rooney recording engineer
* Chris Gehringer mastering engineer
* Will Quinnell assistant mastering engineer
Charts
References
Category:2021 singles
Category:2021 songs
Category:2020s ballads
Category:Clairo songs
Category:Folk ballads
Category:Songs written by Clairo
Category:Song recordings produced by Clairo
Category:Song recordings produced by Jack Antonoff
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