Rank: 4.5/5
A match made in music heaven, the SOPHIE-produced EP takes Charlotte Aitchison’s, better known as Charli XCX, signature dark bubblegum pop sound to the next level.
The “Boom Clap” singer departs from the pop punk sound of her previous album, “Sucker” to a more experimental vibe in “Vroom Vroom”, mixing nostalgic EDM and hip-hop elements featuring banging basses, high-pitched vocals, and the distinctive sounds of English label PC Music thanks to SOPHIE.
The “Vroom Vroom” EP only features four tracks, but what it lacks in quantity is made up for in quality.
The extended play is opened by a track of the same name, but this is not just an opening track. “Vroom Vroom” is the track of the EP.
Charli XCX sing-raps over a bombastic beat, “B—-s know they can’t catch me/ Cute, sexy in my ride, sporty.”
The chorus feels inspired by her “Fancy” collaboration with Iggy Azalea Like “Fancy”, this track is an absolute must on your girl gang night out playlist.
“Paradise” is a collaboration with PC Music poster child, Hannah Diamond.
Charli XCX has expressed admiration for the English label and major interest in working with them. When Angels,the name of Aitchison’s fandom, heard that a Charli XCX and Hannah Diamond track was going to be a real thing, Tumblr basically blew up.
Needless to say, expectations were high. The second track of the EP opens with chipmunk-like vocals that are prevalent throughout the track. It’s a real mishmash of elements that are starkly different from each other, a lone piano, a super-hype EDM rave build-up and a chorus that’s very PC Music meets Top 40 R&B.
A solid track, but one would expect better from collaboration that’s oh-so-right. A glance at the tracklist, it would seem that “Paradise” would be the shining star of the EP, but the more flamboyant “Vroom Vroom” and third track, “Trophy,” overshadow it.
Sampling a “Pulp Fiction” line from Uma Thurman, “Trophy” is the perfect track for a Saturday night.
Again, Charli XCX does her distinctive sugary pseudo-rap over relentless bombastic beats like she did in the opening track. If “Vroom Vroom” had a feisty little sister who takes no prisoners, “Trophy” would be her.
A more familiar sound is shown in the final track, “Secret (Shh).”
The song is the cool-down equivalent of an exercise routine. Following the sassy and hyped-up “Trophy,” “Secret” is a slow, sensual, and sinister song that sounds like it could be featured on her debut album, “True Romance.”
This notion is promising since it could be a sign of the artist returning to her more authentic and standout sound versus the more mainstream and radio-friendly “Sucker” album. The release of the EP also comes with the news of the artist creating her own label, Vroom Vroom Records.
“Vroom Vroom” is unmistakably Charli XCX complete with her English accent, attitude, and very-Charli lyrics, but with a sprinkle of PC Music magic. It leaves listeners wanting more from her, so fingers are crossed for a full-length album soon.