As we experience the Braternization of pop music (it was only a matter of time), I’d like to look back a ways to one of the most fun pop albums of our era. And when I say “back a ways”, I mean 2022, because time moves fast in music.

I first heard Coco & Clair Clair in 2019 on Deaton Chris Anthony’s “RACECAR”, then discovered their immaculate song “Pretty”. The girlies enlisted Kreayshawn on their 2020 song “TLG”, thereby showing some love to a forebear of their sound and style. It’s a fantastic track that cemented my place as a fan. Sexy, then, turned out to be about everything I hoped for in a C&CC album.

The first few tracks follow the group’s established style: candy-coated beats, Coco’s humor and Clair Clair’s dream-pop melodies. “The Hills” is like the musical equivalent of a Kirby plushy, and “U & Me” is a doe-eyed Britney tribute. “8AM” throws a curveball by going sunshine pop, while “Bitches” enlists the help of niche west coast rapper Marjorie W.C. Sinclair, with a rare and thrilling Clair Clair rap verse (“The Louis, the prada? / both mine / Your man and his friend? / both mine / Kissin’ my ass / full-time”). It’s a burst of serotonin that makes for one of my most-listened to tracks on the album.

“Lamb” taps indie artist Porches for some slacker guitar and proves another highlight. meltycanon’s toy music box beat for “TBTF” works perfectly for Coco & Clair Clair’s carefree approach, and there’s a hilarious slideshow video (see above). Single “Pop Star” rounds things out, appropriately, as the album’s most popular song. Coco & Clair Clair recently followed this one up with Girl, which plays more like an EP at 24 minutes, but is also worth a listen.

Listen to Sexy here.