Sabrina, Charli and Chappell are suddenly stars. Why now?

As someone who grew up watching Disney Channel and dreaming of a career in music, I can completely relate to the experiences of Sabrina Carpenter and Grace VanderWaal. Their journeys from child stars to successful pop artists are both inspiring and daunting.

At the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles last month, Charli XCX’s fans donned various lime-green outfits – tube tops, beanies, hoodies, cowboy hats, sunglasses, and even mesh vests. However, not everyone wore the vibrant color of her new album “Brat.” Nonetheless, the enthusiasm for the English pop singer was palpable as the crowd shouted every word to all 15 tracks she performed.

She requested, “I’d rather not sing this song myself – could you please sing it instead?”, just as the powerful beats of “B2B” were about to start. The majority in the room appeared happy to grant her wish.

As a devoted Charli XCX fan, I was thrilled to be part of the dedicated community of supporters who managed to secure tickets for her sold-out concert, despite the skyrocketing prices on the secondary market. For nearly a decade and a half, Charli’s unique blend of tuneful electronic pop has resonated deeply with me and countless others, earning her the moniker “Charli’s Angels.” Her collaborations on hits like Icona Pop’s “I Love It,” which she co-wrote, and her own solo debut, “True Romance,” have only solidified her cult-fave status. The energy at Charli’s concerts is always electric, filled with a special “if-you-know-you-know” vibe that draws fans in and leaves us yearning for more.

Yet signs keep mounting that the wider world is starting to pay attention.

Last week, “Brat,” Charli’s sixth album, ranked number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart – a new career best for the 31-year-old artist. Critics have largely praised “Brat,” with favorable reviews coming from renowned publications such as Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and the Guardian.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d rephrase the given text as follows:

As a cinephile, I can’t help but notice how confidently Charli exudes herself at the Shrine during her performance. Yet, in her song “Brat,” she expresses her fears of the solitary nature of stardom that lies ahead. In “Rewind,” she yearns for simpler times when she didn’t scrutinize every detail of her face and wasn’t preoccupied with Billboard charts.

I’ve been closely following the music scene this summer and I must say, it’s been an exhilarating time for newcomers making waves in the industry. One such artist who has caught my attention is Charli, whose sudden rise to fame is truly inspiring. But she’s not alone in her success story.

As a music enthusiast and someone who closely follows the Billboard charts, I was thrilled to witness Carpenter’s meteoric rise this past week. “Please Please Please,” her sultry yacht-rock hit about a well-known woman’s apprehensions in a public relationship, unexpectedly claimed the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 after only two weeks of being on the chart. Hot on its heels at No. 4 was Carpenter’s bubbly neo-disco sensation, “Espresso.”

Roan made her debut in Billboard’s top 10 album chart for the first time with her dramatically artistic 2023 LP, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” This achievement was largely driven by her notable performances at Coachella and New York’s Governors Ball festival. During an interview on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, she was asked about the feeling of finally achieving this milestone. Roan responded with a smile, “It feels validating, like I’ve been right along.”

Why is it that these women are making waves now, in a year already filled with achievements from established A-list artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Billie Eilish? According to one prominent pop songwriter, who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely, this trend can be attributed in part to the industry’s need for fresh talent. The music scene has been craving new superstars, and these women are filling that void.

“Four years have passed since Olivia Rodrigo emerged as the latest breakout star, which is unusual for there used to be at least one major newcomer each year, sometimes even two.”

As a movie critic, I’d say this: The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns took away the usual means for record labels to promote new talents, lamented the songwriter. In its place, TikTok emerged as an unexpected platform, providing fleeting hits from bedroom singers. It’s enchanting, yet disconcerting, as these artists have never performed live before and there’s no emotional connection or backstory to engage with. All we have is a catchy tune and the mystery of its creator’s identity.

Carpenter, Roan, and Charli XCX share a unique connection that deeply engages listeners, as pointed out by Michelle Jubelirer, the ex-CEO of Capitol Music Group who facilitated Ice Spice’s rise. These artists stand out for their unwavering strength, independence, and boldness. They create their own universes while staying true to themselves. Jubelirer chuckles, summarizing their attitude as, “We’ve had enough of the nonsense! Embrace us as we are, or step aside.”

As a movie lover, I’ve noticed that artists like Charli and Roan bring a boldness to their music that goes beyond the lyrics of their songs. In “360” and “Please Please Please,” Charli challenges her audience with her raw and provocative words, promising to shock us like defibrillators, and warning her boyfriend not to embarrass her. But it’s not just in their lyrics where this brashness shines through.

She croons, “I strolled through Stockholm streets / Pondering my future for the first time,” followed by an account of her visit to friends with a newborn. “She’s a radiantly shining mother and he’s a handsome father / Now they both grasp concepts I am yet unaware.”

In a raw and candid manner, “I Think About It All the Time” by Charli showcases her well-built artistry. This sincere self-expression resonates strongly with listeners, possibly surpassing the polished charm of Dua Lipa’s “Radical Optimism,” an album by a widely recognized pop artist that has yet to captivate a large audience this year.

Ariana Grande’s and Kacey Musgraves’ LPs might be considered underachievers as well, since they depict women who have found inner peace through introspection – instead of artists like Charli, Sabrina, and Chappell, whose music reflects unresolved desires and anxieties.

Certainly, despite their seemingly chaotic ascent to fame, each rising pop star has perfected the art of conveying their message after years of dedication. Roan secured her major record label contract around ten years ago and relocated from Missouri to Los Angeles in 2018. Carpenter, with an upcoming album in August, gained recognition through a Disney Channel series and released her debut album in 2015. As one industry veteran remarks about former child TV stars: “Fans have grown up with them, so when they make it big, they become more than just a song because they’ve already become a part of your life. And the Disney graduates are well-prepared: They can perform when required.”

In agreement with Jubelirer’s assessment, Roan and Carpenter have gained significant online popularity through their captivating stage performances. This year, they had the opportunity to showcase their exceptional skills to vast audiences as Roan toured as an opening act for Rodrigo, and Carpenter joined Swift on her record-breaking Eras tour.

As a movie buff, I can relate when an accomplished actor steps onto the stage and encounters an unfamiliar, disorienting new world. Take Roan, for instance, who’s currently performing in North Carolina. With tears in her eyes, she paused mid-set to share her honest feelings with her audience. She confessed that her career was progressing at an overwhelming pace, leaving her feeling “a little off.” She didn’t want to compromise the quality of her performance due to her emotions and emphasized, “This is what I’ve always dreamed of – it’s just a heavy burden sometimes.”

The crowd promptly roared.

2024-07-18 21:09

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