Immunity:The innocence of adolescence




 The innocence of adolescence 

During your adolescence it's common to feel as if you're at war with the world, but the real battle is within. Immunity is an exceptional debut from Clairo and a great introspective album on the delicacies of young adulthood and navigating your emotional turmoil;using your tumultuous relationship with yourself as gain of perspective rather than a loss of self.


As Clairo has stated herself, Immunity is about realising her bisexuality and going through the highs and lows of crushes, high school experiences and the innocence that one withholds whilst directing yourself through the mystery of the unknown.


Starting with the emotionally driven opener “Alewife” produced by Rostam introduces Clairo’s intentional transparency which is consistent throughout the album. Alewife is based around Clairo’s gratitude for her friend that saved her from taking her life during eighth grade, which instantly brings in the darkness of feeling alone during your adolescence. Throughout the album, Clairo continues to talk about topics that bring the listener into a regressive state, reimagining the vulnerability and naivety of being that age again or for listeners currently experiencing their teenage years, accepting the turbulence of your young adulthood and surrendering to the war that's about to begin or, even taking place.Clairo sings “I was fifteen when I first felt loneliness” focusing in on the unavoidable isolation and uncomfortable loneliness that follows you through these years. Immunity gives insight into the discomforts of your teenage years rather than glorifying as media does stereotypically. 


Breakout song ‘Bags’ still receives acclaim for its lyricism, Clairo’s hit single laced with subtle references to other pop songs highlights the mediocrity of everyday life and dwells on the defeatedness of unrequited love.The melody of the chorus is flat highlighting the discouragement felt during this experience and Clairos voice is very quiet restraining any real emotion being heard through the lines “Can you see me using everything to hold back”. Using the metaphor “Walking out the door with your bags” she explains the weight that's carried when you're burdened with someone else's emotional baggage.She also states a profound line “pardon my emotions I should probably keep them all to myself, no you'll make fun of me” which I think is the most fundamental feeling of the teenage experience: the trials and tribulations of finding your own voice , of speaking up for yourself. 


Closing with a chorus of children backing the vocals the last track “I wouldn't ask you” Clairo fully opens up about the limitations that were created whilst she was in hospital for an extended period and shows gratitude to her lover for taking care of her.Positioning herself in a place of vulnerability whilst experiencing more intimacy with her lover.This song is intimate and compelling, finalising many topics spoken about throughout the album and closing chapters within this period of time. Teaching us to accept the inescapable transparency that comes with intimacy and allowing ourselves to release the fear that hides us from opening ourselves up.


Fatima :) 

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