The Art of the Clairo Collab: The Indie Pop Princess’ Top 10

Clairo, the young face of bedroom pop, is no stranger to collaboration. This comprehensive list definitively ranks her musical ventures, exploring her domination of varying genres and consistent ability to produce hits.

Written and illustrated by Emma Tanner

10. “Queen” – P.H.F

Straying far from her bedroom, Clairo steps out of her normal realm to try punk on for size. “Queen” starts out as a lone guitar loop, escalating loudly into a punk jam complete with overwhelming electric guitar. Bringing Clairo onto the song, however, makes “Queen” a more “chill punk,” leaving listeners feeling a calm yet electrifying energy. Her vocals heighten the sound, adding that special something that makes this song more than just an agitated teen banging out random chords on his guitar.

9. “How Was Your Day? – Mellow Yellow

This jazzy track is a perfect fusion of silky guitar loops, spicy snare beats, and loving vocals. Clairo’s voice on the song pairs with Mellow Yellow’s subtle vocals, contributing overall to the dreamy haziness of the sound. Lyrics like “I can be your home / only for the night if you want to,” perfectly capture the strangeness of loneliness and everyone’s need for companionship, even if it’s just temporary. Mellow Yellow and Clairo recognize that sometimes, all we really need is someone to ask us those seemingly boring, take-it-for-granted questions like “how was your day?” to make us feel a little less alone.

8. “February 2017” – Charli XCX

Pop powerhouse Charli XCX is not an artist who one would envision indie-underground Clairo teaming up with for a collab. However, Clairo proves on “February 2017” that she can beautifully assert her unique style on any project she touches by bringing her own twist to Charli XCX’s upbeat pop sound. Clairo stays comfortable when exploring subjects of unrequited love and heartbreak in her lyrics, and even contributes her own alt-pop flare in the melody of the track. In this collaboration, Clairo proves that she makes a home for herself in any genre, establishing her unique sound across musical borders.

7. “You Might Be Sleeping” – Jakob Ogawa

Jakob Ogawa’s gooey beats paired with Clairo’s hypnotic vocals make “You Might Be Sleeping” a track straight out of a hazy daydream. Released in May 2017, this collaboration came just before Clairo released her hit “Flaming Hot Cheetos,” which kick-started her career and established her as a name to know in the world of indie music. Though it’s a lesser-known project of Clairo’s, “You Might Be Sleeping” fully displays just what makes Clairo so special: the artful lyrics, mellow vocals, and sugary depiction of modern romance put her abilities on full display and make this track something truly special.

6. “Drown” – Cuco

Cuco and Clairo are a natural pairing, and the duo proved that two is definitely better than one on their joint track “Drown.” A display of both of their lyrical abilities when it comes to writing unabashedly honest love stories, this tune tells the brutal narrative of navigating a heartbreak. The soft-hitting vocals of the two young artists and the lilting alt-melody come together to make a bedroom-pop dream, proving that Cuco and Clairo are the perfect pair.

5. “Girl” – Brennan Henderson

Sticking close to her humble indie-pop beginnings, “Girl” is Clairo’s only collaboration with Brennan Henderson, off his debut album Never Been Cool. Toying with synth beats, R&B undertones, and vocals evocative of those rainy day feels, “Girl” is one of Clairo’s lesser-known collaborations but is one that definitely shouldn’t be ignored.

4. “I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again” – Mura Masa

A more recent release, Clairo’s collaboration with Mura Masa shows her readiness to truly establish herself as an artist. Released soon after her own project, Immunity, “I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again” ushers in a new era of Clairo — with even rawer lyrics, a perspective that can only be attributed to personal growth and getting older, and a fusion of sound that establishes her as an artist of her own accord and further hints at the boundless talent she possesses. Perfectly combining the sounds of loving sadness and wounded anger felt by someone who is struggling with the frustrations of a warring relationship, in this collaboration Clairo proves she’s over making blissfully ignorant tracks about the ease of young love by tackling head-on the grown-up s--- that comes with grown-up relationships.

3. “Better” – SG Lewis

The pair’s first collaboration represents Clairo’s move away from her bedroom-pop realm to develop her exploration of other genres. Following her release of hits like “Pretty Girl” and “Flaming Hot Cheetos,” “Better” showcases a different side of the teen sensation and further proves her musical ken. The disco-funk beat is the perfect soundtrack to a nighttime drive when you and your friends are sick of early 2000s throwbacks, proving just how capable Clairo is at stepping outside her comfort zone and dominating the creation of unique sounds.

2. “Are You Bored Yet?” – Wallows

Wallows’ indie-pop track featuring Clairo leaves listeners only wishing that the collaboration had come sooner. Clairo yet again proves her songwriting and vocal abilities on the popular track, expressing the strange feeling of being in a relationship but knowing that the end is near. “Are You Bored Yet?” captures the sentiment of a young couple realizing that they’ve grown up and are ready to move on. It’s a weird middle ground to be in love but ready to not be, and to feel the possibility of regret when you’re missing out on meeting new people and being in other relationships while you’re young and changing. Clairo and Wallows’ collaboration is the perfect combination of an upbeat bop with the looming feeling of romantic doom, making it the quintessential teen love song of 2019.

1. “Throwaway” – SG Lewis

Clairo and SG Lewis’ take on a love song is the perfect combination of lo-fi beats and dreamy vocals. The duo’s second collaboration, “Throwaway” fuses ethereal sounds and introspective heartbreak, immortalizing the fear of rejection and intimacy that makes vulnerability in a relationship so difficult. SG Lewis’ production perfectly pairs with Clairo’s cloud-soft vocals, establishing the two as an up-and-coming duo to watch.

Can’t get enough? Check out these other Clairo collaborations!

“RACECAR” – Deaton Christ Anthony

“Lara” – SASSY 009

“Blue Angel” – Danny L Harle

“Valentine” – Soloq

“Conducta” – Osquello

“Froyo” – Hans.